As a result, people have found new ways of working out, from online classes to outdoor workouts – while some gym chains have also been delivering virtual exercise sessions during lockdown.
But when can you expect to get back in the gym for your regular workout?
Meanwhile, according to a recent report in the Guardian, gyms and leisure centres could reopen in July, as the government is currently discussing wider proposals to open up grassroots sport.
A government source has said that while any changes to current restrictions are dependent on the wider UK picture, there has been a shift in thinking and that guidelines from UK gyms were now being actively considered by officials.
Government sources suggest gyms could reopen in July (Picture: Getty Images)
Huw Edwards, the chief executive of UK Active (a company which represents thousands of gyms and leisure centres) has revealed he is cautiously optimistic the industry could be back in action by summer.
He said: ‘We want to open in a way which is safe for staff and customers, allows people to come back and train, and then gets businesses up and running again.
‘The government has said to us nothing before the fourth of July. Our plan is to take government and Public Health England officials out to sites to reassure them that gyms can safely implement social distancing. We are going to be a completely open book.’
It’s thought that football and rugby clubs could also be allowed to train together in separate groups of five in July, too. That is, if the rate of infections continues to fall and public health officials say it’s safe to do so.
But those wanting to play contact sports – such as rugby or boxing – will have to wait until later in the year, when it’s announced safe to do so.
How will social distancing measures work at gyms?
A gym in Italy which has closed off some machines to keep to social distancing measures (Picture: Getty Images)
Although details of social distancing measures have yet to be revealed, Sport England has said that they could include keeping two metres between all gym equipment on studio space, social distancing in changing rooms and a ban on towels on the gym floor, as well as increased cleaning of equipment such as weights.
In some countries where gyms have re-opened measures have included smaller class sizes and holding some of them outdoors, as well as more space between machines and in some cases, perspex screens placed between each piece of equipment.
Some gyms in the US and elsewhere are also checking people’s temperatures before they are allowed to enter.
But an unlikely hero has come forward during the zoo’s time of need.
Supermarket chain Iceland has adopted the zoo’s entire rookery of Humboldt penguins, therefore alleviating some of the financial strain.
The frozen food retailer has also agreed to lobby the UK government on the zoo’s behalf, to amend legislation to allow zoos to reopen with strict social distancing guidance in place.
This money from visitors will help the zoo get back on its feet, after its period of closure.
Chester Zoo’s penguins (Picture: Shutterstock / Gary Cox)
Richard Walker, managing director of Iceland Foods, said: ‘We were all saddened to hear of Chester Zoo’s recent struggles; it’s the heart of the local community in Chester and a much loved family favourite – I remember visiting the zoo as a child and my own kids love going there.
‘We’re proud to be able to lend them our support both through the adoption of the Humboldt penguins on behalf of our colleagues, and by lobbying in support of zoos being allowed to reopen soon.’
The adoption has caught the attention of people on social media, with many praising the retailer’s efforts to help the zoo.
One person tweeted: ‘Well done to Iceland we all need to support and save our zoos.’
While another said: ‘Iceland you are literally amazing.’
Emma streamed her whole birth on Instagram (Picture: Emma Isaacs/Instagram)
Would you want your boss, your neighbour or a stranger watch you giving birth?
One woman is so passionate about showing the miracle of birth, she livestreamed the whole thing to thousands of people on Instagram.
Emma Isaacs is the founder and CEO of Business Chicks, a company that promotes empowerment for women in and out of the workplace.
As she came to the end of her sixth pregnancy, she decided she wanted to share the labour with the world.
On 1 June, she started having contractions and she handed her phone over to her friends and family to live stream the process.
Posting on Instagram, Emma, who lives in Los Angeles, said: ‘Ok friends, looks like we might have some baby action tonight. Contractions about seven minutes apart. I’m going to hand my phone over to friends and family who are here with me (let’s hope they know what they’re doing!) and will see you all on the other side … We’ll start by sharing some stories then go live when it feels right.
‘I’m feeling strong and ready.’
She was joined by her husband Rowan, two midwives and a doula.
The couple already have Milla, 11, Honey, eight, Indie, seven, Ryder, five, and Piper, two, together.
All her children had been delivered at home and she wanted to show her 57,000 followers what its like with her sixth child.
Emma and Rowan welcome their baby boy (Picture: Emma Isaacs/Instagram)
She lit candles, played music and moved around trying to calm her contractions before climbing into the birthing pool.
Over 6,000 people tuned into the live stream and encouraged Emma as her contractions for more intense.
Some of her children and their family dog watched on from the side of the pool and eventually, her son Louis Mack entered the world.
The next day she updated her followers and said: ‘Thank you for being there as we welcomed this baby into the world.
‘It was a really special time. It wasn’t as fast as I liked.
‘Labour started around 8pm. I was having really good contractions and it was all speeding up and then when I got into the tub, it just sort of stopped. That is cool. It is a lesson in patience and not knowing what you are going to get with birth.
‘He was great throughout the whole thing and he weighs 4.1kg. He is super healthy and pink and feeding well. He is doing well.’
She also revealed that he was born en caul, which means that his amnotic sac remained intact and had to be broken when he was born.
She adds: ‘It’s really really special apparently. Only one in 80,000 babies are born in their sac.’
Updating her followers on her health, she added: ‘I loved it. The beauty of natural birth if you can do it is that your recovery is pretty immediate.
‘I didn’t tear or anything and it doesn’t hurt to pee, which is lovely so hopefully the recovery will be much the same.
‘Being in our house with our things and setting up an environment where I felt really safe and supported was a beautiful thing to share with you guys. It was a beautiful, beautiful night.’
Emma has saved the videos of the night to her highlights for anyone who missed the special moment to go back and watch any time.
Ordinarily, I get help caring for my daughter and wife – in lockdown, I’m on my own (Picture: John Ley)
Try to find a sentence with the words carer and independence together – trust me, you’ll struggle. Looking after a loved one with additional needs, never mind two, like I do, means waving goodbye to your old life.
Since 1993, I have cared for my daughter, Katie, who was born with Down’s Syndrome. At the age of nine, she developed diabetes. If I’m honest, I only played a small role in looking after her – Linda, my wife of 31 years – did all the hard work.
At the time, I was a writer on a national newspaper, lucky enough to travel the world covering football. Linda had given up her job as a scientific sub-editor to bring up Katie, as well as our older son Tom.
That all changed dramatically on 3 May 2015, the day our deepest fears were confirmed, when Linda, at the relatively young age of 53, was told she has early onset Alzheimer’s.
By the time her condition was confirmed, I was ready for it; her father had cardiovascular dementia and some of the signs were similar. I was angry that someone so perfect should be afflicted with this horrible illness.
The symptoms started three years before she was diagnosed, when Linda started forgetting where she had left things and misplaced objects. Once, she was meant to collect Katie from a dance lesson at a venue she had been to before, but ended up outside a supermarket in tears. She had set out on the journey, but her brain had sent her the wrong way.
Strangely, in a day-to-day setting her cognitive skills still seemed to be there, and so I treated her Alzheimer’s lightly at first; I was in denial. However, when she developed epilepsy – a by-product of her illness – the realities of her condition hit home.
I realised how ill she truly was and, clearly, there was only one way she was going – downhill. Her health nosedived and she was quickly diagnosed with psychosis. A succession of medications was suggested; it was like playing Russian Roulette with pills.
I have lost my best friend, my wife, my lover (Picture: John Ley)
Linda has gone from being an intelligent, artistic woman who loved to read, knit, sew and paint, to being unable to read, write and even eat without being spoon-fed.
I have lost my best friend, my wife, my lover. I am grieving for a person who is still alive.
As well as the personal problems – she is doubly incontinent – there is the additional battle with authorities to get what we deserve. Red tape was invented to baffle the vulnerable. As an example, I receive Carers’ Allowance, £67.25 a week, or less than £3,500 a year. I care for two people, but can only claim it once.
Ordinarily, I get help caring for Linda. Four times a week, she is attended to by additional carers, a total of 12 hours a week. And three days out of seven she also goes into day care.
