As 2024 comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on a year filled with purpose, progress, and personal growth. It has been a year working on transformative projects, deepening connections, and learning valuable lessons. Looking back, six key things stand out, each representing the milestones I’m proud of and foundations for future growth.
1. Mental and physical health: A journey of transformation
This year marked a turning point in my mental and physical health. Losing over four stones (almost 30 kilograms) wasn’t just about physical changes – it was a shift in mindset. Through structured fitness routines like karate and gymnastics, alongside improved nutrition, I’ve built a stronger, healthier version of myself. Some of my karate and gymnastics training sessions are on my YouTube channel.
Equally important was prioritising mental health. Establishing a daily mindfulness and meditation practice has been invaluable in managing stress and staying grounded. I’ve learned ways to better manage mental health conditions by working with my GP and counsellors. I’ve also built resilience, which helps me face challenges with clarity and strength.
You can watch my video (four minutes) on my weight loss and wellbeing journey from April to November 2024 on YouTube here.
2024 has taught me that health is a balance of mind and body, and investing in both has transformed not just how I feel – but how I live. It’s a journey I’ll continue in the years ahead.
2. Advocacy and campaign impact
This year, my advocacy work has focussed on community groups. With my former team, we expanded support and shaped policy for LGBTQ+ communities and people living with HIV in Wales. I led the LGBTQ+ Action Plan for Wales and contributed to the HIV Action Plan, focusing on expanding rights, tackling inequality, and improving healthcare access.
Advocacy isn’t just a part of my career – it’s woven into the fabric of who I am. This year, I made a conscious effort to integrate advocacy into my weekly routine, whether through mentoring grassroots organisations, engaging policymakers, or amplifying marginalised voices.
In 2024, I was incredibly honoured to be included in the Pinc List 2024 as one of Wales’ most influential LGBTQ+ people – for the fourth year in a row!
You can read more about my work on LGBTQ+ rights and policy on my blog post here.
Some highlights include:
- Funding for Grassroots LGBTQ+ Organisations: with my former team, we established a funding stream. It supports small, community-led LGBTQ+ events in Wales. This ensures LGBTQ+ people across Wales have platforms for visibility and connection.
- Conversion Practices Support Services: with my team, we made funding available for new support services. These services are for survivors of conversion practices. They help those affected by these harmful practices get the care they need.
I also spearheaded key campaigns this year:
- Wales HIV Testing Week 2024: I continue to lead the HIV Testing Week in Wales. I work with the Public Health Wales and Sexual Health Wales teams. We focus on normalising HIV testing and encouraging early diagnoses to improve outcomes.
- Stop HIV Stigma Campaign 2024: Building on last year’s success, I expanded this campaign to amplify lived experiences, educate the public, and challenge misconceptions about HIV.
- PrEP in Wales Campaign (forthcoming): This upcoming campaign will aim to increase awareness and access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in Wales. It will ensure everyone has the tools to protect themselves and can take control of their health.
These initiatives are about more than data and numbers. They’re about changing lives. They create a future where there is no place for stigma. Through consistent, intentional action, I’ve seen how small efforts can build up into meaningful change. Advocacy is a process, not an event – and this year has only deepened my commitment.
3. Leading collaborative change
Collaboration has been a really important part of my work this year, particularly through partnerships with national and grassroots organisations.
- Fast Track Cymru: In 2023 and 2024, I played a leading role in establishing this new initiative to tackle HIV in Wales. Through collaboration with healthcare providers, community organisations, and policymakers, Fast Track Cymru aims to end new HIV transmissions and improve the quality of life for people living with HIV. It was a real privilege to work with friends and colleagues at Fast Track Cymru, including workers and volunteers. Read more about Fast Track Cities in Wales here.
- National AIDS Trust: I worked closely with my fellow trustees and staff at NAT to expand partnerships and collaboration in Wales, focussing on addressing inequalities in HIV care and advocating for policy changes that support those living with HIV. You can read more about my work with NAT on peer support and mental health; and on LGBT advocacy and HIV advocacy.
- LGBT Consortium: I’ve joined the team at LGBT Consortium as a Trustee. I hope to play a part in ensuring the unique needs of Welsh LGBTQ+ organisations are represented and supported, as well as helping the team with strategic or evidence support.
