With tier two in place throughout London, if you want to meet people outside your household you have to do so outside.
The rule of six applies, but it means if you sit in a beer garden or outdoor restaurant, you can still see some of your friends (from a safe distance, of course).
That’s all well and good, but the weather isn’t exactly playing ball, so you’ll want to find somewhere that has a covered outdoor seating area. Or, even better, a beer garden with heaters.
So popular was the list that the original creator was forced to lock collaborative editing, saying ‘I woke up with 1800 emails requesting access. I didn’t really have any dreams of going viral so now this document is locked. Sorry. Happy drinking.’
This mysterious owner seems to be someone called Oli Stevens. If you’re out there Oli, our cold pints and warm hands (under the heaters) thank you.
As ever, please do keep government guidelines in mind when you do go out, and maintain social distancing.
It’s spooky season and Halloween is fast approaching which can only mean one thing – time to get the libations prepped for the inevitable covid-friendly gatherings.
Just because we’re only allowed to see a certain number of people in certain places doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a Halloween-y cocktail or two.
Whether you’re looking forward to a quiet one or thirsting after the parties of yesteryear, we’ve put together some seasonal tipples you can easily make at home.
Frogspawn punch
Frogspawn punch (Picture: Morrisons)
Ingredients:
2 135g packs lime jelly 4 kiwi fruit Juice of 2 limes 2 ltrs lemonade
Method:
To prepare both of the lime jelly packs, pour the mixture into shallow trays and put the trays in the fridge to set for one hour.
While the jelly sets, peel the kiwis and cut them into big chunks, removing the white pith. Put a few slices aside and blitz the rest in a blender with the lime juice and 750ml of the lemonade for 30 seconds or until the kiwi has blended well.
When the jelly sets, cut it into small cubes and put them at the bottom of a punch bowl before adding the kiwi mixture and the rest of the lemonade. Garnish with the kiwi slices you set aside at the start and add vodka to turn it into a grown-up punch.
50ml Bathtub Gin 5 Blackberries 200ml of premium tonic Orange slice and more blackberries to garnish
Method:
Muddle five blackberries at the bottom of a highball glass, add the gin and half the tonic water and stir.
Fill the glass with ice and top with more tonic water then garnish with blackberries and an orange slice.
If you really want to drive the Halloween theme home, then try using gummy vampire teeth as a garnish instead – they’ll go nicely with the reddish colour of the cocktail.
25ml Punt E Mes Vermouth 25ml Campari 25ml Sipsmith Gin Hellfire Habanero Bitters Wedge of blood orange or pink grapefruit
Method:
Fill a glass with ice cubes and stir the vermouth, Campari and gin together with the ice until the mixture is slightly diluted.
Add four drops of habanero bitters and then more ice cubes to fill the glass.
Garnish with a wedge of blood orange or ruby grapefruit. If you want to make it even more on-theme, gummy vampire teeth and/or eyes would work as a garnish instead.
50 ml Glen Moray Fired Oak Single Malt Whisky 10 ml ginger liqueur (such as King’s) Sparkling apple juice A cinnamon stick
Method:
The Glen Moray Distillery is located on an old public execution site in Elgin, Scotland, which makes it the perfect ingredient to use in this whiskey-based cocktail.
Fill a glass with ice and stir in the whisky and the ginger liqueur, then top up your glass with the sparkling apple juice and garnish with a cinnamon stick and a twist of orange rind.
To ramp up the creep factor, add a little green food colouring and dry ice.
50ml Duppy Share Aged rum Fever Tree Smoky Ginger Ale Candied ginger
Method:
This one’s less of a spooky cocktail and more of a simple comforting autumnal twist on a Dark N’ Stormy, which will work perfectly if you want a more chill affair this year.
Pour the rum over an ice cube, then top with the ginger ale and garnish with candied ginger, and voila! It’s that easy.
If you fancy it, garnish with a lime wedge instead.
In the clip, which was watched by millions on TikTok and Facebook, Giovanni asks his grandma what happened.
‘So you found out who she was, made friendly with her, and then what happened?’ he asked.
Dressed in a dapper outfit, complete with a red lip, Doris told the story.
