For the lucky ones, lockdown proved to be a mixed bag - challenging, but also full of little blessings such as the slower speed of life; the renewed appreciation of -and time for - nature, and the strengthening of our communities. Creativity bloomed. For me, it resulted in setting up the House of Talents, a community of experienced artists, writers, actors, novelists, playwrights, performers, mindfulness and meditation teachers, all sharing their skills in affordable online classes.

There are now over fifty coaches and tutors in the House, ranging from award-winning novelists and Olivier-nominated actors to prize-winning playwrights and established movement directors. We even have an in-house publisher giving advice on how to publish your book, and a resident home cook from Naples offering Italian cookery lessons. Our classes and courses have been attended by numerous private individuals as well as The Mirror Group Newspapers, The London School of Economics and the Royal College of Nursing. 10% of all proceeds are donated to charity.

For me and everyone else who set up similar initiatives during this time, it proved once again, that even when the skies are smothered by dark clouds, there will always be chinks of light.