Mixed Up is a weekly series that aims to get to the heart of what it means to be mixed-race in the UK today.

The mixed-race population is a heterogenous, wildly diverse group – encompassing hundreds of different ethnic make-ups, backgrounds and experiences. It is so much more than just black and white.

This series aims to go beyond stereotypes and stigma to explore the joys, conflicts and contradictions that come with straddling two or more cultural influences.

As the UK’s fastest growing ethnic group, the growth of the mixed population is unlikely to slow down – and we want to hear from the people who live it.

Helena Alyssa is a lifestyle blogger with a more unconventional heritage mix – Caribbean and eastern European.

‘My dad was born in Trinidad & Tobago and my mum was born in Slovenia (then Yugoslavia), but I was born in London,’ Helena tells Metro.co.uk.

‘My family is pretty much like two different worlds. As you can imagine, eastern Europe is a long way away from the Caribbean, so where to me the mix of these worlds has seemed pretty normal, as I got older I could understand why a brown girl speaking Slovenian would be a bit out of the ordinary.’

A number of eastern European countries have the reputation of being hostile to people of other races – particularly black people. Helena says that while this is something she has felt at times, for her, that doesn’t truly represent what Slovenia has to offer as a whole.

‘My granddad on my mum’s side didn’t like my dad when my parents first started dating,’ explains Helena.

‘I think because of the time it was and because seeing black people mixing with Slovenians back then was really rare, I guess he was on high alert.’

Helena’s experience with her mum’s homeland has been largely really positive. She says that any awkwardness or hostility that she does feel comes from a lack of exposure – not malice.  

‘I’ve never had what I can call a really racist experience in Slovenia, and I’ve spent months every year there growing up,’ she explains.

‘For me, it was more people just staring or sort of being amazed because they’d never seen a white family with brown kids with curly hair all speaking their language.

‘Everyone used to have an obsession with mine and my sisters hair, they were just so fascinated.

‘I remember when we were little we used to play with a girl who was around my age and she used to call us “črnka” which means black girl/female.

‘At the time I didn’t think anything of it but thinking back now she was only around six or seven years old and definitely hadn’t seen or mixed with anyone remotely different or darker skinned, let alone seeing someone who looked like my dad.

‘I visited last year with my two cousins from the US (who are also mixed black girls) and another friend, so there were five black women walking around Slovenia.

‘It does get a bit annoying if you’re not used to that sort of thing because some places people can stare and make comments. Luckily I understand and most of the time it’s more a sort of awe because they’ve never seen that sort of thing before.

‘They will say we have beautiful colour or something like that, or men just being a bit weird and pervy. I promise the whole country isn’t like that though.’

Helena and her family have a well-tested response to any stares that linger just a fraction too long – they make the perpetrators feel foolish. It helps that she’s fluent in Slovenian – which most people would never expect.

‘I used to care and get a bit shy and annoyed by it, but as I got older I find that it doesn’t bother me at all. I love to make people feel stupid for staring or making unnecessary comments,’ says Helena.

‘My dad used to always play up to it and just act loud or silly to draw more attention, and it would just embarrass them.

‘When I tell people where I’m from, their first response is usually, “where?” then I explain and the second question is, “how did your mum and dad meet?” So I’m definitely used to all of the explaining by now.

‘I think people still get caught a bit off guard, they definitely don’t expect me to be able to speak the language, so I absolutely love it when someone makes a sly comment and I can reply fluently – that throws them off.’

One thing that Helena loves about her family is the blend of two cultures which she finds utterly contrasting. Having experienced both, Helena can pinpoint the exact differences between the two parts of the world – but she loves being able to experience the elements that she loves from both sides.

‘Because Slovenia and the Caribbean are so far apart, one wouldn’t really know anything about the other,’ says Helena.

‘It was so rare in the 90s to find someone in Slovenia who had travelled to the Caribbean, let alone Trinidad. My grandma used to come with us on all these trips so she got to experience it all and had such a great attitude about it, she absolutely loved all the mixing cultures and learning about it.

‘I would say Europeans and Slovenians are quite serious, maybe even a bit closed-minded, whilst in Trinidad it’s a completely different vibe. People are more free and open-minded, but they also know a bit more about different cultures and they have probably experienced meeting more people who are mixed.

‘I love what comes with both cultures, being able to love soca music and then get excited about eating Slovenian food. I like having that unique look too and nobody being able to guess what my background is.’   

It is this hybridity of both that Helena loves about her identity. She doesn’t understand why so many people seem determined to make her choose a side – when she is more than happy existing between two cultures simultaneously.

‘Going through life being mixed-race, people want to put you in either the box of being “black” or “white”, when you’re actually made up of both,’ she tells us.

‘Just because I have brown skin it doesn’t mean that I should forget that I’m made up of two cultures – even though people in one of those cultures may not look anything like me.

‘I went to a predominently white secondary school and people would say that made me more white, for example the way I act, or the way I speak. But for me, I still have a connection with both of my backgrounds so I don’t think it needs to be put in one box, there are no rules.

‘Having a European look and then this crazy curly hair and brown skin, people always want you to be one or the other, especially whilst growing up.

‘I’ve been lucky to be able to experience both cultures from a young age so I was always quite confident in where I came from. I think a lot of young people don’t get to have that so they always feel more connected to one side more than the other.   

‘I think it’s also important for people to know that I am a mix of both because some people are still so against that, so it’s nice to be able to stand up for that.’

Helena knows she is lucky to have avoided serious racial hostility and discrimination for most of her life – but she still thinks there is work to be done. And that work begins with education.

‘Apart from a few ignorant comments, thankfully I’ve never experienced racism. Although I think to this day it’s still hard and people can still make comments – whether it’s abroad or even in the workplace – that aren’t necessarily racist but you just think “really??”

‘People need to be more clued up. Being black or mixed isn’t a massive deal, having curly hair is normal, let’s just let it go now.

‘I think society will always be quite intrigued or interested by mixed people in general. The look, the hair, the way you speak, the way you act, they all expect you to be the same or to all be a certain way, when in reality all mixed-race people are so different.

‘I would say society generally reacts positively to mixed people, although I know you still get people who will say ignorant things like “half caste” or “mixed breed” which just makes you think that not enough educating has been done.’

So what is it that she wants people to understand? What is the key to normalising families like hers and banishing those lingering stares for good?

‘I want people to understand that times have changed and we’ve come so far, it’s OK for people to be mixed and be and look completely different,’ says Helena.

‘My best friend is mixed black and white, the same as me and she is really pale skinned with long curly hair.

