It was only after watching Ken Loach’s film ‘I, Daniel Blake’ that I made the connection that many in poverty, short and long term, have to make a difficult choice between food, keeping clean, paying rent or utilities to heat and light their home.

But each and every one of us should have the right to a dignified life – feeling clean shouldn’t be a luxury or a privilege for anyone in our society.

In these pandemic times, it is clear that hygiene products could very well be the difference between life or death. Meanwhile, not having access to these basic items can also impact self esteem and confidence, and lead to exclusion, stigma and discrimination. This constant stress can be overwhelming, depriving those that are suffering the chance to fully play their part in society.

Imagine knowing you smell because you don’t have deodorant, or that you can’t wash your hair because you have no shampoo.

The sheer desperation of having to scrape out the contents of your baby’s soiled nappy and reapply it because you can’t afford to change it as often as needed.

And when you have your period, you’re housebound because you’ve no money to buy period products. Called hygiene poverty, this is the UK’s hidden crisis.

After I watched Ken Loach’s film, I felt moved to do something – anything – so I asked friends and family for contributions to take to my local foodbank.

That was nearly two years ago, planting the first seed for The Hygiene Bank.

Since then, we are an established charity and have grown rapidly with nationwide reach.

Hundreds of volunteers have come together to establish Hygiene Bank projects across the UK, giving people access to well over 2,000 tonnes of essential products.

Experiencing poverty can happen to anyone of us –  just one event is sometimes all it takes

Put simply, the charity collects and distributes donated toiletries, hygiene, beauty, personal care and household cleaning items and gives them to those in need via a network of over 1000 local community partners that include food banks, women’s refuges, hostels, supported housing,  schools and social services.

Underpinned by compassion and justice, our work is grounded in an understanding that we all have times in our lives when we need help and when we’re able to offer help. This isn’t ‘them’ and ‘us’.

Experiencing poverty can happen to any one of us –  bereavement, the breakdown of relationships, illness, a failed Car MOT, a new baby… Or, as we have seen, with Covid-19 – just one event is sometimes all it takes to push people into financial circumstances that are hard to escape.

Before the recent pandemic, 1 in 5 in the UK lived in poverty as a result of low-paid, unstable jobs and rising living costs. That number went up to 1 in 4 in London.

The early days of the Covid-19 ‘lockdown’ led to a million new claims for Universal Credit  from the self-employed, gig-economy, zero hours and redundant workers and so this number is set to rise significantly with so many more of us are waking up every day facing uncertainty, insecurity and difficult choices.

Our core ambition is to no longer need to exist, but until then we need significant funds to become a sustainable charity and driver for change and social justice

Our learning curve has been steep while we developed a model with governance, policies and compliance; fundraising and social media; storage and logistics; scaling up distribution and scaling down packaging waste; and better understanding how to support our front line community partners – a mix of charities, voluntary groups, schools and local authorities.

We worked at a very challenging pace, which generated a firm foundation for the unprecedented times we find ourselves in.

The Hygiene Bank’s core ambition is to no longer need to exist, but until then we need significant funds to become a sustainable charity and driver for change and social justice.

We want to be more than a sticking plaster to a broken system and want to play an influential role in tackling poverty, hygiene poverty and stigma.

And that’s where you come in. Yes, we want product donations, but we also need funds to keep on doing what we do.

By signing up to Metro.co.uk Lifeline’s London’s 10 Peaks challenge, taking place on 19 September to tie in with National Hygiene Week (14-20 September), you’ll be raising money that will directly help us, help others.

Just £15 can buy one male/female hygiene pack, while £30 covers an essential Mum & Baby pack – so just imagine what else we can provide with your support.

So please, sign up and help change someone’s life.

If you can’t sign up but would like to donate £5, please text** BASICS to 70085.

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Have you been saving money for a flat deposit in lockdown?

Well, it seems you needn’t have bothered – as one impressive property could be yours for just £1.

It might sound too good to be true, but it really is legitimate – although there’s a teeny tiny catch.

The house in question is The Elms in Arbroath, Scotland.

It’s a 19th century A-listed building designed by architect William Leiper (who is best-known for Templeton’s Carpet Factory in Glasgow).

With no reserve price, buyers can bid for the building for as little as £1 – but the property is in a pretty dire state. So much so, it actually appears on the Buildings at Risk Register.

What’s more, The National Property Auctions recommends bidders seek legal advice first.

Anyone looking to take on the cottage will have their work cut out for them – but they will reap the rewards in the long-run.

Despite planning permission to convert the cottage into six flats and five houses falling through, there’s no denying the property has huge potential.

National Property Auction’s managing director, Mandi Cooper, told the Daily Record: ‘This property is a massive opportunity for a developer to restore the building to its former glory.

‘The Elms was built for the mill-owning Corsar family. It operated as a hotel until World War II, when it was requisitioned by the War Office, before becoming a children’s home.’

The surrounding area is incredibly well-connected, too, with regular train and bus services between Arbroath and Dundee and Aberdeen, and to other surrounding villages within Angus.

Those looking to bid have until 11am on 17 July to get their offers in.

Do you have a property story to share?

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

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Glastonbury may not be taking place this year but the V&A is offering the next best thing.

The London museum has launched a seven-day celebration dedicated to the UK festival.

So, those who managed to wangle tickets for this year will have some Worthy View action to tide them over until 2021.

The online exhibition pays homage to the event with photos, vintage programmes, posters, designs, interviews, film, backstage passes and other memorabilia.

Curators have created new content to introduce the Glastonbury Archive – which explores the festival’s fashion, history and stage design.

There’s also a seven-minute audio piece by award-winning sound designer Gareth Fry, which aims to show ‘a day in the life’ at Glastonbury. It features recordings captured at the 2015 event including sunrise at the Stone Circle and sound checks at the Pyramid Stage.

Gareth Fry said: ‘Glastonbury is so much more than just music – there are comedian, circus acts, workshops, buskers, dozens of international cuisines.

‘The camping, the walking, the people you pass by and the people you meet. There’s something unexpected around every corner.’

The V&A is also putting a call-out for photographs from previous years, so it can map the event’s 50-year history. 

So, if you’ve got some nostalgic photos – however embarrassing or uplifting – the museum wants them for its archive. These Glasto snaps can be sent to glastonbury@vam.ac.uk.

This weekend, 26-28 June, would have been Glastonbury’s 50th year, but organisers called off the event back in March, saying: ‘In times of such unprecedented uncertainty – this is now our only viable option.’

Those lucky enough to secure a ticket for the 2020 festival have been told they can roll their £50 deposit over to next year, to buy one for the 2021 event.

Sir Paul McCartney, Kendrick Lamar and Taylor Swift were set to headline the festival this year.

Do you have a story to share?

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

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A gorgeous Great Dane is still besotted with a dragon cuddly toy that she has had since she was a baby – and the pair are never apart.

Elliot Mae – who was even named after the character from Disney’s Pete’s Dragon – became inseparable from her stuffed toy when she was only tiny. Now fully grown at three years old, their friendship is as strong as ever,

And an adorable series of photos charts their beautiful bond from the very early days when Elliot Mae was just a nipper.

The film that sparked this friendship is about the bond between a boy named Peter and a dragon named Elliot, which in many ways mirrors the closeness between Elliot Mae and her cuddly namesake.

‘I got Elliot from a breeder in May of 2017 when she was eight-weeks-old,’ says Elliot’s owner Mandy Helwege.