These partnerships reflect my belief that change is only possible when we work together, combine expertise, lived experiences, and resources.
4. Personal milestones: marriage and relationships
On a personal level, 2024 was a year of love and connection. Marrying my husband Graham was the pinnacle – a day filled with joy and celebration with our closest friends and family, affirming our shared journey.
It was also a year of learning, particularly in navigating relationships. The fall-out with a long-standing friend on my wedding day tested my ability to manage conflict and disappointment; while deepening friendships with people in Italy, Wales and England brought new dimensions to my support network.
I had the opportunity to prioritise some of my passions and personal goals. That included my return to martial arts, Shotokan Karate, and gymnastics, including my first elite-level karate competition at Sport Wales in November 2024.
I also experienced the joy and relief that comes with the climax of a long journey towards obtaining UK citizenship. After many years of compiling evidence, I passed the citizenship tests. Then, I was invited to Mansion House in Cardiff to declare my allegiance to the UK. I received my British Nationality Certificate and my British passport in November 2024, marking an incredible milestone in my life in the UK after over a decade, and concluding almost five years of admin and paperwork.
Through these experiences, I’ve learned the importance of patience, empathy, and prioritising the relationships that matter most.
5. Creative storytelling, music, expression, and languages
Creativity has always been a vital outlet for me, and this year was no different. As the Dungeon Master for my “Planescape” adventure and “Vecna: Eve of Ruin” campaign, I had the opportunity to craft narratives that I hope were detailed, immersive tales that brought players together and explored themes of struggle, redemption, and discovery.
Additionally, my involvement in a short film with Wales National Opera, which premiered during the Iris Prize Film Festival and won their Community Award, was an inspiring foray into visual storytelling. These projects reminded me of the power of creativity to connect and inspire.
I continued my journey as a self-learner amateur musician, practicing both guitar and piano, and even had the joy of playing music with friends. Learning piano as an adult has been challenging, but it’s also been an incredibly rewarding experience. I’ve shared a few of my piano performances on my YouTube channel, showcasing this fulfilling process.
I also had the chance to continue learning languages, which is one of my biggest passions. Even though I got my C2/native levels for English, Spanish, and Italian, I have some more rusty languages that I do not practise enough. That includes Hindi, Welsh, and – latterly – Japanese. Thanks to my friend Chris – and in readiness for my delayed honeymoon in Japan next year – I’ve been making some progress on my Japanese reading skills, which I hope to continue in the New Year.
6. Professional and personal growth, and resilience
Professionally, 2024 brought moments of both achievement and challenge. Leading the LGBTQ+ Action Plan for Wales was a standout career highlight. It allowed me to shape policies with a lasting impact on the lives of LGBTQ+ people. The focus was particularly in areas such as funding for grassroots organisations. It also included support services for survivors of conversion practices.
However, returning to a previous role after my time as Head of LGBTQ+ Policy in the Welsh Government was a humbling experience, forcing me to recalibrate and reflect on my career trajectory.
This transition allowed me to reassess my personal and professional goals. One key focus this year was prioritising overall well-being and self-development, as mentioned earlier. I carved out space to prepare for the next step in my career—aiming to settle into a senior leadership role in equality and community work.
This intentional time also allowed me to explore passions outside of work, such as reading for pleasure. I usually spend much of my time reading reports and academic publications. This year, I set a goal to read 20 novels. I immersed myself in stories that provided joy, inspiration, and much-needed perspective. See my GoodRead 2024 challenge here.
Despite some disappointments and setbacks, I’ve used this year to focus on what truly drives me and refine my purpose. Resilience has been my key takeaway—understanding that setbacks are often the springboard for future opportunities. This year has been about more than simply navigating challenges; it’s been about positioning myself for a meaningful next chapter, both personally and professionally.
Looking back to move forward
2024 was a year of impact, creativity, and reflection. It taught me that progress isn’t always consistent. Progress isn’t always straightforward. However, every challenge brings an opportunity to learn. Each challenge provides a chance to grow. Whether through campaigns, collaboration, or personal milestones, I’ve laid the groundwork for a future where I can continue to advocate, create, and lead with purpose.
As I look to 2025, I’m excited to build on this foundation – pushing boundaries, amplifying voices, and working towards a world where equality and dignity are realities for everyone. Here’s to the next chapter.
Dr Alessandro Ceccarelli 