‘It’s beautiful how diverse being mixed-race is. I want people to understand that we don’t need to fit into one box and we can immerse ourselves in both cultures. 

‘I think it’s important to hear about the backgrounds mixed-race people have come from and how this has shaped them growing up. Hearing about the experiences and stuggles people have had will make people more aware of them and hopefully make it a bit more normal.’

The best of Mixed Up

Mixed Up is our weekly series that gets to the heart of what it means to be mixed-race in the UK today.

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When we think of fitness, we usually think of blood-pumping, heart-pounding, sweat-soaked workouts – but being fit is about more than just cardio.

To develop truly well-rounded fitness, it’s vital to think about different elements of your personal health. Cardio and strength is one part of that, but your mental and emotional health is intrinsically tied to your wellbeing.

But it can be hard to know where to start with wellness – how do you build it into your routine and what should you focus on?

‘The idea of health has long moved past just fitness and nutrition – it now encompasses mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing,’ explains Dr Yannis Alexandrides, founder of 111CRYO.

‘In order to positively perform in one of those areas, the others must be in alignment.

‘To help those elements come into alignment, new ways of facilitating health have come into focus. We can now optimise our body, mind and spirit with innovative (and occasionally pseudo-scientific) technologies or practices that are either new or had been a fringe movement.

‘The more we cultivate every aspect of our being, the better space we occupy with our health.

‘Wellness is simply holistic health. The wider we reach out on a health journey, the more encompassed we are in positivity and wellbeing.’

Fitness is becoming increasingly holistic. More of us are thinking about the importance of self-care and being conscious of how we are feeling mentally, as well as physically.

The experts believe that the best way to be healthy is to treat our mental health with the same importance as we would our physical health – and there are plenty of ways to do that.

You might think that cryotherapy treatments, salt therapy or floatation tanks are solely reserved for top models and Instagram stars, but new fitness apps are making luxury wellness more accessible.

ClassPass allows members to buy credits each month, which can be spent across a huge range of boutique fitness and wellness studios – and it’s available in five major cities across the UK, including London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol and Brighton.

The sessions can be pricey, but with a monthly subscription, you can choose how you spend your credits – whether that’s on daily spinning classes or the odd session of cryotherapy. It couldn’t be easier to build holistic wellness into your weekly routine.

‘Cryotherapy is a form of cold therapy that incites vasoconstriction, stimulating an increase in circulation, collagen production, endorphins and epidermal firmness while reducing inflammation, pain and fatigue,’ explains Dr Yannis Alexandrides.

‘It’s ideal for heavy athletes or frequent fliers, speeding up recovery tenfold. It’s all about using natural processes in a scientific way, which is really what wellness in the modern era is about.

‘Thermotherapy is a form of heat therapy that incites vasodilation, stimulating an increase in circulation, lymphatic draining, toxin expulsion, muscle recovery and pain relief.

‘Think of the HEAT pod as a super high-tech sauna, getting everything nasty out of your system while the bespoke LED lights heal the skin.

‘Both of these treatments are wellness treatments, producing musculoskeletal and beauty benefits.’

Wellness treatments to try

Exerceo Training

Exerceo Training is one of the first studios in the UK solely dedicated to electric muscle stimulation (EMS) training.

EMS combines Electro Muscle Stimulation and active exercise.

EMS training mimics the action of the central nervous system, activating muscles in the same way, but using external impulses.

These are delivered via electrodes onto the skin directly above the muscles.

EMS is the quickest way to acquire the desired outcome when it comes to fitness. Only 25 minutes of EMS training is equal to 90 minutes of high intensity training at the gym.

Mr Salus Sporting Lab

Mr Salus Sporting Lab is both a sports and a gait clinic.

Its provides a wide range of services related to the world of sport and physical wellbeing in general. The clinic is specialized in three branches: kinesiology, sports therapy, dietetics.

The clinic is always looking for new rehabilitation methods and protocols to speed up and optimize the recovery time after injuries.

London Salt Rooms

In their Salt Cave, machines create a unique microclimate for dry aerosol Halotherapy, which lasts for 60 minutes.

The salt penetrates deep within the lungs, which they say cleans them and acts as a natural antiseptic.

Most of their clients attend a few times a week for a month, twice-annually, to generally improve their respiratory health for the long term.

Many of their clients with asthma, COPD, sinusitis and allergies say their conditions have improved and that they experience fewer complications and infections.

The treatment also opens the airways, increasing lung function and capacity, so it is popular for improving sport performance and endurance.

Tribe3 Flotation Tanks

Floating is an experience that can help to reset our mental wellbeing and bring balance to our thinking – or if, nothing else, it definitely feels cool.

According to the experts at Tribe3, taking some time to quieten our thoughts allows us to think clearly and become more focused.

Floatation tanks are essentially a modern and controlled way to meditate. It can be the perfect opportunity to take time away from screens, people and everyday noise.

London Clinic of Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is said to help with a whole host of mental conditions, from phobias and anxiety to addiction and negative thoughts.

The Clinic in north London says hypnotherapy can also eliminate bad habits, boost confidence and is effective for relaxation.

Session can either cover a specific issue or it can focus on many areas of your life – so you don’t need to have a specific problem in order to try hypnotherapy.

The treatment focuses on mind, body and gut health alignment – experts at the clinic say hypnotherapy is important because the subconscious mind ‘often needs support and re-framing.’

Swearing usually splits people into two camps.

There are those who enjoy the f word and use it in everyday conversation, and those who stick to saying f*** in bed and otherwise never utter it.

However, both parties will agree that there are certain instances where swearing just doesn’t seem appropriate. For instance, at work (though some research suggests it helps colleagues bond), in front of children or, as one bride and groom recently found out, in wedding invitations.

The couple decided to go with an unusual choice of words when inviting guests to attend their big day, with a grand total of 14 f***s, and two s**** thrown in for good measure.

‘Hey f*** face,’ the invite reads.

‘As you know, we got f***ing engaged and now we’ve got to plan a motherf***ing wedding. You’re so f***ing amazing, you made the cut!

‘So… are you f***ing coming?’

Invitees were given three options to choose from: ‘F*** yes’, ‘F*** no’ or ‘F*** you’.

Additionally, guests were told to leave their kids or ‘little s****’ at home, because the wedding couple want to ‘get f*****’.

The dress code for the event is smart casual. In fact, people are welcome to wear ‘what the f*** they like’ or go ‘butt f***ing naked’, if they so wish.

Even the time of the event was given an expletive, as the bride and groom expressed guests should ‘f*** off’ by 11.30pm.

