Stella McCartney was criticised for plugging the coat Meghan wore to the Remembrance Day Sunday service (Picture: Instagram; Splash)
Luxury fashion retailer Stella McCartney has been criticised on social media for promoting a coat worn by Meghan Markle at the Remembrance Day Sunday service.
After the Duchess of Sussex wore the brand’s £1,545 black belted coat at the Cenotaph memorial yesterday, a picture was shared on the Stella McCartney Instagram page.
In a now-deleted image, the caption read: ‘So honoured to have HRH Duchess of Sussex in our Autumn ‘19 coat at Remembrance Day service. x Stella’.
But followers of the account felt it was ‘disrespectful’ to plug the item on such an emotional day.
One person commented: ‘People died and you take pictures of people showing respect for advertising purposes. Just wrong.’
While another wrote on the post: ‘Remembrance Day is to honour those that fought for us, not to use for advertising purposes. Pretty shocked.’
Some said they would be unfolllowing the account.
Prior to the controversial post, a video of poppies in a field was shared to commemorate the special day, saying: ‘Remembering the ones that sacrificed to give us freedom x Stella’.
And over on the page’s Story, the eponymous designer took a selfie at the Animals in War Memorial in Hyde Park wearing a poppy.
Stella shared a selfie at the Animals in War Memorial in Hyde Park (Picture: Stella McCartney)
In the video, shared on the page’s Story, she wrote: ‘I always think this is one of the most important memorials in London that recognises the lives of the animals that were sacrificed at war, because they had no choice.’
During the service, Meghan was pictured pairing the coat with a wide-brimmed hat as she joined the Queen and Kate Middleton with the rest of the female royals on the balcony in Westminster to watch the service.
Prince Charles, William, and Harry laid wreaths to honour those who lost their lives in the wars.
The Duchess of Sussex has been a fan of the fashion brand and she wore a halterneck bias-cut gown by the designer to her wedding reception,
It’s unclear whether Meghan purchased the coat seen during the service or whether it was gifted by Stella herself.
We’ve contacted the Stella McCartney team for a comment and will update the article if they respond.
What if this week, our actions of awareness were less on show? (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
I received a well-meaning text from one of my cisgender friends this morning.
‘Happy Trans Awareness Week babe!!!!!’
I smiled, sarcastically. I don’t know whether she was texting this genuinely, or sending it knowing my cynicism surrounding the week. I guess she will tell me after she reads this.
Please do not misconstrue this as the beginning of some centre-right boomer op-ed complaining about ‘all these new days and people blah blah blah.’
My scepticism about this week stems from whether these awareness days and weeks are currently being used to their full potential, or just serve to make us more visible without support structures in place to help us.
I support these days. I celebrate them and I am glad they are becoming more visible. But visibility is exhausting if it is not met with critical reflection and action.
As my friend rightly pointed out in their text, this week is Trans Awareness Week – the week that leads to the important day of Trans Day of Remembrance, which memorialises victims of transphobic violence.
While there is some valuable work done by charities and individuals during these weeks to educate and dispel misinformation, other times – and increasingly a lot of the time – solidarity with our community appears very surface level.
I’m going to say something now, and I’m going to try and put it frankly: The problem is not awareness.
In the UK, at least, I’d say if the last three years have taught us anything, it’s that the general public are definitely aware of us.
If the relentless negative and disproportionate news coverage, the spike in hate crimes and the increase in public debate around all aspects of our lives are anything to go by, I’d say the public are pretty aware of us.
I’d say, maybe they are too aware of us.
I’d say, actually, that currently trans people face a problem of hyper-awareness.
I struggle to believe that hate crime going up in the last year, at the same time that visibility has increased, is a coincidence.
Due to fear mongering and a mixture of pre-existing transphobia, political unrest, insidious media and the organisation of groups set up to harm us, people are so hyper-aware of trans people – we become so talked about – that misinformation spreads quickly. We are then blamed for a whole host of problems that have absolutely nothing to do with us.
Whether that’s trans folk being used in arguments to suggest we’re responsible for draining NHS resources, rather than the Tory Government not looking after healthcare. Or painting trans people as a danger in public spaces, rather than acknowledging that cisgender men and values instilled by the patriarchy are a bigger threat to public safety than trans people will ever be.
It makes me wonder, to put in the words of ally and Christmas saint Mariah Carey, ‘why you so obsessed with me?’
So what do we do with this hyper-awareness? I am not saying that it means we should do away with visibility, or that discussion of our issues and our community should be silenced – far from it.
But I believe we should be more critical about what discussions are happening and how they are happening; that the visibility they are giving trans people is not necessarily welcomed.
Just yesterday a newspaper reported that a gingerbread man had been done away with in one one shop and replaced by a gender neutral one. And last week The National Theatre made an announcement that ‘ladies and gentlemen’ had been changed to a more inclusive, ‘Welcome to the National Theatre.’
All this raises awareness, but I also think it is unnecessary noise around actions that do not need to be news stories.
It creates a dangerous cycle of (usually cisgender) people promoting stories that make people more aware of trans people, and then trans people facing backlash for that awareness.
I struggle to believe that hate crime going up in the last year, at the same time that visibility has increased, is a coincidence.
I believe visibility harms people if not done with care and a structured approach. Implementing this approach could help safeguard a community that is now hyper-visible.
What if this week, our actions of awareness were less on show?
What if awareness this week looked like starting a few conversations with people you know about trans people, about our rights and the current climate we’re up against; about the rise of anti-trans organisations and what we can do about it?
What if awareness this week did not look like people changing their social media profile pictures in solidarity with the trans community, but using their platforms to talk about about trans healthcare? Just talking to doctors, nurses and GP receptionists you know about trans issues and how they can better their services would be a huge help.
What if awareness this week looked like going into work and trying to talk to people about the trans community?
Or texting your trans friends to ask how they are doing?
Or walking a trans person home at night because you are aware of the danger in the streets?
I do not have all the answers. This list could go on forever. But it’s meant to be a start.
This is not meant to be a telling off. Rather, as I sit in hyper-visibility and invisibility simultaneously – a sentence that feels as complicated as it sounds – I realise that our action and activism needs to be more nuanced too.
The men behind the charity calendar (Picture: Essex Dad Bod Charity Calender/Facebook)
Twelve men from Essex have braved the camera to create a calendar for a good cause.
Anthony Jefferson and Daryl Ambrose came up with the idea to create a ‘dad bod’ charity calendar, to raise awareness around male mental health.
Statistics show that one in eight men in England are reluctant to seek help, when it comes to their mental health.
Anthony told the Braintree and Witham Times: ‘Daryl and I came up with the idea of creating a calendar that was tongue-in-cheek but had a touching story behind it.
‘Mental health is something close to my heart and all the men taking part have stories about how they have battled depression, but are on the more positive side of life now.’
All of the men taking part in the project are supporting the Mental Health Foundation.
