A retired maths teacher has started paddle boarding with his cat.

72-year-old Nigel Edmunds and his one-year-old Singapura Noodle go out on the water every week, sometimes travelling up to three miles.

Nigel first got into the water sport four years ago after seeing it on a boat show.

He loves Noodle so much that the pair have become inseparable – and so it was only right that she went on the board with him.

The grandfather-of-four said: ‘My wife was walking near the river with a group of friends so I said, ‘I’ll come over with my paddle board and bring Noodle with me’.

‘Jackie said I was crackers but when she saw her on the board she realised how relaxed she was on it.’

Nigel, from Brightlingsea, Essex and Noodle go out on the nearby Colne Estuary at least once a week.

He added: ‘The lovely part of it is the pleasure it gives other people. We just about stop the river when we’re there.’

When the cat wants a better view, she jumps up and hitches a ride on her owner’s shoulder.

Nigel said: ‘The breed is well known for wanting to be high up.’

Although Noodle is an ‘indoor’ cat, she loves sailing and going for countryside walks with Nigel.

Nigel, who also enjoys snowboarding and windsurfing, said: ‘We take her for walks every day on a lead. She comes everywhere with us. We’re very close.

‘We bought the cat for my wife but Noodle decided otherwise, we’ve become best friends.

‘Jackie has to take second place I’m afraid.’

Nigel said people are often shocked that a cat would be so comfortable near the water.

He added: ‘People do ask me if she can swim. She did lose her footing once. I say she did a ‘moggie paddle’.

‘I just plucked her out and dried her off when we got back. She takes it all in her stride.

‘She’s just such a chilled out cat.’

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Growing up in East London, mental health was never spoken about within my community.

It’s only now that my friends and I are beginning to have these important conversations.

I first experienced mild depression when I was at university and I absolutely hated being there.

More recently, my mother passed away and this triggered – and continues to trigger – a whole host of sad emotions that runs through my body and mind.

Something I find myself saying a lot these days is, ‘mental health affects everyone’.

Normally this statement gets a nod and nothing more, but occasionally the person you are speaking to has personal connection to the discussion.

I wanted to do something to help heal the world. I wanted to help make a change.

Inspired by a video I saw, I took the approach of ‘talk less and act more’ and curated The Oxford Street Experiment.

The girl I was inspired by did something similar in Holland, where she put on a blindfold and asked people to trust her as a Muslim and to hug her.

I learnt so much that day. I learnt that we are all walking down the same road, travelling at different speeds at the same time, experiencing similar things in lots of different ways.

I found a piece of cardboard and wrote ‘if you’ve suffered from depression or anxiety, hug me’ on it, got a blindfold, left my home and boarded the central line and headed to England’s most popular shopping destination – Oxford Street.

I set myself up, cameras were rolling, and instantly I was approached.

I was moved.

No, I was physically moved by a security guard and asked to stand somewhere else as I was blocking a shop.

So I was clearly off to a slow start, but once I found a place I could settle, the hugs began pouring in.

With one of my senses blindfolded, my ears were on full alert and I embraced the words of comfort from a magnitude of different voices.

‘God loves you, and he will never leave you’

‘I was going to do something really bad to myself today, and then I saw you, I’m so glad you understand’

‘Come here little fella, give me a hug’

I learnt so much that day. I learnt that we are all walking down the same road, travelling at different speeds at the same time, experiencing similar things in lots of different ways.

I learnt that we must as a society must come together and help each other through hardships.

I learnt that we really have no idea what anyone is going through and it is important to be kind and loving at all possible times.

That day taught me so much. I received so much love and found so much strength in my vulnerability and the vulnerability of the people who approached me.

When I watched the video back, I was so speechless I genuinely couldn’t believe it.

I recently received an honorary fellowship for my work in mental health and public sciences from King’s College London, and continue to tell people that you don’t need to be a genius or an expert to change someone’s life, you just need to do it.

We will all experience mental health struggles at one point – if not multiple times.

It’s vital we build our world to be a safe place for everyone to come forward and discuss how they really feel.

Internalising our feelings, thoughts and emotions is dangerous. By not talking about it with a loved one, friend, or therapist, these feelings build up and can result in outbursts, breakdowns, or in some cases, death by suicide.

Education plays a key part in this movement.

Last year I set the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest mental health lesson, after organising a talk for 538 pupils. I was getting messages from teachers and young people on a daily basis, clueless as to how to best address mental ill health.

I find that we are becoming great at raising awareness of the subject matter, but providing tangible solutions is also important. And I believe this comes from education.

I work from a formula I have created myself, which is: Entertainment + Education = Real Genuine Engagement.

And genuine online engagement can help change and save lives.

Save the date for November 29 – Hussain Manawer has something special for Londoners to be announced very soon.

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Dog lovers are being encouraged to take their pets along to a cafe in Manchester to share some ‘animal magic’.

Animal-assisted therapy is now being offered at a popup cafe, where dog owners can take their pups to support people who are struggling with their mental health.

Paints And Paws Pop Inn is the brainchild of Sharon Hall, 54, who found that buying a puppy helped her cope with the loss of her parents.

Sessions take place in a community centre in Dukinfield, Tameside.

The therapy uses the ‘real comfort’ and relaxation that holding or cuddling a pet brings to give a ‘small ray of light’ to those in a bad place.

Former psychiatric nurse Sharon uses animal-assisted therapy on patients who begin to bond with the animals, reconnect with living things and draw people out of themselves to open up about their problems.

Sessions include two rescue rabbits, Sid and Nancy, as well as rats, snails and hamsters, and classes making toys for pets.

The cafe is an extension of work Sharon already does as part of her pet and art therapy service, Noah’s Art, which uses animal rescue therapy at North Manchester General Hospital.

‘That’s the beauty of this work,’ she said.

‘The connection you get with an animal depends on you. And then that connection builds a bridge to start interacting with things and people around you.

‘It’s a great way for people to do their bit for their community too if they bring their own dogs.

‘They get the satisfaction of knowing they have ‘shared’ their pet with someone who appreciates it, and in turn that has benefits for all involved.

‘Animals, community, art, all brought together in a safe space, where you can bring your dog and enjoy a brew and a bit of home-made cake. What could be better?’