A photo of the invite was posted in a wedding shaming group on Facebook, and it didn’t go down well.

One woman said it was ‘super trashy’, while another said she hated the invite and it gave her ‘secondhand embarrassment’.

Others claimed the couple were ‘trying too hard to be funny’ and ‘edgy’, and that it merely ‘comes off as very unclassy’.

‘Does no one take marriage or wedding ceremonies seriously any more?,’ wrote someone.

‘I’m no bridezilla and I’m being easy going but this is tasteless, classless and stupid.’

However, not everyone took the swearing to heart and some even appreciated the wording.

‘I love this,’ said one.

‘I wouldn’t use it but it’s brilliant. My sister would use this though.’

We’re pretty certain that the couple don’t give a f***  either way.

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True, a two-year-old mixed breed dog, had a tough start to life.

He was originally owned by an addict, who, while high, cut off the dog’s two front legs after spotting True digging a hole in the garden.

True managed to drag himself closer to the neighbour’s house. The neighbours rushed him to a shelter in Ukraine so he could get urgent medical care.

The shelter kept True for a few months so he could recover, but worried that he wouldn’t survive the winter due to his new disability.

Once he was healed physically, the shelter reached out to one of their rescue partners in Canada, Cause 4 Paws, to spread True’s story on social media and raise funds for his medical bills.

That’s how estate agent Erin Blaak, 31, discovered True’s story. She wanted to adopt him instantly, despite him being miles away in Ukraine.

On December 4, 2018, True was flown to Toronto to meet his new family; Erin, chef Romain Avril, their Pomeranian called Bandito, and their Labrador-Dane mixed breed Brady.

‘I wasn’t even looking for a dog as we already have two, but I follow rescues on Facebook and his picture popped up with his story,’ said Erin.

‘True is from Ukraine and his owner was high on drugs. True was digging a hole outdoors, and his owner hacked both of his front legs off.

‘The owner later died of an overdose. One of the neighbours found True as he had dragged himself close to their house.

‘It absolutely broke my heart. I spoke to my boyfriend and I called in immediately and offered to foster him. The rescue that brought him over is called Cause 4 Paws and they’ve been doing this for several years and they have rescued over 1,000 dogs.

‘We first met True in Toronto airport and it was emotional but we were very happy to have him and give him the life he deserves.’

True has been showered with love and care, and has now settled into his new life.

His injuries mean he has to be carried a lot of the time and he gets tired easily, but he’s learned to walk on his hind legs – he can even jump on the sofa and the bed.

When True goes outside he uses a specially designed wheelchair. Erin and Romain have made sure he gets plenty of exercise, too, so he stays fit and healthy.

Now True is training to become a therapy dog, so that he can bring joy to amputees.

Erin says: ‘True has fit in really well to our family and he loves all dogs and people, so he gets on well with our other dogs. He just wants to be loved by all.

‘In 2019, True started using his wheelchair and he really likes it. It’s challenging for him to learn, so he’s still trying to learn how to turn around,” said Erin.

‘We are training each day to hopefully be able to go for longer periods of time with the wheelchair. He also has temporary prosthetics which we are working on as well.

‘He just uses the wheelchair when he’s outside, but around the house he walks on his hind legs – slowly and with breaks. He can jump up on the sofa without a wheelchair, but he cannot lie down in the chair.’

Learning about True’s story has inspired Erin to fight against animal abuse. She has since planned and hosted fundraisers for Cause 4 Paws to help their rescue efforts, and wants to help other dogs who have suffered abuse.

‘The first fundraiser I did was for True so we could pay for his water therapy, his wheelchair, his prosthetics, and any other needs,’ says Erin. ‘We received support from across the country and we raised a total of over £20,000.

‘We’ve helped many more dogs since, both locally and internationally.

‘We are so lucky to have dogs in our lives and we don’t deserve their unconditional love.

‘I think it’s important to respect all creatures on our planet. I understand there will always be a debate between vegans and vegetarians compared to people who eat meat; however, I think killing for sport, or cruelty for one’s entertainment must be stopped. There should be more consequences in place.

‘It’s sad how much animal abuse and cruelty there is in the world. There’s a lack of laws preventing this and in countries where there are a lot of street dogs, they reproduce rapidly, and are often starved, hit by cars, or purposely tortured.

‘True and I are going through the process of applying to get him qualified as a therapy dog.

‘It’s our hope to visit the amputee divisions and bring joy and healing to those need it.

‘True loves to cuddle and make people happy, as do I. We can’t think of a better way to spend our time.’

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Good news for everyone struggling with the heat on the Underground this week – Deliveroo is trying to help commuters stay cool by giving away free ice cream at stations.

Temperatures reach up to 30C on the tube in this weather so within about 30 seconds of ‘mind the closing doors’ the whole carriage turns into one big puddle of sweat.

And tomorrow is set to be the hottest day of the year, with temperatures predicted to reach 37C.

So the delivery firm has teamed up with ice cream brands Judes and Oppo to give away thousands of free cones tomorrow.

Riders will be outside Bank, Tottenham Court Road and Bond Street stations from 12pm today so keep an eye out

We probably recommend enjoying your ice cream before or after you get on the tube though – no one wants an ice cream squashed into their armpit.

Joe Groves at Deliveroo said: ‘No one embraces summer quite like us Brits, from burnt-to-a-crisp BBQs, endless park pursuits and lobster tans galore.

‘But Londoners face something worse than a simple farmers tan, the Central line. So this Thursday as the mercury begins to burst we’ll be handing out delicious Judes and Oppo Ice Cream across the hottest tube line in London.’

If you aren’t able to get your hands on a free cone, you can still get ice cream sent straight to your door through the Jude’s store on Deliveroo, so there’s no need to brave the sun.

We also brought you the news earlier this week that you can now order items from Sainsbury’s through Deliveroo.

The supermarket is offering freshly-baked sourdough pizzas, a range of sweet and savoury snacks, dips and soft drinks through the app.

Really there is no reason to leave the house again.

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In your years of university accommodation and city flatshares, you’ve probably experienced a horrifying housemate.

If you haven’t, that awful renter is probably you.

They never clean (or they clean far too much and expect you to do the same), their room is a pit, they play loud music until the early hours and walk around in their underwear when your family has popped round for a visit.

If you’ve had a run-in with a terrible housemate, be warned: this article and the photos it contains will give you flashbacks.

A member of the Awful Roomates: Roomates From Hell Facebook group has shared photos of their roommate’s cluttered bedroom, dotted with unwashed dishes, plastic bags, and instant noodle containers.