‘My Elliot was named after Elliot the Dragon, I had her name picked out shortly after she was born.

‘I ordered the dragon toy off of Amazon so her breeder could use it in a photoshoot with her that I paid her to do when she was four-weeks-old.

‘We have kept it with her old collars as a keepsake for close to three years.’

Mandy, who lives in Denver, Colorado, says Elliot is full of life, energetic, loving and independent.

‘She’s the best hiking partner and loves to adventure and explore the mountains we have surrounding us…maybe as much as she loves being in front of the camera and the center of attention,’ adds the 33-year-old.

‘She’s not the brightest crayon in the box sometimes but she makes us laugh constantly and is my best friend.

‘I’d often heard the phrase of people referring to one of their dogs as their “heart dog” and I can’t say I understood that sentiment until Elliot came into my life.’

‘We have a connection unlike anything I’ve ever experienced or even could’ve imagined the first time I laid eyes on her.’

Don’t worry Elliot – you’re never too big for cuddly toys.

We have a feeling that the bond between Elliot Mae and her beloved dragon is going to last for a lifetime.

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

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

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The recent political climate has shown an urgent need for a fairer, anti-racist society – and highlighted the ways the current system is failing Black people and people of colour.

As a result of police brutality, undue scrutiny, and ongoing unequal treatment towards Black people and other ethnic minorities, many brands and organisations are now looking to reshuffle their working environments to better support them.

Many employers are attempting to redress the racial imbalance of their staff by bringing in diverse employees – which has been widely welcomed.

However, many have noted that the issue isn’t just about access, but rather making sure that ethnic minorities are in leadership roles, that they’re not subject to gaslighting or microaggressions at work, and feel nurtured in their roles.

And importantly, short-sighted diversity programmes have been known to fail.

People online have pointed out that many of the industries that are now calling for greater diversity have also been historically made up of white, usually cisgender and male employees in powerful positions.

One of the problem’s with Oxbridge & Oxbridge Colleges’ version of ‘inclusivity’ (stupid term, should be retired) is that they think it just involves letting you in. They don’t give a damn about what they are letting you into. So if you have to deal with a massive bloody racist

— Priyamvada Gopal (@PriyamvadaGopal) June 12, 2020

For better, sustainable solutions to the current climate, it might be useful to look at the problem with a different approach.

If instead of a diversity challenge, a company was seeing a dip in sales (affecting the brand’s success), their solution would not simply be to hire more people – the higher-ups would work tirelessly to figure out a more sustainable way to bring in profits.

In the same way, simply hiring more Black people and other ethnic minorities will not eliminate the biases that exist comfortably within institutions. Generating more company success requires a holistic, sincere, and communal effort – not a quick-fix of tokenistic hiring.

And not only is inclusivity for the betterment of BAME staff in the workplace, but a long-term commitment to diversity is more likely to yield more success.

This is backed up by non-profit Race Equality Foundation (REF) which tells Metro.co.uk: ‘Research has shown that ethnically diverse organisations are more successful.

‘Every workplace should be actively recruiting and encouraging black and minority ethnic staff, removing discriminatory practices, and supporting advancement to the highest levels while ensuring workers at the more frontline roles have good terms and conditions.’

Employers who have had long histories of hiring the same type of staff, may want to have a rethink of how things operate.

In journalism and fashion, for example, employees have been mostly white.

In the former, just 0.4% of British journalists are Muslim and only 0.2% are Black while nearly 5% of the UK population is Muslim and 3% is Black.

And to really do better, higher-ups may also want to be mindful of the bullying culture that’s prevalent within journalism which affects 56% of staff.

In fashion, the industry has had multiple controversies with appropriation, racist gaffes, and a problem hiring more diverse staff behind the scenes and on covers.

Edward Eninful at the helm of Vogue and the recent appointment of Samira Nasr as editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar (the first Black woman to head it up in its 153-year history) may feel like a drop in the ocean.

But these isolated examples aren’t fixes for the discrimination faced by staff.

To show just how insidious the problem of racism is in the workplace, René and Adesuwa, two Black women founded nine to fives, an online community for Black people in the workplace.

They started a hashtag #BlackInTheOffice to create a space for Black employees to anonymously share their experiences – and the responses they received were overwhelming.

René and Adesuwa feel that companies merely issuing a ‘Black Lives Matter’ statement or just telling more people of colour to apply for jobs are being performative and putting the onus on the afflicted to fix the problem.

They tell Metro.co.uk: ‘In order to fight racism and bias at work, organisations first need to address that there is an issue. Company statements regarding solidarity with the Black community seem ignorant of the fact they have been failing Black employees for years.

‘We need transparency here – pay transparency, the number of Black employees, and Black employees at leadership level. Releasing key numbers/ metrics helps to bring about accountability.’

To better cater to future Black staff, companies need to talk to present and past staff, they say.

‘Tailored and specific solutions based on feedback from Black employees is also necessary: Listen to Black employees, their experiences, the changes they would like to see, and use this feedback to create initiatives and solutions which address them.

‘One size fits all diversity initiatives fail time and time again because it assumes that one solution can resolve for all diverse communities which just isn’t true.’

They also advocate a deep analysis of current practices that may have been in place for decades.

‘In order to create a safe workplace for Black employees where they are treated fairly and have equal opportunities, this means many of the existing processes for hiring, promotion, pay, incident management, etc will need to be reviewed, updated, or completely dismantled and replaced.’

René and Adesuwa say that employers need to be proactive in educating themselves on race, systemic racism, what it means to be anti-racist and how to be a better all and dispersing the resources firmwide and frequently, not just because of the current climate.

‘It simply isn’t enough to just hire more Black people, not until you have taken the necessary steps to make your workplace more inclusive for them.

‘A diverse and inclusive workplace needs to be the responsibility of everyone. The unconscious bias training doesn’t account for the reality that much of the behaviours Black employees are subjected to which is very conscious and calculated.’

Brands with diversity challenges may want to dedicate investigative time to identify where they’re enabling the same type of candidates to excel.

For example, tracking successful applications, how they’re being recruited and the types of backgrounds they come from.

They may then attempt to hire from a different pool – such as from historically Black and minority colleges, institutions, or areas.

Interviewing from a wider network for entry and top level jobs while making interviewers aware of personal biases may help to weed out the problem.

The next step would be to cater work environments to minority staff who may not feel totally comfortable in the work environment.

René and Adesuwa’s sentiments are echoed by the Equality and Human Rights Commission which promotes and enforces equality laws the UK.

The EHRC says organisations need to be in line with the Equality Act and show ‘due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between different people when carrying out their activities’.

They say to do this requires accountability, to make sure employers are actually seeing through their goals for equality.

‘A first step towards achieving this would be to introduce mandatory reporting by ethnicity on staff recruitment, retention, and promotion,’ an EHRC spokesperson tells Metro.co.uk.

‘This would identify where there may be issues and help employers to tackle the barriers which ethnic minorities face within the workplace. Mandatory action plans would also help employers demonstrate how they are going to improve diversity and set targets to achieve this.’

They are saying that to truly tackle inequality, employers must dedicate time and resources to shaking up current operations at all levels, from the boardroom to the recruitment stage, working to eliminate biases.

The sentiments are echoed by the Race Equality Foundation a non-profit organisation promoting equality in social support and public services.

They tell Metro.co.uk: ‘Every workplace should be actively recruiting and encouraging Black and minority ethnic staff, removing discriminatory practices and supporting advancement to the highest levels while ensuring workers at the more frontline roles have good terms and conditions.’