Noah’s Art is one of 35 projects funded by £330,000 in grants from Manchester Health and Care Commissioning (MHCC) to target people who may find it difficult to get help or needed support for mental well-being.

The project is part of the city’s wider plans to focus on more support in the community through its recently launched Local Care Organisation.

Vicky Lea, who is a reablement team leader at Manchester City Council, visited the Pop Inn session with her own dog, an 11-year-old Shih Tzu called Chunkus.

She said: ‘Sessions like this really help people with their confidence and making friends again, which has a major impact on self-esteem.

‘It just shows you how powerful social care and community support can be – which is a big priority for Manchester.’

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OkCupid is going to let daters add their pronouns to their profiles.

That’s a big deal, showing that OkCupid is respectful of the need to get people’s gender pronouns correct.

Previously users had just stuck ‘they/them’ in their bios, but now there’ll be a dedicated space just for pronouns, that’ll be displayed as prominently as other personal features.

The dating site collaborated with GLAAD to create the feature and make sure it properly suits anyone who wants to share their pronouns on their profile to avoid misgendering.

The feature was designed by Rowan Rosenthal, an OkCupid employee who uses they/them pronouns and wanted to create something to empower the LGBTQ+ community.

‘One of the main reasons I was drawn to working at OkCupid was because it was one of the few mainstream dating apps that felt more inclusive, and I felt I’d be able to express my own identity fully and openly within the workplace,’ said Rowan.

OkCupid was the first major dating app to include 13 sexual orientations and 22 different gender options, so they’ve got a history of inclusivity that often feels lacking in dating apps that are designed for everyone.

Melissa Hobley, CMO of OkCupid says, ‘We’re proud that OkCupid is the first leading dating app to empower daters to prominently share their pronouns.

‘The most beautiful, meaningful and rewarding connections are formed when people are able to identify and are celebrated as their authentic selves.’

True that.

LAAD Vice President of Programs Zeke Stokes said: ‘Everyone should be able to express who they are, in their own words, and to have the opportunity to find romance with someone who respects and appreciates them.

‘By creating a dedicated space for personal pronouns on profiles, OKCupid has taken an important step forward that raises the bar for LGBTQ-inclusion on dating apps.’

The option to include your pronouns on your OkCupid profile will be available on the app from today onwards.

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Hipster cafes? Check. Galleries? Check. Students? Check. Border control inside a city? Wait… what?

Within the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius sits Užupis, a quirky, bohemian neighbourhood home to students, artists and – believe it or not – its own border for one day each year.

You’d be mistaken to think that this is just your average hipster neighbourhood.

But how many of those do you know that are officially and legally an independent republic with their own currency, four seasonal flags, a national anthem and a constitution?

Welcome to Užupis. We think you’ll like it here.

For those who don’t know, Vilnius boasts a population just shy of 600,000 people – a large proportion of which are students, young professionals and entrepreneurs.

One of the youngest cities in Europe, Vilnius is becoming increasingly popular thanks to its affordable prices.

Coupled with low fare airlines opening up more routes to and from the UK, it’s safe to say that the Lithuanian capital is benefitting from a bit of a tourism boost.

The centrepiece of Vilnius is its medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994, and the largest of its kind in central or eastern Europe, and the popular student neighbourhood of Užupis is nestled within it.

Now, I’ve been to a lot of places, but Užupis is one of the most unique places I’ve ever visited.

Most major cities have their hipster areas. You know, those neighbourhoods with cool cafes, artisan bakeries, art galleries and trendy bars.

Užupis has all of those in abundance, but its quirks are rather unusual.

Modest in size, roughly 7,000 people call Užupis their home. 1,000 of those are estimated to be artists, so naturally, there’s plenty of art to explore here.

Užupis became an official independent republic on April 1, 1997. April 1 is a notable date for more than one reason, but I’ll touch more on that later.

Their independence came two years after erecting a memorial of Frank Zappa on the other side of the Old Town.

Zappa technically had no connection with Vilnius, but the memorial was deemed their first action of freedom following the declaration of independence from the Soviet Union just five years earlier.

The bust is situated in the unusual location of the side of a public medical centre car park, but is still worth seeing.

Užupis is full of little squares and hidden surprises.

On a casual stroll by the river opposite the ornate Russian Orthodox Cathedral, I stumbled upon an art installation called Jesus Was The First Backpacker.

I turned around to find Užupis Art Incubator just behind me, alongside a pottery studio and another gallery, all of which welcome visitors for exhibitions and workshops.

There are hundreds of art installations in Užupis – from slapstick, pop-up pieces like the above, to more prominent statues like the Angel of Užupis, which sits at the foot of a hill on a small square with a scattering of cafes and shops.

That constitution I mentioned is on mirrored plaques, mounted on a wall and in 22 languages, just a stone’s throw from the Angel.

Two of Užupis’s constitutional rights state that everybody has the right to be happy and a dog has the right to be a dog.

If you haven’t guessed by now, the creative quarter of Vilnius has humour at its heart.

Much like Paris, Užupis adopts a laissez-faire approach with a casual atmosphere and groups of friends enjoying themselves at quaint corner cafes.

The constitution may be satirical but the motive of inclusivity very much stands.

April 1 is a poignant date in the history of Užupis – yes, their Independence Day is also April Fool’s Day.

Each year, there’s a massive celebration for the Užupis National Day – and it’s definitely worth timing your visit to coincide with this.

Uzips will put up ‘borders’ on the handful of bridges over to Užupis, where you must show your passport to immigration in order to enter the Republic.

For one day only, Euros must also be exchanged for the official currency of Užupis (Uzis) in order to buy things in the Republic’s bars, cafes, shops and galleries.

I also went to the Republic’s Parliament bar.

While it may look like your average bar, this is actually where the constitution was written and where the government gathers most Friday evenings.

Believe it or not, this is actually where I got my passport stamped at immigration for crossing the ‘border’.

You can ask the bartender for a stamp with the date on – it doesn’t have to be April 1.

Getting lost in Užupis is just as fun.

One in every seven inhabitants is an artist, so there are tons of graffiti and art on display in places you’d least expect it.

So do pop your head into every side street, alleyway and open door – as long as it’s not somebody’s house, of course.

