Fitness fans have had to be extremely adaptable during lockdown. No gyms, no classes, no group training – the way we work out has changed drastically over the last few months.

While plenty of us are chomping at the bit to get back in the gym – it also looks like we are going to be sticking to some of our new fitness habits, even when lockdown ends.

Reebok health experts have predicted the top fitness trends that are going to be all the rage post lockdown.

So read up and get prepared for the new normal of fitness – and decide which trends you’re going to jump on over the next few weeks.

Virtual training

Virtual workouts are perfect for getting sweat session without leaving your house – great for while gyms are still closed, and also for more flexible lifestyles in the future.

Virtual workouts allow you to exercise at anytime time of the day, which is a big benefit for people who work erratic hours, or have jammed schedules.

‘The majority of people have adapted smoothly to virtual training,’ says George Pearse, Personal Trainer at Fresh Fit London.

‘Armed with no more than a couple of dumbbells, perhaps a kettlebell and some bands, people have been enjoying new ways of training outside of the big lifts.’

Yoga for mental health

We’re all going to need to take good care of our mental health as we emerge into our new normal, and yoga is fantastic for that.

Yoga has long been renowned for it’s health benefits, increasing flexibility, strength and tone,’ so it’s no wonder it has become a staple for so many during lockdown.

‘Over the past few months, yoga has increased in popularity even more as people have had a massive shift in their working patterns and with more people working from home,’ comments Joe Mitton, Personal Trainer at MittFit.

‘People are spending an abundance of time sat behind a computer and yoga is the perfect remedy for stiffness and “tech neck”.’

Experts believe that we will come to rely on yoga more as we start to incorporate mental wellness into our fitness regimes.

‘Bodyweight training and running have been people’s favoured ways of training this past seven weeks, but yoga will continue to grow in popularity as people explore new, exciting methods of moving their bodies and calming their minds,’ says George Pearse, Personal Trainer at Fresh Fit London.

Group training

We’ve all been starved of human contact during lockdown, so it is unsurprising that we will flock to training in groups as soon as we get the chance

‘The lockdown has brought people together into fitness communities like never before and I think there will be a surge in people continuing with group training whether it be online or offline,’ says Joe Mitton Personal Trainer at MittFit.

With gyms and indoor group sessions closed, ‘personal training and boot camps in parks will see a big boom this year, as will small private studios and virtual one-to-one sessions,’ adds Keith McNiven.

Coping without gyms

People have been really keen to keep training, despite the gym being out of bounds.

People have a strong need to keep moving, even if it’s not in the same way they were doing before.

This raises interesting questions on the other side of lockdown – will people want to rush back to the gym floor?

Experts believe that the customer is going to be a bit more discerning on the other side.

‘People will miss the gym, but the fact that they are adjusting so well to having intense, effective workouts at home and outside will change the mindset for many,’ says Keith McNiven, personal trainer and founder of Right Path Fitness.

‘Plus, it will be a while before they feel safe in gyms again.’

Instagram Live fitness

For gym-goers who felt apprehensive at the idea of exercising in a large group class, live, online classes are an excellent way of building confidence in a more private environment. 

‘The rise of Instagram live sessions has seen the public exposed to a huge range of different options,’ says Personal Trainer George Pearse, at Fresh Fit London.

‘While you aren’t physically sweating side-by-side on the mats with other people, it doesn’t mean workout together is not possible in quarantine. Even streaming by yourself, you feel as though you’re working out with others.’

HIIT

High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) has been revealed as the most popular fitness trend during lockdown with a 58% global increase in online articles during lockdown. 

Joe Mitton, Personal Trainer at MittFit says; ‘Lots of people are seeing the benefits of HIIT workouts and the ease of doing them from home combined with the abundance of great trainers offering incredible daily workouts across the world.

‘The soar in popularity will continue post-lockdown now that people have seen the benefit and created the habits.’

Physiotherapist, Emma James reveals that ‘there has been a sharp increase in HIIT and cardio classes online.

‘There will be a shift in how people exercise moving forward in a positive way, as exercising virtually helps to break down the barriers and fears that some people have about exercising in front of others.’

Do you have a story to share? We want to hear from you.

Get in touch: metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk.

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Asda is bringing out a new range of gins that is sure to bring you a sense of nostalgia.

The new sweet shop inspired flavours include strawberry laces, cola cubes and rhubarb and custard to bring back memories of classic sweets from your childhood.

Part of the Extra Special range, they’re all available in store from today and cost £18 each for a 70cl bottle.

Each one has an alcohol volume of 40% so team it with tonic water or lemonade for a tasty summer drink to sip in the garden.

Marion Muir, Sprits Product Development Manager at Asda comments: ‘Novelty gins have become a summer essential for our customers who love to try innovative and wonderful flavours.

‘The new range has been created to ensure the gins are both delicious to drink yet also dazzling to look at, delivering popular flavours we know the nation loves, and at a great price point too.’

Back in 2019, the supermarket launched lemon sherbet, pear drop and parma violet gins so these new flavours fit the same theme.

It’s not the only new drink on the market as we head into summer.

Last week, Koppaberg announced a spiced cherry rum, which is available in a bottle to mix yourself, or in cans, already mixed with cola.

It’s also available from Asda from today and it’s currently on offer. Instead of the usual price of £20, it is reduced to £18 for a bottle.

The cans come in a pack of four and are on offer for £5 but will cost £6 once the promotion ends.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch at metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk.

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We’ve all been there – struggling to scrape out the remainder of the peanut butter or Nutella.

It just seems a damn shame to bin the stuff when there’s clearly spread left in the jar.

One TikTok that’s been going around recently has the perfect solution.

The trick involves lying the product flat and spinning it quickly a few times so the contents dredge up to the surface.

One user tried the hack with peanut butter, mayonnaise and salsa, and it worked every time.

You can try it too, no matter what the spread or condiment.

Give the bottle a spin a few times and watch as it rises to the surface, allowing you to scoop up the remainder.

The TikTok user showed that it works with jars which are nearly empty as well as those which are fuller.

And users couldn’t get enough. Some were shocked that a few simple spins could help get every morsel out while others vowed to try it.

One person commented: ‘It’s five in the morning and I’m spinning a jar of peanut butter on the floor… btw it worked.’