‘His room smells like old cum, lube, ass, and spoiled food,’ they wrote.

Yep, we can almost smell it through the picture.

Now, you might be thinking: ‘that’s fine, it’s his room’.

But let us be clear: This approach to mess extends outside this housemate’s bedroom.

The Facebook group member wrote: ‘The sink isn’t as bad but my roommate is refusing to clean, he hasn’t done dishes all but two times in the time he has been here.

‘I have told him multiple times to clean up his f****** dishes which are everywhere!’

Yeah, that’s not cool.

They do mention that the housemate has a therapy appointment, so perhaps the mess is down to a mental health issue. It’s incredibly hard to keep your personal space neat and organised when you have depression.

But it’s always possible to give your housemate a head’s up if you’re finding cleaning difficult. You could even offer to front money for a cleaner – or at least promise to keep your mess contained to your room.

Other members of the Facebook group haven’t been too sympathetic.

‘I would LOSE it,’ wrote one. ‘This is disgusting. I’d scream and scream until they cleaned it or ran away.’

Another commented: ‘If he kept it contained to his nasty ass room then fine but he cannot expect you to be cool with all this clutter in the common area. If he doesn’t wanna do dishes he can order out or invest in paper plates for himself.’

Some words of advice for anyone dealing with a similar housemate situation: Voicing your concerns in a calm, non-judgmental way is always a good shout.

Explain why the mess and dirt affects you, whether it raises your stress levels, stops you being able to use the kitchen, or is a barrier to having friends over. Listen to your housemate’s reasoning for not cleaning, try not to issue any harsh judgement, and work together to come up with a plan that will make everyone happy.

Easier said than done, we know, but it’s worth having that conversation before you go nuclear and get your landlord involved.

MORE: Woman asks her housemate to mind her plants and he takes it very seriously

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MORE: Couple forced housemate to sleep under stairs and eat outside in the rain

There’s disappointing news on the sex front today.

It seems that despite the headway we’ve made in the bedroom, men are still reaping the rewards more often than women.

Not everyone has an orgasm every time they have sex, which is completely normal. Sometimes you’re not in the mood to finish and other times you just can’t get there – it’s nothing to be ashamed about.

However, a recent study by the sex toy website, Lovehoney, has revealed quite the disparity in frequency of climax. Apparently, 58% of men have an orgasm every time during sex, compared to just 24% of women.

Furthermore, it was found that only 20% of Brits are sexually fulfilled, and that two thirds aren’t having sex as often as they’d like.

The study had 3,000 participants across the US, UK and Australia, and the figures were marginally different across the continents.

In the UK, 48% of women orgasm ‘most of the time’, compared to 33% of men, while 20% of women and 6% of men said they ‘rarely’ enjoy climax.

Meanwhile 8% of women and 3% of men have never come during sex.

Women having less orgasms isn’t a new development, and comments are often thrown around that this is because they are ‘harder to please’ in bed.

A perhaps more likely explanation is that women have, throughout history, been seen as the secondary person in bed, something which has only changed during the last few decades, following numerous sexual revolutions.

The taboo around female pleasure and casual sex has since lessened, but unfortunately, there’s still a way to go.

If you’re concerned that you’re not able to ‘get there’, there are ways to help yourself along.

Introducing sex toys in the bedroom is one option; according to the study, 29% of British women claimed they are ‘more likely’ to orgasm if they use one.

While this can help, it’s also important to communicate your wants and needs to your sexual partner(s).

‘Growing up, we are taught the functional side of sex but we aren’t taught about pleasure and how to reach an orgasm,’  Sammi Cole, sex and relationships expert at Lovehoney tells Metro.co.uk.

‘It’s something each of us has to learn.

‘We need to communicate with our partners and help show them what we want and what works for us, whether that be a different method of stimulation, or a specific sex toy.

‘Communicating (before, during and after sex) and explaining what works for you can go a long way towards helping to closing the [orgasm] gap.’

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Just a few days ago we reported on the couple who purchased the house that inspired The Conjuring. Now, there’s another house with a dark past hitting the market.

Going for £1.5 million, this Los Angeles home has two bedrooms, one-and-a-half bathrooms, a pool and a canopy of fruit trees. It’s lovely.

However in 1968, it was the location of one of the Manson family murders.

Just the night after the group brutally murdered actress Sharon Tate and four others, Manson and his followers descended on the Waverly Drive home to claim the lives of supermarket chain owner Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary.

Say prospective buyers are not in the possession of a smartphone, computer or any internet-linking device, will they 100% know about the history of the house?

Under Californian law, real estate agents must reveal whether a death occurred in a home, but only if it happened in the last three years. As it’s been half a century since the killings, real estate agents can keep quiet in this case.

Interestingly, there is a website DiedinHouse.com that will provide services which uncover the deaths at any given United States address for $11.99. Sounds like the perfect website to either save a lot of stress, or ruin a current unknowing homeowner’s opinions on their dream abode.

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Remember the classic scene in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory when the kids reach the diet wing of the factory? The bit where Willy trills ‘Come with me, and you’ll be, in a world of pure-imagination. Less sugar, not so sweet, it’s my new diet creaaaaation.’ No?

Well stop imagining this fantasy scene and start living it. Another chocolatier with a passion for purple has rolled out a treat that contains 30% less sugar.

Cadbury’s latest Dairy Milk bar has just reached UK shops, after 20 scientists, nutritionists and of course, chocolate experts, spent three years developing the new formula.

The sugar reduction measure is part of the company’s response to obesity rates in the UK.

‘We’ve recognised that there is an increasing trend for people wanting to manage their sugar intake and that’s why we have worked tirelessly to create a Cadbury Dairy Milk bar,’ Claire Low, Cadbury’s associate marketing director said in a statement.

Sure, most people eating a thick block of Dairy Milk aren’t doing so with the healthiest of thoughts in mind – because delicious chocolate transcends logic – but now at least those on the sugar-cutting bandwagon can sleep a little easier.

The Dairy Milk 30% Less Sugar bar clocks in at 35g, making it 22% smaller than the classic bar. The amount of sugar is 39g per 100g in the new bar, compared to 56g per 100g in the original.

So how the heck does it taste? Kev, a UK-based snack reviewer with a drool-inducing Instagram devoted to all things snacks, barely managed to get the bar home without it melting in the heatwave. He weighs in.

‘It definitely has that distinctive Cadbury Dairy Milk Taste, quite creamy but maybe not as rich,’ Kev tells Metro.co.uk. ‘There’s a smoky aftertaste I can’t put my finger on, which could be the added soluble maize fibre.