Other things to do while in Užupis and Vilnius Old Town:

For the best views of Vilnius and its Old Town, you have to clamber up the hill to Gediminas’s Tower – though maintenance is currently being carried out.

Further vantage points of the city can be found just to the west of the Tower, on the Hill of Three Crosses.

Vilnius’ Bell Tower and accompanying Cathedral are picture perfect – and you should make your way up the tower to get see the old clock and original bells. And of course, there are great views too.

There’s also the Gates of Dawn, which is the only remaining gate from the original city wall that still stands.

Dating back to the 16th century, it’s now one of Lithuania’s most important religious and historical monuments, with visitors flocking here from all over Europe to visit the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary.

(Top picture: Getty)

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If you love all things pasta and want to see how it being made by very skilled Italian grandmothers, then schedule time in your diaries because you’ll be spending ages scrolling through this Instagram account.

Pasta Grannies, an Instagram and YouTube page, is all about nonnas and the different ways they cook spaghetti, macaroni, raschiatelli, ravioli, and other Italian delights.

The account was created by video producer Vicky Bennison. Every Thursday she releases a new clip of a nan making traditional pasta dishes – as well as other delicious food such as breads and soups that are typical of their region.

‘I noticed traditional, domestic pasta-making skills weren’t being passed on because of all the social changes, which is now causing women to go out of work,’ Vicky told Metro.co.uk

‘Italian nonnas are always revered but we never see them (in media). So I picked up a camera.

‘I work with my granny finder – mostly (friend) Livia de Giovanni, but also other contributors – and the women are usually nominated by a family member, friend, food or festival organiser.

‘The women then choose whether or not to collaborate and be filmed. I go to different regions of Italy every four to six weeks and spend three or four days filming the women who have agreed to be interviewed.

‘Sardegna is probably the next trip we’ll be doing.’

The images and clips not only show the dishes being prepared but share insights into the lives of the women featured, such as 89-year Lucia, who wakes up at five every morning to prepare bread for their family bakery.

Some of the women are aged up to 93 years old, attributing their fresh homecooked meals to their long lives and good health.

Vicky and the nana of the week get cooking, chatting, and at the end of it all – the best part – eating their creations.

You can learn how to create some of the mouth-watering dishes detailed in her YouTube videos.

Who knows, one day you might be passing on the recipes to your own grandkids.

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You might still have your tan lines from summer, but Christmas is just around the corner once again.

Although the mornings are already darker, there is a light at the end of the tunnel – presents, pumpkin spiced lattes, and advent calendars.

The M&S beauty calendar has proven itself year on year as a hard one to beat, bringing out indie brands and well established faves for a very attractive price.

It’s £35 for £250 worth of product – with the caveat that you need to spend £35 in M&S in the clothing, homeware or beauty departments. Otherwise it’s £70.

If you’re already planning on getting presents at M&S, it’s not too difficult to wangle.

There are 25 items behind the calendar’s doors, with plenty of cult classics.

The This Works sleep spray has been getting rave reviews online, and the Pixi tonic is a staple in many a beauty blogger’s arsenal.

You can also expect a Shay & Blue fragrance, Leighton Denny polish, and Ren night cream.

It’ll be on sale from Tuesday 6 November and tends to sell out in the first day online.

If you’re lucky enough to live or work near a store you might have a bit more time, but don’t take our word for it if you don’t want to miss out.

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Trying to find somewhere to live in London can be an overwhelming mess.

You’ll visit overpriced studios with no space for a bed, dingy house-shares with grime-streaked bathrooms, and the occasional dream flat that’s perfect except for having a two hour commute to work.

Faced with all those less-than-ideal options, it’s handy to see exactly how other people live in London – what they’re paying and what they’re getting in return – if only so you can make sense of which areas are actually worth looking into.

That’s why each week we take you inside someone’s rented property in our series, What I Rent.

This week we’re chatting to Jack, who lives with housemate Harry in a two-bedroom flat in Wimbledon.

Hey Jack, how much are you paying for this flat?

£700pcm each – so £1,400 in total for two people.

And what about bills?

We’re not too sure at the moment, we only moved at the start of August and haven’t yet had the pleasure of receiving a bill through the post.

What do you get for that money?

Two double bedrooms, both of a decent size. Mine is slightly larger but both have sizeable fitted wardrobes. We have one bathroom with a bath and shower built in.

How did you find the flat?

We found it on Rightmove after weeks of searching. We unfortunately had an offer accepted on another flat not too far away and were all set to move in but the landlord pulled out as he wanted to sell.

We managed to view this place, pay the fees, sign the documents and move in within a week; safe to say it was a pretty hectic week.

Whereabouts is the flat?

We’re about 10 minutes walk from South Wimbledon tube and 7 minutes from Waterloo main, it’s pretty well situated between the two and a couple of road backs from the high street. We’re probably a bit too close to Dip & Flip for my bank account’s liking…

Do you like the area?

We’re very new to SW19 having moved in early August this year. We both previously lived in Surrey so it’s a big step up moving to Greater London. Apart from the fees and price of living so far so good!

We’re thoroughly enjoying it so far, we’ve got really good links to Central with a 15 minute train to Waterloo and the Northern Line is great if we want to explore the rest of South. We’ve also found a parking spot for free which makes my life easier as I drive into work.

Our place isn’t the most modern but it’s nice enough for what it is.

The best thing about moving has got to be the food selection on Deliveroo, we’re pretty spoilt for choice compared to our old area. With it being so close to Surrey and the number of parks around it doesn’t feel like such a jump, I can still see trees around which I enjoy.

I’m now really close to my girlfriend so that keeps her happy too.

Do you feel like you have enough space?

For two people it’s definitely enough space. We lack storage space for random bits and bobs but our living room and bedrooms are big enough with plenty of space for our huge collection of tees.

What’s it like living with your housemate, Harry?

I have no qualms…I know he’s reading this (it’s only for a year).

Are there any annoying bits about the flat?

We had a couple of issues with our window locks when we first moved in but it was resolved pretty quickly by the landlord.

There’s also a couple of little rapscallions upstairs who love to run a 100m sprint every couple of hours, but they’re usually in bed by 7pm so we don’t have to put up with them for too long.

Would you move again?

I’m not planning to move again until next Summer when I’m probably going to look to move in with my girlfriend.