Another said: ‘Imagine asking for a sandwich and your friend starts doing this…amazing.

A third asked: ‘Does this work with Nutella?’ while someone else wrote: ‘This should be on Martha Stewart.’

TikTok is certainly a treasure trove for hacks.

Have you seen the one showing how to squeeze out all the lemon juice without making a mess?

Or how to fill a ice tray properly?

If you have a hack you want to share, email metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk to tell us more.

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With lockdown restrictions easing, days out are now a possibility, but you might have discovered that lots of public toilets are closed.

Some have had to close because of reduced staff, some are attached to buildings that are still shut and some are unable to keep up with extra cleaning.

But it means that people are being caught short when out and about.

To help, someone has launched Lockdown Loo – a map showing toilets that are open across the UK. It includes public toilets and those at pubs, restaurants, cafes and stations.

You can use the map to find toilets or if you know of one that isn’t on there, you can ask for it to be added.

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The website says: ‘This website is only as useful as the information we are supplied. If you know of toilets which are open – whether they are at pubs, stations, cafes or in a public park – please submit them.

‘We are also monitoring council updates and speaking to businesses.’

Each location has details of where it is when it is open and for some, how often it is being cleaned.

So next time you are heading out for a few hours and are worried about needing the loo, you can have a search for toilets around where you’re going just in case.

It’s not the only handy map someone has created for things that have suddenly become more important since lockdown was introduced.

There’s also a map showing where you can get a pint to takeaway, though if you’re going to use it for a socially distanced afternoon with friends, make sure you know where the nearest open loo is too.

You can browse the map on the Lockdown Loo website.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch at metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk.

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If you were a child in the 90s (or early 2000s), it’s likely one accessory would have been a key part of your hair-styling routine

We are, of course, talking about the humble butterfly clip.

Whether you preferred the minimal Britney Spears approach (with one on each side), or the scattered look worn by the Oslen twins – there was serious scope for styles with these little plastic beauties.

Now, almost two decades later, we are seeing a return of the small-but-mighty accessory.

Butterfly clips are having a revival, and we have news for you… they look just as good on adults.

Last week, ASOS shared a picture on its Instagram of model Nawel A. posing with an assortment of butterfly clips and some retro sunnies.

One follower commented: ‘This is a look. Thought about these clips the other day.’

Others were living for nostalgia.

Another added: ‘I loved these back in the day.’

While another replied: ‘They are back with a bang!!!!!’

Makeup artist @jennyysweetss is another individual showing how to make the clips work on Instagram.

She merges two major 90s trends into one, by placing butterfly clips into her space buns.

Dina, from Long Island, also shared a great styling technique for Afro hair. She scatters the clips so they hover on each bun.

Those looking to simply dip their toe in the trend can take style inspiration from lifestyle and fashion blogger @looksforlex.

She pairs two single clips with another key 2020 trend – tie dye – for a understated look.

Of course, butterfly clips are not the only 90s hair accessory to make a comeback over recent years.

Scrunchies and hairbands – commonly seen in primary school class photos – have made their way back onto the high street, too.

Do you have a beauty story to share?

Get in touch at MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk.

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The son of Rwandan genocide refugees is raising funds so he doesn’t have to give up on studying at Cambridge like his dad did a generation ago.

Dylan Kawende, 23, from West London, was delighted to be offered a chance to study law at the prestigious University.

However, his offer is based on securing the funds to pay for the tuition fees, accommodation and living expenses.

Dedicated student Dylan, a former Stephen Lawrence scholar, has an offer for the senior status (SSL) programme, which is a two-year conversion course – Cambridge’s equivalent of a GDL (a course for students who what to become lawyers but have an undergraduate degree in another subject).

Unlike with an undergraduate or master’s degree, you can’t use student finance for this type of course.

Unless he can provide financial guarantees to St Edmund’s College at Cambridge, Dylan’s offer will be withdrawn.

When his dad was younger, he had an offer to study at the university but had to turn it down due to not being able to raise the funds and Dylan doesn’t want to be in the same situation.

So far he has managed to raise £40,000 to pay for the tuition costs but his target is £60k to be able to afford accommodation and living costs.

Dylan tells Metro.co.uk how his parents escaped a hard life to make better opportunities for their children.

He said: ‘My parents together with my siblings fled from Shangugu (the western province of Rwanda) to Kigali (the capital of Rwanda) in April 1994 with the intention of escaping the country. They eventually sought refuge in the UK in December 1994.

‘From a young age, my parents inculcated in me the values of resilience and ambition. My father, who was offered a place at Cambridge University to read Electrical Engineering but did not have sufficient funds to accept the offer, fostered my intellectual appetite by encouraging me to read widely.

‘My mother – who lost many family members in the genocide – has always been a wellspring of inspiration, comfort, and love, in spite of all of the adversities she has faced.

‘I grew up in a low-income household on Harrow Road: a deprived part of inner-city London.’

Dylan has until next month to prove his financial guarantees – evidence that shows you have the necessary funds to afford living and studying at a university.

He wants to read law because he says he is excited by the lawyer’s capacity to be a steward for positive social change. 

Dylan also encourages greater diversity in the law sector.

‘In terms of representation at the bar, the legal profession could be a lot better,’ he says.

‘If the law is meant to help govern society in all of its diversity then it is important to have legal professionals who come from different backgrounds.’

As a young Black man, Dylan also hopes to use his experiences to make the journey to Oxbridge unis more accessible to other Black and ethnic minorities.

‘I hope to inspire more applications among underrepresented groups in higher education and the professions by highlighting some of the challenges we face and the corresponding countermeasures available to us.

‘There’s an urgent need for us to shape the conversation around, for example, Black history, hyphenated-identities, and the mythologies of former empires.’

You can donate to Dylan’s GoFundMe page online.

Do you have a story?

Email metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk to tell us more.

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A lesbian woman says she prayed for her gayness to go away over fears she would be rejected by her devout Catholic parents who believe homosexuality to be a sin.

Behavior and skills therapist, Megan Pulvermacher, 33, realised she was attracted to women in her early teens. However, growing up in a rural and deeply religious small town in Wisconsin, she hid her sexuality from her parents for 10 years, fearing they would treat her differently.