‘It’s definitely less sweet than a regular bar. Not as bad as I was expecting but I’d still choose a regular Dairy Milk instead.’

The new chocolate bar does not contain any artificial sweeteners, colours or preservatives and can be found alongside the classic Cadbury bars for RRP £1.49.

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There’s lots of things we see every day but out of context, it’s really hard to recognise them.

These close up photos show 10 objects that we all know – but when they’re zoomed in, it’s tricky to know what they are.

Extreme close up photography, also known as macrophotography, is quite an art.

Usually it’s used to take pictures of tiny insects and plants – but using it to change the way we see these things is pretty clever.

With macrophotography you can see all the tiny detail that is difficult to see with the naked eye.

Can you guess what these 10 things are?

Click on the images below to get the answer.

Click to reveal

Clue: Sweet and crunchy

Click to return

It's honeycomb

Click to reveal

Clue: Something for breakfast

Click to return

It's cereal

Click to reveal

Clue: Strike it first

Click to return

A lit match

Click to reveal

Clue: This one tells a story

Click to return

Book pages

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Clue: A staple in Italy

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A close up of pasta

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Clue: The smell of Christmas

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Cinnamon of course

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Clue: Play it

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Yep, that's a guitar

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Clue: Crunchy veg

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A bell pepper

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Clue: Citrus

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A lime

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Clue: Part of a celebration

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It's a cork

Who knew all these every day objects could look so different with a few camera tricks.

The images were produced a quiz by Lenstore.

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With the heatwave ongoing, you probably want to leave every window and door in your home wide open.

But that brings another problem – insects.

Aldi, however, has a solution. These magnetic doorway insect curtains let the air in but keeps insects out.

The door screen costs just £3.99 and a two-pack of window screens is the same price.

They are easy to install, with velcro tape that attaches to your window and door frame on one side and the screen on the other.

The door screen has a magnetic closure that snaps shut behind you to make sure no one accidentally leaves it open.

The description on the website says: ‘This handy fly screen is perfect for when the weather gets warmer.

‘If you’re hosting a BBQ you’ll be constantly coming in and out of the house with drinks for guests, but you won’t need to worry about buzzing visitors with the addition of our Fly Screen.’

And it’s already got some great reviews.

One person said: ‘Fabulous, so easy to fit to the door frame. Love it that no flys to swat this year. Just walk through it, and it will click shut behind you.’

‘Very easy to fit, the velcro strips are great for initial fitting and allow for adjustment. The pins finish the job a treat.

‘Used it on my workshop door to keep the fly’s and wasps out and it works. Great value for money,’ another added.

The screens have already sold out online but are still available in stores so have a look down the magical middle aisle when you’re doing your grocery shopping this week.

MORE: Can you guess what these close ups of everyday objects actually are?

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Sleeping in a heatwave isn’t pleasant.

However, there are ways to cool down.

If you don’t want to invest in a fan that you’ll likely never use again after this week and can’t afford to get air conditioning installed overnight, there’s another solution.

We tried seven cooling duvet sets to find out if they really work and what the benefits are from changing your bedding. Here’s what we found out.

Linenbundle, £85

Eve, £99

I felt the material and it felt so heavy, like a kind of flax or linen and I actually thought it was going to keep me warmer than cool me down.

The colour is beautiful too, and there are lots to choose from.

I put on the two pillow cases and the duvet and it does feel very soft.

Honest to god it was so cooling and made such a difference, so breathable and didn’t heat up under you.

Ted Baker, prices vary

This duvet set was so comfortable.

For the first time in weeks, I didn’t wake up in a pond of my own sweat.

The recent heat usually wakes me up before my alarm rings, but last night I slept the whole night through. The fabric was soft and the tropical theme made it all very dreamy.

Become, £34.95

I tried the Become duvet set, which are designed for women going through menopause who suffer from night sweats.

My boyfriend has hyperhidrosis, and this heatwave has exacerbated things.

The sheets definitely keep you much cooler than standard sheets, and they’re really soft.

I wouldn’t say they stop sweating, but they feel a lot drier and fresher than regular sheets, and the pillowcase is great too.

They’re quite silky-feeling, so for those who normally go for brushed cotton they wouldn’t be ideal (somewhat slippy), but overall I’m a big fan.

Tielle, prices vary

The texture of this ‘Cool and Crisp’ set reminded me of the type of bedding you sleep in when you’re on holiday in a hot country.

It felt a little rougher on the skin than I would have liked, but that’s likely because my usual bedding has a very high thread count and is made from a silky material.

However, in this case, the cotton really delivered.

The heat still tough to handle, but I did feel marginally cooler when using this set. They look crisp and fresh too, which is really important to me.

I really like them and will be keeping the sheets on my bed until this disgusting weather is over.

Chalk Pink, £155

‘It’s a bit scratchy,’ said my boyfriend as we attempted to sleep curled up in the Chalk Pink 100% linen duvet cover amid 30-degree heat.

While he might not have been a fan of the texture, I thought it was luxurious and it felt great against my balmy (OK, very sweaty) skin.

The pillow cases were really comfy and cooling but I lasted all of 20 mins in the duvet before having to throw it off and grab a single sheet to sleep in.

On most summer nights I think I’d have loved sleeping in this set, but when it is this hot.

I’m not sure anything – bar an ice bath – will be cooling enough.

White & Green, £142.08

I wouldn’t go so far as to say it actively cooled me down, but the bedding was super soft and I was comfy all night, even though we’re currently in the middle of a heatwave from hell.

When you first get into bed, the sheets are nice and cool to the touch, and, despite the temperature being around 20C all night, I slept like a baby.

As for the look of them, given they were just white with a little bit silver detail, the sheets were a little plain for my taste, but each to their own.

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Fancy buying a property owned by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana (yes, the Dolce & Gabbana)?

You can… if you have £6million to spare.

Domenico and Stefano are selling their luxurious villa on the Stromoli Island, Sicily, for the bargain price of £5.8 million, exclusively through estate agents Lionard.

It’s a pretty snazzy listing.

For one thing, the location is glorious. If you dream of coastal views and warm weather, Stromboli Island is a great shout. The villa sits near a cliff edge overlooking the ocean.

And if you turn away from the sea you’ll get to look out over the island, spotting the nearby active Iddu volcano.

Plus it’s been visited by all sorts of celebs. Dolce and Gabbana have owned the villa since the 90s, and regularly spent their summers there throwing parties for their A-list friends. Think Naomi Campbell, Emilia Clarke, and Madonna, to name a few.