Have you thought about buying a place?

Yes I have, that’s next on the agenda.

I need another year of saving and then I think that could be a realistic option, but I need to stop spending money on Deliveroo and craft beer to do so and that’s quite a challenge in London!

Agreed. Shall we look around Jack and Harry’s flat, then?

What I Rent is a weekly series that’s out every Tuesday at 10am. Check back next week to have a nose around another rented property in London. 

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Bacon the dog has the best facial expressions.

According to his owner Meg, he’s been compared to Peter Dinklage, Samuel L. Jackson, William H. Macy and Mark Hamill, and he’s now a bona fide Instagram star with more than 20,000 followers.

‘Old Man Bacon’ is Pekingese/dachshund/Chihuahua/Shih-tzu mix and he lives in Tampa, Florida.

He struggled to find a permanent home.

He was rescued from a life on the streets and adopted twice before finding a forever family with Meg.

Meg told People: ‘We went to go do an in-person meeting with the rescue, Guardian Angel Dog Rescue, and fell in love as he waddled down the driveway.

‘Bacon was found living on the streets by animal control, and Guardian Angel saved him from euthanasia.

‘He was actually adopted out twice, and returned, before we got our hands on him. Third time was the charm.’

His two previous owners returned this expressive boy to the shelter because he had some behavioural issues.

All the upheaval in Bacon’s life meant that he would become overwhelmed by the world around him.

However, after sessions with a dog trainer, Bacon was able to find a sense of peace and stability.

Now he can perform all his commands, as well as high-fiving, shaking paws, and even sitting like a meerkat.

Four year old Bacon has proved popular on social media, where his incredible facial expressions have made him an Instagram favourite.

Bacon pulls these faces naturally, depending on whether he’s happy, surprised, grumpy or ready for a snooze.

‘I would say the best part is how much he makes people laugh,’ says Meg.

‘To think a little abandoned meanie like him has made so many people smile is amazing.’

You keep doing you, Bacon.

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I’ve never seen the appeal of camping. My biggest fear is that I’ll get run over while I sleep. Like really, camping is hazardous.

I’ve never really understood glamping either, until I discovered Pomer in Istria – home to Croatia’s first glamping destination, Arena One 99.

There were 199 cabin-like ‘tents’ on a tree covered hillside overlooking the Adriatic Sea. It’s the picture of peace and quiet against a backdrop of blue water and blue sky.

Cars aren’t allowed on site (my biggest concern eased), with electric golf carts used instead.

Mine was a self-contained space, with a double bed downstairs, a double bed upstairs (yes, a tent with a second floor), a dining table, full kitchen, bathroom (with Elemis toiletries), and a flat screen TV and air-con unit above the bed.

There’s even an app you can download and use to request anything else you need – if there’s anything else you need.

The first thing I did was head to the private, pebbled beach – about a minute away – for a swim. The sea was salty and warm, and calm. So calm in fact, you can paddle board and swim out into the bay.

There’s a wellness centre on site too. In among the trees, I discovered a platform for yoga and meditation, hot tubs and a sauna, and tipis for therapeutic treatments.

I opted for an ‘innovative wellness technology’ – a candle massage. An hour later, I emerged from the tipi like a butterfly from a cocoon (or something like that).

But the destination matters too and there is lots to do in the area.

Croatia is known for its truffles, extra virgin olive oil, wine and honey, along with the fresh seafood, fish and meats. For lovers of quality, unadulterated food, this is the place.

The extra virgin olive oil is like nothing I’ve ever tasted – a peppery hit in the back of the throat, strong and rich, and apparently suggested (for the health benefits) as the first thing you consume in the day.

It’s affordable to eat out, but also relaxing and fun to eat in. There are local stalls and shops near the resort, and there’s even a small supermarket on site for any necessities you may have forgotten to pick up or take with you.

I had dinner at the Park Plaza Belvedere in Medulin, then headed back to the campsite in the warm night.

I slept really well that night.

It certainly didn’t feel like I was in a tent. No lumpy floors or sleeping-bag nightmares here, just the gentle breeze of the air-con and the sound of nature outside, while I star-fished on the cotton-covered bed.

In the morning, I headed to Fazana and took the boat to Brijuni Islands National Park, which visitors can explore by train.

The island was former President Tito’s summer residence.

A communist leader for 30 years from the end of the second world war, until his death in 1980, Tito used to drive around the island in his Cadillac Eldorado (you can too if you want to pay over £300 for 30 minutes) from his grand house to his zoo, while he smoked cigars and entertained government leaders and film stars alike.

There were Shetland Ponies, a gift from Queen Elizabeth II; the lonely elephant, Lanka; and many other animals that arrived as gifts. And those that died were stuffed and displayed in one of the island’s museums.

Back in Fazana, I had lunch at Stara Konoba, right on the marina while boats bobbed around us.

The next day, I headed into Pula to visit the Roman Amphitheatre.

Back in the gladiator days, it held 23,000 people (and a bunch of lions and panthers), now it hosts world class concerts and a film festival.

I wandered around the city, admiring the Austrian and Italian architecture, heading for the cool shade when I could find it, then through the Arch of the Sergii and into the old town.

I worked my way uphill for a view over the city and the 19th Century Uljanik shipyard, one of the world’s oldest working docks.

Beside a fountain in the centre of the town, I had lunch at Bistro Alighieri, before heading back to Pomer, to the park, to paddleboard in the sea and lounge on the pebble beach.

On my last night in Croatia, I sat outside and watched the sun set over the Adriatic Sea, enjoying the pastel tones, soft clouds and warm air.

Not long after I’d drifted off in my dreamy tent nest, I was woken by the crack of thunder. Bright lightning flashed through the thick canvas walls as heavy rain poured down, thunder rumbled across the sky, shaking the ground.

The holiday was definitely over, it was time to go home.

I was lured to Croatia by the hot sun, quiet beaches, history and the good food, but I ended up discovering a destination and accommodation that I’d never considered before – and I would go back to in a flash.

Glamping really is the best of both worlds – you have the freedom of camping, being outside and close to nature, but with the comforts of a hotel room.

No need to try and find a changing room and showers, or slink past fully-dressed hotel guests in a dripping towel; just unzip the door and relax.