The REF cites research by McKinsey & Company which provides advice on strategic management to corporations.

Their research highlights the power of subconscious bias, favouritism towards people that reflect the status quo, and the mistaken belief that companies are more diverse than they actually are.

A spokesperson for the REF adds: ‘There are a number of ways to address some of these issues including removing bias from existing policies and practices, introducing stronger policies and practices on racism in the workplace and supporting colleagues who experience racism from colleagues or customers, name-blind recruitment processes, educating the leadership and the workforce in a meaningful and ongoing way and fostering a workplace environment where staff are empathetic and empowered to challenge racism.’

These are just some of the ways employers can level the playing field for Black and minority staff without being superficial

If we have honest discussions about race and the experiences of ethnic minorities within the workplace we can create an environment that allows them to achieve their full potential.

To achieve this, brands may want to do a complete overhaul on the way they do business, hire employees, and the way they continue to treat and retain staff.

Because merely adding more brown faces to the workforce without genuinely nurturing them is just not enough.

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Bubble and Squeak are two baby otters who were born at ZSL London Zoo during the lockdown.

Until now, members of the public hadn’t seen them in person as the zoo was closed, but after the reopening on June 15, they’ve now been spotted.

The Asian short-clawed otter pups – as is standard with their breed – have stayed in their holts (small holes where they live near river banks) for the first few weeks of their lives.

They were born on April 15 and haven’t had their first health check yet, as zookeepers wanted to make sure the family – the two babies and their mum and dad Pip and Mathilda – were bonded first.

Even the keepers haven’t been able to properly meet Bubble and Squeak yet, but have now seen mum and dad carrying their babies out and about. Once they do get a chance to check the pups, they’ll be able to determine their sex and find out more.

ZSL London Zoo senior zookeeper Laura Garrett said: ‘We set up cameras to monitor their progress, and were overjoyed when we spotted Pip and Mathilda finally carrying them outside — otter pups don’t leave the family holt for at least the first six weeks of their lives, so they’re perfectly on schedule.

‘Bubble and Squeak caused so much excitement when they arrived in April: the first animals born at the Zoo during lockdown, they boosted the morale of our hard-working zookeeper team and everyone has been waiting eagerly for them to emerge from their holt ever since.’

At the moment, visits to the zoo are limited, with guests having to book tickets in advance and observe social distancing measures while they’re there.

If you are lucky enough to get in and see the family, though, you’ll be witnessing a big moment for the city’s otter population.

Laura continued: ‘Both Pip and Mathilda are very paws-on parents and have been devoted to their pups, barely leaving their side — we’re so pleased that the Zoo has reopened in time for the public to see the whole family start to playfully explore together on their private riverbank.’

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

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

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I cannot even begin to count the amount of times I’ve been shamed, ridiculed or abused for being who I am.

When I first started my transition, I had to endure stares and name-calling when I was simply going about my own day, alone and with friends.

In the most severe instances I was harassed in clubs, had alcohol poured over me and words like ‘she-male’ hurled my way. That’s not to mention all the sexualisation and harassment I think almost anyone who is perceived as a woman can sadly relate to.

So, places where I can celebrate and be myself without fear of judgement or harassment, even if just for a short time, are vital – and not just for my mental health, but the emotional wellbeing of the community as a whole.

This is where Pride comes in. June marks Pride month in the UK, which is dedicated to advocating for LGBTQIA rights and celebrating people’s lives and identities. 

Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, most Pride events have been cancelled, although some are taking it in their stride and going online instead where people can join in safely. 

I sometimes think it might be difficult for people who aren’t LGBTQIA to understand the true liberation that Pride brings. When you’ve never experienced what it’s like to be made to feel ashamed for loving who you love, or expressing yourself how you feel most comfortable, you can’t truly get it.

One particular Pride festival will always have a special place in my heart: Trans Pride Brighton.

The first time I attended was in 2017, where I helped put on the Trans Pride Film Night with My Genderation, a project I co-founded that celebrates transgender lives and experiences. The festival itself has many highlights, but the annual film night and protest march are both truly remarkable.

Seeing so many different transgender people and their allies gathered together to celebrate our lives and experiences is affirming and inspiring. And unlike many other Pride events, Trans Pride is a protest first and foremost, a grassroots event organised by local trans people.

While people do party, they are also there to advocate for change and fight against discrimination and stigma that sadly is still a persistent and constant problem in the UK.

The march ends up in a local park, Brunswick Square, where there are stalls for community groups, activities lead by transgender people and performers and speakers on stage all day long.

It is hard to describe the feeling of this event, because it is unlike anything else. In a world that is often so hostile towards transgender people, it creates a welcome and much needed avenue for peace and safety.

We can still be proud and outspoken this year, despite Pride cancellations. This is a chance for us to continue educating ourselves and to help educate others.

Human rights are under constant attack, evidenced by the ongoing and relentless police brutality against black people in the US, UK and beyond. It’s more important than ever that we come together and show solidarity with each other, and with those different to us. 

In recent years the abuse I face has shifted and changed as I’ve become more of a public person to be predominantly online.

I regularly get called mentally ill, a sexual predator and my appearance and persona is picked apart by people on various online forums dedicated to alt-right ideologies, or even women’s rights (the irony here isn’t lost on me). 

Events where I am speaking are still attended by aggressive, anti-trans speakers who come there solely to harass me.

We cannot have Pride or liberation of any kind without making sure we are creating spaces for all members of our society to be a part of it and where they can be listened to.

Queer people aren’t one homogenous mass; like any other group, they are intersectional and their experiences are different and complex.

So for this Pride month I encourage you to use this time to reflect on yourself, how you need to start speaking up and supporting other members of our society and their struggles, regardless of whether you are queer or belong to any particular minority.

We cannot truly erase prejudice if we don’t eradicate racism, ableism, misogyny, fatphobia and other systems of oppression, too.

Take action, think about how you can educate yourself and those around you. Use this time to reflect on how we can create a better society together, where no one has to fear for their lives or safety or feel ashamed for their gender expression, body or skin colour.

Be proud and speak out. Because In the words of black trans woman Marsha P. Johnson: ‘There is no Pride for some of us, without liberation for all of us’.

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Depending on your opinion on hot weather, you will either be celebrating or despairing at the thought of this week’s heatwave.

But we all know who won’t be happy about the sudden burst of extreme temperatures – your houseplants.

If you have spent the last few weeks investing in gorgeous, leafy friends to brighten up your home – the impending heat is not going to be welcome news. And your thirsty plants will need even more love and affection as the temperature climbs.

So, if you don’t want a cluster of plant corpses on your hands, there are some things you can do to ensure their survival.

Interior and garden expert Felix Wilson, from Unclutterer.com, has shared his top tips for keeping your houseplants luscious, happy and, crucially, alive, during this extreme period of weather.

‘The common assumption is that when the UK is experiencing a heatwave, it is best to move houseplants into a cool spot near a fan,’ says Felix.

‘This is actually one of the worst things that you can do. A fan will dehydrate the air around the plant. This robs it of moisture and causes it to shrivel and even die.’

Felix says that the most important thing to do is to water your plants efficiently – and this will lead to a long and healthy life. 

‘Many people approach me with tales on how they cannot keep their house plants alive even though they frequently water them,’ Felix tells us.

‘More than likely, they are not following the proper rules.’