Most of my day is spent thinking of ways to make Linda’s life comfortable; from dealing with her toilet needs to helping her dress – which is a struggle – and then feeding her. Everything has to be cut up and fed directly into Linda’s mouth, and I disguise her pills with yoghurt.
She also needs regular checks so I know if she is in any discomfort – because she would otherwise struggle to tell me. I even bought red plates, after reading that the colour can catch the attention of a person with dementia, and a new v-shaped pillow is on order, to help my wife sit straight in her chair.
As for Katie’s needs, I’ve had to adopt the role of both mum and dad. Down’s Syndrome affects several aspects of her life, particularly personal hygiene, and she also has a thyroid problem. More recently, she has also developed psoriasis.
On top of this, I do all the household chores – except ironing, as I’ve decided that’s one chore too many – order meds, and arrange meetings with everyone from psychologists and doctors to social services and council departments.
I am looking after both my wife and daughter 24/7 in lockdown (Picture: John Ley)
Lockdown has made our situation worse.
Those little windows of respite, when Linda is in somebody else’s care, keep me sane. However, as Katie is so vulnerable to the virus through her Down’s and diabetes I am taking no chances – so right now, I am on my own, looking after both of them 24 hours a day.
I feel lonely, isolated, and to an extent, ignored by the government. I am not looking for sympathy or praise, but like so many unpaid carers in this country, I feel unrecognised.
One of the few comforts I have is access to Dementia UK’s specialist Admiral Nurses, whose support both in terms of medical advice and therapy is invaluable.
I don’t want her to go; I still love her so much and every morning when I wash her, I kiss her forehead, naively hoping that I can suck out the poison from her brain
Being with Linda 24 hours a day has highlighted the severity of her condition, and talking to other carers, it seems that their loved ones have deteriorated in lockdown.
I do have people I can turn to; my brother and cousin are constantly on hand if needed. My son, Tom, is 28 and now based in Manchester. He has found his mum’s condition hard to take, but is always there for me.
Having gone from my relatively ‘normal’ life to becoming a full-time carer seems surreal at times. Recently, I hit a wall, both mentally and physically. My body just gave up. I could do no more. I slept a lot, and recovered sufficiently to carry on caring. I have even taken to listening to Leonard Cohen, for God’s sake.
I also don’t drink anymore – I over-indulged in the early days of caring in an attempt to ‘cope’. My liver begged to differ and as I can’t afford to be ill, I stopped.
Despite everything, I hope that Linda will be in my charge for several years to come.
I don’t want her to go; I still love her so much and every morning when I wash her, I kiss her forehead, naively hoping that I can suck out the poison from her brain.
Fanciful stuff of course, but that is what caring does to you. I carry on caring, because I carry on caring.
John will be featuring in an upcoming campaign from Dementia UK to be released on 15 June. If you have questions or concerns around dementia, you can contact the charity’s Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline on 0800 888 6678.
National Carers Week
For this year’s National Carers Week, which runs from 8 to 14 June, we hear from people who are carers for their loved ones. To read up on more about how you can get involved or for information and support, visit the campaign website.
Do you have a story that you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing claie.wilson@metro.co.uk.
You can now make them at home (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
If you’re in need of a quick treat at home, Aldi is selling a churro maker to easily create the sweet treats at home.
The device costs just £14.99 and makes up to four of the long Spanish doughnuts at at time.
The machine means you can make churros without the usual mess of deep frying. It makes them a little healthier as well.
It was on sale late last year but it sold out quickly – so they’ve brought back more for the summer in the Specialbuys section.
But it’s already proving proving popular again as it has sold out for pre-orders online.
It will be available in store from this Thursday 11 June.
It comes in black, white or red and comes with a piping bag to make it easier to create the distinctive shape.
The Aldi machine costs £14.99 (Picture: Aldi)
The plates are non-stick to make it easier to clean, automatic temperature control, a locking latch to keep it all together and power and indictor lights to let you know when it’s ready.
You simply pipe the mixture onto the plates, lock it shut and it cooks for a few minutes.
They recommend turning the whole thing over halfway through to ensure an even bake.
Once the churros are cooked, just open the latch, lift them out carefully and roll in sugar and cinnamon, before serving with a traditional chocolate sauce.
You can store it upright to save space in your kitchen but you’ll probably have it out on the worktop as often as possible once you’ve mastered how to make the treats.
What hobbies have you picked up during lockdown? (Picture: Metro.co.uk/Getty)
Lockdown has allowed us to start new passion projects, as well as hone previously existing skills we seldom had time for.
Whether it’s baking, cooking, cycling or cross-stitching, all the extra downtime has been a welcome addition to our lives during an unprecedented time.
But with lockdown measures easing across the world, people are slowly starting to enjoy things previously not allowed.
This means the hobbies we picked up along the way might be put back on the shelf as we appreciate the novelty of going back to life pre-lockdown.
Recently, hobbies have helped us survive and get through a frightening situation as well as structure our time.
And not only that, the lockdown has provided a unique opportunity to reclaim hobbies that don’t depend on money.
We have had to find ways to entertain ourselves using resources we always had, or invested in things that would pay off in the long run, whether a cookbook, a sewing kit, an instrument, and more. And we have enjoyed most of those hobbies without having to pay an establishment for the privilege.
Now that lockdown seems to be in the final stretches, it’s important to continue to make time for these free activities that we have come to cherish.
During lockdown, we’ve gone back to nature where we can hang out for free (Picture: Getty)
For some people, the chance to pick a hobby and perfect it has been an ode to their culture and history.
This is true for author Alya Mooro, who has written about being a Middle Eastern woman and now finds herself learning Arabic during the pandemic.
She tells Metro.co.uk: ‘I hated going to Arabic school when I was young and really rebelled against it so never really was able to read and that has increasingly bothered me in recent years.
‘But I never had the time or space to actually think of doing something about it, it just felt like this commitment I wouldn’t be able to meet.
‘During lockdown, I’ve had the time (saved from commuting / going out, etc) to dedicate time every day to learning on Duolingo.’
Though Alya is set to face the hustle and bustle of life once London reopens, she says she will commit to maintaining the hobby.
‘They say it takes 21 days to make a habit so I feel confident that its something I’ll continue now that it’s part of my routine. Without lockdown I don’t think I would have started.’
Similarly, Rosie Munshi’s new sewing hobby isn’t random, but a shout-out to her mum who used to be in the garment industry in the 70s.
She tells Metro.co.uk: ‘I was a complete novice and have been wanting to learn for years but always thought it was too complicated because we only have a huge industrial one as my mum used to sew for High Street brands back in the 70s.
‘I finally bought a small second-hand sewing machine while in lockdown because I thought I would have so much more time to spend with my mum and pick up what I think is an essential skill. It actually ended up being my dad who’s been giving me lessons every week!
‘First, we mastered setting it up, then he gave me homework of making a tote bag (it’s all straight lines so pretty easy) and now I’ve just finished a mini apron.’
Once life continues, Rosie is determined to keep up her new pastime.
Rosie at work (Picture: Rosie Munshie)
‘I’ll definitely continue learning because I love the idea of having one-off pieces that no one else has and in an ideal world I’d love to have an independent fashion label of my own.
‘I also love that something unexpected has bought me and my dad closer too, so for sentimental reasons I think I’ll always continue.’
For writer Lucy Jane Santos, time in lockdown has been an opportunity to pick up something she started two decades ago.
‘My new hobby is Egyptian hieroglyphs – something has been putting off for 20 years,’ she tells us.
’20 years ago I finished a degree in Egyptian archaeology and swore blind I would keep up the study. But I never started again and always regretted letting it lapse.
‘I’m learning this using a combination of apps and old books and is going really well.’
She says she plans to maintain the pastime by working on it 15 minutes every day once lockdown ends.
Hobbies have always important and there are physical, mental, emotional and social benefits of developing them.
She tells Metro.co.uk: ‘Life is full of the daily mundane obligations, your “you” time is just as important as these. Outside often very long working hours and daily commitments, taking the time to give yourself something that brings joy and purpose is full of benefits for our mental health and wellbeing.