The villa itself is pretty special. The interiors have been furnished with unique items found by the designers, Dolce & Gabbana fabrics, and bits and bobs from local artists.

If the new owner ignores the urge to redecorate, they’ll live in a place with bursts of colour – a bright green in one bedroom, teal in a living room, a gorgeous mosaic wall.

Each suite has its own colour theme chosen by Dolce and Gabbana, with many featuring ‘hand-painted majolica that adorn the walls and floors’.

And the basics are splendid too. The property has seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms (each with lava stone cladding), and gorgeous outdoor areas with cosy nooks for deep meaningful chats.

The island also has its own helipad, in case you have guests flying over.

It’s not known why Domenico and Stefano are selling the home after so many years. While they ended their romantic relationship in 2005, the designers have continued to share the villa as one of their multiple properties as they continued to work together.

The pair also own villas in Portofino and Monte Carlo.

Regardless of why they’re selling the home, we can all gaze upon the listing’s photos and wish we had enough money to buy such a stunning villa. Behold:

A heatwave isn’t exactly the ideal environment for wearing a full face of makeup.

It’s very likely that you’ll sweat most of it off as you wrestle for a seat on the tube or while you’re sat in the park enjoying a tinny.

You can adapt your skincare and makeup routine, but it is also advisable to skip makeup altogether.

If you do want to use makeup, always start with a clean base.

Sweating causes pores to clog up, which can wreak havoc on sensitive skin.

‘We need to adapt out skincare and makeup during summer to cope with the rising temperatures,’ Dr Ross Perry, medical director of CosmedicsUK, tells Metro.co.uk.

‘I recommend firstly using a gentle cleanser morning and evening.

‘Overnight our skin can sweat which in turn clogs up our pores. If you’re prone to breakouts and acne it’s important to get rid of any excess dirt and sebum (oily secretion).

‘Exfoliate a couple of times a week so skin looks fresh and dewy.’

And before you put any makeup on, don’t forget the all-important SPF.

To avoid a ‘cakey’ feel, opt for a light, spray-able option or alternatively, invest in a face moisturiser that includes sun protection.

Dr Perry said: ‘Moisturiser should be lighter during summer and if you are prone to breakouts then a salicylic acid serum would help.

‘Use an SPF30 year round, not just in the summer months. SPF30 for the face can also double up as a primer under your makeup if you’re pushed for time.’

As for the makeup, only use what you absolutely feel you need.

If you can, avoid foundation and oil-based cosmetics, as well as powder products. Swap these for cream or gel-based options.

In addition to causing breakouts, wearing makeup during hot weather conditions could leave you with an eye infection.

‘People often do not consider the dangers of makeup around the eyes and the risk of obtaining an eye infection can be heightened throughout the summer,’ Esther Davies from PureOptical, tells Metro.co.uk.

‘If you are using an old mascara (one that is over one years old) then bacteria can build up in its container. Throughout a heatwave, you obviously sweat more and therefore mascara can enter the eye[s] and cause them to stream.

‘If you mascara is holding bacteria, then an eye infection is likely to be imminent.’

Esther also cautions people to remember wearing sunscreen on the skin around their eyes.

‘Burnt eye lids are not only incredibly painful, but it is very dangerous,’ said Esther.

‘Many people believe that if they use an SPF foundation on their lid then they are protected, however, I do not really like this theory.

‘A standalone SPF product is best as you are also not wary of how much you put on due to the overall look of a product – like you would be a foundation.’

For many people, not being able to wear makeup – or keep their look in place because it’s melting off in the heat – can affect their self-confidence.

Some may also wish to hide skin problems.

Babs Forman, a makeup artist and skin camouflage specialist, helps people with scars and skin conditions find suitable products.

She shares her top tips on how to use makeup during summer:

• Go easy on the highlighter and products that give you too much ‘glow’, as they will very quickly make you look like you’ve just spent half an hour crammed on the Central line!
• If there is one product to invest in at this point in time, it’s a good setting spray. I would recommend the Urban Decay All Nighter, or for super-strength setting power, choose Dermacolor Fixierspray.
• Powder is also great to have on hand for quick touch-ups if you are starting to look a little shiny anywhere on your face.
• Another great tip is also to apply a very light layer of powder before you start applying your foundation. Always thought to be a big no-no, this can actually really help things stay put. The key is to use only a small amount very evenly all over your face, on top of your moisturiser or primer.

While makeup tips are very useful, there are two important rules that will help your skin more than anything this summer.

Remove your makeup before you go to bed and hydrate.

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Release your inner Homer Simpson by sitting back and relaxing with an ice cold Duff beer.

The famous red cans that appear in almost every episode can now be bought in real life from budget supermarket Lidl.

And the 500ml cans cost just £1.25 each.

The cans differ slightly in design from the ones in Homer’s fridge but they are pretty similar.

Lidl introduced the cans just before the Superbowl last year but now they’re back, and just in time for the summer heatwave.

The beer is brewed in Germany by the Eschwege Monastery and is described as a Pilsner topped with a white head.

It’s 4.9% alcohol with aromas of malt, cereals, caramel, straw and herbaceous.

The reviews on social media are a little mixed so you’ll just have to try it for yourself.

If an ice cold beer isn’t enough to keep you cool, the store was also selling these huge swimming pools for under £100 this month.

The pool is 12ft, meaning it does take over six hours to fill but with the hottest day of the year set to hit tomorrow, it might be worth it.

If you’re looking for something a little smaller, they have rectangular or hexagonal paddling pools with a built in drinks holder and headrest for your can of Duff.

The smaller pools, in either blue or green, are on sale next week for £13.99.

Just imagine lying back in your own pool with an ice cold beer. It’s just like Homer would want.

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Determined not to let their big day leave them in debt, Keeley Boguille, 35, and husband Sebastian, 32, had a wedding that cost just £200.

Of course, we’ve already seen that your dress doesn’t need to cost a fortune. Cat Wilkinson spent just £35 on her dress when she spotted it in a charity shop.

Keeley and Sebastian, from Newmarket, Suffolk, used high street stores and favours from friends to slash the budget on their wedding day.

And their friends and family enjoyed it so much, they’ve been inspired to cut down on their own wedding days.

A thrifty couple who threw together their dream wedding for just £200 have shared their secrets – and urged newlyweds not to spend their first year of marriage in debt.

But Keeley and American husband Sebastian, a member of the US air force, insist their day was ‘absolutely perfect’.

Business owner Keeley said: ‘We didn’t want anything big. I wanted a dress I’d feel comfortable in because I was six months pregnant.