She explained: ‘We went out drinking. And I wasn’t hardly drinking, I was just putting it to her good and I said, “Well, we better go eat, so we can go home.”
‘And she was so drunk, her face went right down in her food, and that’s where it stayed.
‘I called him and told [my husband], “Come and get your lady friend. Her face is in the food,”‘ she said.
Giovanni then called his gran a ‘savage’ to which Doris replied: ‘I know and I love it’.
Protect her at all costs (Picture: Instagram/@sassy_gran_doris)
TikTokkers love Doris and claim her as their own, saying: ‘She’s our gran now’.
Others wanted the 94-year-old to impart some wisdom, saying: ‘Can gran give us some newbies advice about how to handle such heartbreak?’
Another wrote: ‘Oh how I love hearing about gran’s life. Amazing woman, love you gran!’
Imagine these with hot milk, too (Picture: Sainsbury’s)
If you’ve ever eaten a mince pie and thought ‘I could eat this for breakfast, lunch, and dinner’ have we got news for you.
Breakfast time for mince pie lovers is now covered, as Sainsbury’s has announced the launch of their mince pie flavoured wheat cereal.
In stores from now, the Mince Pie Wheats are high in fibre and vegan, filled with sweet mincemeat.
The raisin centre is delicately spiced to imitate those festive favourite pastries – and a 500g box of the cereal costs £2.
As well as Mince Pie Wheats, customers can also buy Gingerbread Porridge, Cranberry, Cinnamon and White Chocolate Granola, and Bucks Fizz Marmalade.
For those not quite ready to embrace Christmas just yet, the supermarket also has a Halloween cereal. Spooky Chocolate Toffee Bats, which are – as you may guess bat shaped and chocolate and toffee flavour – are just £1.50 for a 376g box.
With many people unable to or uneasy with going to the shops in person, this box includes turkey and all the trimmings so you can still enjoy the festive feast.
This year has been a big one for crafting, baking and all kinds of creative activities.
So, if you’re looking for a new project to keep you busy now new restrictions are in place, then we have just the thing. And not only will it help pass the time, but it’ll also look great placed in your living room when it’s finished.
We are, of course, talking about the latest crafting-cum-interior trend on TikTok – twisted candles.
Users on the platform are posting handy tutorials on how to make these unusual creations and it couldn’t be simpler. All you need is a long candle and some warm water.
In terms of the process, start by putting your candle in a pot of warm to hot water for 10-15 minutes, this will help to soften the wax and make it more malleable.
After it has reached this consistency, roll it out flat using a rolling pin (FYI – a wine bottle will also work a treat).
When the candle is flexible, turn the wax in the middle to form a spiral shape – but make sure you leave an inch at the bottom so it still fits the holder.
You can also leave an inch at the top to keep things aesthetically pleasing.
Simply roll out the middle… (Picture: @ellenmartiin/TikTok)
… and twist it to your desired shape (Picture: @ellenmartiin/TikTok)
We think they make great centrepieces for a table, or additions to a styled shelf and colours can be customised depending on personal taste. Not to mention, they can work as gifts for friends.
Of course, it’s worth pointing out that there are a number of retailers currently selling very similar candles – if you can’t be bothered to make them yourself.
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on purchases made through one of these links but this never influences our experts’ opinions or coverage. Products are tested and reviewed independently of commercial initiatives.
She asked if I was Jemma’s daughter, and how old I was. Jemma and I started discreetly messaging each other, trying to find a way out of this situation.
You see, I’m used to strangers talking about me as if I’m not there and invading my personal space without my consent.
As an electric-powered wheelchair user, it’s astonishing how many people assume your body and whole being is theirs to examine or question.
Before the pandemic, I was prepared for people to touch me and my wheelchair – especially at bus stops (apparently, me being at the edge of the pavement causes strangers great concern).
I was, however, expecting that the global pandemic would have put paid to all the unwanted physical contact.
She carried on with her questions, directed at Jemma of course, until I told her I was able to speak for myself (Picture: Shona Louise)
Pre-March, I had built up a tolerance to people’s nonsense. I would suffer through the incessant questions and the conversation that followed, but this time I wasn’t having any of it for fear that she could be carrying the virus and pass it on to us.