‘Direct benefits of hobbies include the physical (such as through exercise, dance and movement), feeling empowered through creative freedom and cognitive focus such as the ability to concentrate on a pleasurable activity without the day-to-day interruptions of life. As well as having control over how one spends their valuable time.
‘Indirect benefits of hobbies include a sense of achievement and goals, new learning experiences, increased social contact, and formation of new connections.’
In a world that values consumerism, busyness, and the constant consumption of goods, prioritising our personal enjoyment can be the ideal way to resist.
Of course, not all hobbies happen without tangible resources.
If the recent swelling of Amazon’s fortune is anything to go by, people are flocking online to purchase the tools they need to develop their new pastimes (you need a knitting kit if you want to take up knitting, after all).
But these purchases are in hopes of fulfilling long-term ambitions often unrelated to career goals, which is welcome amid a generation that values instant gratification and throwaway culture.
Before lockdown, there was very little available to facilitate learning new skills or practicing old ones, or just to be at leisure, for free. If you wanted to play a sport, you’d need a gym membership or book a court, if you wanted to hang out with your pals you’d need to go to a bar, restaurant, or lounge.
Libraries were one of the few free places offering a free activity, open to all.
In times of a global crisis, people have once again started embracing free and public spaces such as parks to reestablish their hobbies and meet loved ones.
Libraries are the last free places where you’re not expected to pay to enjoy(Picture: Getty)
Freelance academic and author Christine Berry says we should take the lessons learned in the lockdown as a way to contest 21st-century capitalism that has us paying to enjoy all aspects of our lives.
‘The government’s approach to easing lockdown has prioritised restarting activities where money changes hands: you can now let a cleaner into your home, but not your mother,’ says Christine.
‘This makes no sense to most people because it’s at odds with our real priorities. Lockdown has shown us the things we care about most: our families, our friends, a sense of connection and fulfillment.
‘As we rebuild, we need to keep this focus on what really matters: the economy must serve people, not the other way around. We need to reduce our dependence on this money-circulation juggernaut and find more human and sustainable ways of providing for each other.’
The lockdown has also brought in to question the importance of time and how prior to this, most of it was catered around going to and being at work.
Christine hopes that as we begin to rise slowly into our normal lives, we should now push for things we had the luxury of enjoying in lockdown: more time for self-care, fulfilment, joy.
‘Time has bent and distorted in strange ways during lockdown: some people have more time on their hands than ever, while others (especially parents with children at home) have never had less.
‘As we exit lockdown there’s a really strong case for reduced working hours, crucially alongside higher wages. Not only would this give us more time to pursue the things we really value, it could also combat the likely rise in unemployment by spreading work around more evenly.
‘In turn, this would allow for more equal sharing of unpaid care work in the home, which currently falls disproportionately on women.’
Many firms will be making changes post-lockdown. It may be a case of liaising with bosses about the things you want to prioritise, such as hobbies – perhaps a four-day week, or shorter hours, earlier finish times.
In some ways our hobbies are a middle finger to the demands of capitalism.
Maybe after lockdown, we should try to focus on the activities that feed our soul and mental wellbeing, rather than just the economy.
After months of strict lockdown measures, isolation and anxiety - we're beginning to look to the future.
What will life look like when we emerge into our new normal?
Can things ever be the same as they were? Do we even want them to be the same?
What Comes Next is our series of in-depth features unpicking the possibilities for the future.
Every day for two weeks, we will look at the future of work, dating, mental health, friendships, money, travel, and all the other elements that make up our existence.
Our lives have been turned upside down, but change doesn't always have to be a bad thing.
BabyNames.com updated their homepage with a list of the names of more than 100 Black people killed by police
If you’ve ever pondered the perfect name for your future child or looked up the meaning of your own moniker, you’ve likely come across BabyNames.com.
As its name gives away, this is a website dedicated entirely to baby names – inspiration, ideas, stats on the post popular names, and the meaning of whichever you choose.
But those heading over to do their usual baby name search this week will have been presented with one of two surprises: either a powerful statement in support of the Black community or an error message, as the website appears to have crashed following their display of solidarity.
Let’s talk through the initial statement first, which appeared on the BabyNames.com website last week.
Those heading to the website saw a message right at the top of the homepage, reading: ‘Each one of these names was somebody’s baby’.
Just some of the names on the list, which continues to be updated
What followed was a list of more than 100 Black people killed by US police officers or civilians. At the bottom of this list, another message: ‘BabyNames.com stands in solidarity with the Black community. #blacklivesmatter’.
Over on Twitter, the BabyNames.com account has dedicated itself to tweeting out each new name of a Black person killed by police added to the website, along with the #BlackLivesMatter tag.
The site’s actions have been roundly praised on social media, with one tweet, which has so far received more than 182,000 retweets, reading: ‘ok baby names dot com go off’.
BabyNames.com founder Jennifer Moss told HuffPost: ‘I saw the names listed on NPR, and they broke my heart. I knew then I wanted to include them in our company’s statement. I am a parent, and it just came from my heart.’
But since the statement was posted and praise poured in, we haven’t been able to access the BabyNames.com website since last night, receiving an error message that says: ‘Hosting Server Read Timeout’.
The error message currently showing on the BabyNames.com website
We’ve reached out to BabyNames.com to find out why the site has crashed, and will update this article if we hear back.
Lucy has loved the ocean since she was a little girl (Picture: Laurent Masurel)
Six-time British surfing champion Lucy Campbell knows how to win.
She has the unique kind of determination and work ethic that you only find in world-class athletes, and her six national gold medals speak volumes to this.
But winning isn’t the only experience of being an elite athlete, and with the highs come the crushing lows.
But to Lucy, the lows are more than worth it. Surfing is her life, and with every challenge, setback or disappointment, she uses that to learn and come back stronger. She says her passion for the sport is what drives her forward.
‘I’ve always been a pretty sporty person,’ Lucy tells Metro.co.uk.
‘I was always at the after school sports clubs, having a crack at everything, and I love the thought of learning new skills. Fitness is a massive part of my life – I’ve always enjoyed running, and staying fit is absolutely key in surfing when you’re competing.
‘With surfing, I love the fact that every day is different. The conditions are always changing and every wave that you catch will never be the same.
Lucy almost made it to the Olmpics as a runner – but then she got injured (Picture: Dryrobe)
‘To excel in surfing you have to adapt all the time and in that sense, I guess it never gets boring. When I first tried it, it was incredibly tough, but that hardship now makes it feel like such a big achievement.
‘I know some people can make it look easy but it takes many years of practice.’
Lucy started surfing when she was just 10 years old, with her dad and brother – and she instantly loved anything to do with the water.
‘During my teenage years, I was running and surfing at the same time whilst also training to be a lifeguard,’ she says.
Before turning professional, Lucy worked several jobs for years to fit around her training. At times she worked 16-hour days through the summer, teaching in surf school from 9-5, before a bar shift until 1 am.
She would be exhausted by the end of the summer, but it meant she could get consistent waves and train through the winter.
Lucy’s Olympic hopes are on hold for now because of coronavirus (Picture: Laurent Masurel)
She would spend every penny she earned to fund competing and training, she even had to fund her own way to the World Games in Japan.
‘It was a pretty chaotic time, especially during my GCSEs and A-levels as I was competing too,’ says Lucy. ‘The sport provided me with a really good balance so I’m thankful for that.’
Lucy says one of the biggest challenges she has faced in sport was moving from British level championships to international level.
‘It’s a big leap and getting to grips with that can be really challenging,’ she explains.
‘I’ve faced a fair bit of disappointment finding that out – there were times where you feel so close to making it and then you can get brought back down to earth quite quickly.
‘I think the key to coping with setbacks is learning from your mistakes and thinking that failure isn’t actually a bad thing.’
In fact, Lucy views failure as a crucial part of the process. It spurs her on to do better and allows her the breathing space to analyse her performance and mind-set.
‘Failing can give you a chance to step back, reassess and go at it again,’ Lucy tells us.
‘Not everything is under your control, especially when it comes to surfing’ (Picture: Dryrobe)
‘When you don’t succeed at something, it’s a lot easier to look at where you went wrong and how you can improve – I like to think this advice can relate to almost anything in everyday life in whatever profession. I’m a firm believer that through failure, you can come back much stronger.’