She had secret girlfriends at high school and at college in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she still lives, and planned to keep her sexual preference hidden indefinitely. But, seeing that she was suffering from heartbreak, her mom made her tell the truth at the age of 23.

Megan said: ‘I think I realized I was gay in middle school. I did not have crushes on boys, and I tried to have boyfriends but I never wanted to kiss them or anything.

‘I just did it to fit in because my family are devoted Catholics, but I had secret girlfriends in high school and had to deal with a lot of guilt because of that.

‘I was heavily involved in church and was brought up to believe that being homosexual would be a threat to family life. My parents taught me that having a same-sex partner would go against god’s plan.

‘My understanding growing up was that gay people are bad people and I believed that for a long time. I could never picture a world where I could actually come out to my parents.

‘I actually tried to pray my gay away and submitted confessions of my homosexuality to a priest because I believed I had sinned. My life would have been so much easier if I wasn’t gay.’

Megan is the eldest of two children to mom, Colleen, 60, and dad, Ed, 59, and has a brother, Mike, aged 25. As a child she grew up in Richland Center, Wisconsin, a small town renowned nationally as being deeply religious and populated by residents who follow Christianity and Catholic beliefs.

Throughout her childhood and into her teens Megan said she used to practice Catholicism and visit church regularly. As she learned more about the faith as she grew up, Megan recalls being led to believe homosexuality would lead to a depraved lifestyle and having a same sex partner would ‘defy God’s plan’.

It wasn’t until Megan began to acknowledge she had an attraction to women, aged in her teens, that she started to question her beliefs and the Catholic ideology surrounding homosexuality. But despite her own self-awareness of her true sexual orientation, Megan said she was terrified her parents would ‘disown’ her if they ever found out.

‘My family’s views on homosexuality are not good and that’s because of their religion’, said Megan.

‘I was terrified they’d disown me and for a long time I wanted my homosexuality to go away. I hoped it was just a phase, just to make my life easier.

‘I was scared they would reject me on an emotional and support level, I have always wanted my family to be proud of me.’

But Megan said she came to realize her attraction to women was not just a phase and, in fear of how her family would react, continued to engage in relationships in secret.

She tip-toed around her parents right up until the age of 23, when her now ex-girlfriend, who Megan dated for more than two years, ended the relationship because of Megan’s refusal to reveal her homosexuality to her parents. The upsetting break-up paved the way for Megan revealing all to her parents, after almost 10 years of secrecy.

Megan is now in a long distance relationship with Grace, 32, who lives in London and they’ve been together for 15 months. She spoke to Metro.co.uk for Pride Week to share her coming out story in a bid to encourage others to embrace their sexuality and be proud of who they are.

She said: ‘My ex asked me to pick between her or my family, and there was no way I was going to tell my parents, so our relationship ended. I was distraught, I wasn’t eating properly and it was obvious that something was wrong.

‘My mom picked up on my mood and just straight up asked me if I was in love with her. All I could do was apologize and I cried a lot, but my mom at first was very comforting.

‘My mom told my dad for me, but she said to me I may as well have slapped him in the face. He did not take it well at all. He could not wrap his head around it and told me he would pray for me.

‘Dad ignores the fact I am gay. It’s largely about them and they are more concerned about what people think of them and if people will think they failed as parents.

‘When I first came out I felt very guilty and felt bad because I’ve always wanted to make them happy.’

Megan, who no longer follows the Catholic religion, said she suffered emotional stress and guilt in the months after coming out. She said she still has the full support of her family, even if they do not agree with her relationships.

Megan recalls suffering emotional stress and a feeling of loneliness after revealing the truth to her family and said learning to concentrate on her own happiness helped her to overcome anxiety associated with what other people thought of her.

She said: ‘I am done with trying to make other people happy. I felt like I failed my parents as their child, but when I sat back and thought about it, I came to realize the only thing that mattered was my own happiness.

‘I figured out how to let go of my fears and always fact check what I do in life and if my happiness was based on fact rather than the beliefs of others, then I have nothing to worry about.

‘I am really happy now in my own self-acceptance. No one should be afraid of who they are and if I can overcome these challenges, then anyone can.’

In November 2019 I painted two hands forming a love heart. The left hand was based on a black person and the right was a white person, with the colour draining away into greys as the painting goes further down. 

My thought process was that when we remove colour, when we remove pigmentation, we are all grey underneath. We are the same, we are one human race. 

I’ve never disliked someone because they were a different colour, religion or background to me, but I’ve felt like there’s a narrative that white people should be worried when encountering certain types of people. I wanted to create a painting that provoked a question, an emotion, that challenged that perception.

The mural came to be after I was approached by a local charity called Diaspora Arts and Education, which uses art to fight racism. They asked me to create something on this theme, allocating me a wall in a subway in an area of Peterborough where there is a lot of racial tension.

I knew it well as my dad lived there in the 90s. On one occasion, I was held up in an alley and told I needed to have a passport for walking these streets as a white boy.

It wasn’t until I started secondary school that I fully understood racism and saw a clear divide between groups of people. As I got older, I started spending time with people I had previously been told I should be ‘concerned’ about, only to realise how wonderful they are.

There is good and bad in all colours and religions but my own experiences helped me see the truth. My mural has a message I truly believe in, based on the interactions I’ve had personally.

I was alone for most of the time when I was painting, though at one point I had groups of men on both sides of the subway watching me, speaking in languages I didn’t understand.

As I continued to work and as the piece grew, people of every colour began to engage with me, reacting positively. I had interesting conversations with strangers and finished the day electrified with good energy.

I shared the piece on Facebook and it was received really well and reached around 20,000 people. When I re-shared the image on Valentine’s day, with a message to love each other, it was just as popular.

Then a couple of weeks ago, I received an email from a lady in Minneapolis, Minnesota, who wanted to use this picture as her Facebook profile to reflect her and her family’s feelings around George Floyd’s death at a difficult time. 

I of course gave her my permission but I also wondered how a lady thousands of miles away had found this picture from Peterborough? We exchanged messages and she explained she had Googled ‘unity in races artwork’. It was great to hear as that was the concept I had been trying to put out there from the beginning.

A day or two later and I got a message from MC Whizzkid with a screenshot of ICE T tweeting my picture. 