(Top picture: Karen Harvey)

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A new report from the charity Young Minds shows that three quarters of young people (meaning people under the age of 25) seeking support from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) are becoming more unwell during the wait for treatment.

After surveying more than 2,000 parents and carers with children who have looked for help with their mental health, the charity found that the longer children were left to wait, the more their mental health deteriorated.

Over three quarters (76%) of parents said that their children’s mental health worsened while waiting for support from CAMHS, and for children who had waited more than six months, this figure rose of 86%.

More than two thirds (69%) of parents and carers reported that neither they nor their children had been signposted to any other form of support during the time they were waiting for treatment from CAMHS.

Between 2017 and 2018, over half of young people who asked for help had waited more than 18 weeks to receive treatment.

According to Young Minds, young people are facing barriers at every stage when looking for mental health support.

Cuts to young services, problems getting help at school, difficulties getting an initial referral to CAMHS, high thresholds for treatment, and delays between both referrals and assessments and assessments and treatments all contribute to a crisis in children and adolescent mental health.

With one in 10 children affected by a mental health problem, it is essential that the route to treatment is clear and direct, and those who need help are not left without support at any point during the process of referral and assessment.

Historically, services for children and young people’s mental health have been disproportionately underfunded.

From 2015 to 2020, CAMHS received an extra £1.4billion in funding, but even with this investment, less than 1% of the total NHS budget is spent on children and adolescent mental health services.

This autumn, NHS England will publish its long term plan which will include proposals for mental health.

Young Minds is calling for increased funding for CAMHS, more investment in mental health support through youth and community groups and reformed care for young people going through a crisis

The report warns that it remains far too difficult for young people with emerging mental health problems to get the help they need, because of inadequate access to clinical treatment alongside a “black hole” in local youth services.

Emma Thomas, Chief Executive of Young Minds said: ‘We hear every day from young people who have been left waiting for support while their problems have got worse.

‘Some tell us that they’ve started to self-harm, become suicidal, or dropped out of school because they can’t get the help they need.

‘The crisis in young people’s mental health is real and it’s urgent. With the NHS Long Term Plan imminent, we cannot afford to miss the opportunity to build a system equipped to meet growing demand.

‘Crucially we also need to invest in new ways for young people to get help early on, before they require more specialist treatment.

‘Every community must have spaces where young people can go to feel safe, work through how they’re feeling, and learn strategies to help them manage and start to feel better.’

George Hodgson, founder of fashion brand Maison de Choup, tried to access CAMHS when he was 16 and struggling with severe anxiety, OCD and suicidal thoughts.

‘Being told I would have to wait a painful 40 weeks was completely soul-destroying and I was terrified about what would happen next, as were my parents’, he told Metro.co.uk.

‘This had a devastating effect on my already desperately poor mental health.

‘I felt like because I didn’t have any ‘visible’ signs of self-harm or hadn’t attempted suicide, I wasn’t considered a serious enough case to be seen urgently.

‘I got a call 2 weeks before my 18th birthday saying CAMHS could now help me – this was now a whole two years later.

‘It’s incredibly important that every case and every young person suffering from a mental illness gets equal care, whether there are visible or not visible signs.’

George’s fashion brand donates a portion of its sales to Young Minds.

Investing in the mental health of children is vital for their long term wellbeing. If young people are left without support, this can have a serious impact on their education and their families.

A lack of early intervention leaves children vulnerable and more likely to turn to coping strategies like self-harm.

An NHS England spokesperson said: ‘The NHS is only halfway through an ambitious programme of transformation where access to mental health services will significantly expand by 2021 and an additional 70,000 children and young people will get help.

‘After years of under-investment, NHS funding for young people’s mental health services is now rising and the NHS long term plan will set out further priorities in the future.’

You can find out more about Young Minds and the work they do here.

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Having periods can take a physical and mental toll on people. While symptoms vary from person to person, most people experience cramps, mood swings, food cravings, or low energy levels.

Now, research has revealed that periods can impact your whole immune system, affecting how your body reacts to disease and illness.

According to period-tracking app Clue, the folks who conducted the research in collaboration with Oxford University, the immune system is suppressed around ovulation time (which is when estrogen levels drop off).

This means your immune system is downregulated by the sex hormone progesterone in order to prevent immune cells from attacking a fertilized egg and from preventing pregnancy.

Researchers found that while these changes happen, the female body is more susceptible to illness.

In the paper published by researchers at Oxford University, they found that scientists researching diseases in participants found different symptoms in women depending on where they were in the menstrual stage.

Lead author Dr Alexandra Alvergne said: ‘The whole function of the menstrual cycle is to produce cyclical patterns of immunity so actually, we would be better to think of female health as cyclical.’

She said that periods need to be considered as a big factor in the study of general female health.

Not acknowledging the impact of the hormonal cycle on symptoms makes it harder to identify different conditions and can delay diagnosis, the paper argued.

While science as a male-dominated field has affected the amount of light shed on menstruation, it’s not the only factor.

‘Menstruation is difficult to study,’ said Dr Alvergane, ‘previously you’d have to get women to come in and report and that’s an unreliable method.’

Ignoring the menstruation cycle can be detrimental to an overall study of health but equally, dismissing unusual symptoms displayed by women during such tests and dismissing it as ‘women’s troubles’ is unhelpful.

‘The danger in assuming that everything is attributable to the menstrual cycle is that you miss serious conditions. At the same time we haven’t investigated this real aspect of biology or acknowledged it as part of the framework,’ said Dr Virginia J. Vitzthum, professor of anthropology at Indiana University and director of scientific research at Clue.

Thankfully, smarter technology has allowed better tracking of cycles in real time and allows scientists to learn more about it.

‘The fact that there are more female doctors has also helped. They have been pushing the envelope and successfully gathering data and treating their patients as individuals because they understand the experience of being individual,’ added Dr Vitzthum.

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A great gran has become one of the UK’s oldest learner drivers to pass their test – at the age of 75.

June Evans first started learning to drive back in 1967, but stopped after a few lessons to bring up her children.

The retired hairdresser, who has two sons, three grandchildren and one great grandchild, started taking lessons again from husband Brian when she turned 60.

Her sons had mentioned that their mum should be driving – and they even bought her a provisional licence as a birthday present.