Lucy’s dream has always been to compete in the Olympics. She actually came close to taking part as a middle-distance runner before injury forced her to give it up.
‘Getting injured isn’t easy for anyone,’ says Lucy. ‘I was running and surfing at the same time and was close to getting picked for major competitions as a runner before injuries kicked in.
‘It was a blow mentally, but sometimes it can be quite good in that it changes your focus and outlook on everything.
‘It allowed me to put more time into things I wasn’t doing before, and it has made me the person I am today.’
Lucy’s dream to make it to the Olympics came tantalisingly close again this year as she was selected to compete, but lockdown has meant the additional challenge of having very limited surfing training.
‘Of course it has been frustrating, and it puts everything from training to competing on hold,’ she says. ‘I spent most of the winter in Australia just to get ready for the competition season, but now everything is off for the foreseeable future so that has been tough.
‘Not having a time-frame on when we return has been one of the biggest challenges.
‘Having said that, it has given me a chance to put some time into other focuses. It has been really nice to help my family build their dream garden and I’ve been doing things that I’ve never had the time to – be it slow morning coffees or baking. So yes, it has been hard, but I have taken positives from it.’
Lucy says that she has been lucky in her attitude towards health and fitness because she happened to love running growing up. It was never something she had to force.
‘During my teenage years, when people go through problems, I was always found running helped me with a clear head,’ she says.
‘Even at school, fitness and sport helped me distract myself from revision and studying for my exams.
‘I would definitely recommend it, if people have the access. I would also recommend sitting out on the ocean waiting for waves – it can be really relaxing and calming on the mind.’
Growing up, Lucy realised just how much sport can teach people. She believes sport and fitness can be an invaluable tool kids – especially in teaching skills like teamwork and sharing responsibility.
‘I’ve also learned through difficult periods that not everything is under your control, especially when it comes to surfing,’ she adds.
‘Accepting that, and only trying to control what you can has helped my mindset – I guess a lot of that can be applied to our current situation and everyday life.’
Lucy Campbell is a brand ambassador of dryrobe, producers of the world’s most advanced change robe.
Are you a woman redefining what it means to be strong?
Strong Women is a weekly series that champions diversity in the world of sport and fitness.
A Sport England study found that 40% of women were avoiding physical activity due to a fear of judgement.
But, contrary to the limited images we so often see, women of any age, size, race or ability can be active and enjoy sport and fitness.
We hope that by normalising diverse depictions of women who are fit, strong and love their bodies, we will empower all women to shed their self-consciousness when it comes to getting active.
Each week we talk to women who are redefining what it means to be strong and achieving incredible things.
Jess wasn’t happy to receive this message (Picture: Jess Becker)
Some dating apps, such as Hinge and now Tinder, have prompts, which are pre-written statements that can help start a conversation.
On dating app Badoo, one of these prompts has been accused of sexism.
Recruiter Jess Becker, 29, matched with a guy on the app for singletons but was shocked to see his conversation starter.
The North Londoner received a message saying ‘what is your favourite household chore?’.
The match told her that it was a ‘pre-written Badoo special’ as part of their prompts, which can be edited by users.
Jess shared the exchange on her Instagram where she said it was ‘unacceptable’ to receive messages like this in 2020.
Badoo has now said it will be removing the statement and looking into its other prompts.
Badoo said it would be reviewing its prompts (Picture: Jess Becker)
Jess, who runs her own T-shirt company, showed screenshots to her Instagram followers, saying: ‘This isn’t the 1950s. Not cool of a top global dating app to give men a pre-written pickup line to send to women. Stop the stereotypes!!’
Jess tells Metro.co.uk: ‘I can’t believe a huge, global company would do such a thing. Even if a guy asked me that directly, I’d feel very uncomfortable, questioning what does he expect of me? Is he setting the tone of our relationship?
‘I believe in equal relationships and chores, bills etc should be split!’
Jess also runs a meme dating account, @shavedmylegs, to have transparency on what modern dating is like.
She adds: ‘I am hoping to create transparency on the dating scene by posting my messages- rejection, ghosting, breadcrumbing and how it is affecting mental health and damaging people’s confidence.
‘Millennials are at a generational crossroads – our parents, grandparents had kids very young, dated without technology and want their kids to get married ASAP and on the other hand, we see women CEOs, women freezing out eggs.
‘It’s a very confusing time for men. But it doesn’t have to be a man’s world and we can be in control too! I feel it’s very important to not take dating too seriously and just enjoy it until you meet the one!’
She adds that she’s on multiple apps where she hasn’t come across a similar prompt.
Badoo responded to Jess’ comments, saying: ‘[Our prompts] range from “has a stranger ever changed your life?” to “what’s the worst advice you’ve ever given?” – with dozens more in between.
Jess says she hasn’t seen prompts like this on other apps (Picture: Jess Becker)
‘Feedback tells us they help our members break the ice, and get over the “stage fright” contacting a stranger for the first time can sometimes cause.
‘One of the questions in our long list is “what is your favourite household chore?”, which, like all our suggestions, is available for any gender to use on the app, should they wish to.
‘We do appreciate how this question could be used in a sexist way, and as well as removing this particular question will be taking a closer look at all our prompts.’
Bumble is the dating app where women have to speak first (Picture: Bumble)
Regardless of how much you may be missing human contact, right now is still not the time to start dating as normal.
For now, virtual dates are still the way forward for many, slowly moving into socially distanced dates before you can do the usual Netflix or cuddling.
That’s why Bumble has introduced new filters, so you can stay on the same page as those you’re matching with, choosing socially-distanced, socially-distanced with masks, or virtual daters to peruse.
The new feature will give people the opportunity to skip the potentially awkward conversation about how they are comfortable dating post lockdown, and what kind of dates they would like to go on through the three badges.
Although on 4 July and restaurants are due to open, with their outside spaces allowed to be open on 22nd June, Bumble found that 38% of people in-app are still nervous about meeting dates in person due to the lack of understanding in what is acceptable and safe in the new world of dating.
This is now what you’ll see on the app (Picture: Bumble)
A Bumble spokesperson said ‘Thousands of people have connected virtually on Bumble during the lockdown and they’ve told us that they are excited and ready to date. However, we’ve found that more than 1 in 3 of our users are nervous about meeting in real life.
‘This new feature will help people navigate conversations about what they’re comfortable with and how they want to meet for anxiously awaited first dates.’
You can opt-in to add this dating badge to your Bumble profile by going into ‘Edit profile’ (bottom left corner) and clicking on ‘Tap to edit profile’ under your photograph.
Once the dating badge is added, you can then filter potential matches who have selected the same preferences whether it’s virtual only or IRL.
Bookshop owner Jeannine Cook is handing out copies of the autobiographies of Harriet Tubman and Malcolm X (Picture: Jeannine Cook / SWNS.COM)
With people flocking online to buy anti-racism books, one Black bookshop owner decided to just give them away for free.
Jeannine Cook gave out copies of the autobiographies of Harriet Tubman and Malcolm X to Black Lives Matter demonstrators in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The 36-year-old, who owns Harriett’s Bookshop, hoped the books would provide a ‘blueprint’ on how to tackle systemic racism.
Jeannine began giving out free books after an anonymous donor gave her shop $100 (£78.30) during the coronavirus lockdown.
After the murder of George Floyd, Jeannine realised just how important it was for people to educate themselves about the plight of Black communities.
Harriett’s Bookshop has already given out 100 books at protests in Philadelphia and is waiting for another 100 books to be delivered.
Jeannine has also added two more titles to the project which she hopes will give practical help to people fighting racism – Building a Movement to End the New Jim Crow by Daniel Hunter and Emergent Strategy by Adrienne Maree Brown.
Jeannine said before the protests these books were gathering dust (Picture: Jeannine Cook / SWNS.COM)
‘Our bookshop is named after Harriet Tubman and it made perfect sense to highlight the work she’s done on this planet,’ said Jeannine.
‘The blueprint for a lot of the things we want to do has already been laid.
‘Harriet is a great example of how to be strategic, how to galvanise, and how to be an organiser.
