It’s already sounding cliché, but 2020 really has been a year like no other. It will take a while to come to terms with everything that Coronavirus has taken from us, but it’s also worth remembering the things that we have gained during our lockdown experiences.

Life happens, even when we’re not looking.

We wanted to end the year by sharing our ‘gifts of positivity’. These are the moments that have brought our team happiness, peace, joy, love and gratitude. Some of them are greater than others, but in whatever measure, they are a reminder that life is what we make it, and that we are thankful for our health, happiness, and love for one another as friends and colleagues.

We are family!

Being pregnant and having a baby during a national pandemic is incredibly tough. We take our hats off to those expectant parents who’ve had to navigate pre- and post-natal care during this incredibly difficult time.

The WK360 family have been blessed by no less than THREE new arrivals this year; Designer Pete and his wife Sarah welcomed the perfectly designed and very cheeky Harry, gorgeous smiley Alexander arrived to Richard and his wife Sarah, and messy Mason – pictured here enjoying his first ever chocolate ice cream – is a first grandchild for Lisa, from our accounts department. They’re three of the happiest, healthiest and most handsome boys, and have been a real gift of joy to their families.

Living the Good Life

Sometimes, our gifts of positivity came from appreciating those things we’ve been too busy for in recent times. Debs found joy in spending less time on the phone and more time at home with her husband Roger, as he was shielding during the first part of the year. For Lawrence, full-time working from home meant he actually remembered to water his plants! He was very proud of his home-grown produce this year; a touch of the Good Life in Luton, rather than Surbiton. And once she’d powered down the printers, Mandy had time to sit and enjoy the view, and have a seriously socially distanced chat with her neighbours in the next field!

I now pronounce you…

Nothing says positivity like a good wedding! Shelley, from our Print team, wed husband Mark on a day to remember in September. They were only allowed 8 guests to attend their intimate ceremony at Banbury Registry Office, but it made for a very intimate and joyous day for them and their families. We wish Mr & Mrs Sheppard a wonderful life together, and a chance to go on their honeymoon sometime soon!

Retoucher Ben also shared in a moment of wedding day joy as he watched his brother getting married. Congratulations Mr & Mrs Ward!

Going for gold

Some of us took the opportunity to focus on our own health and fitness during 2020. Away from his screens, Joel found positivity in training and playing hockey, and it’s paid off as his team have just won the National over 40 Hockey Championship. While our Financial whizz Simon took part in the virtual London Marathon - although virtual, he still had to run!

Likewise, Barry, our mild-mannered Photographer, completed a very muddy Nuclear Rush Obstacle Race, with a great time and a filthy photo to prove it. And as if his two feet weren’t fast enough for him, his other great memory of 2020 was getting to shoot a Ducati Superbike in our studio.

Well done!

Let’s go for a walk

WK360 has always been a family-orientated company, and the opportunity to spend time with our children has been the biggest take-away from 2020 for a lot of us. More time at home has meant more time to play, and being ‘too busy’ isn’t an excuse that goes down well with small children!

With schools closed for months on end, and so many of us trying to juggle a work/life balance based around the kitchen table, escaping to the great outdoors for a bit of downtime has become a national pastime. Proofreader Tracey’s daughters Robyn and Freya proved that it’s never too muddy for a woodland walk. Sue swapped Cyprus for the British seaside and still had a paddle with grandson Jae. And Andy’s daughter Annie is practically living free range these days, with a daddy-daughter walk as part of their daily routine.

That’s Paw-some

If you know us at WK, you know we love an office dog! We can’t wait to meet Jackson, Lisa’s new puppy, although it might be a while yet as I don’t think any of us would be able to maintain a social distance from him! Ollie, our regular office dog, is doing well and is enjoying long walks with owner Jennie. All that time managing the Photography department is paying off, Jen!

Lee, from our Repro department, went slightly off brand, and found himself proud owner of two kittens – Luna and Tigger.

We hope you enjoy our gifts of positivity, and we wish all our clients, colleagues and friends – with possibly more sincerity than ever before – a very happy new year!