I fully freaked out. I just stood there shaking with excitement that the legendary ICE T had shared my picture.

A lot of people thought I painted it in reaction to the Black Lives Matter movement but knowing that it was done last year, and is still relevant, has made what’s happened even more special.

People have asked me a lot about my new-found ‘fame’ as a result of the mural. I never did it for any other reason than to provoke a conversation that needed to be had, in which we come to understand that we are all the same beyond colour.

I’m just so pleased that something I did has made people think, and talk.

It’s been beautiful for me to engage with so many strangers in person and online about how this piece made them feel. It’s been an experience that money can’t buy and has inspired me to do more to help people.

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Fiona Rees, 50, husband Matt, 43, and 11-year-old son Dylan were gutted when Glastonbury was canecelled due to coronavirus.

They’ve attended five of the last six festivals but missed it last year because they couldn’t get tickets and went to the Isle of Wight instead.

The family was looking forward to being back in 2020 – the festival’s 50th year – but it wasn’t to be.

So instead they built their own festival in their garden – complete with Pyramid Stage, bar, camping area and even toilet tent – with the help of Fiona’s father, Colin Stent, 67.

Fiona, from Worcestershire, said: ‘Glastonbury is just magical. I have been to a lot of different festivals over the years and it just has a completely different feel about it. Everybody goes and they are just there to chill out and have a good time, and it has those vibes.

‘It’s the only place I would go on my own because you’d come back and you’d have made friends while you were there because someone would always scoop you up and look after you.’

This weekend when the festival would have been, they will be be joined for the weekend by family and two friends in their large garden. The experience even includes a specially built toilet tent, a kids’ field and an outdoor hot tub.

She said: ‘We will be having a few drinks and watching the streaming of previous years.

‘Being sat out there at night with the fire going, and watching it, it comes pretty close on the basis that we can’t go there.’

She said the festival was a special place for the family.

‘When we went a couple of years ago, Coldplay headlined,’ she said.

‘There were 100,000 people in a field with wristbands on. My son was seven and he just looked back at me and said, “Mum, this is the best day of my life”. The atmosphere was just immense.’

They will be attending next year as their tickets are guaranteed but for now they are excited for their makeshift event.

After posting pictures of their own festival on several Glastonbury Facebook groups, the images quickly went viral.

Mrs Rees said: ‘People have asked me if they can join us. I had someone last night practically begging me for a ticket.

‘I’ve printed off some tickets and I’ve laminated them. If you haven’t got a ticket you aren’t coming in!’

Do you have a story to tell?

Get in touch at metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk.

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Remember the people who are spending lockdown in their tiny houses?

Well, two tiny house residents have adapted to the COVID-19 climate by setting up their own ‘tiny hair salon’ for work.

Hairdresser Laura Snellgrove, from Hampshire, started work on the tiny salon when the UK went into lockdown in March.

She tells Metro.co.uk: ‘With hairdressing being a very close contact service it was clear in my mind that something needed to change when I could eventually get back to work.’

Being an asthmatic, Laura was worried about going back to work in a salon – where lots of people would be coming and going.

Instead, she and her partner Christian decided to build their own mobile version.

She adds: ‘We came up with the idea of creating my own personal salon in a van that will be fully equipped with a basin and reclining salon chair, so the whole salon experience can come to your door – no need to hang your head over the bath to wash your hair.’

When given the all-clear from the government, Laura plans to launch the mobile salon. She says its bespoke design will allow her to follow guidelines at all times.

Laura adds: ‘The unique nature of the business means I can adhere to a one-in-one-out policy for all my clients. Therefore keeping strict regulations on who is coming in and out of the salon and only seeing one household at a time before the salon is fully wiped down and cleaned.

‘I have all the necessary PPE to operate safely around my clients, including disposable gowns, aprons, gloves and towels. 

‘Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, I will need to use plastic gowns and aprons for the meantime. I will make the switch to reusable gowns and aprons once it is safe to do so and I have the budget to buy enough for one per client per week.’

Laura is truly pulling out all the stops to ensure personal and customer safety, too.

She adds: ‘I also have a digital thermometer that I will be using to test all my clients before they enter the salon. It will be an appointment-only system when booking so I can track and trace, if necessary.’

The space inside the van measures three metres long by two metres wide – which is big enough for Laura to stay distanced from customers when she isn’t cutting hair.

‘There will be space to keep our distance before and after the cutting process, for which both myself and the clients will be wearing masks at all times,’ she adds.

Laura hopes to be up and running by 4 July – the date hairdressers are expected to reopen.

Although, new guidelines have encouraged hairdressers to cut salon ‘small talk’ – which is something Laura will have to take into consideration.

‘I have never been one for making small talk or forcing conversation out of clients who like to have their haircut in peace. I generally like to sense if my client is in the mood for talking or not first,’ says Laura.

‘However, over the years, I have developed lovely friendships with my clients so would love to be able to catch up with them when I next see them.

‘It will be very difficult to avoid conversation altogether having not seen them in so long, but I will follow any guidelines that are put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19.’

The van still needs a little more work, but Laura is confident it’ll be ready for early July.

She adds: ‘I cannot wait to see all my wonderful clients again and meet some new people in my neighbourhood as well.’

Do you have a story to tell?

Get in touch at metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk.

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With Europe starting to ease its coronavirus lockdown measures, the question of summer holidays has once again reared its head.

Many popular destinations are now opening up to tourists – albeit with social distancing measures in place – as the summer holiday season approaches, although with restrictions on foreign travel and quarantines in place those trips abroad are still looking distinctly tricky.

One country which has opened up again is Spain – but does that mean you can still book a holiday there this summer and will you need to quarantine when you get there?

Here’s what you need to know…

Can you book a holiday to Spain?

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Technically yes you can, as Spain has ended its state of emergency and is now allowing entry to visitors from the European Union.

They have also said that UK visitors are welcome.

Spain’s foreign minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya told the BBC the country was doing this ‘out of respect for the 400,000 British citizens that have a second residence in Spain and are dying to benefit from their homes in our country.’

Visitors to Spain are set to face a ‘triple check’ on their origin, temperature and contact point in a bid to prevent a resurgence of the virus there.

However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you should be getting on the next plane out there – as the Foreign Office is currently advising against all but essential global travel.