She finally decided to learn after Brian, 83, had to stop driving due to his age.

Despite failing three times, June finally passed on her fourth attempt last Tuesday – the day of her and Brian’s 57th wedding anniversary.

June, from Great Barr, says she can’t wait to drive her husband for day trips in their BMW 520i.

She said: ‘I’m trying to re-live my youth.

‘It feels good doing 60mph on the dual carriageway but I always remember to stick to speed limit whenever I am.

‘I’m not fast but I can put my foot down on the open road. I’ve always said I’d love go on a racing track.

‘I’ve not had any accidents since learning how to drive.

‘I think I’m quite a good driver.’

June says she and Brian have a couple of trips planned for the future already. She also wants to try to drive on the motorway so that she can go and see her son in Shropshire.

‘I went out on myself for the first time on Saturday it went fine I only went to the local shops,’ she said.

June said she was driving on L-plates just last year, but had had enough of so decided it was time to take her test.

It took her around 25 lessons to pass, and Brian would take her out too.

She added: ‘We’ve had our ups and downs and a few choice words have been said.

‘There have been heated moments – sometimes he shouted at me but I think I’m a safe driver – I haven’t crashed yet.

‘But he has been a real help and I couldn’t have done it without him.

‘I felt confident with Brian in the car.

‘I never thought of giving up I wanted to do it so badly.’

As mentioned, it took June four times to pass her test. The first time she failed she was driving a different car to the one she’d been learning in. She stalled it a lot even though she hadn’t stalled before.

She continued: ‘I managed to pass on my fourth time. It was brilliant I couldn’t be more chuffed.

‘Passing your test is all about the day.’

Though June isn’t the oldest British person to pass – that’s Eileen Ash, from Norfolk, who passed at the age of 105 in 2015 – Brian, a retired artist, is super proud of his wife for finally passing.

He said: ‘June is an absolutely excellent driver.

‘Like all learners, she’s had a few lapses but was always fine the next day. You do tend to worry about them on their first time out on the road.

‘But it’s about staying local when you first start and sticking to the roads you know – then you can venture out.

‘At 75 it’s a different kettle of fish from when you’re say 35.

‘It’s very difficult to teach anyone to drive I think especially when you’ve got no breaks on your side.

‘Sometimes I had to shout at her. The only thing I had was my big mouth.

‘She wasn’t happy with the driving instructors and felt more comfortable with me teaching her and in our car.

‘She managed to pass which was fantastic, I was so happy for her.’

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If you’re fed up of busy cities and noisy neighbours, this property in Scotland might be your dream home.

A home in Scotland is now on sale for £750,000. It’s the definition of remote, as it’s stuck on a peninsula in the Scottish Highlands with no roads to travel along.

That means that to access the house, you have to take a boat trip or embark on a 16 mile walk through rough countryside.

So we doubt you’ll get many people knocking on your door to sell you mops.

The property sits in Inveries, the Knoydart peninsula’s only village that has a population of under 100.

To reach it you’ll need to catch a ferry from Mallaig then walk for four miles. If you’re not a fan of boats, that’ll be a 16 mile hike.

As the house is fairly remote, it’s not exactly surrounded by exciting shops and things to do. There’s only one pub in Knoydart, called the Old Forge Inn, as well as one coffee shop and a Post Office.

There are, however, incredible views of Loch Nevis, so that’s a nice bonus.

The property itself is pretty special, too. Sandaig House is two properties connected by a garden. The original house was originally a chapel, so has a snazzy cathedral-style ceiling and a balcony in the grand hall.

There’s an open plan kitchen, dining, and living area, and three bedrooms in the main house, while in the connected lodge there are four more bedrooms and an extra open plan living room.

Plus there’s an annexe, with two more bedrooms and a living area that you could easily rent out for holidays. Nice.

Outside there’s a 40ft by 9ft greenhouse, an orchard, and access to 105 acres of moorland and woodland. A quick stroll from the home will take you to a private bay, providing a sheltered harbour with beautiful views.

Cameron Ewer, from estate agents Savills, said: ‘What you have got at Sandaig is something that’s truly unique.

‘It’s in an elevated position overlooking a private beach with 105 acres – I haven’t seen anything like that come to the market in recent years.’

Cameron warns that the property is only for those looking for a total escape.

‘It is perfect if you are really looking to escape the hustle and bustle and I think almost certainly it will sell to somebody coming out of London, but probably not as a main residence, more likely as a holiday home.

‘You have to be very committed to living on Knoydart to live there full-time – it’s not the most accessible place.

‘There are no roads on the peninsula so the only way to get there is the ferry from Mallaig.

‘It has a coffee shop and a pub, there’s a bit of tourism on the island and lots of wonderful walks, but if you want to do a proper shop you have to go to Mallaig.

‘Some of the best sailing off the west coast is accessed from around that point and boating on the loch is great for families.

‘If you want peace, tranquility and a bit of headspace, you’re going to be hard-pushed to find a better example than this.

‘That’s what this is is all about, the setting.’

As we mentioned, it’s on sale for £750,000, so if you are ready to say farewell to the city and get some proper peace and quiet, it might be worth raiding your savings.

If not, just wait for someone else to buy the place and put up that annexe as an Airbnb.

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Coffee shops are pretty much the best places for first dates; without the formality of dining out (which restaurant do you choose, how much should you spend? So many questions), and because of their quick and casual ambiances.

Chartered financial planner Jonathan Craig and midwife Joanne Macdonald, from Aberdeen, Scotland, have a pretty adorable meet-cute.

They went to coffee giant Starbucks for their respective studies. Then a mutual friend introduced the pair and they formed a connection.

Fast forward to two years later and the couple were looking for a venue for their wedding. They wanted something quirky, so Starbucks made sense.

Joanne, 26, explained that they didn’t want the usual church ceremony.

‘It went really well, really smooth actually without a glitch. We joked about it for a while because we’re not religious so a church would be quite weird,’ she said.

‘It was actually better. What we did was better than what I imagined.

‘I hope it kind of starts a trend, that’d be quite funny.”

The coffee shop on Union Street, Aberdeen, was spruced up for the special occasion.