Each calendar costs £10 and money will be donated to support important research.
The stars of the calendar (Picture: Essex Dad Bod Charity Calender/Facebook)
Anthony, who is a father to three, lost his son two years ago. His family friend also took his own life in August, at the age of 21.
Anthony said: ‘My son was full of life, even at the end, but unbeknown to close family he had other demons he was battling and would never talk openly about his feelings.
‘It affected me in a way that I felt I failed him.
‘This calendar is a testament to all those who are suffering and we want to give something back.’
Daryl got a lot of responses when he asked for participants (Picture: Essex Dad Bod Charity Calender/Facebook)
Daryl developed mental health problems after he was diagnosed with diabetes.
He ended up getting himself into debt and is still struggling to pay it back.
He said he wanted to do something to help anyone dealing with their own mental health issues and when he saw a muscular men calendar, he thought about doing a ‘dad bod’ version instead.
Daryl posted online to see if anyone would be interested in starring in the charity calendar. His post was met with a lot of positive interest.
The ‘dad bod’ shape usually refers to a lack of toning around the male body, and research has shown more and more people are growing fonder of the body type. A study earlier this year found that 65% of people said a ‘dad bod’ was attractive.
The calendars are available to pre-order on PayPal. Once they are printed, buyers can either get them delivered by post or collect them.
Jo with some of the shoes before having her leg amputated and her leg after her operation (Picture: Jo O’Callaghan)
When you buy shoes, you probably expect them to come in pairs.
But what can you do if you’re an amputee or have a condition that means you can only wear one of them? Or what about people who need two different sizes?
As it’s pretty impossible to just go into a shop and buy one, Jo O’Callaghan set up a group to swap and share shoes between one shoe wearers or those who need footwear in different sizes.
Jo, now 46, from Tenterden, Kent, was inspired by her own experiences as in 2001, she had woken up with pain down the right-hand side of her body.
She had no idea what was happening – but it eventually led to the amputation of her right leg.
The mum-of-two was suffering from a rare condition complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) but it took 10 years for her to get a diagnosis.
The condition is caused by dysfunction in the central or peripheral nervous systems, where the signals between the affected limb or body part and brain are misinterpreted.
By March 2017, her leg caused so much pain, she couldn’t wear anything on it, which meant that she had a pile of odd shoes building up.
So she set up the Jo’s Odd Shoes Facebook group and they now have almost 1,000 members and have around 1,000 shoes in stock at any one time.
Jo’s leg just before amputation (Picture: Jo O’Callaghan)
Jo evenutally had an amputation last year and says that although it is not a cure for the condition and she is still in a lot of pain, it means she can go out without the fear of something touching that part of her leg.
Throughout her recovery, the odd shoe group has given Jo something to focus on and has been a source of support.
She tells Metro.co.uk: ‘I had got to the stage where I couldn’t get into bed for fear of the covers touching my foot and the water from a shower would have me in tears and turn my skin black!
‘Going out shopping or in public was becoming a no-no because I was petrified someone would knock into that foot that was sticking out like a magnet to people.
‘Now I don’t fear that but the pain is still there.
‘The group gives me something to focus my pain on, but it’s still there 24/7.’
It was back in February 2001 that Jo’s ordeal started.
Jo and the two other people who run the group store up to 1,000 shoes at a time (Picture: Jo O’Callaghan)
Jo says: ‘I was numb down my right-hand side. There was no reason for it but it certainly wasn’t right.
‘My GP sent me to A&E and I didn’t come home again for three weeks.
‘During my time in hospital, I had scans, lumbar punctures and blood tests but nothing definitive was found.
‘My body was starting to do things that I hadn’t experienced before. I had chronic headaches, a tremor, my hand went into contracture and the pain that was mainly down my right leg.’
Doctors had no idea what was causing Jo’s pain and she had more stays in hospital but still didn’t get a diagnosis.
She says: ‘I was beginning to get treatment for the pain. I started with simple pain killers and right up to morphine and fentanyl.
Jo with some of the odd shoes (Picture: Jo O’Callaghan)
‘I had nerve blocks, epidurals and infusions of lidocaine and ketamine.
‘The only thing that touched the pain was the ketamine but the hallucinations were so bad that I couldn’t continue with it.’
Her leg slowly got worse and eventually, she could barely walk and she had symptoms that she now knows are classic signs of CPRS.
She says: ‘It was dystonic (it had gone into spasm and was stuck in that position), the skin was a horrible colour and my nails were beginning to fall off.’
But it wasn’t until 2011, 10 years since her pain started, that she was finally told she had CRPS.
‘I was excited to at last have a label but didn’t know what it stood for let alone what it was or whether there was a cure for it,’ she says.
CRPS is a complex condition and there are very few treatments available.
Treatments were not working for Jo and she was gradually getting worse.
By March 2017, she was in so much pain, she couldn’t let anything touch her leg and was only able to wear shoes on her right foot.
Jo and Michele who helps her run the group (Picture: Jo O’Callaghan)
With spare shoes, Jo wanted to find a new home for her ‘lefts’.
‘I had got to the stage where I hadn’t been able to wear a shoe on my right foot for about six months.
‘Being a shoeaholic I was beginning to get a pile of size 6 lefts in the bottom of my wardrobe.
‘I knew I wasn’t the only person wearing one shoe I had spoken to others on a CRPS Forum.
‘So I thought I would trial ‘Jo’s Odd Shoes’.
‘Right from the start it got a fantastic response both with members and donors.
‘No we are 10 members off 1000.
‘We are receiving shoes on a regular basis from Schuh, Fat Face, Moss Bros, Next and plenty of others.
‘We don’t only help people who can only wear one shoe but we help people who have two feet of different sizes.’
The shoes are regifted free of charge, with people who want them just paying postage and packing costs.
Jo is now assisted by two women called Michele and Heather and they all store and redistribute the shoes.
She adds: ‘At any one time we have about 1000 shoes in stock, we take photos of them & post them on the facebook group in sizes so that members can easily look at what they want.’
Jo’s Odd Shoes has now been running for over two years (Picture: Jo O’Callaghan)
Last year, on 5 November, Jo decided to have her leg amputated in a bid to help with her pain.
She explains: ‘Amputation was something that I had thought about for a while. There’s lots of talk about it amongst the CRPS community.
‘When pain is that bad you think it’s your only hope.
‘I discussed it with my doctors and did my own research.
‘I knew amputation is not a cure for CRPS. There is a high potential for reoccurrence of CRPS.
Jo’s leg after amputation (Picture: Jo O’Callaghan)
‘Having taken all this into account I thought “even if the pain doesn’t go but I get rid of my hideous looking foot, then its got to be worth it”, getting back into bed and having a shower would be a bonus for me and we’ll worry about the pain side of things after.’
Unfortunately, Jo realised quite quickly that the amputation had not reduced her level of pain.