So unless that changes in the near future, you may still need to consider your summer holiday options closer to home this year.

Do you need to quarantine when you visit Spain?

British citizens will not have to quarantine if they visit Spain this summer – but if you do go abroad you will have to self-isolate for two weeks when you return to the UK under current rules.

There has been talk of the country forming ‘air bridges’ with other nations that allow their citizens to move freely between the two countries without the need for quarantine – and Ms Laya Gonzalez has said Spain is hoping to form such an agreement with the UK.

‘We’re discussing with the UK authorities to see if they would do the same on their side,’ she said.

‘We do hope they (the UK Government) will be sensitive to the 250,000 Spaniards that are also living in the UK and would like to enter the UK without a quarantine.’

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Daisy Adams got on a bike for the first time at just seven months old.

Now two, she cycles up to 11 miles and doesn’t need stabilisers.

The young cyclist loves going out for long rides with parents Helen and Rob.

The trio head off from their home in Clifton, Bristol around the local area – with Daisy often taking the lead.

Her mum and dad are already thinking about her progress and have booked her into classes – usually reserved for children aged five and up.

And they’re not ruling out competitive cycling at a later stage – having already taken her to a session at a velodrome.

Helen, 33, said: ‘Her dad was a really big cyclist so we bought Daisy this cute toddler bike, which she still scoots around the house on every day.

‘We then got her a balance bike when she turned one, then a bigger balance bike when she was a bit bigger.

‘We got her a pedal bike when she was two and, within two months of practicing, she biked off on her way to the zoo.

‘She’s two years and nine months now. She can do around 11 miles unassisted and more if we tow her.’

They found out about her skills accidentally when they decided to just head out until she got tired.

Helen added: ‘We went into town and she just kept riding!

‘We’d usually try and go out two or three times a week but, during lockdown, we have been out almost every single day.

‘She could bike independently if there were no cars, but it’s just a safety thing.

‘We’re really lucky to have the cycle network in Bristol. We have loads of traffic-free cycling.

‘But it can be quite difficult actually. Cars and pedestrians – people aren’t looking for someone below their waist height.’

Helen said the public are regularly surprised when they see little Daisy zooming around – often mistaking her for an older child.

She said: ‘People stand and stare at her – she really is very small. She’s the bottom end of being a small two-year-old.

‘People stare and think: ‘Is she a really, really small four-year-old?’ because she’s biking away and chatting along.

‘When you tell them they go: “Wow! She’s doing so well.”

‘Generally she will dust herself off and pick her bike back up [if she falls].

‘Like all kids there’s a bit of crying, but she’s never said: “No, I’m not getting back on.”

‘We always try and get her straight back on. I’m a firm believer that the sooner you do something, it doesn’t become a thing in your mind.’

It could be in her blood as Daisy’s dad Rob, 44, a developer, was once a top amateur cyclist.

Helen said: ‘I would guess that if she keeps going like this she will probably race. We’re going to go with BMX club.

‘Bristol has a really good BMX club and they will let her go now – even though you officially start racing at five.

“She can do about 50% of the track.

‘We went to a velodrome too, but she just cycled on the flat bit in the middle.’

Helen and Rob have also raised an impressive sum for charity after a previous tragedy – with Daisy’s love of cycling aiding a good cause.

Helen said: ‘Daisy has an older sister, Lily, who died 45 minutes after birth. During lockdown she would ask to go and see her – she’s buried over in Arnos Vale Cemetery.

‘So we would bike there – and then thought that charities were really struggling for money.

‘Daisy rode 48.8 miles in nine days – she absolutely smashed it. We wanted to raise just over £450 but we’re actually at just over £3,000.

‘We’re raising money for Sands – the stillbirth and neo-natal death charity.’

You can donate here or follow Daisy on Twitter @biker_tiny.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch at metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk.

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Over the last few weeks it has felt as thought people are finally beginning to see the scale of racial inequality in the UK – and a hard hitting online exhibition is aiming to keep that conversation going.

I’m Not Your N***** is a virtual exhibition that showcases the attitudes of young Londoners – and delves into their lived experiences of racism.

The aim of the project is to encourage challenging conversations and uncomfortable discussions around race, inviting the public to think about their own identity and talk openly about how they experience inequality in their lives.

Sonny Inglis, one of the artists said: ‘None of my friends worry about what can or can’t be said, and racial terms are thrown around as insults and compliments with little concern about causing offence.

‘To some people this can seem shocking, but maybe it is far healthier than the quiet judgements and polite keeping a distance that prevails in a mainstream society – so desperate not to be seen as racist, but also so scared of young people like me.’

Sonny’s experiences undermine the common misconception that racism is getting better or is no longer a problem in the UK.

‘These tales of modern day racism will not find easy answers in good intentions or policy changes alone,’ adds Sonny.

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‘It is only by asking ourselves difficult questions about our own conditioning and the role of race in ours and others’ experiences, like we have in the project, that we can really start to understand the role of race and racism in our society.

‘What remains clear is that race is very much relevant in the lives of young people today, and racism is far from dead.’

18 year old Ami is another artist involved in the creation of the exhibition, and she wants the work to show just how powerful young people’s voices can be.

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‘I hope this project shows that young people, when provided with a voice, have a lot say about issues that affect us all,’ she says.

‘I hope the website encourages others who have not been able to speak out to do so and know that people will listen.’

‘This project has shown the depth of knowledge young people hold and how much we can learn from listening to them,’ adds Colin Brent, a senior youth worker at Bollo Brook.

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‘I hope people will engage in the difficult conversations and that these can help lead to much needed societal and structural change.

‘A pat on the back was not what they were looking for. This was not just something to put on their CVs. Rather, they wanted to encourage the audience to continue with these difficult debates, exploring the differing takes on the use of the N-word, questioning the relationship between class and race, picking at the very concept of race itself.

‘In the wake of George Floyd’s murder, this could be described as a timely release. However, the conversations could also be seen to be 400 years late. This only adds to their urgency. The website will hopefully allow the voices of the young people to reach new audiences. More than this, we hope it will encourage people to start their own conversations, however uncomfortable they may be.’

