Dear Friends,
It goes without saying that the past year has been very challenging for the staff and students of International Students House, both professionally and personally, having to adapt to so many changes to our ways of working and our ways of life.
We have been writing to you regularly to keep you updated and informed during these ever-changing circumstances throughout the pandemic, and we hope that this has been useful to you.
Amid the uncertainty and the obstacles that this year has brought, sharing stories about how our students and staff have risen to these challenges has been inspiring.
As Christmas is often a time for reflection, we want to recognise and say a special thank you to our support staff. In particular, our cleaning staff, duty managers and maintenance staff who have worked tirelessly to ensure that ISH is a safe space. Without their significant contribution, our core activities would not have been able to occur in the ways they have made possible.
Among the stories that we don’t often share are the untold contributions of our staff who’ve experienced extended periods of working from home. For some, working remotely is more productive, but for some, isolation and loneliness negatively affect mental and physical health.
So thank you to everyone who has given anyone a virtual arm around the shoulder, scheduled a Zoom chat or spread some goodwill and humour.
We hope you, too, can take the time to reflect on all that you have personally achieved and acknowledge your role in helping ISH. ISH will navigate through the challenges that lay ahead, and it is only because of your efforts. And we hope that you are proud of your personal achievements, however big or small you might consider them to be; Small acts of friendship and kindness to friends, neighbours, and colleagues will have never had a more significant impact.
Now all that’s left to say is we wish you all a restful festive period and a happy New Year.
Stay safe,
ISH Marketing Team