She says: The surgery went well and I was excited to wake up without it. I left hospital a week later but by then I already knew that CRPS was my enemy for life.
‘I did try a prosthesis but was in tears within seconds – the pain was unbearable.
‘I’m glad to have got rid of that lump of meat at the end of my leg and I can now go shopping without the fear of knocking into people but the pain is a whole lot worse now.’
There’s nothing wrong with needing some help with getting yourself off.
Using a sex toy to spice up a solo session is very common, and research by Lovehoney in 2017 even revealed that using a sex toy could make a woman’s orgasm last 17% longer – and who doesn’t want that?
Problems only arise when we turn to more unusual items to make ourselves climax, some of which could be damaging to our genitals.
Now, we have to tackle a tooth-related masturbation method as a few days ago, an old story started circulating the internet. It tells the tale of a woman who confessed that she used to masturbate with her electric toothbrush.
Firstly, this is not recommended – so if you’re reading this while brushing your teeth, don’t get any ideas.
A quick search on social media around reveals that this woman isn’t the only one to have used bathroom tools to get an orgasm.
‘Did everyone not use an electric toothbrush to masturbate as a teen?,’ one person tweeted.
There’s also a Ask Reddit forum where someone asked others if they have masturbated with an electric toothbrush, with one person saying ‘it works in an emergency’.
The masturbation method has even been depicted on TV, when a character on Orange Is The New Black got herself off with a toothbrush.
So, now that’s we’ve established this is a thing, let’s talk about why it’s a bad idea.
‘Using anything that isn’t intended to be a masturbating tool has its risks, even proper sex toys that aren’t properly cleaned or are deteriorating can lead to vaginal infections and urinary tract infections if bacteria gets into the urethra,’ Dr Diana Gall from Doctor 4 U tells Metro.co.uk.
‘While an electric toothbrush may seem like the perfect DIY masturbating tool, it can actually do more harm than good.
‘The vibrating bristles on the toothbrush can actually cause abrasions, tears and cuts to the vulva and vagina, and cause the tissue to become inflamed.
‘Vaginal tissue is delicate and minor tears can happen simply through penetrative sex or inserting objects into the vagina.
‘However, these tears and cuts make it easier for germs and bacteria to enter the body. It may cause soreness, bleeding, and increase your risk of contracting an STI as the infection can enter through open wounds.
‘Plus, if you’re using a toothbrush that has been used, you’re exposing yourself to even more germs and bacteria.’
Basically, don’t do it.
There’s a plethora of vibrators to choose from these days and they buzz just as well as your electric toothbrush (and have the benefit of being safe to use).
If you feel awkward about buying one in a store, have a look online instead.
Most often, these arrive in discreet packages, so no one will know what you’re up to (if you’re worried about that, too).
Or if you’d rather not spend the cash on a toy, you could always ask someone to give you a hand. Geddit?
Lidl has launched a candle-filled advent calendar to rival Yankee Candle’s, and it sounds amazing.
The Luxury Candle Collection Advent Calendar, which costs £19.99, features 24 votive candles hidden behind festive doors.
Scents include lavender, citrus and herb, pomegranate and frankincense, as well as seasonal fragrances such as frosted pine and apple and cinnamon.
The calendar comes after Yankee Candle launched three versions, including the Yankee Candle Advent Wreath, the Yankee Candle Advent Book and the Yankee Candle Advent Tower.
And of course, this version only costs one quid, so you can get your home smelling nice at a bargain.
The Poundland calendars are created by Air Wick and feature three scents: Mulled Wine, Winter Berries and Winter Wonderland.
You’re guaranteed to get in the festive spirit.
The scented candle calendars from Air Wick are also being sold in other stores, such as B&M, for £4.99 – however Poundland seems to be the place to get them at the best price.
A savvy shopper spotted the calendar on the Facebook group Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK and plenty of people came forward to rave about it.
One person said: ‘They’re good for £1. I had this calendar last year, they only have three different scents in them though.’
Another added that it’s well-worth the money, and even though it only includes three scents, it’s incredibly strong-smelling.
Nicole lost a lot of weight after doing a vertical sleeve gastrectomy which removes a large part of the stomach (Picture: MDWfeatures / Nicole Caperilla)
A woman who went from 19 stone to nine stone in two years said she also lost her friends in the process.
Nicole Caperilla, 31, from Connecticut, U.S, managed to overhaul her diet and went through a dramatic transformation but says her friends felt it wasn’t ‘perfect enough’.
So she dumped them and became a personal trainer.
Even though she was struggling emotionally, mentally and physically being overweight, Nicole continued eating unhealthily until she was shocked by what she saw on the scales.
To help her lose weight, in June 2017 Nicole had weight loss surgery known as vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) which removes a large part of the stomach, restricting how much a person can eat.
Within just two weeks of surgery, the mum started to hit the weights, walk more and change her old eating habits.
Nicole started eating a lot of protein-rich foods such as lean meats like chicken, ground turkey and fish.
In a day she now eats oatmeal for breakfast, then a lunch of sweet potatoes with vegetables, and for dinner, a source of protein, complex carbs and vegetables.
She also started working out five to six days a week, focussing on weight training and cardio.
Two weeks after the surgery, she began hitting the weights at the gym (Picture: MDWfeatures / Nicole Caperilla)
‘Before, I didn’t make the best food choices and wasn’t consistent,’ she explained. ‘I’d eat a lot of things like burgers and pizzas and processed junk foods that were really high in carbs. I ate so many carbs.
‘Working night shifts meant terrible sleeping patterns and it was hard to make good choices. I became a stay at home mom and then it just got even worse putting myself on the back burner.
‘I never had any energy and I was always out of breath. I got winded by the smallest things and was borderline diabetic, borderline sleep apnoea and had high blood pressure.
‘One of the scariest times for me was when I was waking myself up in a panic gasping for breath because I’d stopped breathing in my sleep.’
But through the long journey, Nicola lost her friends (Picture: MDWfeatures / Nicole Caperilla)
So Nicole began a rigorous regime that inspired her to start her career as a personal trainer.
Although she’s had amazing support from her husband, Charlie, she struggled with the same support from her close friends.
‘I never received any nasty comments to my face but I did receive rude comments after my weight loss success from some of the people closest to me,’ said Nicole.
‘They were not supportive at all. They would criticise everything about me and put me down not realising their jokes hurt.
‘They’d judge or joke about what I was wearing and tell me I wasn’t perfect. They were very negative.’
But the whole process has inspired her to become a personal trainer and help others (Picture: MDWfeatures / Nicole Caperilla)
She added: ‘It took me a long time to come to realise they were just jealous with the help of some friends and my husband. I realised that I didn’t need to have people like that in my life.
‘My husband and other friends have been incredible and I’ve made so many new supportive friends too.’
Nicole feels a deep sense of pride in her achievements and her journey helped her realise her career goals by becoming a personal trainer and group class instructor.