Felix says that these are the critical rules to follow to make sure your plants stay healthy throughout the heatwave:

Water the soil

Yes, it seems obvious however, plant growing novices often water their plants with a watering can directly above its leaves.  Leave the leaves alone and only focus on the soil. 

Plants should be watered with water that is at room temperature. Anything that is to hot or to cold will shock them.

To test if your plant needs watering, check the soil a few inches below the surface.  If that soil is dry then it needs watering. If it is just the surface soil that is dry, wait another day to water it.

Do not let your plant sit in water

This will lead the roots to rot and attract unwanted bugs and flies. 

Remove it from its decorative pot if it has one that does not have holes in the bottom so that it is in its original packaging.  

Once watered, leave to drain, and then place it back in the pot. If the houseplant is too big and heavy for removal, water gradually to ensure that the water reaches the bottom of the pot but does not flood the top.

Water your plants in the evening or early hours of the morning

They prefer being watered in cooler climates and this will also prevent the leaves from burning. It will also ensure that the water will not evaporate to quickly.  

Arm yourself with a spray bottle

Tropical plants such as cactuses, epiphytes and calathea like to be misted in the heat. 

If you do not have a spray bottle, move them to the bathroom when you are taking a shower or having a bath. 

The steam will replicate the humid climates that they are accustomed to.

Don’t place plants directly in the sun

In fact, if you can move them to the coolest room in the house. 

Perhaps close the curtains to keep the room cool.

It is tempting to start pruning your plants in a heatwave as leaves can appear dry and wilted. 

However, they are protecting the plant and proving some shade. It is worth remembering that if the stems are green then it is still alive. 

Pruning will cause stress to the plant and likely to inflict permanent damage.

Do you have any top tips for plants? We want to hear from you.

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

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It’s safe to say that Pot Noodle has made a move that nobody saw coming. 

For the first time in its 40-year history, the instant noodle brand has decided to ditch its famous pot.

Pot Noodle has launched new ‘potless’ noodles, called Lost The Pot Noodles, which come in three different flavours – Curry, Roast Chicken and Sweet Chilli. 

These can be added to a bowl or cup with boiling water – the same way the regular Pot Noodles are made – or can be made in a saucepan, over the hob.

Lost The Pot Noodles are also cheaper than the potted variety, priced at just 80p or 50p when they’re on promotion. Regular pots cost £1, or 60p on sale.

Pot Noodle says the idea behind the new product is to make the snacks more environmentally-friendly, by removing the hard plastic pots (which are difficult to recycle).

Loyal noodle fans can be rest assured that the brand isn’t ditching the pots entirely, they have simply made a cheaper, greener alternative to sit side-by-side with the classic Pot Noodle.

Marketing manager at Pot Noodle, Lena Portchmouth, said: ‘You may think we have lost the plot with the launch of our latest pot-less format, but whether you’re needing to fill hungry tummies, or are a student looking to save time and money, Lost The Pot Noodle is the perfect solution for those after a speedy and filling fix, so you can noodle in no time.

‘Rest assured, our newest creations are just as flavoursome as our trusty pots, but we’ve just made it a little easier to create a delicious, low in saturated fat meal that is ideal for dinnertime when something truly satisfying is needed on the table.’

Do you have a food story to share?

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

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A lesbian who kept her homosexuality a secret from her family for a decade has now become a ‘coming out coach’ to help others tell their families that they’re gay. After once fearing her family would reject her for being gay, Megan Pulvermacher, from Minneapolis, Minnesota, has set up her own business aimed at giving fellow members of the LGBTQ community tips for coming out.

Full-time therapist, Megan, 33, uses her own traumatic experience of being ‘terrified’ her family would disown her for being gay to coach other people how to overcome fear and anxiety associated with revealing all to friends and family. When she was a teenager Megan said she prayed for her ‘gay to go away’ over fears her Catholic parents, who believe acts of homosexuality ‘to be a sin’, would treat her differently if they knew the truth.

Megan, who is in a long-term relationship with 32-year-old Grace, said: ‘I help people develop skills and habits so they can build the best lives for themselves. I learned how to overcome my anxiety and fear when I came out, so I decided I want to help other people do the same.

‘I offer one on one coaching because everyone’s coming out story is different. The main thing is self acceptance, once people have accepted what makes them happy and why, then you can learn how to let go of negative thoughts.

‘One type of therapy that works very well is reflective therapy, where I go through why people feel like they do and ask if it’s based on fact or just a thought in their mind. Often negative thoughts make people have low self esteem and make people feel bad about themselves.

‘There are things you can do to make coming out to your family much easier, as well as the aftermath of it. My life is so much better after coming out.’

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 believes.

She said she has been attracted to women ever since her early teens, but kept her true sexuality from her parents for around ten years fearing they would treat her differently. She had secret girlfriends in high school and college and, if it wasn’t for her mom forcing her to confess the truth at the age of 23, Megan said she planned to keep it from them forever.

Megan said: ‘My family are devoted Catholics and I was heavily involved in church and was brought up to believe that being homosexuality 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 for my gay to go 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.’

After dating women in secret for almost a decade, Megan was finally forced to tell her parents the truth when her mom confronted her about her sexual orientation and asked her if she was gay.

The revelation came as a shock to Megan’s parents, who told her they hoped her feelings were ‘just a phase’ and would fade away.

Megan, who no longer follows the Catholic religion, said she suffered emotional stress and guilt in the months after coming out, 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.’

Megan has used her experience of coming out and combined it with her professional training in therapy to set up her own business, Live Head First, and markets herself as a LGBTQ+ life coach.

She has said her main aim is to help gay women break through the emotional aftermath of coming out by ‘living head first’ and concentrating on boosting their own happiness as a priority.

Megan said: ‘When you get a build up of emotional stress it can really limit what you’re able to do. I learnt to let go of all of those negative thoughts surrounding what people thought of me.

‘Once you can accept what makes you happy and why, then you can feed off that positive energy and the bad thoughts become less relevant.

‘The only things that should have an impact on the way you live your life are facts about how you feel, not the beliefs of others. It’s important to know the difference so you know how to react.

‘My main aim is to help people deal with the pressure of coming out and the aftermath that come with it. There are things you can do to make the whole process easier and I offer group coaching as well as one-on-one sessions.’

As well as offering coaching Megan works to connect members of the LGBTQ+ community with one and other as a way of creating a larger support network.

Megan added: ‘Life after coming out can be very lonely and my goal is create a shared happiness, acceptance and community support. It’s all about developing positive mindsets.

‘Unfortunately for the LGBTQ+ community therapy is an active thing, but it can be a very effective way of learning how to live life to he full.’

To visit Megan’s life coaching page click here.

The UK is slowly adjusting to its new normal in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, with non-essential shops having re-opened as people once again venture out to the high street.

But while you can now pop into your local Primark or other high street chain following their lockdown closure, some services remain closed – among them nail and beauty salons.

Just when will you be able to get that long-awaited manicure or facial once again?

Here’s what you need to know…

When will nail and beauty shops re-open?

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

At the moment there is no confirmed date for nail and beauty salons to re-open their doors.

It has previously been established that personal care businesses wouldn’t open until July 4 at the earliest – however, in Boris Johnson’s latest batch of lockdown rollbacks, nail bars and beauty salons were left off of the list of businesses which would be allowed to reopen from July.

However hairdressers will be permitted to do business again from July 4 provided workers are equipped with PPE.

The Prime Minister said: ‘And almost as eagerly awaited as a pint will be a haircut (particularly by me, Mr Speaker), and so we will reopen hairdressers with appropriate precautions, including the use of visors.