I made an excuse about being too cold and wanting to sit in the sun, so we moved away. I hoped this would be the end of it, but the woman followed us over.
She carried on with her questions, directed at Jemma of course, until I told her I was able to speak for myself.
That’s when she decided to reach out and place her hands on mine. When I asked her to stop touching me, she moved them upwards, to my face. This was all while she was continuing to patronise and pity me.
In hindsight, perhaps she was just an elderly lady struggling with loneliness, and I would have been happy to have a socially distanced conversation with her had she kept 2 metres apart.
But when she reached out and touched me it changed from a frustrating but harmless conversation to a potential health risk.
I don’t know why I didn’t just pull myself backwards but, honestly, I was frozen to the spot with shock.
By the time we finally convinced her to leave us alone, having to just be blunter and colder than we usually would be, she’d touched my powerchair controller too.
I felt anxious for days afterwards. All I could think was, what if she had the virus?
As a wheelchair user, I often feel more like an object (Picture: Shona Louise)
While I’d never been officially shielding, the fact that just tonsillitis has been known to hospitalise me in the past meant that for many months I didn’t leave my house except to get fresh air.
All this incident did was reminded me of how often my body has not been my own.
Pre-coronavirus, every day I would face commuters leaning on my powerchair on the train, and others touching my shoulder as they gave me their unwanted pity.
In January of this year, a woman even came up to me and took my hands without saying a word, before offering to pray for me. I shook her off and spewed out my usual lines about being happy with my life until she got the message.
I’m far from the only disabled person to have experienced this. Dr Amy Kavanagh, who is visually impaired and uses a white cane, has even set up the #JustAskDontGrab campaign because of how frequently she has been touched by strangers.
Her campaign encourages people to ask if a disabled person needs their help, rather than just giving it without as much as a hello. Amy strives to hammer home the importance of consent in these situations, encouraging respect for disabled people.
As a disabled person, it often feels like my space and body are not respected in the same way non-disabled people’s are. I don’t feel as though society sees me as a whole person. Particularly as a wheelchair user, I often feel more like an object.
Perhaps this is down to a lack of understanding about disability, or often the fact that so many people see disabled people as less than and therefore don’t apply the same courtesies that others receive.
The ease with which people grab and touch me is alarming, not only because it is incredibly intrusive and without my consent, but also because I live with chronic pain that is so easily worsened by the smallest of external pressures
Although it’s an issue I often brush off as just part of my daily life, these experiences make me feel like more of an object than a person.
Dealing with unwanted physical contact was hard enough before Covid-19, but now I’m more anxious than ever about strangers not respecting my personal space.
Although I’m fortunate that this woman didn’t pass coronavirus onto us, it has made me more wary about sitting at a bus stop or simply stopping in the street. But, it’s also made me want to speak up more and give myself permission to set boundaries without worrying about hurting a person’s feelings.
I’m happy to have a conversation and have help offered, but please think twice about simply reaching out and touching a disabled person or simply giving help without permission.
We are human beings with feelings, too.
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing platform@metro.co.uk.
The new collection (Picture: Jones Road Beauty/Getty)
There’s no denying the makeup industry is packed full of brilliant brands.
So, any newcomer needs to offer something different to stand out from the already-saturated crowd.
That’s why makeup artist Bobbi Brown (behind the company of the same name) has launched a new cosmetic brand with an important mission statement.
Jones Road has been built on the idea that the world doesn’t need more beauty products – but it does need better ones.
For this reason Jones Road is a ‘clean’ makeup brand, which means there are no phthalates, sulphates, petrolatum, PEGs, cyclic silicones, EDTA, or BPA.
In a recent IGTV, Bobbi said: ‘It’s about helping people understand how health and wellness is the most important thing and using makeup just so you look better.’
The start-up kit (Picture: Jones Road Beauty)
The collection currently includes a miracle balm, mascara, lipgloss and a startup beauty kit. The products are made with performance formulas that work on every skin type and tone. They’re also super simple to apply.
Bobbi added: ‘When I say performance I don’t mean they stay on for four days, I mean that they work’
The handy balm for eyes, cheeks or lips (Picture:Jones Road Beauty)
Available in four shades, the versatile miracle balm is made with jojoba and argan oil and is designed to be worn on cheeks, lips and eyes for a boost of colour.