The house has just gone on the market (Picture: Cavendish Residential / SWNS)
A 1980s surburban house that has been transformed into a miniature manor from the middle ages is on the market for £210,000.
The house comes complete with a moat and a drawbridge, and features three bedrooms, a mock-Tudor exterior, stained-glass windows and grand fireplaces with candle sconces.
It is named Agincourt after the 1415 battle in which Henry V conquered the French army in the Hundred Years War.
The lounge looks like a Medieval banqueting hall and most of the rooms feature wood panelling and candelabras, while the master bedroom has a grand four-poster.
Outside there is a landscaped garden with a small moat and drawbridge.
It’s inspired by the middle ages (Picture: Cavendish Residential / SWNS)
Isn’t it lovely? (Picture: Cavendish Residential / SWNS)
The property, on Denbigh Road, Ruthin, Denbighshire, is on sale with Cavendish Residential.
If you’re not looking to buy a property but want to stay somewhere old and fancy, Harry Potter’s childhood home may just be perfect for you.
De Vere House, built in 1845 in the medieval village of Lavenham in Suffolk, played a starring role in the film adaptations of JK Rowling’s beloved books.
It’s very old-fashioned Picture: Cavendish Residential / SWNS)
The Grade I listed property was the home of Harry’s parents, Lily and James Potter, before they were killed by Lord Voldemort.
Lavenham itself was the backdrop of Godric’s Hollow, the village where Harry was born and where Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore grew up.
Jane Ranzetta, who has owned the iconic home for 30 years, decided to turn it into a B&B after it failed to sell on the open market – largely because of its fame – and the fact people won’t stop turning up to take pictures of it.
The six-bedroom home is more or less the same as it was over 500 years ago and is famous because it was owned by the De Vere family, who were the second richest family after the Royals.
Jane revealed she didn’t even know her house would be in the film until she went to see the Harry Potter movie at the cinema.
A mum who has cancer has made the brave decision to lose her eyesight and upper teeth to radiotherapy so that she can have more time with her children.
37-year-old chef Kerry Borlase was dismissed by doctors for months after repeatedly complaining of a blocked nose earlier this year.
It wasn’t until she had a biopsy six months later that a large cancerous tumour was spotted behind her nose and eye.
She underwent surgery to remove it last month but there is a 50% chance of the cancer returning unless she has radiotherapy, which slashes the odds to 20%.
However, the powerful treatment will destroy her upper gums and likely cause the loss of sight in her right eye.
She had a blocked nose for months (Picture: SWNS)
But with three children and a loving fiancé at home, Kerry decided to go ahead with the six-week treatment to give her a better chance of being there for her kids as they grow up.
Kerry said: ‘I had a full-blown panic attack in the waiting room when I went to get my results of the biopsy, I was an absolute mess.
‘The doctor took me into a side room and by the time he told me I had cancer, I was completely hysterical and had lost all capacity.
‘They booked me in very quickly to have the tumour removed and the surgeon was really confident that he had managed to remove it completely but there was a 50% chance of the cancer returning.
Kerry with her granddaughter Olivia (Picture: SWNS)
‘It was up to me if I wanted to have the radiotherapy as it would mean losing all my upper teeth and probably the sight in my right eye.
‘Hearing it would reduce the chance of the cancer coming back to 20% made the decision for me really.
‘I’d rather have half my teeth removed and go blind than leave my children behind to bury me.’
Before her diagnosis, Kerry was a chef at a local restaurant in Tintagel, Cornwall and had just got engaged to her fiancé, Robert Borlase, 33.
Mechanic Robert popped the question in March this year, much to the delight of Kerry’s children Nathan, 20, Lauren, 15, and Dylan, 14.
She was busy dreaming of wedding plans when she noticed her blocked nose, which started in January, was not clearing despite nasal sprays from the chemist.
Kerry with her family (Picture: SWNS)
Over the next six months Kerry tried repeatedly to get help from doctors, only to be dismissed with antibiotics despite her being unable to breathe due to the blockage.
Kerry said: ‘I’d sit up in the morning and pure gunk would just pour out of my nose, I’ve gone through so much toilet roll it’s unbelievable.
‘I couldn’t breathe properly and it was causing me to have panic attacks, but I was ringing the doctors crying and they just weren’t listening to me.
‘My nose was leaking so much it was making me not want to leave the house, it was embarrassing, and it was just ruining my quality of life but nobody would help me.’
After months of suffering, Kerry was finally given a specialist appointment in August and had an MRI scan and biopsy.
She was told to ‘prepare for the worst’ after the MRI scan indicated it could be cancer, and in October she was diagnosed with stage 2/3 squamous cell carcinoma – the most common form of head and neck cancer.
A large tumour had spread from the bottom of her nose to behind her right eye.
Within two weeks she had undergone surgery to remove the tumour and she will now have six weeks of radiotherapy to reduce the chances of it returning.
Kerry said: ‘The radiotherapy will destroy my upper gums as it has to be localised to where the cancer had been, so I’m having all of my upper teeth removed next Wednesday.
‘As the cancer had spread up to behind my right eye, it felt like I’d been kicked in the eye following the surgery and now I might lose the sight in that eye due to the radiotherapy.
‘My partner Rob has been so supportive through it all, and we’ve both had to give up work at the moment because of the cancer, so things are really difficult.
‘I’m choosing to have the radiotherapy so I can have more time with my family – they’re my world and I’d rather go blind than leave my kids without a mum.’
‘Every time I get paid, I’m back in a bad situation financially within a week’ (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
Weddings, birthdays, weekend brunches: having an active social life can be very expensive.
This in turn can cause people to rack up debt to fund lifestyle habits for fear of missing out (FOMO) on the fun.
If you’re the person who earns the least in your social circle, it can be difficult to suggest cheaper alternatives – since everyone else has the cash to splash.
There’s also stigma around talking about money and debt; a recent survey from Portafina revealed that one in five Brits avoid talking to their friends about money and 24% stated that their friends can afford to buy things that they themselves can’t.
Beth, a 21-year-old living in Bournemouth, tells us she’s constantly going getting into ‘socialising debt’ because she ‘can’t seem to say no to going out with friends’.
She goes into her overdraft to afford new outfits, to pay for the gym and to have fun nights out.
‘My group of friends have a weekly tradition to meet up and even if it’s the end of the month and out of budget I always find myself there,’ she says.
‘Similar sort of thing when it comes to my gym, too. I went to a cheap and small independent gym local to my house but recently switched to a more expensive, further away gym because it is where my partner and his friends are members.
‘It’s hard to say no to an outing because it is almost guaranteed, that at some point, you will see photos or posts from the people that did go with how much of a good time they had and it will lead to me feeling like I missed out.
‘I’ve gone into my overdraft just to buy the latest fashion, attend the girls’ nights and be a member at the “coolest” gym so that I don’t have to miss out. I’ve even put event tickets on my credit card and paid interest rates monthly just so that I can put off paying it back until I have an influx of disposable income.
