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From realising that politics is a "blood sport" to recognising the importance of travel, family and good health, the key takeaways from 2024 in Jersey are certainly varied... For one politician, the year has been about learning to "watch out for snakes", literally and metaphorically...
As 2025 looms, Express posed the question, 'What's the key lesson you've learnt this year and what kept you going?' to a cross-section of the island's community.
Here's what some of our elected politicians, business leaders, charity champions, Pride of Jersey winners and sportspeople had to say...
St Helier Deputy, former Housing Minister
Politics is a blood sport! The vote of no confidence was quite shocking and I got to experience some of the best and worst sides of humanity in the process. The motto, keep your friends close but your enemies closer.
My highlight of the year was keeping the Lido at Havre des Pas open despite the best attempts of the Infrastructure Minister to close it. Demonstrated the power of the community
Building new political friendships and the hope that things will come right in the end was what kept me going.
Bailiwick Express and Connect Magazine's 2024 charity partner
We work alongside families and want to offer the best service we can so we MUST grab every opportunity when it arises – Jersey is a very tough arena for charities in every way – so we must be proactive not reactive. We ask that the politicians do the same from 2025 and offer sustainable funding for Brighter Futures.
We secured a space at Communicare after waiting 10 years for a vacancy, hence we jumped in as soon as the opportunity presented itself. Our team are delighted to now be able to take our service to the west of the island, taking it to the community, to ensure that they can access Brighter Futures
The voice of our parents kept us going, sharing their stories with us, both happy and sad. Knowing that at the end of every working day, your support may have helped a family get through that day – that’s what keeps our team going.
St Helier Deputy, Chief Education Scrutineer
I learnt that while there are some very clever people working on great policy, there is often a gap between that and delivery. We need islanders to complain to their Deputies/Constables whenever they come across poor public service so we can try and put things right.
One of my highlights was seeing the Secondary Education Funding Review published by the Children, Education and Home Affairs Panel, with many contributions from the public.
What keeps me going is family, including pets, and friends and our beautiful beaches and countryside.
Age Concern Chair, former Senator
If you consider your life to be a book, divided into chapters, it is important to ensure that each new chapter begins with direction, foresight, and enthusiasm. I shall be 65 in 2025, in the autumn of my years. I hope those younger realise the power of their youth, and how important it is for them to reach their potential whilst they still possess this immense power.
The key lesson I learnt in 2024 was to not get too disappointed if things do not change, but to keep persevering regardless because the majority of the people are good and deserve better.
My wife and I treated ourselves to a luxury train journey across Northern Spain – silver service, dressing for dinner – high standards in a world increasingly without any standards. We met some interesting people and saw some glorious scenery, reminding us of the sheer beauty of the planet we live on.
When you live on a small island, with sometimes insular views, travel is important. It is something I taught my daughters from a very early age. The Machu Picchu, Bali, and China I visited in the 1980s no longer exist – they are very different places today (as is the St Helier waterfront).East Germany before the Berlin Wall fell was an experience now lost to history.
You can only really see the world through your own eyes and other senses. Overall it is a beautiful place filled with lovely people. Travel, life is a journey, and knowledge is the luggage acquired as you roam.
St Helier Deputy, Chief Scrutineer, former Education Minister
Life is not all positive vibes – it can throw curveballs that knock you off your planned course. From the beginning till the end of the year, 2024 was full of learning and reflection on how I deal with the changes when life throws you unexpected events.
Almost a year ago, a vote of no confidence was lodged which led to the government I was part of to be dissolved and I am writing this reflection from a hospital bed in Thailand after I was bitten by a venomous snake.
I find similarities in my reaction, my feelings, loss of control and my actions to cope with life’s uncertainties in these two instances are identical.
My decision not to seek a position within the new government might appear as a step back, but in reality it was actually a step toward growth, of perspective and in resilience, stepping into my old role as a backbencher allowed me to realign my efforts and rediscover my purpose, spending more time in the district and also with my family.
It also deepened my appreciation for every role to deliver to the public reinforcing my belief that every contribution matters.
Through this reflection, I discovered something powerful: the opportunity to rebuild, refocus, and rise stronger, but to be equally aware of snakes that are literally on my way. If you believe in Chinese tradition, 2025 is the year of the wood snake promises introspection, wisdom, and growth. So from now on, I will tread gently and carefully and watch out for snakes, with a smile and a joy in my heart.
TikTok-ing cancer campaigner, Young Ambassador of the Year 2024
I’ve learnt that everyone’s capacity is different, even your own capacity can differ day to day. If your maximum for the day is only 20% and you gave all of that, that is still 100% of your capacity and that is enough! So try not to compare yourself to others or even a different version of yourself, take each day as it comes and be proud of yourself.
There has been so many highlights it’s hard to choose just one. A personal highlight for me has been how far I’ve come in my healing journey and growth, both physically and mentally.