The cruelty-free mascara, on the other hand, is ultra-pigmented for a dramatic look and the moisturising lipgloss comes in five different shades.
Take your pick (Picture: Jones Road Beauty)
The cruelty-free mascara (Picture: Jones Road Beauty)
Meanwhile the start-up kit provides all the essentials for a natural, glowy look with a Just A Sec Eyeshadow in Golden Peach, The Best Eyeshadow in Dark Brown, The Best Pencil in Black and Cool Gloss in Original.
Currently, the range is currently only available in the USA, but hopefully it’ll be coming to the UK very soon.
No, it isn’t too early to be thinking about it! (Picture: Green & Black’s/Reese’s/ Lily O’Brien’s/Niederegger)
The fact that there is a wealth of chocolate advent calendars out there to choose from is a bit of a double-edged sword.
On the one hand, it’s great to have variety. On the other, sometimes it can be hard to narrow down your options, especially when everything looks so delicious.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best chocolate advent calendars for 2020 for you to choose from or to simply inspire you…
This charming house-shaped advent calendar is filled with 28 tasty chocolates, with flavours including Truffilicious, LeCrunch Chocolat, Sticky Toffee and Chocolate Orange.
The house is also plenty sturdy enough to use year after year – just fill the drawers with new goodies and you’re all set.
German confectioner Niederegger was set up in 1806 by Johann Georg Niederegger, and they’ve been going strong ever since.
This advent calendar is great for any marzipan fan, and contains a variety of chocolates including pralines covered with dark and whole milk chocolate, flamed marzipan and marzipan covered in chocolate.
This calendar includes five different flavours of bite-size chocolates from Green & Black’s Organic range, including their Dark 70%, Milk with Butterscotch, Dark with Ginger, Milk, and Dark 80% bars.
On top of that, they’re made with ethically-sourced ingredients, so they’re guilt-free too.
White, milk and dark chocolate flavour peanut butter cups are hiding behind 23 doors of this tasty advent calendar, with two full-size white Peanut Butter Cups stashed behind window number 24.
It will be available at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, and Morrison’s soon.
Montezuma’s has a range of advent calendars on offer, but with flavours like classic rich, dark chocolate, and salted dulce de leche caramel, their truffle offering is the most luxurious of the bunch.
If the price tag doesn’t appeal to you, they’re also selling an Organic Milk and White calendar for £8.99, a tasty milk chocolate vegan alternative for £8.99, an Absolute Black 100% Cocoa calendar for £9.99, and Organic Milk and Organic Dark chocolate variants for £9.99 each.
For less than £6, you can get your hands on Cadbury’s Dairy Milk Chunk calendar which includes Dairy Milk Chunks, Caramel Chunks and Whole Nut Dairy Milk Chunks.
For any white chocolate lovers out there, Cadbury has also made an entirely white chocolate-filled advent calendar, which is going for £2.19 exclusively at ASDA.
Ferrero Rocher advent calendar – £9.99
(Picture: Ferrero Rocher)
This tasty calendar is full of three different kinds of Ferrero chocolate: Ferrero Rondnoir – which has a dark chocolate centre in a smooth filling, Confetteria Raffaello – which has a smooth coconut filling and a whole almond, and the classic Fererro Rocher, which has a whole hazelnut encased in milk chocolate and nut croquante
You can get this calendar from Lidl from Thursday 5 November.
Louise now helps other adopted individuals (Picture: Louise Borthwick/ Kay Clark Photography)
Louise Borthwick was just six months old when she was adopted – something she’s spent her whole life coming to terms with.
Because of her experience, Louise, now 50, created a tailor-made therapy programme to help other adoptees deal with the long-term repercussions from their adoption.
While she agrees adoption can be a great thing for many people, Louise, a qualified relationship coach, feels there is not enough being done to help adoptees with issues they face.
Speaking to Metro.co.uk for Adoption Month, she says: ‘When I read stories that promote adoption as this fluffy thing, I always think “hang on a minute…” I know that it might sound negative as there’s lots of people out there who have had lovely experiences, but still those people have the same issues.