‘So truthfully, it is a never-ending cycle of doing more than I can afford just so that I don’t miss out on all the fun.’
Beth isn’t the only one who has to supplement her income to keep up with social spending.
According to research by KPMG UK, a company that specialises in audit, tax and advisory services, over half of Brits (52%) get into debt by using credit cards (21%) and overdrafts (13%), or borrowing money from a partner (12%).
Dr Roz Halari, a chartered consultant clinical psychologist at Cardinal Clinic, explains that while social media and FOMO plays a part, it’s not the only reason people get into ‘socialising debt’.
Some people can be prone to spending more money as a result of pre-existing psychological conditions or behavioural traits.
‘It can appear that we have unlimited finances – credit cards, store cards and promises of low interest rates coupled with poor information and unethical marketing can lead to overspending,’ said Dr Halari.
‘There are also psychological conditions that influence our spending behaviours: ADHD – spontaneity, impulsivity, poor impulse control – often leading to overspending and an accumulation of debts. Mood fluctuations – often episodes of mania can also lead to us overspending and poor finance management.
‘Personality traits such as obsessionality, impulsivity, spontaneity and factors such as low mood and low self-esteem can also predispose us to overspending.
‘People genuinely experience difficulties managing their finances, poor budgeting and inability to look at the consequences.
‘It can be argued on the one hand that they can be wired to be that way because it can become a conditioned response. On the other hand, overspending and saving can be part of their personality or presenting condition and it may even act as a coping mechanism.
‘Overspending certainly can be an addiction and even an obsession.’
Ella*, not her real name, got into debt after ending a relationship with a long-term partner.
In an effort to distract herself from the pain of the break-up, as well as make friends in a new city, she increased overdraft limits on two cards, as well as maxed out her credit card.
‘My outgoings for bills were already more than my wages, but being newly single and with summer coming up I was being invited to a lot of things and didn’t want to be home by myself – so I was going out every weekend, and even booked a holiday that someone invited me to because I didn’t want to say no or admit that I couldn’t afford it.
‘Because I was being charged a lot for the overdrafts and my credit card, and still agreeing to social situations, I ended up with a lot of debt. This started in March this year, and I’m still in a lot of debt – having to borrow money from family and my (new) partner.
‘Every time I get paid, I’m back in a bad situation financially within a week.
‘I also started a business with my ex and got a big business loan, which I have to pay every month. He won’t sign the business out of my name and has put the business into debt, so I could be sent to court. It causes me severe anxiety every single month.’
Ella hopes that she’ll be able to pay off some of her debt this month, through compensation pay that she’s due from a car accident that she was in two years ago.
If you’re mid-month and you’ve already reached spent your month’s quota, why not suggest a potluck dinner? (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro. co.uk)
Being in debt as a result of an active social life can be very stressful, and can trigger or cause mental health problems.
While it can be difficult to tell people that you can’t take part in the £50 secret Santa or would prefer to order the cheapest bottle of wine on the menu because it will save you a few pounds, there are ways to have these chats.
Sit down for a glass of wine or a cuppa with your friends in a space where you feel safe (your flat, perhaps) and gently explain that you’d like to save up more in coming months, and would prefer to do cheaper activities (or skip out on them altogether).
Don’t feel that you have to tell everyone about your debt – who you tell is completely up to you, but if you feel it might lessen the FOMO, then it could be worth it.
Until you gather up the courage to open up, there are other ways you can also help yourself along.
Start by making a budget, so that you know exactly how much you can set aside for leisure, and do your best to not go over this limit.
If you’re mid-month and you’ve already reached spent your month’s quota, why not suggest a potluck dinner?
This way, everyone brings something and you don’t have to worry about rounds at the pub or three-course meals at expensive restaurants.
It might also be worthwhile taking out the allocated budget from your account and using cash going forward. Avoid getting new credit cards or taking out quick payday loans for expenditures like that group trip to Ibiza in 2020 – it will only exacerbate your existing debt situation.
Becoming an expert bargain hunter is useful, too; use discount sites like Groupon for adventure outings and beauty appointments, and check for deals on comparison sites.
Also consider which events are most important for you to be a part of.
If it’s your best mate’s wedding, you’ll likely want to be there but more often than not events of this kind are planned in advance, meaning you can try to save up ahead of time.
Then again, if the office is doing a round-up of cash for a colleague you’ve never spoken to, you can absolutely say no. Same if it’s your cousin’s dog’s birthday – stand your ground and tell them that Fido isn’t getting any treats this year.
Or – if the idea of saying no scares you – make a homemade present or buy something from a charity shop (and tell people you’re environmentally conscious, no one can argue against that).
The best way to deal with debt, however, is to be honest, both with yourself and your closest friends.
Unless it’s a very specific, one-off event that requires your attendance for obvious reasons (weddings is usually the big one, but not always), they should respect your situation.
Debt Month
This article is part of a month-long focus in November all about debt.
Scary word, we know, but we're hoping if we tackle this head on we'll be able to reduce the shame around money struggles and help everyone improve their understanding of their finances.
He was survived by his wife Shannon, 37, and their six kids, some of whom are disabled.
The pair from North Carolina had been together since they were 16 and had biological and adopted children together, all of whom were present when their dad died.
Now Shannon has spoken out about grief, advising mourners about what life is like and what they can expect.
She was motivated to write the post on Facebook after receiving messages telling her to smile and be happy for the sake of her children.
The kids – Jocie, 12, Patience, 12, Philip, 10, Robbie, 10, Patricia, 8, and Zoe, 8 – all have a range of medical complexities, including cerebral palsy, autism, HIV, asthma, and ADHD.
Since the accident, some have post-traumatic stress syndrome after witnessing what happened at the beach.
But Shannon insists that she won’t hide her grief and paint on a smile that doesn’t feel natural to her.
‘I don’t know how to be a grown-up without him’ (Picture: Shannon Hope Dingle)
She wrote: ‘The next time someone sends something shitty like this message: “Come on Shannon. Your new photo is depressing to look at. I know you can do better than that. It was Lee who died not you. I am sorry that you lost him but you need to get on living for your kids. I know you can smile. It gets depressing to watch you that is why I don’t follow you anymore.”
Her advice began: ‘Remember: it’s about them, not you. You are not required to smile for anyone or grieve according to feedback from the cheap seats.
‘Flip it off (or stick out your tongue if you’re more proper than I am), and don’t let their nonsense take up space in your brain, not paying rent but trashing the place.
‘You’re worthy of giving a [middle finger] to any message of shame (even if it’s coming from your superego).
‘You are so worthy,’ she concluded.
Shannon had a similar disposition in the immediate aftermath of her husband’s death. At the time, she wrote: ‘We met when I was 18 and he was 19, and we’ve been together ever since. I wasn’t supposed to be saying goodbye at 37. I don’t know how to be a grown-up without him, but I’ll learn.