‘I ordered a whole load of dresses and it turned out to be the cheapest one from ASOS that I liked the most.

‘If you can afford it and it’s your big dream wedding then do it, but I don’t encourage anyone to start the first year of their marriage in debt.

‘When you spend the money and it’s all glitz and glamour, it isn’t for you, it’s for everyone else.

‘Our wedding was small and personal and it was perfect.

‘Sebastian said we can renew our vows and have a big party but I’m not interested in that, I don’t see the point in spending lots of money.’

Sebastian wore his US air force uniform with a pre-owned suit while Keeley’s bridal shoes came from the Debenhams sale.

Keeley’s aunt, Sharon, made the buttonholes as a gift and Keeley drove herself to the ceremony at the registry office in Bury St Edmunds.

An £80 ring and the cost of the ceremony made up the grand total of £200.

They had their reception at Carluccio’s and asked them to pay for their own food.

Keeley said: ‘It’s ridiculous to spend £25,000 just to spend more than your neighbours. Do what makes you happy, not everybody else.’

Keeley and Sebastian got engaged 18 months after meeting after Keeley originally set her future husband up with a friend – before realising she had made a mistake and ‘stealing him back’ a few months later.

The pair are now parents to three-year-old Anayah and two-year-old Josiah.

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Heatwaves do strange things to people.

Some of us get angry and frustrated because it’s too hot to do, well, anything, while others find inventive ways to deal with the heat.

Desperate, sweltering times call for desperate measures, but unfortunately not all cooling solutions are good for you, especially if it includes close contact with your genitals.

Apparently, one woman was so hot that she resorted to sticking an ice lolly inside her vagina, hoping that it would help.

Or perhaps she was going for an alternative dildo, the motivations are somewhat unclear.

Before we go on, here’s a quick recap of things that don’t belong inside your vagina: say no to parsley, aubergine bath bombs, and garlic cloves.

While you’re at, keep your genitals away from vacuum cleaners, too.

Now, for the ice lollies.

The tissue of your vagina is very delicate, and inserting a frozen object can cause a whole heap of issues, such as a burning sensation, itching or general pain.

Another concern is that the lolly might get break off inside of you, which can feel uncomfortable and harm your vagina.

One woman, who was playing around with her boyfriend in bed, reported that part of the lolly did indeed slip up inside of her, but also that the colour from it stained her skin (don’t worry, the colour change wasn’t permanent).

While we’re on the topic of summer treats, it is also a very bad idea to put dairy-based ice cream into your vagina.

‘My advice would be to avoid any foreign bodies in the vagina for risk of infection!,’ Dr Shree Datta, consultant gynaecologist at MyHealthcare Clinic tells Metro.co.uk.

‘I would suggest loose cotton underwear and avoiding tight clothing to prevent any irritation and dermatitis developing.

‘A cool shower (without internal douching) and keeping well hydrated should suffice.’

If you do want to indulge in some heatwave fun with a lover, that’s absolutely fine – but leave the vagina out of it.

You can run ice cubes over your lover’s skin or nibble on a piece of ice and blow cool air on sensitive parts of their body.

If you’re really suffering from the rising temperatures, go all out and have a cold shower or bath together.

By all means, enjoy an ice lolly this summer – just not in your vagina.

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We all have our own ways of dealing with this spicy heatwave.

Wearing a vest made of ice, sleeping with your legs half off the bed/out the window/in the fridge, and relocating to the Russian city of Yakutsk are all on our radar this week. But sometimes, nothing is as satisfying as a cheeky, chilled drink.

You can pop round the corner for a pint, or head back home for the mother of all backyard gin and tonics. Or you can make a damn occasion of it.

We’ve chatted to six London mixologists about the refreshing cocktails that might save your sweaty soul.

Moonlight Fizz at Nightjar

During this heatwave of ours, live music spot Nightjar in Shoreditch favours a bittersweet, botanical-packed gin drink called Moonlight Fizz.

The citrus concoction is made up of The Botanist Gin, Samuel Smith’s Apricot beer, blood orange purée, prosecco, and Nightjar’s homemade kalamansi and buchu leaf liqueur.

‘It’s light, bittersweet and effervescent,’ bar manager Antonio Pescatori tells Metro.co.uk.

‘The perfect pick-me-up in the hot weather.’

Another star of the show is the special liqueur known as H. Theoria Hysterie, which is featured in the drink.

Antonio said: ‘Intensely fruity on the nose, this French liqueur explodes on the tongue with an ever-changing variety of fruity, spicy and floral flavours.’

Frozellini at Laki Kane

Islington’s Laki Kane is another bar that favours less alcoholic cocktails during the heat.

Lead bartender, Georgi Radev, recently developed his own take on the frozen cocktail obsession: the frozen champagne bellini.

‘We only use fresh tropical fruits in our Frozellinis and the introduction of a champagne makes it extra fresh and fizzy, but still light on alcohol,’ Georgi tells Metro.co.uk.

The Frozellini, which comes straight from the slush machine, is available in flavours such as peach and lychee, watermelon and elderflower and coconut and soursop.

Pepino y Mezcal at Sketch

The key to triumphing in times of serious heat is hydration, meaning less alcohol is wise.

‘With this hot weather it is important to stay hydrated, so you will need something that has a lot of liquid and not too much alcohol,’ director of Sketch, Pepijn Vanden Abeele, tells Metro.co.uk.

‘Spritz style drinks are always a good option, or a single rum or white port and tonic goes down well too.’

His pick for this week is the Pepino y Mezcal, a fusion of mezcal, cucumber, pineapple, lime, mint, honey and sparkling grape juice.

Fish House Punch at Three Little Birds

Jamaican rum bar Three Little Birds in Brixton knows a thing or two about boozing in tropical weather.

That’s right, we’re claiming this heatwave is tropical…ish.

Bartender Kundai Chakonda is partial to the ‘easy sipper’ that is the Fish House Punch, a mix created in 1732 at a Philadelphia fishing and social club.

‘The combination of Jamaican rum and cognac tied together with peachy goodness is an amazing dance of flavours,’ Kundai tells Metro.co.uk.

‘An addition of fresh lemon juice really brings the cocktail to life, balancing out the sweetness.

‘Soda water is added to lengthen out the flavours and reducing the Alcohol By Volume (ABV) to a perfect serve, allowing you to sip on a few of these throughout the day.’

Sake spritz at SUSHISAMBA

Being in a plant-filled oasis of a restaurant certainly helps with refreshing oneself, but SUSHISAMBA’s bar manager at the Covent Garden branch has other ideas.