By giving back to others through charity and community, it’s helped me to heal by becoming the person I would have needed during the past few years. I could have only dreamed this time last year that I would be the person I am today and have achieved so much during the past year
My TikTok page and documenting my cancer journey and recovery kept me going. I used it as an online diary which has been really therapeutic.
Also, it kept me accountable knowing that my followers were checking and keeping up to date with my progress and that helped motivate me to continue to consistently post as I saw the good it was doing to help others on their own personal journey.
Chair of the Violence against Women and Girls Taskforce
My key lesson this year has been centred around the importance of building a community to effect change. I've learned that real change must come from the ground up and must respect and meaningfully include the quietest voices in the solutions to the problems, as well as in identifying them.
Community-building is such a powerful and empowering way to do this and it is through communities that we can really inspire and bring people with us in support of change.
My highlight has to be the moment the Chief Minister announced at Freeda's International Women's Day Breakfast, in March, that he would be accepting all of the VAWG Taskforce's recommendations.
It was unexpected and incredibly emotional – an important, landmark moment for all of the Taskforce members who had worked so hard to get to this point, and especially for the previously unheard voices of all the women and young people who had shared their stories with our researchers. A real sense of elation and hope for the future.
Old and new friendships, family, and walking with my dog, Rocco, in beautiful St Ouen - there is no better therapy!
Housing Minister, Leader of Reform Jersey
I think my key lesson from this year is that things can get better if you don’t give up hope and keep fighting for the things that matter.
In Jersey politics, 2024 felt like it started terribly but now feels like a bit of a high given how different things are. On 2 January, the motion of no confidence against the Moore government was lodged, and there was huge concern about what would happen and whether it would actually help break the deadlock that the previous year had given us, to get things back on track, or whether it might actually just make things worse.
Then when the new government came together, things picked up extremely quickly and I believe we have achieved far more than we were otherwise on course to. It just goes to show what can happen if people put the egos and bitterness aside, and focus on the people who really matter – the people of Jersey.
After a decade of campaigning for it, Jersey now firmly has our transition to the Living Wage set in stone. We are investing in expanding free nursery places for young children. We have made homeownership a reality for dozens of islanders through the First Step scheme, and in the very last States sitting of the year, we passed important legislation to support families who go through the heartbreaking experience of a stillbirth.
Things that will really make a difference for people.
My highlight of the year came during the Budget debate two weeks ago. My colleague Deputy Geoff Southern said that he believed he will see in his lifetime a government fully led by principles of social and economic justice. Geoff has voted against almost every government budget in his two decades in the States, but voted in favour of this one. I am inspired by his optimism.
And, outside of politics, after years of writer’s block, I have finally managed to find the inspiration to write new music again. I am looking forward to showing it off as much as possible in 2025!
James' Ark Founder, Mental Health Champion of the Year 2024
What I've learnt this year is to focus on the good things and more good things will come. Light up the darkness.
My highlight was making my family proud by winning at the Pride of Jersey awards in October.
My family will always be the thing that keeps me going. I work hard to make changes for their future.
Co-founder of Leadership Jersey, Jersey Post Chair
When you enjoy good health it’s easy to take it for granted – don’t.
There have been quite a few highlights, but number one has to be receiving my OBE from The Princess Royal at Windsor Castle in April. Quite a day in my life .
What kept me going through the year was being able to make a contribution to our community through business and charitable work and feeling valued for it.
Former Jersey's Women's Muratti captain
The key lesson I've learnt is reflection – it is the most important thing for growth!
I have lots to be grateful for this year – working in an industry that I am so passionate about and good health that allows me to enjoy life. I finally completed my Masters in Education and called an end to my football playing career. All possible through the support of my incredible family, partner, friends and teammates.
Sport is always the thing that keeps me going – whether that be by getting involved myself or helping others to get involved by coaching or administrating. Sport has so many physical, mental and emotional benefits that it is an essential part of my life, and think it should be of everyone else’s, too.
My biggest lesson was that opportunities come when I push myself out of comfort zone, whether trying new techniques in the circle, new gym exercises or going to the GAPS camp being socially shy and not knowing anyone to coming away with new friends for life.
My highlight was getting a personal best and silver at the English Championships in Birmingham as my coach Catarina Hallden came with me, along with other members of Spartan Athletics who were able to see me in action, and I could make her proud and celebrate together.
What kept me going was jerk chicken with rice and beans – my lunch for at least six months of the year with no sign of changing!
I have a great support network that kept me going for my first and long competition season from encouragement in training sessions, my physio and my boyfriend for the endless meal prep.
There are so many other people and friends to thank that kept me going and enabled me to make the most of every opportunity this year. I can’t wait for 2025!
What are your key lessons from 2024? Leave a comment below or email us at editor@bailiwickexpress.com.
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