‘Feel free to cuss and smash stuff because God knows I’ll be doing some of that (and breathing and hydrating and eating and all those self-care things because I am worth it and because I have six little people to parent).’
Shannon added that she doesn’t care if her grief makes anyone else uncomfortable. It’s the only way she knows how.
The lack of relatable bodies in the media and fashion industry, make it more difficult for young disabled people to have a positive body image (Picture: Sam Renke)
Many of us are guilty of spending far too much time obsessing over our bodies, or – more specifically – what other people think about our bodies and the way we look.
I know I spent most of high school worrying about fitting in and trying my best to modify my appearance. I was the only disabled kid in my year and being accepted by my peers was more important to me at the time than my studies.
I so desperately wanted to look like my other girlfriends that I went against my mother’s wishes and got my belly button pierced aged 14, simply because all my friends had and I wanted my body to be ‘sexy’.
In my early 20s I even went to my GP for a breast augmentation because I hated my asymmetrical breasts and thought that bigger boobs would make me become more appealing to the opposite sex, having been told by society that disability doesn’t scream sex appeal.
Even now in my 30s, although much more comfortable in my skin, I have still wasted money on fad diet foods most of which can still be found at the back of my kitchen cupboards way past their expiration date. Ironically as I write this I am demolishing a pack of spiced Christmas biscuits.
This constant battle with our bodies is tiring and so unhealthy, and especially so for people with disabilities. The lack of relatable bodies in the media and fashion industry (topped off with inaccessible shops), all make it more difficult for young disabled people to have a positive body image. A survey by Muscular Dystrophy UK found that 80 per cent of people said their body image had negatively impacted their mental wellbeing.
Much is discussed around the so-called body positivity movement, which was created to help people with marginalised bodies (fat, queer, disabled, trans and so forth) to feel entitled to self-love, a concept that was more often than not solely reserved for those who were thin, white and non-disabled.
It was a refreshing change from talking about what one would change about their body, but not without its flaws.
The movement is now so overly commercialised that it can also sometimes lead to more scrutiny of one’s body.
Because we only have a handful of prevalent disabled body positivity trailblazers, we are really only shown one or two examples of what disability within a movement looks like. As a result, those who aren’t represented will only start to feel even more marginalised, leading people to question: Am I disabled enough for the movement? Am I too disabled to be part of it?
It can also at times lead to a feeling of guilt for not always feeling body positive.
There are days when my body simply won’t cooperate, or when I fracture an arm and no matter how many positive affirmations I say it won’t stop the pain or the fact that I now have to use a bed pan because I can’t transfer to the toilet with a broken arm.
During these times I find it hard to accept and love my body.
In recent years the term ‘body neutrality’ has become more popular after being used by activists such as actor Jameela Jamil. The idea is to understand that loving our bodies isn’t always realistic, and having those days where you don’t is OK – it’s about finding a balance.
Body neutrality sees your body as a vehicle which – if well maintained – can allow you to live your best life. It steers away from objectifying one’s body.
On the surface this seems a much healthier way and much more balanced approach to life but actually as a disabled women I cannot forget the role my body plays in allowing me to live my life.
Sometimes my fatigue takes over which means I cannot socialise with friends; my broken rib means I can’t get to work or my reduced lung capacity puts me in the hospital. It’s not so straightforward to simply detach from your body when it sometimes lets you down and causes you pain.
For disabled people to truly feel confident, beautiful, valued and proud of who they are we need more than a few movements to tell us that we shouldn’t care what people think or that we should love ourselves regardless. We need to see disabled bodies in all their glory on a global scale for true acceptance.
We also need to see a lot more of ourselves in the media, in adverts, on television. We need to be able to access fashion stores, hair salons or be able to travel on a plane for that relaxing holiday. We need more people like fashionista Sinead Burke to show the world how fierce disability is, and we need to see society embrace disability – not turn away from it.
Honestly, self-love, self-worth, acceptance and that feeling of being content with who you are, are things that I’ve personally found only come with age.
Sometimes my body lets me down on a spectacular level and it’s OK to feel angry about it, but it’s important to know that you aren’t alone and that no one is perfect.
Lauren and Sam share a one-bedroom flat in West Hampstead, London (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
In our weekly series What I Rent, we take you inside every corner of people’s rented properties to see what they get for what they pay.
Yes, this is partly to satisfy our own nosiness, but moreso to get a more accurate picture of what renting is really like, in London and beyond.
This week we’re hanging out with couple Lauren, 28, and Sam, 28.
Lauren is originally from Leicester and Sam is from Doncaster, but both moved to London to work in insight and research for media brands. They’ve lived in West Hampstead for two years now, having moved into their current flat in May 2019.
Rent is £1,650 a month between them, so £825 each (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
Hey, Lauren! How much do you and Sam pay to live here?
Rent is £1,650 a month, so £825 each. Bills are £270 a month, with £180 on council tax.
And what do you get for what you pay?
One bedroom, one bathroom. Open plan living room, dining area and kitchen. It’s actually pretty small.
Do you think you have a good deal?
Yeah. The landlord was trying to sell the flat before we moved in but hadn’t found a buyer yet. So the price was more reasonable than other flats in the building. I think we’d struggle to find a flat like this for the same money.
The couple moved in in May (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
Are you happy where you live?
We live in West Hampstead but it’s actually closer to Kilburn tube. So we get the best of both areas!
We love it here. Great transport into Central London (overground, Thameslink, Jubilee line) and easy to get out of London for the weekend.
Kilburn is good for food, and West Hampstead has great charity shops, a lovely bookshop and bars. The closeness to the heath is great for both running and walks with visitors. It’s also really convenient to travel back home as you can be on the M1 in about 15 minutes.
Do you feel like you have enough space?
It’s great, perfect for the two of us. When we’re entertaining we have a handy trestle table that just about fits in the dining area.
That said, we still have managed to fill it to the brim, so the next flat will absolutely have to be bigger.
Unfortunately they’re having to move out in February 2020 as the landlord has sold the flat (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
How did you find this place?
On Zoopla, after an extensive search of North London. We moved in in May.
What’s it like living together?
It’s much much easier living together than separately, if not just for the admin, travelling.
We obviously see each other a lot more now, and we’re both very similar in terms of how clean and organised we like to keep things. It’s easy to divide up any chores because we seem to hate doing what the other likes.
How have you made the flat feel like home?
Books, colours, a lot of pink and blue to brighten up all the IKEA furniture, a few photos around, instruments!
They’ll be looking for a flat in Cricklewood next (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
Are there any problems with the flat?
Various different things are broken and it’s taking some time to fix them, e.g. tile grouting, ventilation system, taps; but otherwise there’s not much to complain about.
Are you planning to move again?
We need to move out in February, unfortunately, as the landlord has now sold the property. We negotiated a rental reduction to make it worth exiting the flat early, but we were originally on an 18-month contract so it’s still quite frustrating to be moving again so soon.