With tables and chairs swept away and disposable coffee cups hanging like decorative bunting, the Starbucks was transformed from its usual look, while still maintaining the character and charm of the place where the happy couple first met.

There was just enough standing room for the intimate ceremony.

As expected, there were a few tears in the emotional ceremony, but thankfully no interruptions from anyone looking to buy a cup of coffee.

Groom Jonathan, 37, added: ‘We actually just came up with it together, but it was more Joanne’s idea.

‘We approached Starbucks expecting them to say no but they actually said they liked the idea. We met up with the regional manager the week before and she just asked what we’d like. It was more than I hoped.

‘I can’t say enough about the people at Starbucks and what they did. It just went like clockwork. It was like a dream. I think it actually went more smoothly than I thought it would be.’

And the newlyweds now have an Americano honeymoon lined up, jetting off to L.A.

Anyone else thinking about a coffee shop wedding now?

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Eight-year-old Oliver Broadfield was pouring his cereal into a bowl at the weekend when he came across a giant bran flake in his cereal box.

His mum, Natalie, 29, from Huddersfield, said Bran Flakes are her son’s favourite cereal – and so he was very excited when he saw such a massive one.

She said: ‘When he shouted to me and my husband we said “It won’t be that big it will just be a little bit bigger than usual”.

‘But we were shocked when we saw it – it was about 20cm wide.’

Instead of trying to flog it on eBay as the world’s biggest bran flake, Oliver decided to eat it.

‘It was too big for the bowl even after a bit broke off when he took it out of the box’, his mum said.

‘It’s bigger than it seems in the photo.’

Honestly, we think Oliver has missed out on some money there.

There’s got to be one person out there who wants to spend their savings on a giant bran flake, surely.

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Students are known for their not-too-brilliant food choices.

Adding a couple of different spices to instant noodles is considered gourmet for money-strapped youngsters who don’t exactly dabble in the fine art of cookery.

So Waitrose’s list of essentials food items, which are probably considered snazzy to most people, let alone students, hasn’t gone down very well.

Fancy powders and seasoning pastes aren’t exactly the go-to staples for most youths living in halls or in shared flats with six other people.

According to the upmarket retailer, the must-have items students should be armed with are: Marigold Swiss vegetable bouillon powder (£2), Aspall organic cyder vinegar (£1.70), Waitrose cooks’ ingredients organic Italian seasoning (£1.89), Belazu Rose Harissa paste (£4.35) and Clearspring organic Tamari soya sauce (£3.15).

You know, just the usual stuff. Never mind actual essentials like salt, pepper, oil and tinned goods.

Outraged Twitter user Andrew Stronach posted the ‘starter kits for fledgling cooks’ on his account with the caption: ‘The Waitrose concept of essential cooking staples for new students!?!’

Many users on the social media site shared Andrew’s sentiment, adding that the list looks nothing like the fine cuisine of pot noodles, pasta, microwave rice, and cereal they ate during their years in education.

‘One of my go-to meals at uni was rice and cheese. Just plain white rice with grated cheese. Apparently, I thought it was good. It wasn’t,’ said one user.

‘This is completely ridiculous. Some students may want to try their hand at creative cooking, but these are not essentials. How about Sunflower oil, salt and pepper, garlic bulb, and tomato puree?’ wrote another.

One parent wrote: ‘Uh oh…my son has just gone off with three jars of coffee, four packs of Super Noodles, two Pot Noodles and a bottle of Nandos peri peri sauce.’

A few were on board with the suggestion though, saying it may encourage students to get into creative cooking.

One former student shared her own uni story: ‘I basically learned to cook as a student. Lived across from a posh supermarket, before closing time we’d buy the reduced to clear veg and concoct a meal out of them.’

Others noted that Waitrose is pretty convenient for reduced food items which can sometimes go on sale for as little as 19p.

So who knows, maybe you’ll find that much-needed Clearspring organic Tamari soya sauce for a bargain price.

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There are a few special dates in the Islamic calendar that Muslims around the world celebrate.

After the fasting month of Ramadan is Eid-ul Fitr and then to mark the end of the Hajj pilgrimage is Eid-ul Adha.

Eid-al Adha falls on the tenth day of Dhu’l-Hijjah which is the twelfth and final month in the Islamic calendar.

The following month, called Muharram, marks the beginning of the new year but as the calendar follows the lunar cycle, the day changes every year.

So, today marks the start of the year. Here are some of the quotes and wishes Muslims (and others) can send one another.

You alone we worship, and you alone we ask for help, for each and everything. May your faith in Him always bring you peace and prosperity. Happy New Hijri Year!

On the auspicious day of Muharram, may Allah bless you with health, wealth, peace and happiness!

May all the praises and thanks be to Allah to whom belongs all that is in heavens and in the earth. Have a blessed Muharram.

May Allah Almighty shower his blessing on the Muslim Ummah and all Islamic countries. Happy new Hijri year. 1440 Mubarak.

Let us also remember the month of Muharram. Let us remember Muharram ul Haram, the month worthy of reverence, and Ashura, and also remember Karbala with sorrow. Let us remember Hussain, the highest of martyrs, the lord of paradise youth. Let us send our greetings and regards to Allah’s Messenger and his family.

What is the significance of Muharram?

In the way it’s considered to be 2018 AD in the west, in the Islamic calendar it is 1440 AH (Anno Hegirae).

This is the year of the Hijri, marking the time prophet Muhammed migrated from Mecca to Media.

The tenth day of Muharram is called Ashurah, which is known by Shia Muslims as ‘the day of grief’. It marks the battle of Karbala, when Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Imam Hussein ibn Ali, was killed.

Some Muslims fast during these days (September 11 – October 9).

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I first started to have problems walking on my right side in April 2017. In May that year I started to work out to help with weight loss.

My walking got worse, but I put it down to overdoing it at the gym.

It wasn’t until a personal trainer (PT) at the gym noticed I kept leaning to the right when I was lifting weights that I started to think something could be wrong.

Concerned, he told me to go to the doctors. I did, but they didn’t think there was a problem, so I carried on as normal.

A few weeks later, another PT pointed out the same problem and I went back to the GP.

Finally, in August, after going back and forth to the doctor a few times, I was sent to hospital for an MRI. I was diagnosed with demyelination in September.