‘I don’t know anyone in history who is more iconic. Malcolm X was doing the same work around police brutality.
‘After George Floyd’s killing, I went back to that donor and said I know how we can use that money.’
Jeannine has added a few more books to her giveaway (Picture: Jeannine Cook / SWNS.COM)
The donor supported the idea and soon Jeannine was flooded with other donations to help her give out free books on black history.
She added: ‘It just bubbled, people kept shooting money to our Venmo.
‘We wanted to give out books that it’s really important for communities to read together.
‘We hold books up so that people know they are available. Anyone can take one.’
A lot of anti-racism books have been selling out online (Picture: Jeannine Cook / SWNS.COM)
Harriett’s Bookshop opened in February this year and had to close weeks later due to the coronavirus outbreak.
With people now also buying other texts from her shop, business is now doing better.
Jeannine continued: ‘When we first opened in February, those books were sitting on our shelves collecting dust.
‘It’s amazing to see how much we can change in a short period of time. In terms of business, we have sold more books which means we get to stay open.
‘An overwhelming number of people are buying White Fragility, Me and White Supremacy and How To Be An Antiracist.’
She decided to give the books away after a person donated $100 to her bookshop (Picture: Jeannine Cook / SWNS.COM)
Jeannine laments that it took something so drastic for people to open their eyes to injustice.
‘I don’t want a man to have to die for us to realise that we have to work on ourselves.
‘In our country, our constitution is supposed to provide equal protection under the law right now we don’t have that.
‘Police officers have special rights and special privileges.
‘That’s a specific thing that needs to be changed and it has to be changed in my lifetime.’
Wioleta Kelly wanted to transform her kids’ nursery into something special.
The crafty mum created an incredible mural of woodland animals but instead of drawing them freehand, she beamed the image from a laptop onto the wall with a projector and used a permanent marker to trace around them.
The simple trick meant she could expertly draw the characters in a perfect pattern for twins Zoe and Max.
Posting in the Mrs Hinch Made Me Do It Facebook group, Wioleta, who works as an interior designer for Abbeyfeale Interior Design, explained: ‘Lockdown made me do it! One wall in our twins’ nursery was very bare looking, so by using a projector and a few permanent markers I painted a mural.’
The finished design (Picture: Wioleta Kelly)
Starting off (Picture: Wioleta Kelly)
She also shared it on her Instagram account, where she has over 14,000 followers
To finish off the budget room makeover, she made a chalkboard using spray paint and a growth chart using leftover timber she found in the attic.
She added accessories to finish the look (Picture: Wioleta Kelly)
And made her own chalkboard for them to draw on (Picture: Wioleta Kelly)
To create the mural, she found a pattern online, put it onto the wall and spent a few evenings tracing it with ordinary markers.
Once she finished the top of the wall, she lined the pattern up at the bottom so it the design covered the whole wall.
Other people loved the idea but praised her patience.
One said: ‘Wow that looks brilliant, mind you must have a lot of patience and a steady hand. Beautiful nursery for your beautiful babies.’
Another added: ‘Absolutely beautiful you must have the patience of a saint.’
Cassie Tomesek says going for a minimalist lifestyle has changed her outlook (Picture: PA Real Life)
A stay-at-home mum who swapped mindless shopping for a minimalist lifestyle is teaching people how to clear their cupboards and declutter their minds after getting rid of her excess stuff changed her life.
Constantly buying things she didn’t need, Cassie Tomesek, 34, changed everything in 2017 when she read a French book called L’art de la Simplicité, meaning The Book of Simplicity, by Dominique Loreau – which advocates a ‘no frills’ existence.
She went through her entire home, getting rid of anything that didn’t serve a purpose or spark joy, reorganised, and adopted zero waste practices to live a simpler life.
The mum-of-two says making these changes reduced her anxiety and encourages everyone to do the same thing.
Cassie, who lives in Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia, with her husband Thomas, 39, who works for the department of education, and their children, Lucas, three, and Aksel, one, said: ‘I used to suffer with social anxiety.
‘But, since I started living a more minimal life, my anxiety has eased off. I think the saying, “Tidy house, tidy mind” is very true.
‘I’d shop to make myself feel better, as if I was trying to fill a hole.
‘Going shopping was my guilty pleasure. I used to do it all the time and I wasn’t mindful about what I was buying.
‘In some ways, I was shopping to “keep up with the Joneses”. I’d see someone who seemed happy and successful and I’d think, “If I buy this, I’ll be happier and more successful like them,” but that just wasn’t the case.
Cassie now teaches people how to declutter and organise (Picture: PA Real Life)
‘I started to resent how much stuff I had and how much of my day it took to clean and organise it all – creating extra chores that ate into my day.
‘I started feeling overwhelmed by all the stuff I owned, like I was being suffocated by meaningless things.’
After reading the book, Cassie got rid of all the ornaments and excess furniture in her home, chuking out the TV unit, coffee table, and any ‘bits and pieces that were lying around collecting dust’.
It took her three garage sales to shift her unwanted items.
Further inspiration came in 2019, when she watched the Netflix series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, which helped Cassie realise she, too, could help others to embrace minimalism.
She launched her own website last year to share tips and tricks to help people get more organised, clear their homes of clutter, and see all sorts of mental benefits.
Cassie's decluttering week challenge
An easy way to start your decluttering journey? Just take it a day at a time.
Monday: Declutter five items from your kitchen
Tuesday: Declutter five items from your laundry or linen
Wednesday: Declutter five items from your living room
Thursday: Declutter five items from your office or garage
Friday: Declutter five items from your bedroom
Saturday: Declutter five items from your bathroom
Sunday: Declutter five items from your garden or shed
‘I wanted to show other people that you don’t need possessions to be happy,’ she said. ‘You can choose what makes you happy. It’s not about accumulating stuff.
‘I share advice and ideas for how to live less materialistically, as well as advice and templates that people can follow to get more organised.
‘And I run a declutter scavenger hunt which people can follow . On the first day it involves decluttering out-of-date medicine, day two is out-of-date make up and day three is out-of-date cleaning products, and so on.
‘It’s about gradually, little by little, getting rid of the bits you don’t need.’
Now training to be a life coach, Cassie hopes to qualify in 2021 and then plans to incorporate her minimalist approach when helping her clients.
Not only is Cassie now far less materialistic, personally, but by cutting back, she hopes her zero waste principles will help the planet.
‘I decided I wanted to become more mindful about mine and my family’s way of life so, gradually, little by little, we became more and more zero waste,’ the mum said.
‘I started using reusable coffee cups and I swapped plastic shopping bags for reusable bags.
‘Then I started using shampoo bars instead of bottles of shampoo and shopping at wholefood shops, where you can buy food in bulk and take it home in reusable containers.
‘I use reusable nappies and reusable baby wipes, that you can just wash and use again, too.
Cassie now has less clothes than her husband (Picture: PA Real Life)
‘And, nowadays, I try to only buy clothes for myself or my family from second-hand shops, or from sustainable brands.’
Cassie has also overhauled what she eats and, in 2017, started following a plant-based diet – which is made easier by her ever-expanding fruit and vegetable patch.
Although she is not living quite zero waste yet, Cassie hopes to one day.
She’s sharing her lifestyle as part of her mission to inspire others to improve their wellbeing and adopt a more minimal, zero waste way of doing things.
‘I want to show others that’s what is most important is our health and mental health and if you have a more organised life you have a clearer mindset to focus more on your wellbeing,’ says Cassie.
‘I don’t have the perfect home and I’m constantly trying to evolve and declutter – it’s an ongoing process.
‘Sometimes things are needed now, but not in the future so it’s ongoing.
‘People need to take each day little by little – it’s not about perfection it’s about progress.
‘Even for me, it’s a work in progress. But even the tiniest changes can make the biggest difference.’
Looking for something to spend some money on? Try these brilliant brands (Picture: Jamii)
If you’re looking for a way to support the Black community that goes beyond hashtags and Instagram posts, buying from Black-owned businesses is a great place to start.
From beauty products to home furnishings, to clothes and kid’s toys – Black British entrepreneurs are producing stunning products that often go under the radar.