The website launch is part of an ongoing project, supported by national charity The Equality Trust, that has seen the young people hold a meeting with Philip Alston, UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, feature widely in the national press and have their art displayed at the Tate Modern.

The exhibition has been re-worked and taken online due to Covid-19, to enable these powerful young voices to reach new audiences and be heard as part of the global civil rights movement we are currently living through.

The activist artwork centres on a series of nuanced and diverse recordings, that explore and challenge attitudes towards, and experiences of race and racism.

At the heart of the project are the narrative portraits – featured above – which explore how people’s prejudice can build narrative. Where does a person’s identity end and the identity that others assign begin?

Do you have a story to share? We want to hear from you.

Get in touch: metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk.

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Dad Donte Palmer has paving the way for other dads after he successfully campaigned for changing tables in men’s rooms.

The dad-of-three from Florida worked tirelessly to make sure that public bathrooms weren’t just perpetuating the idea that caring for children is just a mother’s job.

The doting dad started #squatforchange to show off all the dads squatting as they uncomfortably changed their children’s nappies.

The campaign paid off too as a law requiring all new or renovated buildings in New York with public bathrooms to make changing tables available to men and women was passed earlier this year.

Donte hasn’t stopped spreading his message though. Last year he joined forces with Pampers Love the Change campaign alongside John Legend and several NFL players. He even appeared on a short clip on Netflix’s Black AF.

In recent times, Donte has been chatting to his sons about what to expect in life as emerging Black men.

He also penned a poem entitled Hashtag detailing the life rules for his children.

In his poem, Donte teaches his children not to hold toy guns, to keep their music low, to not wear a hoodie, to be polite and smile, to minimise themselves lest they be considered a threat.

On Father’s Day, Donte organised a cookout with his neighbuor Brian Maddern who is white.

The two dads wanted to encourage people to come together, eat and discuss racism in the U.S.

Donte tells Metro.co.uk: ‘On Father’s Day my friend Brian and I held a small cookout for drivers going past outside our community gates in St. John’s.

‘We had signs that read “Black or white, grab a burger and talk”. It was our chance to meet new people and have conversations around fatherhood, social injustice, police brutality, and anything that came to mind.

‘Yesterday’s events is what it means to be a father in America. Showing the kids it is okay to come together as people and fight for equality. My sons learned a fun and valuable lesson yesterday.’

Donte makes sure that his sons know how to keep themselves safe when in public spaces but also to see the best in people.

He tells us: ‘Raising three black sons is my greatest joy outside of my wife. It definitely comes with challenges being as though we live in a body that a few groups of people dislike.

‘Having hard conversations in the house is key with my sons and it gives me a sense of security knowing that I prepared them to live another day. It’s teaching my sons that seeing colour/race is okay but after you acknowledge that colour, look for their heart.’

Sound advice.

Do you have a story?

Email metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk to tell us more.

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With beach holidays a distant dream at the moment, it’s only natural we’re dreaming of a time we can feel our toes in the sand and paddle in the sea.

Although it’s not exactly tropical, the new owners of this stunning Yorkshire mansion will be able to do just that – as long as the weather plays ball.

This newly-listed Scarborough home comes in at a whopping £2.5 million, but if you’ve got some cash in the bank you could be handsomely rewarded with a property that looks just like the most luxurious holiday villas.

Howard Heights is located on Stoney Haggs Rise in Scarborough, overlooking Oliver’s Mount.

It’s less than a mile from the beach, and right on your doorstep is The Mere lake, where you can hike and fish the day away.

Or there’s Oliver Mount racecourse for those who like a flutter on the horses.

Scarborough Beach (which is an eight-minute drive away) is an attractive staycation spot for families with white sand and plenty of attractions, not to mention all the expected seaside pubs, ice cream parlours, and chippies.

However, it’s the house and garden that gives the real holiday vibe.

The four-bedroom detached property was built by the current owners, so is about as modern as it comes.

It boasts underfloor heating, solar panels, smart heating system, and a fully-equipped gym. Every bedroom also has a luxury en-suite, and there’s a double and single garage so that car lovers can keep their babies safe.

Head outdoors and you’ll see a terrace where you can gaze over the landscape while listening to the water trickling away in your koi pond.

There’s another roof terrace leading out from the bedroom, which we think would make the perfect place for an al fresco breakfast while the weather is like this.

Let’s be real, it’s probably not going to be constant sunshine in Scarborough, but who can blame us for dreaming about barbecues and beach strolls as our life?

Take a look at the property here.

Alternatively you could get yourself a winery in Kent for a cool £6.75 million. Or just buy yourself a bottle of plonk and pretend you made it. That works too.

Do you have a story you’d like to share?

Get in touch at MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk.

Summer is back in full force, and while we might be excited about a few days of tropical heat, our furry friends might not be.

Luckily, Lidl is selling a Pet Sun Bed for just £19.99, complete with a sun shade to keep your fluffy pets cool and safe from the sun during the hottest days.

The bed itself will look pretty slick in you garden, and it’s the perfect way for pets to lounge in the sunshine without getting too hot. It protects your pet from the sun up to UV50, and its raised position provides added ventilation to keep them  nice and cool.

Lidl’s is also selling a Dog Pool (£29.99) for some instant cooling, and fun at the same time.

Quick to set up with no inflating required, the pool has a non-slip base and sturdy walls allowing your pup to safely enjoy a summer swim.

If your dog really loves the water, you can also buy from a range of Nerf Water Dog Toys (£6.99), including Super Soaker Squeak Shark, Mega Tuff Ring, Flyer or Super Soaker Squeaker Tug Ray.

The new Dog Agility Set (£9.99), is also great for keeping dogs active and stimulated while we’re stuck at home. The sets come complete with training videos accessible via a QR code, and a practical transport bag.

And don’t worry, cats aren’t being left out – Lidl’s new Grumpy Cat Cat Toy (£2.49) and Simon’s Cat Scratching Post (£9.99) will keep kitties entertained even on the hottest days of the year.

You can get your paws on these products in-store from Thursday 25 June.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch: metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk.

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After 13 weeks of lockdown life, how much do you fancy lacing up your walking boots, getting out in the open and taking on a challenge with a difference?

Well, we’ve got just the thing for you in the form of our new charity fundraising campaign – Metro.co.uk Lifeline. With your help, we are supporting The Hygiene Bank; an amazing charity that looks after families in desperate need of every day essentials.