‘We also intend to allow some other close contact services, such as nail bars, to reopen as soon as we can when we are confident they can operate in a Covid-secure way.’

Hilary Hall, chief executive of the National Hair and Beauty Foundation previously told Metro.co.uk: ‘We have advised the government on a set of guidelines which will outline exactly how hair and beauty businesses can reopen safely. It’s essential that salons know what PPE will be required for providing services and treatments which involve physical contact with clients. 

‘With the beginning of July looming, we are urging the government to release these guidelines as soon as possible to give businesses enough time to prepare.’

Of course if you want to get that manicure sooner, you can still do your own at home, with plenty of hints and tips available on how to get that gel look yourself.

MORE: People reveal lockdown money-saving lessons that are helping their long term finances

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Today’s announcement from Boris Johnson stated that certain businesses – such as pubs and hairdressers – will be able to reopen as of 4 July.

Sadly for you fitness fanatics, gyms are not included in the list of businesses opening. But that doesn’t mean chains haven’t got their plans in place for when it does happen.

PureGym have certainly got everything set out for this, with a video they released on social media today showing exactly how they plan to keep everyone safe.

‘We’re not open yet, but we’re ready!’ they said on Facebook.

‘At PureGym, we’ve always put our members first. That’s why we’re committed to providing you with a cleaner, safer place to train and you’ll still find everything you need for a great workout.

‘When the government confirms we can reopen our gyms, we’ll be ready to welcome you back in the gym.

‘We’ll be in touch with all of our members when our gyms start to reopen, but for now, take a look at what you can expect when you return.’

One of the main measures in place will be an extended cleaning routine from staff, as well as added cleaning stations so people can make sure stations are sanitised before and after use.

There will also be stickers showing how far away you should stand from other gym-goers, with one-way systems in place in certain locations.

You’ll have to abide by urinal rules when it comes to treadmills and bikes, leaving one in between each other for your cardio sessions.

Opening hours will be reduced to start with, and visitors are advised to avoid busy times if they can. You’re also going to have to make sure you book your classes in advance (and turn up!) as these will be reduced, too.

We predicted that gyms would see massive shifts in how they operate in the coming months, and these pictures show how this ‘new normal’ is very far from what we’re used to.

Now we just have to wait for the green light for them to open.

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

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MORE: When are nail and beauty salons reopening?

MORE: Lesbian becomes ‘coming out coach’ to help others tell loved ones they’re gay

Corn on the cob is a delicious side dish to have at any barbecue, whether you’re cooking up a vegetarian BBQ feast or just looking to add some grilled vegetables to your spread of grilled meats. 

Cooking a corn on the cob on the barbecue can be easier said than done and if executed poorly you’re doing to end up with a dry (or worse case scenario, burnt!) side. 

However, with a little expert advice, barbecuing a corn on the cob is relatively simple and straight forward.

Mark Hartstone, award-winning chef proprietor at La Fosse at Cranborne, told Metro.co.uk that ‘Corn on the cob is always a winner’ and shared two ways to cook corn on the cob – depending on whether you get the peeled or ‘rustic’ unpeeled version. 

How to BBQ corn on the cob

If you buy your corn from a farmer’s market, local store or organic shop you may find that it is unpeeled and still has its green leafy outer casing. If this is the case – great! Don’t peel it and cook the corn on the cob ‘rustic-style’ like Mark explains here:

‘ To cook in a rustic manner, leave the skin on and cook on the grill till the outer leaves are well and truly charred. The inside will be juicy with a hint of smoke. Finished with a good dollop of butter and Dorset Chilli Sea Salt for a slight kick.’ 

For corn that you’ve peeled or corn on the cob bought from a supermarket, Mark advises quickly popping them in a pan of water first: ‘Blanch the peeled corns in boiling unsalted water for 1 minute, then refresh afterwards in cold water.’

Before cooking them on the barbecue by putting them straight on the grill: ‘Put neatly in a rack and quickly grill before you eat.’  

MORE: How to make BBQ sauce at home

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Another heatwave is on the way which means slathering ourselves in sunscreen, drinking loads more water, and struggling to sleep.

We all know the dangers of getting too much sun – it can cause sun burn, permanent skin damage, ageing, there’s also the risk of dehydration and sunstroke – so we need to be careful to avoid the midday sun on hot days.

But it’s not all bad news – a heatwave can actually cause some health benefits too. Sunshine, in healthy, safe doses – can be really good for our physical and mental health, so we should make the most of this time.

With the weather heating up, well-being coach, and MD of Sunlighten UK, Joie Risk, has put together her top health benefits of sunlight… which might surprise you.

Soak up vitamin D

When people spend time outside, particularly when the sun is out, they are helped in the manufacture of vitamin D.

This is essential for a number of reasons, inside and out. It strengthens bones and evens the skin’s natural complexion.

Vitamin D is even related to losing belly fat; the higher the levels of this vitamin prior to starting a plan for weight reduction, the greater the likelihood for success, according to one study.

Many windows block UVB wavelengths, which prevents the synthesis of the vitamin, so people do need to go outside for the rays to work their magic.

Improves your mood

Sunlight does not only trip the release of serotonin but other hormones, known as endorphins, as well.

These are associated with overall calm, less depression, and happier moods.

People may simply notice feeling better when the whole body’s system responds to the sun. 

Seasonal Affective Disorder is also believed to have a link to a lack of sunlight. This form of depression comes when a lack of sun exposure causes a person’s serotonin levels to dip low.

There are a number of studies tying sun exposure to the treatment of mild depression as well as to alleviating the systems of moderate to severe depression. 

Sleep more soundly 

Sunlight striking the eyes sends a message to the brain’s pineal gland. This message is to shut down the production of melatonin, a hormone that assists in sleeping by making people drowsy.

When melatonin is overproduced during the day, people experience lower levels of the hormone at night. Sunlight exposure helps to prevent this.

Forego sunglasses in the early morning so that the brain and body receive the message that daylight is here and melatonin is no longer needed for the nonce.

Lowers blood pressure

University of Edinburgh researchers found in one study that nitric oxide, a compound which helps to reduce blood pressure, is released into blood vessels once the sun’s light touches the skin.

This finding was prominent because it banished the notion that sunlight only stimulated vitamin D production.

By lowering blood pressure, sunlight also cuts the risk of strokes and heart attacks. In this way, sun exposure does not only improve people’s health but prolongs their lives.

Helps with depression

Since lack of sunlight is tied to depression and depression is linked to appetite, sunlight exposure can help positively affect the appetite. The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that controls hunger.

It works along with serotonin and aids in relieving hunger. Because of sunlight deficiency causing a drop in serotonin levels, a feeling of fullness sometimes cannot be achieved.

Boosts your immune system 

Exposure to sunlight also helps to suppress an immune system that is overactive. This is why sunlight is sometimes used to treat such autoimmune diseases as psoriasis.

White blood cells also increase with sunlight exposure. These play a prominent role in fighting off diseases and defending the body when at risk of infection.

While best kept in moderation, sun exposure is extremely helpful to the immune system.

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With lockdown measures in place, city streets have been without their usual hustle and bustle over recent months.

But one man was determined to find a way to capture city life during this unique period in history. 

Dan Barker, a marketing and e-commerce consultant, tells Metro.co.uk: ‘Lots has been written about coronavirus and talked about, but aside from big news stories there aren’t many photos of how it’s affected us day-to-day.’