‘Adopted children often feel a sense they don’t belong, or have behaviour traits which see them endure multiple failed relationships because they have this “please love me” desperation in them and relationships simply can’t flourish on need.
‘I developed these traits in my formative years – attachment issues, the need to belong, the “please love me”, the Imposter Syndrome where I felt like a fraud… And that causes deep rooted behavioural problems.’
When Louise was four, her adoptive mother was diagnosed with MS and consequently fell terminally ill. As a result, she became a child carer and sadly lost her mother at the age of nine.
Louise also discovered she was adopted only after overhearing a conversation about who would look after her once her adoptive mother had passed away.
As a result of her traumatic childhood, she struggled with feelings of disconnection, rejection and abandonment which has affected her in adult life and seen her self-medicating with alcohol at times.
She says: ‘I went down that road of having low self-esteem, low self-worth, never feeling good enough or like I belonged anywhere – you can feel alone in a room full of people.’
Louise explains that she noticed that through her work and speaking with others in similar situations, lots of adopted individuals have behavioural issues as a result of their often disrupted start to life.
She adds that she’s spoken to people who have experienced eating disorders, addictions and personality disorders as adults, as a result of the psychological trauma.
Adopted children can face long-term mental health and emotional problems (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
Louise sheds light on why this could be the case, saying: ‘Not all children are adopted at six months old, some have been in – and even abused in – the care system before they even get adopted, so why would they respect authority? They feel like they’ve been unjustly isolated and picked out because they feel like they don’t belong.’
But it’s not just adoptive children that have to deal with such long-term psychological and emotional issues. Louise explains that her birth mother had her own mental health problems because she was forced by her family to give up her baby during the 1960s and believes the repercussions of this event tragically resulted in her death by suicide.
She says: ‘Because the family were Catholic, she had brought shame on the family and she was sent away to a hostel to give birth to me and then I was put in care. But she used to go to the care home where I was to see me, which caused her distress and mental health issues.
‘I met my natural mother when I was 28, but until then it had been so difficult. I felt like there was something missing, that I didn’t belong, that I was different to everyone else – I used to walk around and feel like I was in this bubble.
‘She had a massive manic episode after I met her and committed suicide. It was horrific.’
After trying all kinds of different types of therapy – including psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, counselling, reiki, NLP, eye movement therapy and CBT – Louise, who is an Accredited Master Practitioner Relationship Coach, decided to put together her own specialist programme for those who have been adopted.
Louise says: ‘There’s nothing specialist for people like me who have had these experiences.
‘My programme is basically a culmination of using all different therapeutic techniques, depending on what the person needs. It’s about finding a place of becoming empowered and accepting and clearing the issues at the core – so we cover things like emotional processing, we look at conflict resolution, we look at goals and motivations and negative thinking.
‘People who are adopted have already shown so much strength and resilience throughout their lives to deal with everything. They’ve found coping mechanisms to be able to manoeuvre themselves through their lives with added issues that other people don’t have.
‘So what I do is help them recognise the tools they are using and put them in a proactive system to use, to overcome their deep rooted issues. We go through deeper psychological and social issues that they might have come up against.’
Louise adds that because a lot of adopted individuals do not like authority, they often won’t seek help from the government organisations or from charities – so wanted this to be an alternative for them.
She says: ‘It’s so important we don’t make adoption a big fairy story because it really isn’t. It has a long-term impact on people and this is what we need to be looking at.’
Louise runs Empowered Relations and more information can be found here.
Adoption Month is a month-long series covering all aspects of adoption.
For the next four weeks, which includes National Adoption Week from October 14-19, we will be speaking to people who have been affected by adoption in some way, from those who chose to welcome someone else's child into their family to others who were that child.
We'll also be talking to experts in the field and answering as many questions as possible associated with adoption, as well as offering invaluable advice along the way.
If you have a story to tell or want to share any of your own advice please do get in touch at adoptionstories@metro.co.uk.
Here is a selection of the stories from Adoption Month so far:
The note was found hidden in the roof (Picture: Instagram.com/stad_antwerpen)
An inspirational note found hidden on the roof of a church has been revealed to be from 1941.