Khalia Ismain if the founder Jamii, a discount card and discovery platform that makes it easy to find and shop at the best of independent black-owned businesses in the UK.
She says it’s now more important than ever to support Black-owned business, both by spending money and spreading awareness. Khalia says supporting Black-owned business is a fantastic way to strenghten local communities.
‘It means more jobs,’ says Khalia. ‘Black-owned businesses are more likely to hire from the community, which counteracts a lot of the issues faced by black people when applying for jobs and at work.
‘They celebrate black culture and serve the community. Many black entrepreneurs are inspired by their own culture and some are created to bring access to services specific to the community’s needs.’
She says that supporting Black business also holds other companies accountable.
‘Many large businesses are vocal in their support of minorities, but don’t follow this up with action,’ she explains. ‘Choosing Black-owned businesses means voting with your pounds – empowering them to deliver the world you want to live in, while holding others to account.’
Here are Khalia’s 12 picks of Black-owned businesses that you should start supporting right now:
Kind and effective on Afro hair (Picture: Innocent Haircare)
High-quality handmade Afro haircare with a focus on sustainability, their products are made from natural, organic ingredients from UK-based suppliers and packaged in recycled glass.
Purpose-led sportswear brand that specialises in fitness and ath-leisure wear. Launched by founder Mark to tackle the lack of diverse representation in fitness, Y-Fit caters for men and women.
Colourful nursery accessories inspired by African culture, Muffin Sisters was created with the simple aim of maintaining heritage for the next generation.
They want to bring joy, happiness, and inspiration to babies and families by providing them with unique products inspired by Africa.
This bread is famous for a reason (Picture: Sam Barnes Photography)
Well-known all over north London and beyond, the Tottenham-based Ghanaian bakery has earned a reputation for its homemade sweet and savoury treats.
Opening its doors in 1995, Uncle John’s Bakery has grown to become a household name among London’s Afro-Caribbean community and has recently introduced an online ordering system for those of us out of the area.
Grapefruit and caramel tobacco – yum (Picture: Mr Blackman’s)
Mr Blackman’s is on a mission to make hassle-free, earth-conscious products for men who want to look good. Targeting the lack of products aimed at men with Afro hair, Mr Blackman’s has produced a beard grooming range that’s good for the environment, free from harmful chemicals, and treats every beard equally.
Greetings cards and accessories inspired by Black British culture, Kitsch Noir is a range of quirky, fun and contemporary products championing the voice of the underrepresented.
Formulated for Black hair (Picture: Aaron Wallace)
Non-toxic hair and skincare for black men, By Aaron Wallace was founded by former barber Aaron to solve many of the challenges faced when it comes to afro hair. The range is enriched with black seed oil and mango butter, and inspires black men to be the best they can be.
Light up your life with this new lamp (Picture: Bespoke Binny)
Bespoke Binny is a British-based brand creating homeware and gift items made from West African cloth. The range includes pillows, lampshades, aprons, oven gloves, table runners and card holders.
The new voice of modern and luxury fashion, their outerwear range is a decided shift away from standard greys and navies, introducing the strong injection of colour that’s been missing from menswear.
Meanwhile, their women’s wear is produced with style and elegance in mind, creating flattering silhouettes and statement looks.
Do you have a story to share? We want to hear from you.
For the last three years, Michael Collins, 33, and his eight-year-old cat Sox have stuck to an important daily ritual.
Every morning as Michael leaves the house to go to work, Sox will sit in the window and wave goodbye.
The cat even waves to other people who leave the house and at passersby on the street.
Michael, from Halifax, says: ‘Sox normally sits there in the morning when I go to work.
Sox has been waving goodbye to Michael every day for the last three years (Picture: Jam Press)
‘One morning when I left home I waved at Sox and he kind of pawed at the window.
‘Then the day after that it became more of a waving motion.
‘Sox has been waving at people for three years.’
While this ritual has been going for quite some time, Michael decided to share video clips of Sox saying farewell now to bring some cheer to people’s days.
What a sweet cat (Picture: Jam Press)
‘I decided to take a video of him and post it on Twitter as social media is getting a little depressing nowadays, so I wanted to put a post to cheer everyone up,’ he explains.
‘Sox generally waves at just me and my parents, he waves at others but we live above a road so people don’t really walk past the house.
‘If he sees other cats he will tap on the window.’
Do you have a cat with an equally unusual habit? Get in touch to tell us all about them by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
Share your cat pics in the comments section below.
Ready to shed a tear? Just watch this video, which captures the moment a puppy and cat duo say goodbye after the dog is finally adopted.
Cheerio the cat and Elvis the Staffordshire bull terrier have been best pals since the puppy was born back in March.
Owner Corrinne Minnard, 56, says the pair have been inseparable, constantly following each other around the house and cuddling up to snooze together.
Elvis was part of a litter of eight other pups, who all got adopted speedily – leaving Elvis all alone, which only made Elvis and Cheerio’s bond stronger.
Cheerio and Elvis formed a fast bond (Picture: Corrinne Minnard / SWNS.COM)
Now, after ten weeks together, Elvis has finally found a forever home, and this week was taken away by his new owners.
Before he headed off, Elvis and Cheerio had one last cuddle to say farewell – a moment Corrinne knew she needed to capture on camera.
Corrinne, a part-time dog breeder and university counsellor, from Palo Cedro, in Shasta County, California, said: ‘Cheerio and Elvis were loving and playful together.
The pair said goodbye with one last cuddle (Picture: Corrinne Minnard / SWNS.COM)
‘Cheerio would even be quite flirtatious at times, like any cat. Cheerio has been here since she was pretty young, so she’s always been used to our dogs.
‘It’s so funny because she just wants to be like the dogs, even though she is definitely the boss in the relationship!’
Elvis moved to his forever home on Sunday, while two-year-old rescue cat Cheerio will stay with Corrinne.
The pair may be apart now, but we’re sure Elvis will always be thankful for Cheerio’s friendship when he was all alone.
Willow and the lilies she played with (Picture: Lindsey Warnock)
A cat-owner is warning others to be careful with flowers in their homes after her beloved pet nearly died because she played with some lilies on her desk.
Lindsey Warnock posted about how her pet Willow was playing with some lilies in her office and initially, she was just worried about the pollen stain on her front.
After shooing her away, Lindsey turned to google and was shocked when she realised that lilies can be incredibly poisonous for cats.
She explained: ‘She didn’t eat anything. She only batted at them and got the pollen all over her before I shooed her away. We laughed initially but thank God something in my head told me to google it.
‘I read, “All parts of the lily – including the stem, leaves, petals, stamens and pollen – are poisonous to cats. Even minor exposures (cat chewing on a leaf or getting pollen on his or her haircoat or whiskers) can be fatal.”‘
She went on to read that cats typically do not survive, even with dialysis.
Willow the cat with the pollen stain on her chest (Picture: Lindsey Warnock)
She immediately threw the cat in the shower to try to wash off the pollen and then rushed her to Blue Pearl Emergency & Specialty Hospital in Georgia, U.S.
Lindsey added: ‘Due to covid, they came and took her from my car and after her exam the ER doctor called me. She said her prognosis was very poor because they found the pollen around her mouth and on her tongue.
‘She even said, “in my experience I’ve never seen a cat survive lily poisoning. Most owners only realize there’s an issue when the cat is sick and by that point it’s just too late”‘
Lindsey said she started crying hysterically as the vet said that luckily, she had sought treatment quickly, but realistically, Willow might not survive the night.
They made the cat vomit, gave her activated charcoal and aggressively treated her with fluid therapy and other medication.
The flowers she had on her desk (Picture: Lindsey Warnock)
Amazingly, Willow pulled through after two days of treatment.
Lindsey added: ‘We will go for a recheck soon but her doctors are confident her organs didn’t suffer any long term damage from the poisoning.’
What should you do if you cat comes into contact with lily pollen?
According to Vets4Pets, lilies are extremely harmful for cats and even cleaning the pollen from their fur can be enough to send cats into critical illness.
Signs of lily toxicity can occur within two hours of ingestion, and start with gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting, loss of appetite and drooling. Cats that have eaten lily are quickly lethargic and depressed and may seem very unwell.