‘When the temperatures are scorching at SUSHISAMBA, it’s got to be a spritz,’ Jorge E Puerta tells Metro.co.uk.

‘It’s light and refreshing and always a winner on a hot summer’s day.

‘For a twist on the usual, at SUSHISAMBA we make ours with black sake, rosé wine and St. Germain and serve it long with grapefruit oils and sparkling sake.

‘It’s light and floral and it really gives you that holiday vibe, without ever leaving the city.’

Miami Vice at Madison

Escape the heatwave and head to Madison’s rooftop bar in St Paul’s where you can watch others struggle down below while you sip a tropical drink.

‘Speaking about this fantastic weather, I love drinking something refreshing but at the same time sweet, something like a Miami Vice, a fusion between a Strawberry Daiquiri and a Pina Colada,’ bar manager Eduard Balan tells Metro.co.uk.

Enjoy the mix of rum, strawberries, lime juice, pineapple juice and cream of coconut – garnished with a slice of your favourite pizza accompaniment, pineapple – from the Madison terrace.

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The heatwave is in full swing.

If you spent the whole day in the sun and didn’t use sunscreen (we really recommend you do in the future), you’ve probably got some burnt bits on your body.

Being sunburned is not ideal when you want to get freaky in-between the sheets.

All hope is not lost – here is our selection of the best sex positions for when your skin feels like it’s on fire.

Doggy style

It offers minimal contact and won’t cause any rubbing of the shoulders, back or chest (which is normally where most people get the most sun exposure).

Basically, it’s perfect if you’ve burnt pretty much any part of your body apart from your legs.

‘Sex is all about contact, and sunburn…isn’t,’ said Stu Nugent, sex expert at Lelo.

‘If you’re sunburned but still horny, then you have my admiration, and you’ll want sex positions that require as little skin-on-skin contact as possible. No spanking. Your cheeks are red enough already.

‘Doggy-style is likely your best bet. The partner on all fours reduces their contact with the sheets to just their hands and knees, and the partner behind reduces physical contact to only, well, their business end.

‘And they can rub after-sun on your back at the same time, so it’s win-win.’

You could also place a fan in front of the bed to make the sex even better.

The cold shower

Not technically a sex position, but still a marvellous idea.

Bend your partner over in the shower while the water drips down your back or theirs.

Alternatively, you could let the water run for a while first to cool the tiles down and then press your or their body up against it.

‘With a little space between your bodies, you’ll get the refreshing water cooling your skin as well as the pleasure of sex,’ said Stu.

The eagle

Thanks to Love Island’s Curtis Pritchard, this sex position has seen a significant spike in popularity as of late.

There is a myriad of variations, but if you’ve burnt your chest, you’ll probably appreciate the spread eagle the most.

It resembles the missionary position, with one person lying flat on their back (usually the woman) with their legs spread on either side of their partner’s body.

The other person grabs either ankle and holds these in place during the sex.

A definite no-no if you’ve burnt your back though.

Reverse Cowgirl

Regular cowgirl works just as well, but by flipping things about you can avoid friction on the bum.

If the sun has caught your cheeks, spanking is not recommended.

The first serve

This one was invented by Ann Summers, ahead of Wimbledon.

According to the brand, ‘this G-spot targeting position involves minimal effort and maximal pleasure.’

Basically, one person is on their knees, while the other lies on their back and then stretches up against their partner’s body, with their feet up against their partner’s face.

The cold masturbation

If you can’t resist getting up close and personal with your partner, even if it feels like your skin is on fire, try the cold masturbation.

What makes it cold? The bed sheets.

‘Try this: put your bedsheets in the freezer for a couple of hours, put them back, and then just enjoy a little mutual masturbation, laying side by side,’ said Stu.

‘Sex isn’t all about penetration. Especially not when you’re burned stiff.’

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Central London. A Wednesday.

A 22-year-old woman surges up the stairs of the Underground as a generous ribbon of underboob sweat dances its way off her skin and onto her work shirt. A middle-aged man checks his phone as he desperately peruses the drinks fridge of M&S, reading another message from his Australian mates saying: ’36 degrees is actually heaps reasonable’. A child begs her father for a lunch consisting solely of ice cream, and he yields, beet-red and buggered thanks to the merciless sun.

The heat means that many of us would rather be at home in our air-conditioned caves and backyard paddling pools instead of going about our business in town.

But spare a thought for those inside their homes this week, members of the community who sometimes go unseen.

Metro.co.uk spoke to North London Cares and South London Cares to find out how readers can help older neighbours during the heatwave.

‘The summer can be a lonelier time of year than people think – particularly in heatwaves which can be dangerous and prevent older people in particular from getting out and making contact in the community,’ North and South London Cares CEO, Alex Smith, told metro.co.uk.

‘We all need to look out for one another, and check in with anyone who may need help.’

North and South London Cares are community networks of older and younger neighbours who provide support and friendship to each other in this ‘rapidly changing city’. The groups run weekly social clubs including technology workshops, ‘back to work’ business visits, group dances, pub dinners as well as a friendship scheme to bring older and younger neighbours together for one-to-one time.

Here are six ideas of how to help your older neighbours during the heatwave. It can be as simple as saying hello.

Check in

While summer might be a season packed with Sunday barbecues and picnics in the park, your neighbour may not have these same social opportunities.

‘Extreme heat can be isolating and people need contact even more than normal in tougher times,’ said Alex.

A simple way to reassure your neighbour that they have friends if they need them, is to pop next door – or call them – and ask how they’re doing.

Offer a fan

Take a moment to see whether they’ve got enough cooling devices. Offer to bring a fan over if you feel they need it.

‘Neighbourly gestures in a time of need are a great way to build authentic, trusting friendships and connections with the people in your community,’ South London Cares volunteer coordinator, Matt Scaysbrook, told metro.co.uk.

Offer to run an errand

Ask your neighbour whether they have any essentials that need collecting, perhaps medication or groceries, so they don’t have to struggle with travelling in the oppressive heat.

‘Staying out of direct sunlight and reducing travel is key to keeping well during a heatwave,’ Matt says.

‘Offering to make a trip to the shops on behalf of your neighbour is a great way of helping them through this difficult time.’

Help with hydration

Bring over a bottle of ice cold water or a plate of chopped water-rich foods like watermelon and cucumber.

Close windows

While some believe keeping the windows open will bring a welcome breeze, it’s likely to let in hot air. Suggest they keep windows closed during the day.

Volunteer

Sign up to be part of North London Cares or South London Cares, and you can get to know your older neighbours year-round.

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