Using the Monopoly board as inspiration, Dan captured lockdown life at some of London’s key locations.

Dan adds: ‘The Monopoly board is a great format for looking at London in a bit of a structured way.

‘Everyone has some sort of connection with the board, or with some of the locations, so I thought it would be a nice idea to try and show something about London without simply randomly picking areas.’

After finishing work early one day, Dan decided to use his free time to tour the city taking photographs – before catching his train back home to Sheffield.

The walk took him six hours to complete, in order to cover all the Monopoly spots.

Dan says: ‘I cheated a little bit at the start and took a street bike between some of the locations rather than walking.

‘For example, Lambeth North – which isn’t an official tile on the board, but was designated as “Go” by Ordnance Survey – is a long way from Old Kent Road (the first stop), and that’s miles away from Whitechapel Road. 

‘After you get past the first side of the board, everything’s a little closer together: Fleet Street, Strand, Trafalgar Square are all close together, Bond Street, Regent Street, Oxford Street are all close to each other and the same with Park Lane and Mayfair.’

The variety between the areas was something that caught Dan’s attention – particularly with fewer people on the streets.

Dan says: ‘The Monopoly board was designed to cover a cross-section of London, even though it only features one “official” square south of the river. 

‘You can still feel the variety today, and in a different way during lockdown – lots of security guards in Covent Garden and Mayfair guarding well-tended houses and shops, verses more obvious signs of poverty in some of the more residential areas.’

Trafalgar Square, in particular, held a special place in Dan’s heart.

He adds: ‘I was married at the church there – St Martin in the Fields – and love the work that they do around music and homelessness.’ 

But a few other things surprised Dan on his walking tour.

He says: ‘The stations were really interesting – the cleanest I’ve ever seen them, and quite beautiful in their quiet state. With just a handful of people they look almost like architectural drawings. 

‘The other thing that surprised me was the number of homeless people still stuck outside.

‘I think a lot of people think homeless people had all been given accommodation, based on some of the things Westminster Council had communicated, but there are still a lot sleeping on the streets.

‘I ended up having a chat with probably half a dozen homeless people – one chap who said he hadn’t really had a proper conversation with someone for six weeks.’

After photographing the board game spots, Dan took to Twitter to share his project.

Naturally, social media went wild for Dan’s efforts and his post has now racked up more than 36,000 likes.

One follower commented: ‘This is amazing Dan. It’s fantastic to see London in such a calm state – albeit a little weird!’

Dan says, since posting on Twitter, he’s even had requests to put his photos into book and exhibition form.

He adds: ‘The intent had really been to record a once-in-a-lifetime period in one of the world’s most interesting cities, and I think from some of the responses, and the 18 million views, that it’s managed to capture some of that.’

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The Cheltenham Ladies’ College has turned out thousands of dazzlingly successful Old Girls. There is also, as far as I can work out, one Old Boy: me.

When I came out as trans in 2008, I was studying for my GCSEs at an unremarkable comp in a shabby industrial town. I was the first trans person that a lot of my friends had ever met, so a lot of the support I received was a little clumsy. But it was support.

With it, I grew in confidence. I cut my hair short, ditched my feminine clothing and started wearing copious amounts of Lynx body spray – I was a teenage boy, after all.

So, when my parents announced that I was being sent to an all-girls’ boarding school, it felt like a punishment for rebelling against my assigned gender.

I tried to fight. Every night I railed against the idea, attempting to make them realise that it wasn’t what I wanted. But ultimately what I wanted didn’t matter – I was going. I hadn’t actually come out to them so I suspect the fact I’d stopped using my birth name might have tipped them off to the fact I was trans.

In some ways, it was an adventure. Like many, I grew up on the Harry Potter books, and the Hogwarts-esque architecture enticed me, with its promise of magic and heroism.

However, if they’d focused a little more on all the therapy Harry probably ended up needing, I might have realised what I was letting myself in for.

Stuffing myself back in the closet was agony. Even in Sixth Form, school uniform was compulsory, and this uniform was fitted to every contour of my awkward post-pubertal form.

It was a thin green v-neck with a narrow waist over a white blouse that girls were always getting told off for ‘showing’ their bras through because the material was so flimsy. Pinstripe blue trousers were cut to accentuate the hips, my least favourite feature on myself.

Cut off from support, I was stuck in a women-only space trying to navigate my own fledgling masculinity. I had no frame of reference for manhood, which resulted in a few bizarre affectations. I was making wild guesses about how young men should behave and trying to integrate that into my personality.

Half way through my first term I was suspended for bleaching my hair to look like Sick Boy from Trainspotting. After attempting to survive on a diet of Bovril and instant noodles because I had romanticised the ‘bachelor lad’ archetype, I developed scurvy.

More successfully, I cultivated a love of cricket – I even told the school that my grandmother had died (she hadn’t) so that a friend and I could run off to London for the weekend to watch England play Australia.

I only got as far as telling the school counsellor ‘I’m struggling with my identity’ before a slight eye roll made me too afraid to keep going; it was a combination of her lukewarm attitude and my own fear.

But who could blame me? I was trying to find myself, but the school kept holding up great women for me to aspire to. I used to watch talks by Old Girls and wonder sadly if the school would ever invite me back as an Old Boy.

I was stuck in a women-only space trying to navigate my own fledgling masculinity

I felt disconnected. I thought that if I just survive school, I could start again at university.

But it wasn’t always grim.

In a single-sex space, there’s no enforced gender binary, resulting in brief moments of gender euphoria. When I dressed as David Tennant’s Doctor for Heroes and Villains Day, I came back to my boarding house to discover I was the talk of the third years – they seemed to think I was someone’s brother.

I got plenty of attention from girls my own age too.

With my short hair and masculine dress, I was presumed to be gay – which I am, just not in the way that some of them were hoping. I’m a gay trans man, which means I’m attracted to other men.

I never knew what to do with the girls’ advances. When one put her hand on my thigh during an end-of-year assembly, I just assumed she was being friendly – the complexities of female friendships had always confused me and I put this down as yet another thing I didn’t understand.

I made a poor job of pretending to be a girl. When I came out again in my second year, one friend responded: ‘Why did you feel the need to tell me that?’

I was surprised, not entirely comforted, and taken aback. Still too afraid to come out to teachers.

I didn’t try reasoning with my parents again; I’d cried for nights on end the first time and it didn’t get me anywhere – although my mum has since apologised.

Apparently I had been living in a glass closet the whole time – possibly something to do with bawling my eyes out at Brokeback Mountain in my first year, or writing a 3000-word essay on the works of Alan Bennett. I mean, I should’ve known I was gay and trans the whole time!

Although I wasn’t unpopular – I was shortlisted as a prefect – I have few friends left from my time at CLC. I was desperately lonely, despite being surrounded by friendly, energetic people day and night.

If you had asked me at 17 what I would be doing 10 years later, I would have been surprised that I was going to live that long. At that time in my life, I had no plans for the future. I had still never met another trans person so had no idea what a future looked like.

Believe me, men don’t want to be in women’s spaces.

Looking back, it was awful. I do think the school does a wonderful job for most of its students but being trans male in an all-girls’ environment is absolutely crushing.

Whatever the upsides of being in such an esteemed establishment, I didn’t feel fully able to make the best of my education there due to the constant dysphoria.

Having worked in schools since, it’s heartening to see more young people feeling able to come out.

Though I have known schools prevent trans students from wearing gender-affirming clothing at prom, I have also seen teachers who want the best for their students having productive discussions on how to support trans kids.