We know the area a bit better now so may head into Cricklewood for something a bit cheaper with the same space or bigger for the same money.
And what about buying a place?
We have started down the road of deposit saving, but it could take a long time if we keep taking holidays.
There’s a small balcony to sit and relax (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
The living room and dining area (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
You’ll spy a lot of instruments (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
(Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
The couple have added splashes of blue and pink to brighten up the flat (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
Here’s the kitchen (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
An impressive collection of cookbooks and syrups (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
And some very aesthetically pleasing mugs (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
Wine *and* organised chopping boards? Very grownup (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
The kitchen, living room, and dining area are one big open plan bit, so down the hall we go (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
And here’s the bedroom (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
They’ve gone for a blue and pink colour scheme (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
We like that little reading seat (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
Finally, the bathroom (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
Making the most of storage space (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
Please enjoy nosing around the toiletries (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
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.
How to get involved in What I Rent
What I Rent is Metro.co.uk's weekly series that takes you inside the places people are renting, to give us all a better sense of what's normal and how much we should be paying.
You'll need to have pictures taken of your kitchen, living room, bathroom, and bedroom, plus a few photos of you in your room. Make sure you get permission for your housemates!
You'll also need to be okay with sharing how much you're paying for rent, as that's pretty important.
Last year’s BBC One show broke records with its total, raising the most the charity has ever managed in one evening – while the annual event has raised over £1bn since it began back in 1980.
And one way you can do your bit for the cause is by buying some of the official merchandise related to the charity’s infamous mascot Pudsey Bear – with those ever-popular Pudsey ears among the items on sale once again this year.
There are several types of ears to choose from this year – but just where can you get them ahead of the big day?
Here’s where to buy them…
Where can you buy Pudsey ears for Children In Need 2019?
Love them or loathe them, beauty advent calendars have become seriously popular in recent years – Cadbury who?
And Amazon’s Beauty Advent Calendar 2019 is proving a hit with shoppers having already racked up 50 glowing reviews with an average star rating of 4.2 out of 5.
This rating is unsurprising considering the limited edition beauty advent costs just £40, yet has been filled with products totalling over £220.
Affordable and filled with beauty products you’ll actually use (Picture: Amazon)
Before we get on to the good stuff – aka what’s inside – we must address the fact that unlike ‘traditional’ beauty advent calendars you cannot take a look behind upcoming doors (bummer), as the calendar design only allows you to pull out the box with the relevant date.
Only once you’ve revealed your beauty treat will the next box drop down. Genius.
Within each box (24 in total) lies a deluxe or full-sized beauty product and you can expect everything from beauty tools to false lashes, glitter, face masks and more. You won’t be disappointed, trust us.
(Picture: Amazon) The popular beauty advent contains everything you’ll need to get party ready
The cleansing device is a favourite among beauty editors and influencers alike for its ability to cleanse and gently exfoliate the skin.
And Amazon has included SmileCodes on each product, so that when you scan any of the products they will automatically be added into your Amazon shopping basket.
But one man decided to put his message forward using cereal.
Lee MacNeall, from Lancashire, plastered his CV on tiny cereal boxes and sent them out to ten of his ideal employers.
The 30-year-old is currently a Engagement and Transformation Officer at Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation trust but his contract is up and he will be out of a job in Feb 2020, so he had to get thinking about how to get a new one.
And while it would’ve been ironic if he’d had the idea while eating breakfast, Lee actually came up with it watching a music video.
In the clip of a Jax Jones and Ella Henderson hit, a lifesize cereal box can be seen. It wasn’t possible for Lee to get a giant one so he ordered tiny custom-made cardboards and got designing.
Coming up with a creation that’s reminiscent of Kellog’s branded cereal, Lee then shared it on Twitter where a video of it quickly went viral.
He also shared it on his Linkedin where apparently the offers have been flooding in.
Anyone seeking a job might want to take note (CV on a coffee cup maybe?).
Lee assembled ten of these boxes to send out to potential employers (Picture: Lee MacNeall)
Lee told Metro.co.uk: ‘The video got me thinking, I could create a range of miniature cereals and send them out as my CV.
‘It took me a few days to get the right settings and sizes for the nettings and template but my tester worked.
‘I designed it all and then printed and then stuck it all together and filled it with an array of Kellogg’s miniature cereals from cornflakes to coco pops. All fresh from the packet.
‘I popped it on LinkedIn and Twitter to get a bit of feedback and since then it’s gone wild! The response has been phenomenal.’
Lee is currently enjoying a holiday, probably to prepare for a new job in January. He is yet to send out the boxes to his chosen companies.
Go on, give the man a job (Picture: Lee MacNeall)
‘People love the randomness and creativity of the project and then I’ve had a few negative Noras too,’ he adds.
‘Who knew that there are so many cereal experts and cereal box designers in the world.’
From 1st to 30th November DECIEM The Abnormal Beauty Company who own a multitude of award-winning skincare brands including NIOD, Hylamide, Hand Chemistry and not forgetting The Ordinary, are offering a whopping 23% off all products.
Yes, you read it right, 23% off every.single.thing from serums and masks to new releases.
That means you can top-up on your skincare favourites, or try something new for a fraction of the price. And this never-seen-before discount extends to their standalone stores too, so you can bag yourself a bargain online or in-store.
Please shop slowly, 23% off everything (Picture: DECIEM)
The month long sale comes in a stand against hyper consumerism, as DECIEM have made the decision to close their website and stores ‘for a moment of nothingness’ on Black Friday itself (29th November).
‘We do not feel that Black Friday is an earth or consumer-friendly event as it encourages excessive purchasing of items, that consumers might not necessarily purchase if items weren’t discounted,’ explained DECIEM.
‘This will hopefully encourage customers to shop slowly and to make educated, mindful decisions based on what their skincare regimen should be.’
Despite the black(out), there’s no doubt beauty shoppers will be delighted by the news, as last year the mega beauty retailer offered a Black Friday discount on a mere 16 products and unsurprisingly everything sold out within a matter of hours.
Unfortunately we all know how haggard and exhausted dark under-eye circles can make you appear.
Enter The Ordinary’s Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG, a solution that’s been formulated with a high concentration of caffeine.
Best used in the morning and evening before oils or creams, by massaging a small amount onto the eye contour – you can also pop the solution in the fridge to help minimise puffiness further.
(Picture: The Ordinary) A caffeine solution for puffy, tired eyes
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is powerful stuff. This miracle molecule is renowned for its ability to retain over 1,000 times its weight in water within the cells of skin. Clever, huh?
The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 offers ‘multi-depth hydration to tackle skin dryness.’
Hylauronic Acid doesn’t tend to disrupt other skincare ingredients so the formula is compatible with other products from The Ordinary.