To raise vital funds for them, we’ve organised a sponsored 26-mile hike across London which will not only offer the opportunity to really push yourself, but also take crucial steps in supporting people affected by poverty along the way. 

Taking place on Saturday 19 September 2020, to tie in with National Hygiene Week (14-20 September) and starting in north London, our specially-created route explores 10 of the city’s hidden ‘Peaks’ and covers a variety of terrain from footpaths to forest.

In fact, this unique challenge also promises to take our team of trekkers through beautiful woodland, thriving nature reserves and quieter spaces of London that they never knew existed.

From the off, we’ll enjoy unexpected views as we conquer each secret summit along the way of the ‘London Loop’ and our brilliant adventure will end with a well-deserved socially distant drink at a pub. (Along with that warm and fuzzy feeling that you’ve done something pretty amazing for charity.)

If that wasn’t enough, we’ve already recruited some well-known faces to join us, including Meg Matthews, MP Dawn Butler, TV stylist Kat Farmer and broadcaster and journalist Charlie Webster, with more names to be confirmed nearer the date.

Of course, social distancing is utmost on our minds, which is why we currently have limited places on our hike with just 100 spaces available.

All we expect from our trekkers in return for all this excitement is to raise a minimum of £250!

‘Each and every one of us should have a dignified life. It’s not right that feeling clean should be a luxury or a privilege for anyone in our society,’ explains Lizzy Hall, founder of The Hygiene Bank. ‘And that’s where the readers of Metro.co.uk come in. Yes, we want product donations, but we also need funds to keep on doing what we do. By signing up to this amazing challenge you’ll be raising money that will directly help us, help others.’

So, if this sounds right up your street after three months of being cooped up, please register your interest above by 6 July, 2020.

Good luck!

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing claie.wilson@metro.co.uk

Share your views in the comments below.

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From today, we are launching an exciting new charity campaign: Metro.co.uk Lifeline which – with your help – will raise money for The Hygiene Bank.

The campaign, which culminates in a sponsored 26-mile trek, will raise much-needed funds for the important organisation, who help distribute hygiene products for those most in need.

So, why have we chosen to support The Hygiene Bank, what do we have planned and how can you get involved?

Take a seat.

What is Metro.co.uk’s Lifeline campaign and how can you get involved?

For the next three months – June until September – as part of our brand new annual charity fundraising initiative we’ll be raising money for The Hygiene Bank via a sponsored trek across London.

So whether you’re a trepidatious trekker or a seasoned stroller, we’re calling on you to sign up for our 26.2 mile walk across the capital, taking place on Saturday 19 September, to tie in with National Hygiene Week (14-21 September).

Initially, there are 100 places available, so act fast if you’re hoping to sign up.

Because the trek is a marathon distance, be aware that it will be challenging, and will require advance preparation and training.

But don’t worry, we’ll be with you every step of the way, sharing tips, opportunities to train together and discounts for your kit.

Once we have confirmed all the places, we’ll launch our special Facebook page, dedicated to sharing these resources – so, watch this space!

Registration costs £35 and each walker must aim for a fundraising target of £250.

Proceeds will go to The Hygiene Bank, who hope to transform their start-up into a sustainable charity.

‘While, our long term aim is to no longer need to exist, until that point we need significant funds to turn our groundbreaking start-up into sustainability charity so that we can continue to help others in the fight against hygiene poverty,’ said founder, Lizzy Hall.

Find out more about the Metro.co.uk Lifeline campaign.

Who are The Hygiene Bank – what does the charity do?

The Hygiene Bank provides essential hygiene and personal care products to those living in poverty.

The charity collects new, unused and in-date toiletries, hygiene basics, beauty, personal care and cleaning essentials, which are then distributed to those most in need.

Their donation policy is based around the mantra: ‘If you need them and use them, then it is likely someone else needs and uses them too,’ and they accept anything from deodorant to shampoo to razors to loo roll.

The charity’s mission is ‘to bring communities together to tackle hygiene poverty by providing essential products to those of us locked in poverty.’

Hygiene poverty refers to those who cannot afford many of the everyday hygiene and personal grooming products most of us take for granted.

‘The reality of low income is that it restricts people’s options, leaving them caught between being able to heat their home, pay their rent, eat or be clean. This grip of poverty strips people of their dignity,’ their website states.

Anyone hoping to donate to The Hygiene Bank can do so by dropping products at a drop-off point or by setting up a monthly direct debit.

Or of course, you can sign up to Metro.co.uk’s trek in September, or sponsor someone else who is.

What is the route of the trek through London?

The 10 ‘peaks’ the route will include are as follows:

1. White Hill (100m)

2. Pinner Hill (130m)

3. Harrow Weald Common (131m)

4. Stanmore Hill (151m)

5. Deacons Hill (135m)

6. Furze Hill (135m)

7. Mill Hill (111m)

8. Mount Moat (145m)

9. Arkley (147m)

10. Bournwell Hill (129m)

The trek will start at around 6:30am and will finish at around 7pm.

For more information about this year’s hike organised by Charity Challenge, click here.

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Share your views in the comments below.

Lockdown has been hard on everyone, but pregnant women and new mums are baring the brunt of the psychological impact, according to a new study.

Over 50% of pregnant women and new mums have admitted feeling anxious or lonely as Covid-19 and lockdown has impacted their daily lives.

The study found that women who are currently pregnant, particularly for the first time, and parents with newborns – have found the current circumstances the most challenging.

New research from Aptaclub, who surveyed pregnant women and women with 0-4 month old babies, has highlighted that the majority have experienced some form of anxiety (54%), loneliness (50%) or felt scared (36%) due to being alone during key pregnancy moments such as scans, appointments, the birth or hospital stays.

Four in ten women admitted to experiencing feelings of isolation due to the ‘new normal’ we find ourselves in.

Visit our live blog for the latest updates: Coronavirus news live

The top ten concerns and worries for these women at the moment are:

1. Being unable to see loved ones for support (56%)
2. The health of their baby (48%)
3. Not being able to meet up with other mums to socialise (45%)
4. Not having their partner attend medical appointments with them (43%)
5. Feelings of isolation (42%)
6. Not able to get out and about as much as they’d like (41%)
7. Their personal physical health (35%)
8. Having limited face-to-face support from their midwife (34%)
9. Their personal mental health (33%)
10. Not having much freedom (33%)

The majority felt that lockdown and social distancing is having an impact on themselves or their baby, with only 7% claiming they have not been affected.

