Today is my second birthday without the wonderful Phoebe Taylor, my flatmate and partner in crime. She died by suicide on the 28th February, 2021 aged 31, having long endured the terrible isolation of lockdown, unable to convey the scale of her depression or to ask for help from anybody.

Phoebe, aptly named, brought light and life to a great many people. She was clever, funny, principled, selfless, fun, unafraid to really live her life. And she was extraordinarily and quietly kind and generous. In fact, one of the last things she did in her short life was to give a large donation to charity. And many of the happiest times of Phoebe’s life were during the period she spent temping for charities. She loved not only the variety but making a practical difference to a world that she was all too aware is often dark and cruel.

Phoebe’s favourite job was at the Cardinal Hume Centre, where she spent time working as “an undercover Catholic”. So this year, instead of gifts, I am asking for donations to the Cardinal Hume Centre. I know that times are tough, so if you are unable to donate, I ask that you think of Phoebe and some of the lessons she left for us: don’t waste time and energy on things that don’t matter, tell jokes, watch Doctor Who, learn languages, wear purple, think, laugh, share, give, love, be kind.