I'm originally from Hong Kong and have lived in Melbourne, London and LA before settling in Colchester in 2022 with my daughter. As a single parent, I was looking for a place which offered a balance between proximity to London and the seaside, and Colchester ticked all the boxes. It’s been a wonderful place to call home.

I studied fashion and worked in fashion and prosthetic make-up for films while living between London and LA. Relocating to the UK had always been my plan and we made the move during Covid. This gave me the opportunity to spend more time with my daughter but I also missed working.

To stay active, I began volunteering at St Helena Hospice and that experience was transformative. I saw how Compassionate Communities rebuilds real human connections in a world often dominated by isolation and online interactions. These communities foster collective care, reduce stigma and address social, emotional and practical needs, ensuring no-one faces life’s challenges like illness, caregiving or end of life alone.