Vomiting may subside after a few hours in some cases, but the other signs continue, and within 72 hours affected cats develop acute kidney failure.
Cats may urinate more at first, and have abdominal pain, a change in thirst, weakness, and seizures. In very severe acute kidney failure urination may stop altogether.
If you notice your cat has come into contact with a lily or has possibly eaten some, you should take your cat to the vet immediately, bringing the plant with you, if possible, to show the vet.
Ideally, treatment needs to be started within six hours of the cat eating the lily.
There is no antidote to lily poisoning but the vet will induce vomiting and reduce further absorption by feeding activated charcoal if only a short time has elapsed since your cat ate the lily.
Aggressive fluid therapy with a drip, anti-nausea medication, kidney function blood tests, and close monitoring of blood pressure and urine output may all be part of your pets supportive care plan.
Cats often require several days of hospitalisation, care and monitoring at the vets to reduce the long-term impact on kidney function and clear the body of the toxins.
Vets4Pets advises: ‘Even with prompt veterinary attention there is sadly no guarantee that a cat with lily poisoning will survive. Those seen more than 18 hours after the initial ingestion have a very poor prognosis, but even early, aggressive treatment can still result in death, and surviving cats often have permanent kidney damage.’
She said she wanted to speak out to warn other cat owners as she had never heard about the dangers before.
‘I can’t tell you the intense guilt I felt and still feel for buying those stupid flowers,’ she said.
‘I felt like a murderer, terrible fur mom, terrible person. I’ve had cats my entire life and have never heard of lily poisoning.
‘The vets response to that was “most people only find out the hard way” The doctors, technicians and staff at Blue Pearl really are the best! They saved our baby.
‘Please SHARE this with your friends. I would hate to see anyone go through this!! Thank you all for your support during that gut-wrenching 2 days. We’re thankful our girl is back home! No. More. Flowers. Ever.’
Chantelle’s legs were swollen two weeks after childbirth and she lost feeling in them (Picture: Chantelle Mathews/SWNS)
Mum Chantelle Matthews, 29, collapsed at home due to a postpartum haemorrhage just days after giving birth to her son Rory.
Her family was told to ‘prepare for the worst’ as doctors worked tirelessly to save the young mother, whose legs had filled with life-threatening blood clots.
The mum-of-two lost all feeling in both of her legs – which swelled up to triple their normal size.
Support worker Chantelle, from Plymouth, was left fighting for her life for another ten days in hospital and needed three operations to cut out the clots.
The postpartum bleed is likely to have been caused following a traumatically quick labour with Rory, and doctors warned Chantelle not to have any more children.
She had returned home the same day but developed a pain in her right side under her ribs a week after giving birth.
After almost two weeks of the pain getting worse, Chantelle called her doctor, who said her symptoms could be due to an infection.
But minutes later the young mum collapsed on the bathroom floor in front of her six-year-old daughter Esme.
Chantellle was sent home on the day she gave birth (Picture: Chantelle Mathews/SWNS)
‘It didn’t hit me how poorly I was until I woke up in intensive care with the tube down my throat and then I couldn’t breathe as they took it out,’ said Chantelle.
‘My vision went completely, I was cold and sweating and I was in agonising pain in my back.
‘At this point, I was white as a ghost, shivering cold, I’d lost all feeling in both of my legs and they had swelled up to triple their normal size.
‘I couldn’t have any visitors but my partner dropped off some things for me including Rory’s baby grow that we had brought him home in.’
Chantelle’s blood pressure was dangerously low and the mum was slipping in and out of consciousness as the ambulance rushed her to Derriford Hospital A&E.
Due to social distancing rules, her family was not able to go with her in the ambulance.
Doctors diagnosed a postpartum haemorrhage, resulting in a bleed in her abdomen and blood clots filling her legs.
She haemorrhaged two weeks after giving birth (Picture: Chantelle Mathews/SWNS)
Chantelle was rushed into surgery twice over the next 24 hours where doctors removed most of the blood clots in her legs and inserted an inferior vena cava filter into her chest to catch any further developing clots.
She next woke up in the intensive care unit attached to a ventilator in the evening of her eldest daughter Esme’s birthday.
Blood clots had formed in Chantelle’s legs (Picture: Chantelle Mathews/SWNS)
Chantelle spent the next three days in intensive care unable to move, enduring yet another operation to remove blood clots.
After a negative test for Covid-19, she finally returned home to her family on 16 May.
She said: ‘I wasn’t allowed any visitors at all. It broke my heart being in there away from my newborn baby.
‘The nurses all helped me get through the toughest time of my life.
‘They helped me to express my breast milk, brushed my hair, washed me and sat with me while I sobbed because I was away from my newborn.’
Chantelle was unconscious in hospital during the day of her daughter’s seventh birthday (Picture: Chantelle Mathews/SWNS)
The mum says she is now experiencing depression and anxiety over what’s happened in the last month.
‘I’m now currently suffering very badly with anxiety and depression due to what happened to me but I’m just pleased to be alive and finally home with my family,’ said Chantelle.
‘I am sharing my story now to raise awareness of blood clots after birth and also to thank the nurses that helped me.
‘It’s been an eventful six weeks in lockdown with Rory and it’s so hard not being able to have family around to help whilst I’m recovering.
‘I honestly couldn’t be any prouder of my partner and my daughter for coping the way they have, especially Esme who has been so helpful even though I missed her birthday.’
The main pull of the platform is being able to choose your own content and hours (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
Technology has changed the way we do a lot of things, with sex work being one of the industries that’s seen some of the biggest shifts.
Where in the past people would have to contact producers, directors, and agents before getting started – with them taking profits and calling the shots as a result – it’s not possible to make sex work for you.
One of the platforms that’s exploded in recent years is OnlyFans, a London-based firm that’s similar to Patreon, allowing content creators to charge a monthly fee that allows customers to see pictures and videos.
With OnlyFans comes the added benefit of freedom, with creators choosing what they post and when, giving the platform 20% of profits and keeping the rest. But, it’s often touted as something of a get-rich-quick scheme.
With claims from the company that they’ve paid out $725 million to its 450,000 content creators, and celebrities including Megan Barton-Hanson, Blac Chyna, and Tana Mongeau registered to the subscription service, it’s easy to see why it’s an attractive option.
Like any form of work, though, you get what you put in, as evidenced by those who use OnlyFans to sell photos.
Only your subscribers can see what you post (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
How much can you make on OnlyFans?
Subscriptions to an OnlyFans account start from $5 and move their way up to $25 a month. Although there’s no cap on what you make, it does vary a lot between smaller and larger creators, so it’s important to be realistic.
Kieron Raves started his account with an ex-partner over a year ago. Initially, it was a way for the couple to keep themselves entertained, but he’s now gone solo.
He tells Metro.co.uk: ‘We didn’t make much in the early days, a couple of hundred a month, and I’ve found that since I’ve gone solo more people have been interested, interestingly enough…
‘I’ve taken a backseat to promoting as it’s been nice to keep it niche and really engage with a smaller number of followers in a more intimate setting, so only a few hundred a month, depending on tips and requests etc.’
Erin, who started her account in October last year, made around $900 (£707) in her first month, but says: ‘Each month is different though, it isn’t a set income and you get out what you put in.
‘I’ve had days where I’ve earned nothing and other days where I’ve earned $500 (£393).’
She continues: ‘Now I make more than double of what I did in the beginning and I’m not even one of the big accounts!’
On the other side of things is Jenny Mosienko, a Pink Kiss Model who started her account two months ago. She makes £30,000 a month from her subscribers – but also started off on a basis of 1.3 million followers on Instagram.
Different creators have different niches, so some will cater to fetishes while others will post solely lingerie shots (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
What kind of content do you post to OnlyFans?
OnlyFans is primarily for adult content, but there are a number of creators who use it for different reasons.
Some food and fitness influencers share premium recipes and workouts to their paying subscribers.
You have absolute choice over what you post but, as mentioned, you’ll likely get requests from subscribers for specific things. Although you might make extra money from these requests, only ever do what you feel comfortable with.