And something like that can really make a difference, believe me.

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Boris Johnson confirmed today that pubs in England would be allowed to reopen as of July 4.

We’ll be subject to ‘one metre plus’ social distancing guidelines, spaces indoors will likely be limited, and other measures like extra cleaning and sanitation may also be in place.

These things we can all deal with. After all, we’ve been careful for a fair few months now. More important for us seasoned pub-goers, though, is something I like to call ‘Christmas syndrome’.

Every year a few weeks before Christmas, members of the public who had no interest in beer gardens and pints for the previous 11.5 months descend onto pubs.

They can’t handle their drink, they walk in front of the TV while the football’s on, and they order a Guinness right at the end, holding up the queue.

This is what we can expect to face come pubs reopening, as those people who never frequented the pub pre-lockdown suddenly decide that they absolutely must be there for the first day back.

To help you avoid being one of these people and hearing ‘get outta my pub’ before you hear ‘time gentlemen, please’, we’ve compiled a few tips. Check yourself before you wreck yourself (and ruin it for the rest of us).

Don’t go on the first day

Obviously someone has to go on the first day, otherwise what’s the point.

But what say the rest of us leave this hallowed reopening for the proper regulars; the old boys who get together to play dominos, the sweet local ladies with the dirty laughs and Bacardi and cokes.

For some, the pub isn’t just somewhere to get pissed and play ring of fire, but the main social hub they have (without digital means to keep in touch with people they know).

They might not have seen their mates in a long time, and we should let them have their space instead of steaming in just for the sake of it and making it so crowded they won’t have room for a catch-up.

Avoid busy times

The atmosphere of a Friday or Saturday sesh is not going to be the same for some time, so there’s really no need to reserve yourself for these days of the week.

Staff will be under enough pressure to turn away people if they’re at capacity, so try not to make it worse.

Nowt wrong with a Monday or Tuesday pint.

Remember the staff

You’re there on your jollies, staff have to be in the pub to make their rent.

Hopefully, you should be the type of person that is already kind and respectful to service employees, but this isn’t just a matter of paying your tab and not kicking off in a drunken stupor.

Give them room and time to do their stuff, don’t expect them to be all smiles, and try not to bend their ear too much with stories.

It’s likely they’re very busy and stressed, so cut them some slack and save the smalltalk for when it calms down.

Bring your own masks and sanitiser

Venues will probably be giving out supplies so you can enjoy a drink safely, but it makes things smoother if you come prepared.

This is all part of making sure staff and other punters are safe, and it’ll be well-received if you’re showing that you’re actively trying.

Don’t get too drunk

Whatever you do, do not get so wasted that someone has to touch you to hold you up or add to their already-huge list of worries trying to make sure you get home okay.

Again, you should ideally be avoiding this anyway, but a heady mix of sunshine and three months without a draught pint can do strange things to someone.

Eat before you go out, drink water, and don’t go overboard by ordering multiple drinks and downing them all in blind excitement.

Stay at your table and keep orders simple

The rules for reopening mean that standing at the bar will be banned and it’s table service only.

Same rules apply as usual regarding ordering – get your round down first so you can order quickly, and keep things simple.

While there might be some places happy to make you a bespoke cocktail for the occasion, for the most part, you’re only holding everything up and making service go slower.

Don’t overstay your welcome

‘One more pint’ is not going to be an acceptable excuse for the next few months, as pubs might have to allocate time slots so that more customers are able to be served.

If you know you’re supposed to leave at a certain time, do. And if you don’t have an allocated time slot but are no longer buying drinks, spare a thought for the business and free up your seat.

Please leave your kids at home

Kids don’t generally want to be at the pub, as a result normally running around and doing bored-kid-things.

Some people find this annoying regardless, but it will be even worse with the threat of coronavirus in the air.

Bar staff will need to run around after your kids, other punters may be worried if children aren’t social distancing, and they could potentially spread the virus if they’re not staying in the same place and/or are touching everything around them.

By all means take your little ones out to parks and to see family as the rules allow, but try to think whether the pub is the best place for them right now (even if they are officially ‘allowed’).

Don’t make a joke out of people’s sacrifices

The fact that you’re in the pub is a privilege in itself, so please don’t take this opportunity and make a mockery of the sacrifices people have made so far.

We’ve ‘earned’ the right to ease social distancing measures by following the rules, so hugging your pals (however tempting) or getting close to others is a slap in the face for those who aren’t quite there yet.

It’s dangerous and rude to think you’re above the rules, so please be aware of how you might be abusing the trust being placed in you by shielding or vulnerable individuals to go out and about safely.

Have fun, but don’t overdo it and end up making it worse for the rest of us. In times of trouble always ask: What would Peggy Mitchell do?

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

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Restaurants and bars in Holland reopened on June 1, following on from hair salons and beauty parlours three weeks earlier.

I’m currently based in Utrecht, 25 minutes by train to Amsterdam, and surprisingly things have got back to ‘normal’ quickly, with bustling streets bringing a convivial atmosphere after months of being cooped up indoors.

Here are some of my observations of being out and about post-lockdown so far…

On the beauty front, I haven’t made it to a hairdresser yet but I recently went for a pedicure.

The beauty salon looked much cleaner than when I’d visited pre-corona with the laminate flooring gleaming and plexiglass barriers dividing manicurists from the customers.

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

All of the beauticians were wearing face masks and gloves.

To top things off my feet were massaged and washed with Dettol. Not the usual fragrance I’d associate with a spa visit.

On the bar and restaurant front, there are mandatory measures in place to help protect customers from coronavirus.

Before eating or drinking out in the canal-strewn city, you must make a reservation in advance and give your contact details so if someone who has visited the premises develops coronavirus you can be informed and take necessary measures.

It is sometimes possible to make walk-in reservations, as long as you provide your details at the door and state that you have not had any coronavirus symptoms.

There’s 1.5 metre spacing between tables (as stipulated by the Dutch government) but it actually makes for a more pleasant dining experience as it’s less crowded.

A maximum of 30 guests are allowed inside venues but more can be seated in terraced areas.

Some restaurants, such as the French-inspired De Zakkendrager, have got a license for a garden area to create a terrace for the first time ever.

The owner says he is thrilled and hopes that he will be able to get a license for the garden terrace area next year too.

For guests both inside and outside De Zakkendrager, the tables are well spaced and there were plexiglass barriers to divide areas.

Food and drinks are served to the table with no gloves worn.

Some restaurants have introduced more extreme measures.

Visiting a week after reopening, servers at Humphrey’s restaurant wore disposable gloves and plastic face visors like something straight from a sci-fi film, but the manager said the visors were being scrapped the next day as they were difficult to work with and uncomfortable to wear.

At Mr Finch cocktail bar in Utrecht – which has done exceedingly well during the coronavirus lockdown with takeaway cocktails – bottles of hand sanitiser made by a Dutch distillery are put on the table along with some bar nuts.

Hand sanitiser has just become a part of everyday life and you must pump before entering all venues, high street shops included, and there are also bottles placed in most bathrooms.

When it comes to toilets, I’ve noticed that venues with smaller WC areas, such as the Villa Orloff restaurant in Utrecht, there is a ‘one person at a time’ rule, to ensure people can keep a safe distance.

At some spots it appears the concept of safe distancing has become a little blurred.

On visiting one restaurant on the canal, spacing had been pushed to the maximum, with a bustling terrace area and large groups of people seated pretty close together.