I was prescribed steroids and told to contact them if I got worse. When I finished the steroids I still wasn’t back to normal.

Through November and December that year, I was worse than ever. My legs were so weak my fiancé, Chris, was having to carry me up the stairs to bed at night.

I was finally diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) in March 2018. I’d heard of MS, but not properly and I didn’t realise what it meant, or that it affects more than 100,000 of us in the UK.

I think my mum has taken my diagnosis worse than me and that makes me most upset. MS doesn’t just affect those who have it – my family and friends have all lived the experience with me.

Overall, my mobility isn’t great. I have a stick and I furniture-hold to move around the house as it’s not easy to use the wheelchair inside.

When I heard that the first and only licensed treatment proven to slow the progression of this highly disabling condition has been rejected by the NHS because its deemed too expensive – it was devastating.

We’re waiting for the council to help find us an adapted house – I need a wet room and widened doors for my wheelchair.

I’m also waiting for a personal independence payment (PIP) assessment as I now have a medical driving licence and need an adapted car with hand controls. Without a car I’m having to rely on my mum to take me to and from work every day.

It is frustrating being so dependent on others, so having any treatment would mean an awful lot to me.

You can’t imagine what it’s like to get a diagnosis of PPMS and be told there’s nothing for you.

So, when I heard that the first and only licensed treatment proven to slow the progression of this highly disabling condition has been rejected by the NHS because its deemed too expensive – it was devastating.

I know ocrelizumab won’t make me better, but it could stop me from deteriorating.

Chris and I hope to get married soon but I don’t want my MS to get worse and I really want to be able to walk down the aisle when the time comes.

The fact that this drug could help me do that, but I might not have access to it, is heartbreaking.

Chris has been so supportive throughout my whole MS journey. When we heard that this drug could be made available in the UK we were hopeful but now our dreams have been dashed.

Having treatment would put my mind at ease about the future and things like starting a family. If I get much worse I will struggle to look after myself, never mind a child.

Right now, this is my only potential treatment to do something about this horrible condition.

I have received so much support from organisations such as the MS Society – who are driving research into more and better treatments – and I’m proud to be part of the #SpeakupforMS campaign.

I encourage everyone to sign their petition that calls on NHS England, NICE and Roche to work together to ensure that ocrelizumab is available on the NHS for everyone with PPMS who could benefit – and hopefully help a lot of people like me access a medicine that could change their future.

If anyone is worried about the decision or has questions, the MS Society also has a free helpline – 0808 800 8000.

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Face it, before university, everyone’s knowledge of sex was from the small few who got fingered by Brandon at the back of Physics.

Sex was a taboo, it was unknown. Sometimes even dirty depending on which school you went to.

You had sex if you were in love with your longterm boyfriend, or if you left Year 9 to have a child. It was one way, or the other.

Parents and teachers didn’t tell you anything about sex, only about the possible consequences if you did have it. AIDs, diseases, promiscuity, abortions. Think the PE teacher from Mean Girls.

That’s until you go to university, of course.

At the tender age of 18, you’re suddenly thrown into this brand spanking new environment – often miles away from home – with a huge variety of people you’ve never met. Or even thought existed.

Gone are your Mum’s curfews and your Dad’s disappointment when you come home with a hickey. In this alien world you don’t need to make excuses to stay out late, you can do whatever, and whoever, you want.

You’re introduced to cheap drinks, new sexualities, genders, dating apps, f***boys, one night stands, casual sex, outdoor shags, threesomes, friends with benefits…

Once your parents drop you off at your new digs, sex is offered to you on a plate – and you can eat up to your heart’s content.

But as you live your sexiest life, you’re innocent and vulnerable. You often find yourself paralytic drunk with people you met less than 24 hours earlier.

University is where you’ll learn about sex – but it’s important to be prepared for those lessons.

This year, a quarter of first year students will contract a STI. And since last September, 15% of under 25s have admitted to having unsafe sex with two or more partners.

University is where you’re likely to have sex with a f***boy. He’ll tell you he has a girlfriend (‘But don’t worry, she’s crazy/Christian/doesn’t understand my needs, y’know?’) he’s enticing, and you fall in love with him for the night and miss your 9am lecture. It’s easy to rush headfirst into that heady lust without thinking of the risks – physical and emotional.

It’s hardly surprising that 16-24-year-olds make up for 63% of reported chlamydia cases in the UK.

Sex is glorified, and it’s absolutely everywhere in Freshers Week. You don’t think twice about sleeping with f***boy’s best friend, or pulling someone dressed up as Ingvar Kamprad.

And that can be great – but it’s crucial to ask some questions.

Did you do it because you wanted to, or felt pressured into it because all your new mates had already?

Did your new notch on your bedpost get too close to you? Did you feel you couldn’t say no?

According to a report by Revolt Sexual Assault and The Student Room, 62% of students have experienced sexual violence. That’s anything from a grope or unsolicited dirty talk in a nightclub, to rape.

Sadly, only 15% of those reported it to the police – likely because they thought it was normal, or felt it was uncool to kick up a fuss about unwelcome attention.

Of those respondents, 8% of women said they’d been raped at uni, double the 4% of all women in England and Wales who’d reported rape.

University is a playground for unwanted sexual attention – for all ages, genders, races, religions and sexualities.

If you’re reading this and you’re heading into your first year pretty soon, be prepared to have your opinion of sex changed forever. For better and worse.

Remember: You don’t need to have sex because your new mates have already, do it because you want to – never because you have to.

Be cautious, aware of your new mates, your surroundings and don’t feel stupid if you want to take yourself out of a situation.

In a lot of bars, you can ‘Ask for Angela’ – a nationwide campaign determined to stop sexual harassment on nights out. Bar staff can help you leave an uncomfortable situation discreetly without drawing unwanted attention.

Use protection and get into the habit of having regular sexual health checks – they’re not that scary, promise.

You’ll still get a dodgy dye job because of a broken heart, you might get a crap grade in first year, or you might leave uni gutted you didn’t have a threesome with members of your own sex.

You might even have the best sex of your life, or meet someone who leaves more than a cumstain on your bedsheets.

But make sure you finish uni knowing what, and who, you like – and find that out safely.

Oh, and make university the place you learn that you should never, ever settle for one-way oral. That’s important.

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