Hyaluronic Acid is a fabulous skin hydrator (Picture: The Ordinary)
Best suited to blemish prone skin, The Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid 2% Solution helps to exfoliate the inside walls of pores to fight the appearance of blemishes.’
This best-selling blemish-fighting solution has been formulated with Salicylic Acid a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) renowned for its ability to chemically exfoliate the skin. With continual use it will help clear the skin of any grime that causes blemishes and acne-causing bacteria.
Just apply a drop of the solution directly on to blemishes, where the skin is not broken, using a cotton bud.
A solution to help banish blemishes (Picture: The Ordinary)
Rob Greenfield foraging fruit in the city (Picture: Rob Greenfield/ Caters News)
A year ago, Rob Greenfield made a commitment to not buy any groceries for a whole year.
Instead, he wanted to grow or forage all his food.
Yesterday, he completed the 365-day challenge, which also saw him build a tiny house from scratch – costing just £1,160 – and turning the land surrounding it into his fruit and veg garden.
Rob, who lives in Orlando, Florida, put the house together himself with basic materials to keep costs very low.
He explains: ‘I built it out of 99% secondhand materials along with volunteers from the community.
‘I created just 30 pounds of trash in the build.
‘The materials were largely leftover materials from construction sites, secondhand items at Habitat for Humanity and some materials I reclaimed from dumpsters.
‘It is mostly wood. It held my basic possessions and food. A bed, shelves, desk, chair and freezer.’
For food, he found himself catching his fish, pulling weeds from the ground and foraging for berries and nuts to create filling and nutritious meals.
Although his challenge is officially over, Rob claims that he will continue to forage wherever he goes to help cut down on plastic and food waste.
Rob said: ‘When I set out to do this, I wasn’t sure if it could be done, but I really wanted to find out.
‘I have never met a human in our current society who lives independently of the globalised, industrialised food system.
‘I’m standing here today, one year later, and I did it.
‘Not only did I make it, but I feel healthier and happier than when I started.
A before photo of what Robs front garden used to look like (Picture: RobGreenfield/Caters)
‘I maintained my weight – my body fat measurement is 15%, so plenty of fat on me and I didn’t get sick once.
‘I expected it to be extremely difficult and it was, but no more than expected – my body feels about as good as I can recall in my adult life.
‘This was my personal quest to see whether I could step away from my usual way of getting food and grow and forage every bite of my own – but at the same time I want to inspire others to question their food.’
Although he ate for free, Rob says that finding food was like working a full-time job.
He said: ‘I often worked 40 to 80 hours per week to plant, harvest and maintain the garden, forage foods, cook, preserve and clean dishes.
Rob now with the tiny house he built and his garden (Picture: Rob Greenfield/Caters)
‘It’s safe to say it was a very demanding full-time endeavour.
‘I often couldn’t take a true break from it, because if I did then I would either not have all the food I needed, or something would fall apart.
‘I generally didn’t miss any particular food, but what I did miss was convenience.
‘I missed having other people make meals for me and even more so just making meals with friends.
‘I still did that sometimes as I had a lot of friends over for dinner, but I was sometimes socially isolated by how demanding this year was.’
Although he no longer plans to follow the challenge full time, Rob is going to continue practising some of the things he’s learned.
He said: ‘For the next year or two I intend to do a lot of travelling, which means I will not have my own garden.
‘Everywhere I go I intend to forage whether it be the edible “weeds” in people’s front yards or taking trips to the public parks or deeper nature.
‘I will seek out local foragers who know the region who I can go out with and share the experience with.
‘As much as this may seem like an individualistic project, it was all about community.
‘I could not have done this without the support of community – everything I learned came from people before me.
‘It’s all about coming together as communities to care for one another and make sure that everyone has their basic needs met to live a happy and healthy life.’
This dad was wowed by his wife’s selflessness (Picture: Six Shots with Zack and Heather/Facebook)
We all love appreciation posts dedicated to us, particularly when they come spontaneously.
For mum Heather Williams it came after she was showering and wiped away steam on the glass so she could keep an eye on her newborn in the bassinet.
When dad Zack came home to see the smudge of the hand on the shower glass, he was taken aback.
He realised how his darling wife never turned their back on the baby, not for a second, not even while showering.
And the awe-struck dad took to Facebook to marvel at his partner to whom the selflessness came so naturally.
‘This morning I came home from the gym, turned the shower on, to get cleaned up for work,’ he wrote.
‘I turned to the door and saw where my wife wiped away the steam from the glass so that she could see our baby girl in the bassinet.
‘I literally just sat there and stared at the glass and smiled. I could see it, I imagined it, it was like I was there in the room with them.
‘I could see Heather just looking through the glass and making faces at Lottie as she smiled and played in her bassinet! I just melted!’
‘My wife doesn’t get to clock out’ (Picture: Six Shots with Zack and Heather/Facebook)
Zack’s sweet tribute to his wife soon went viral, with many tagging Ellen Degeneres to have him on her show.
He took the moment to not just marvel at his wife but also speak to other men who may feel their partner is just ‘at home with the baby all day’.
He continued: ‘I can’t tell you how much this fogged up glass means to me!
‘The fact that my wife can’t even shower without caring for someone else…. tending to someone else’s needs…. get a second to herself to relax.
‘My wife doesn’t get to clock out, my wife doesn’t get the satisfaction of seeing a check deposited in the bank in return of her hard work, my wife doesn’t get to eat lunch with co-workers, my wife doesn’t get to just walk outside and just take a deep breath.
‘This may be just a fogged-up piece of glass to some, but to me, it means so much more.
‘It’s the little things like this that don’t go unnoticed… it’s the little things like this that constantly remind me how badass she is.’
If you know a mum who does a lot of thankless work, show her how much you appreciate her.
Burger King Rebel Whopper burger is coming here soon (Picture: Getty Images)
The Burger King plant-based burger is coming to the UK. The bad news is that we just aren’t quite sure when.
The fast-food chain is launching the Rebel Whopper across Europe today, and while they confirmed that it would come to these shores soon, the UK is not in the initial rollout.
A spokesperson for the brand said: ‘Burger King UK are not launching the Rebel Whopper just yet, but it will be coming soon. Some may say we’re fashionably late – watch this space.’
It will appear in 2,500 restaurants in 25 countries from today, with more territories to follow in the coming months.
The burger uses vegan patties created by plant-based company The Vegetarian Butcher.
It’s made from soy, wheat, vegetable oil, herbs and onion – but sadly, the meal as a whole is not completely vegan.
It comes with mayonnaise, which contains egg (of course, you could ask for it without mayo) but it is also cooked alongside the restaurant’s original Whoppers on the same broiler.
Impossible Foods’ burger hasn’t been approved for sale in the European Union because it contains genetically modified ingredients.
The EU requires testing on such products before they are sold.
A spokesman for the Dutch government confirmed that Impossible submitted an application last month and is awaiting a ruling from the European Food Safety Authority.