57% of pregnant women said they are missing out on the excitement that comes from being able to share their pregnancy with loved ones, while half of new mums believed their baby is missing out on face-to-face bonding time with friends and family.

Nearly half (49%) felt that as mothers, they are missing out on the crucial support of their loved ones.

‘Not being able to let my family see my baby or have face-to-face follow-up midwife appointments have been the hardest things to adapt to,’ says Theresa Raymond who gave birth to a little girl just before lockdown.

‘Especially as a first-time mum, I had this image of how it was meant to be which has been scuppered a little.’

Worryingly, 46% of women stated they would skip or push back a medical appointment for fear of contracting the virus.

And, although many NHS, midwife and healthcare appointments have adapted to offer quality virtual support, eight in ten women feel that care delivered online, by telephone or socially distanced classes in the future would be concerning..

Dr. Dawn Harper, GP and TV medic, has offered advice to women and new parents who are dealing with the changes that Covid-19 may have on their pregnancy or the first months of their baby’s life.

‘Most of us haven’t seen anything like this in our lifetimes so it’s a learning curve for us all,’ says Dr Harper.

‘Although it can be frightening, we have all had to try to become more resilient and adaptable to change and can get through this, supporting each other. It’s really important to reach out to loved ones, even if virtually as well as to professionals if you do have any major concerns.

‘I have been working with Aptaclub and we’ve launched answers to the latest FAQs to help provide guidance on some of the key pregnancy and newborn milestones, from what extras to include in your hospital bag to how to ease the symptoms of a colicky baby.’

For the birth itself, 78% agreed that the prospect of going into labour during the current circumstances makes them feel nervous and anxious due to concerns about themselves (62%) or their newborn (64%) catching Covid-19.

Other worries included not being able to have visitors (54%) or partners not being able to support as much as they would usually would (52%).

However, despite these concerns hospitals (40%), and midwifery or birth centres (38%) are the top places that women would prefer to give birth, with just 12% citing home birth as their preference.

Half of women are confused about the pregnancy lifestyle dos and don’ts, including exercise and nutrition, and over half (56%) feel there is not enough information available on social distancing regulations specifically for pregnant women and new parents.

The pandemic isn’t only causing worry though, there’s also a number of positives to emerge – 47% of the women surveyed reported that they are able to spend more time with their partner and other children, as well as a third saying that they have been able to focus more on their health and wellbeing.

Many have also found the pressures of having to update people on their or their baby’s progress have eased.

Do you have a story to share? We want to hear from you.

Get in touch: metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk.

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Daisy Young had noticed she’d gained a few pounds but she put it down to her new job at McDonald’s.

She hadn’t noticed any other problems and was still having regular periods so when she went to hospital with stomach pain on 9 June and a test showed that she was pregnant, she couldn’t believe it.

But the 21-year-old was even more shocked when a scan showed that she was actually 37 weeks and six days pregnant and about to give birth.

She was on her own at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, when staff told her she was already 5cm dilated and in labour, and she wasn’t able to get through to her parents, Maggy and Graham Young, who live in Crook, County Durham, before she gave birth.

By the time she spoke to her mum and dad, her son Elijah John, had been born.

Daisy, who has since moved back home to her parents house, said: ‘I had had stomach pains from the day before that were slowly getting worse so I just thought I should go to the hospital.

‘I didn’t even get my friend to park, she just dropped me off.

‘A nurse asked me if I could be pregnant and I said no but they did a test anyway, just to check, and that was when I first found out.

‘From there everything went very, very fast. I found out I was pregnant at around 3pm and they sent me for a scan. That was when I found out I was actually 37 weeks pregnant and the pain was probably labour.

‘They told me I was around 5cm dilated and my baby was going to be coming pretty soon.

‘It was all going so fast, I tried to ring my mum but I couldn’t get through.

‘It was just me in the hospital, just me and the midwives. They were brilliant.

‘I was just in total shock the whole time, just thinking “oh my god, I’m about to have a baby”.’

Her healthy baby boy Elijah John was born weighing 6lbs 13 at 6:48pm, just under four hours after finding out she was pregnant.

She said: ‘I had no idea what had happened, shocked doesn’t cover it.

‘I didn’t have a bump. I hadn’t been sick except for two days back in November when I was off work but I didn’t think anything of it.

‘I have stayed in my size 10 clothes throughout.’

Daisy, whose son Elijah was born weighing 6lbs 13, had regular periods throughout the pregnancy and always used contraception.

The family think the baby might have been lying on Daisy’s spine due to her 5ft 8 height, leaving him concealed and a total surprise.

She added: ‘It has been a shock to become a mum overnight but a brilliant one.

‘He has changed my life, for the better. I love him to bits, I loved him straight away. Elijah is a wonderful baby, he is so laid back, which explains alot!

‘When I finally sent my mum a text I just said, you need to call. I don’t think she expected a baby. I couldn’t have coped without my family.’

The family have been helped by friends, hospital staff and social services.

Since Elijah’s birth they have been collecting as many newborn baby items as possible, given they were totally unprepared.

Grandmother Maggy, 54, who is a pub landlady, said: ‘When I got her text I thought it must have been a car accident, not a baby.

‘When I walked into the hospital room I could just see the love she had for him. I could see the love in her eyes.

‘I spoke to a midwife who said in her entire career she had never seen a mum come into hospital in labour, not know she was pregnant, and have a baby the same day.

‘When I finally spoke to Daisy on the phone I just looked at Graham and said “hello Grandad”. I didn’t know what else to do except get to her as quickly as possible.’

Graham, 55, who works for Northumbrian Water, added: ‘Elijah has changed everything, but in the most positive way.

‘Daisy has always been caring and nurturing and she is just a natural mother, we are so proud of her.’

Daisy, who is unclear who the father is, had been a student at Dundee University until last year but is now hoping to transfer to the Open University in October to study business management.

Do you have a story to tell?

Get in touch at metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk.

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