Talking to Dutch friends, they agree that things ‘feel pretty much the same as before corona’ when it comes to beautifying, eating and drinking.

One said: ‘The only difference is that when you eat out now, tables are more spaced but this is a good thing. A bit more like private dining!’

A recent report revealed that the relaxation of the corona rules in the Netherlands has not led to a second wave or an increase in cases.

The most number of corona patients in one day was eight since June 1.

But Prof. Dr. Wallinga, who heads the unit for Infectious Disease Modelling at the RIVM National Institute for Public Health and the Environment warned that ‘the virus has not left the country’.

He told Dutch news outlet AD this week: ‘The virus has not left the country, local outbreaks can start again.

‘As long as there are still people with Covid-19 in the Netherlands, letting go of these basic rules will irrevocably lead to a rapid increase in the number of infected persons. It is still necessary to keep your distance.’

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Maya Saffron is a women-only personal trainer, specialising in pre- and post-natal fitness – but she hasn’t always had such a positive relationship with health and fitness.

As a child she struggled with cravings for unhealthy snack foods, and struggled with her self-esteem – feeling as though she stood out from her friends as both the wrong size and the wrong colour.

Now, Maya wants to help other women to feel confident and happy in their bodies – and help them to develop a healthy, lifelong relationship with exercise.

‘When I was 13 ,we moved from east London (which was very ethnically diverse) to Barnet (which was very white and pretty affluent),’ remembers Maya.

‘It was here where I became majorly unhappy about my body, and really stuck out as the fat brown girl. 

‘In year 7 when I began my all girls secondary school, I felt very determined to make a change. I joined every extra curricula sports club and wouldn’t allow myself to eat anything past 7 pm.’ 

Throughout school, Maya had rigid and unsustainable diet and exercise patterns – she says that at that time she never viewed sport and exercise as something enjoyable, it was simply a means to achieving her ultimate goal of ‘skinniness’.

At 16 she became a lifeguard and at 17 she began working for a luxury wellness centre – where she began to learn more about exercising safely, and she set her heart on a career as a personal trainer.

‘On my PT course, I learnt loads more about exercise and how to train effectively and when I became a full-time personal trainer in the wellness club, that’s where I learnt the most,’ Maya tells us.

‘I started to realise that if you trained with a purpose and in the right way for your body, exercising could not only become enjoyable but addictive. 

‘I now force myself to have a non-aesthetic (usually strength-based) fitness goal and encourage my clients to do the same. 

‘This is much easier to do with my pre- and post-natal clients, however back when I trained all women, it was harder to get them to focus on the non-aesthetic elements, and I put this down to the harsh, mainly Eurocentric, unrealistic body standards that exist in society.’

It is these limited body ideals that Maya wants to push back against. She believes that society’s current standards of beauty are incredibly exclusive and push out women who don’t fit a specific mould.

She says this is a huge contributing factor that makes it hard for women of colour to feel welcome in fitness spaces.

‘Most of the body standards we want to achieve are because they have been decided for us by white (usually male) gate keepers,’ says Maya.

‘Yes, curvy bodies, big bums etc. are “in” now, but that’s only because these body-types have been given the green light by white people.

‘The appropriation of Black female bodies has majorly spilled over onto the fitness industry and goes hand-in-hand with the hyper-sexualisation of women in gym environments.’

Maya says one of her key goals is to take up space as a brown woman in these traditionally white spaces, in order to make a change.

‘I want to offer representation of a fitness professional that does not fit the stereotypes,’ she explains.

‘I did not go to university, I pursued fitness instead, I do not encourage my clients to calorie count, I tell them to have a non-aesthetic goal.

‘We don’t just have to be what they have decided we can be, we can be whatever is best for us.

‘Gyms and the fitness industry as a whole, are majority white spaces. I want other women of colour to look at me and know that they too can value themselves first and invest in their health.

‘Often, in BAME communities, women especially miss out on exercising and staying fit and this can lead to both mental and physical health issues. I like creating environments where everyone feels comfortable and understood.’

Maya says that fitness is a vital part of getting her through every day life, and whatever it throws at her.

‘I attribute my efficiency and determination to my relationship with exercise and fitness,’ she says.

‘It’s me-time, it’s self love and most of all it’s improving my quality of life.

‘I hope to encourage women to value themselves just as much as their male counterparts value themselves.’

This is something she particularly wants to encourage in her clients who are pregnant or new mums.

‘When we become mothers, we tend to stop prioitising ourselves,’ says Maya.

‘I’ve had so many clients who say that after they had their baby they couldn’t find the time for Pilates or running twice a week like they used to, yet their male partners haven’t stopped their Sunday kick-about or dented their rigorous gym routine.

‘In addition, pregnant and post-natal women can have a tough time reckoning with the new image of themselves that they see in the mirror.

‘This can sabotage self esteem and make them feel less worthy.

‘I feel a healthy relationship with fitness can help combat pre- and post-pregnancy blues and make you appreciate how wonderful your body is. 

‘My biggest goal is to normalise exercise for women for a whole lifetime and change our collective perception of it.

‘It’s not an activity that you should dread, that you do to just to make yourself skinny or more desirable for men. It is so much more than that.’

Maya passionately believes that accessibility in fitness – particularly for marginalised women – is crucial in creating lasting, meaningful change.

‘Women are given messaging very early on that fitness isn’t for us,’ she says.

‘If you look at school PE lessons, for the majority of us, it wasn’t particularly desirable – periods and general teenage embarrassment made getting changed, swimming etc. very tough.

‘I don’t feel that there are enough measures in place to help improve this.

‘Then add in a total lack of compassion and lack of recognition for ethnic minority women’s needs – for example hair and religious requirements etc. It can be a very alienating time for young women and and can set a precedent for their future relationship with fitness. 

‘We need to get it right early on. Accessibility to fitness needs to be easy, because women are already coming at this with a mountain of barriers and anything getting in the way just adds to the difficulty of getting started.’

Are you redefining what it means to be a strong woman in the world of fitness or sport? We want to hear from you.

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

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This year we’ve seen some unlikely alliances arise – from the guinea pig who befriended a family of Sphynx cats to the koala and wombat who have become best pals in lockdown.

But if you thought 2020 could’t get any weirder, think again.

Two well-known brands have come together to present two new products.

Lynx and Marmite have joined forces to launch a new body wash and body spray.

And, yes, they are just as bizarre as they sound.

The new Lynx Africa and Marmite toiletries feature notes of lavandin, white moss and green herbs, alongside woody profiles of sandalwood and cedarwood – all underpinned by a salty punch of Marmite.

Set to go on sale in Sainsbury’s and Morrisons from 1 July, the 150ml body spray will retail for £3.65 and the 250ml body wash will be priced at £2.84.

Jamie Brooks, Lynx Brand Manager said: ‘By combining two iconic legends that have shaped dating and breakfast culture across the nation, we have created a product like no other that is sure to get lovers and haters spreading the news.

‘We’ve created the scent for all the lovers, whether that’s Lynx or Marmite, but with the controversial nature of the spread, believe it also might help in keeping the haters at arm’s length.’

But it seems Lynx and Marmite are not the only brands with some unusual news.

Pot Noodle announced earlier this week that it would be ditching its signature pot, for new cheaper and greener ‘potless’ noodles.

Although, it’s worth pointing out that noodle lovers can still get the beloved plastic pots, as the new variation will sit alongside the original ones.

Do you have a story to share?

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

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