The creators we spoke to all post pornographic content, and this does make up the vast majority of the content of the platform. You do have to consider that, if that’s what you want to do, it is sex work, and comes with many of the same issues that you’d find throughout the adult industry.
Jenny, for example, says: ‘People will always ask for more, but will never be satisfied. I’m not a porn star and don’t post full nudes – there will always be comments asking for them but I make sure to only post what I’m comfortable with.’
Before you get into things, perhaps write a list of absolute ‘no’ content, and this can act as your benchmark for what you’re happy to do. From there, it’s just about your own creativity and imagination.
Create content you love and feel comfortable with (Picture: Ella Byworth)
How do you create a following on OnlyFans?
For established adult performers, the fans you have already can be translated onto OnlyFans.
However, all of the creators we spoke to said that the main way they found their loyal subscriber base was through interaction and finding a niche.
Kieron says: ‘My vibe is the Ultimate Boy Next Door, so I have an athletic/rave-inspired appeal; think lots of gym-wear, a cocky nature, chiselers body, that kind of thing.’
As he mentioned, he keeps it specific to a small number of followers, as he says that for him it’s more about expressing his sexuality and finding ‘[his] own little community, now so more than ever’.
Honey Gold, an award-winning pornstar who posts content on OnlyFans said: ‘It takes no time at all to find out exactly what your fans want, making it easy to provide them with the best content and keep them on-board as subscribers…
‘It’s really important to interact with your fans too – a lot of your subscribers will be paying for this reason alone. By doing this you can find out exactly what content to put out and build a really dedicated fanbase as you go.’
Jenny echoes this, saying: ‘I make sure to answer any message I get from a fan and to always communicate in a friendly manner. Around 40% of my income comes from private message tips, so it’s definitely important to show your appreciation!
Your main aim should be to build relationships with your fans that will last a long time. This way they will continue to subscribe and you will be rewarded with a loyal fanbase.’
You will likely get requests and messages from your fans (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
How often do you need to post on OnlyFans?
There are no specific guidelines about how often you need to post, but those who we spoke to suggested that regular and varied posts keep subscribers paying for your channel.
‘I’ve got all kinds of solo videos and a hefty amount of full length (15min+) videos of myself with other people through consensual filming; shower scenes, locker room stuff, the whole portfolio,’ said Kieron.
He also keeps things updated with photos, fitness tips, and even mental health tips for his fans.
The work you put into OnlyFans won’t just be taking photos, either, so take that into account.
Erin says: ‘The best advice I can give to those wanting to create an OnlyFans is to be active. I post every day on my page and I spend the rest of my time creating new content, replying to subscribers, promoting on Twitter/Instagram.
‘It isn’t as easy as people think and it is important to keep your expectations low, especially if you don’t already have a following on social media. It takes a lot of promotion and work to make people want to subscribe to you when there are so many accounts out there.’
‘You are free to post exactly what you like, when you like – it feels great to take advantage of this and really work for yourself,’ says Honey. But remember, like being self employed in any industry, if you don’t put the time in you won’t make the big money.
We have to stress that even if you see people on social media raking in cash from OnlyFans, different markets have different levels of interest, and it should still be treated like you would a business that you have to work at to be rewarded.
Anyone can join, but you have to be prepared to make it work and assess whether it’s right for you (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
What about privacy and leaks on OnlyFans?
After an OnlyFans leak came to the attention of journalists last year, the spotlight has been on the platform to prioritise the privacy of their members.
If you try to take a screenshot with an iOS or Android device it will show a black screen rather than allowing you to save the picture, and you can be banned from OnlyFans if you’re caught trying to take recordings or screenshots.
A statement on the website reads: ‘OnlyFans takes content piracy very seriously and has a designated DMCA team that issue formal takedown notices against all reported copyright violations,” the site states.
‘Our DMCA team issue notice on all illicit target websites, hosting services and domain registrars, whilst also notifying all major search engines of these infringements.’
That doesn’t mean there won’t ever be leaks, though. If this happened it is not remotely your fault, but it’s good to have an awareness that any form of sex work unfortunately comes with the risk of detection.
Erin says: ‘Be aware of what you’re getting into, this is a form of sex work and you will face judgment due to the stigma surrounding that – your content will be out there forever and people will find out about it.’
If that’s not something you can cope with, it’s best to steer clear.
Sex work is work (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
OnlyFans creator top tips
Erin
‘This isn’t for everyone and isn’t a get rich quick scheme but if you do decide to do it work hard, network and deliver the best content possible.’
Honey
‘Unlike the porn industry, and quite a few cam sites, on OnlyFans the performer holds all the power. As a platform, it allows you to be truly flexible and reap the benefits of your income.
One thing I will say about interacting with fans though – don’t let them pressure you into posting anything you don’t want to post. OnlyFans should be a platform on which to feel liberated; not controlled.’
Jenny
‘Always be yourself! People like you for who YOU are and the content YOU want to post – otherwise they wouldn’t be subscribed. Don’t try to change yourself for the sake of the fans, just do what makes you happy.’
Kieron
‘Be prepared to put in work; it’s rarely an overnight success, and if you want to keep any part of it reserved or exclusive, don’t expect massive cheques in the morning.
‘I know a lot of people see it as a career move and I think that’s fantastic; all these girls out here making bank is phenomenal. I think the market for gay lads is harder, and it’s rubbish to see these straight boys posting 15-second videos and cashing in on queerbaiting.
‘But, at the end of it, I think it’s better to do it because you love it. The content will be more authentic, and that translates through to your fans. That’s why they keep coming back.’
Let’s circle back (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
In the time of coronavirus, while you’re reading our curated content on Metro.co.uk, we thought we’d reach out to circle back to discuss the words people are begging you to stop using.
Which bit of that opening line annoyed you the most?
If you found yourself shaking with irritation throughout, you’re not the only one. That particular sentence ticks off quite a few of the phrases on The Buzzsaw’s list of the worst buzzwords of 2020.
The Buzzsaw, an online tool that strips out buzzwords from press releases, speeches, and blog posts, has revealed the top 15 most annoying bits of jargon submitted by editors and correspondents in 2020.
Yes, there are some obviously irritating phrases – everyone hates it when a coworker offers to ‘circle back’, surely – but unfortunately there are also terms on the list many of us are guilty of using.
Here’s the full list of the top 15, along with withering comments from judges.
The worst buzzwords of 2020:
Curated – ‘A word that has been brutalised by Hipster culture. Google practically anything – potatoes, burgers, you name it – and there’ll be a curated list somewhere in the world. To make it worse, lists are often ‘carefully curated’, which is tautologous.’
Content – ‘Second only to the vacuum of space as the emptiest thing in the universe. It’s like calling literature or journalism “words”. It’s the high watermark in the commoditisation of writing.’
Disambiguate – ‘A word that rather cleverly obscures the thing it seeks to clarify. Like spraying mud on windows to clean them.”
Human Capital – ‘The latest in the personnel department’s march towards balance sheet.’
The new normal – ‘Unfortunately it is catching on. I get hundreds of emails a week that reference this phrase.”
In the time of Covid – ‘Gabriel Garcia Marquez it ain’t’
Reach out – ‘My standard response is “back off”.’
Circle back – ‘Sigh. Incoming Halley’s Comet press release.’
Ideation – ‘A bold attempt to make a bad idea sound better than it is by diverting our attention.’
Bake (as a noun) – ‘Please stop using this as a noun. It is a loaf or a cake. It is not a bake.’
Fake news – An oxymoron of such heft that only a moron could coin it. Unfortunately it has caught on.”
Mainstream media – ‘A tedious blamefest, thinly disguising a lack of ability to debate properly.’
We remain cautious – ‘On a quarterly basis, listed companies invite their advisors to visit them and help them draft their financial results statement, including the outlook statement. These three opaque words are the most overused and expensive a company will ever buy.’
Going forward – ‘I long for the day someone writes “going backward”.’
Solutions – ‘Long-time Hall of Shame member, best exemplified by the sticker company that describes itself as “a global leader in adhesive labelling solutions”.’
Ohter ‘dishonourable mentions’ include ‘prepone’, ‘preneur’, and ‘awesome’.