Discovered in James’s Church in Antwerp, Belgium, the note offered a new perspective to the people who found it.
A church worker discovered a small sheet of paper wrapped in a box of matches and placed inside a keystone that connects the vaults of the ceiling.
The letter was dated 21 July, 1941, and signed by four men: John Janssen, Jul Gyselinck, Louis Chantraine, and Jul Van Hemeldonck.
It revealed the harsh conditions in the church they worked in and provided some words of advice for the future.
The note, written originally in Dutch said: ‘We have experienced two wars, one in 1914 and one in 1940, that [we] can count.
‘We stand here to work hungry, they squeeze us down to the last cent for a little food.’
The letters (Picture: Instagram.com/stad_antwerpen)
The note continued: ‘I advise our descendants when it comes to war again, in the course of life, make sure to keep a stock in the house, such as rice, coffee, flour, tobacco, wheat, grain for you to keep!
‘Enjoy life to the fullest, take another wife in time, for those who are married. Just get home! Salut men!’
An Instagram account sharing the city’s hotspots posted a picture of the church, showing where the note was found.
Followers said the note gave them some perspective on life. Others made comparisons to the current pandemic.
The notes were hidden in this matchbox (Picture: Instagram.com/stad_antwerpen)
One person wrote: ‘What a find! Life was very hard then. Corona is also heavy but you can still live with it. We have a lot of support from the government and are not starving!’
Another said: ‘So hoard food, find a mate. Different circumstances, same advice’.
One person wrote: ‘Damn, that hit me some kinda way’.
One follower joked: ‘I’m still looking for my first wife. Ladies, I have plenty of rice!’.
Last year, Primark released a dupe of a designer bar cart with a much smaller price tag and shoppers went wild.
It sold out quickly with just a lucky few getting their hands on one.
The good news for those who missed out is that it’s back again for 2020.
It’s been slightly redesigned but still has a gold frame and glass shelves, which is bang on trend.
Similar to carts by brands like Oliver Bonas and Made.com, which sell for hundreds, the Primark version costs just £35.
As Primark doesn’t sell online, you’ll only be able to pick it up in store and the bad news is that only a few of their biggest stores will stock it.
The stores in the UK include:
The bar cart features shelves and somewhere to store glasses (Picture: Primark)
London – Oxford street
Birmingham – High Street
Liverpool
Newcastle
Bristol
Cardiff
Glasgow – Argyle Street
Coventry
A post on their Instagram page announced the return and said: ‘Our new and improved bar cart has returned for at-home entertaining this season!
‘Perfect for drinks, statement styling or displaying your fave pieces in your home. It’ll be wheeling into stores from this week and it’s a steal at only £35/€40.
‘Due to popularity of product, we recommend calling your local store ahead of your visit for updates on stock availability.’
The cart features a top shelf with a barrier to stop anything falling when you move it, and handles to help you wheel it around the room.
Underneath, there’s slots to hang some glasses and another shelf at the bottom.
People were excited to see it return and those who managed to get their hands on one last year told shoppers it’s worth tracking one down.
One person said: ‘I have the other one and it’s a huge success.’
Another added: ‘I really want one for my little alcove bit.’
‘I might just have to get it this time,’ someone else said.
It’s already been a very trying time (Picture: Getty)
Despite the fact that there is not a UK election scheduled for this year, there is another major election coming up which could, for good reason, be making you feel pretty anxious.
We all remember where we were and how we felt when we learned the results of the last presidential election in the United States – and now it’s nearly time for us to go through a similarly high-stakes election once again.
As a major player on the world stage, the US is a hugely powerful economic force to be reckoned with, and could very easily help turn the tide against vital global issues such as climate change – with the right president that is.
So, it makes sense that the people’s choice of leader will weigh heavily on the minds of those who live in other countries, too.
He tells us: ‘It’s ok to feel how you do. It’s natural to feel anxious and stressed.’
Jamie says it’s ‘natural’ to feel anxiety about the election (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
‘What happens in the US affects us all,’ he adds. ‘The president is often referred to as the leader of the free world and the UK as the 51st state, but often the close relationship feels like control over us in which we have no say.
‘This is more acute in an election we can’t vote in, and with creeping authoritarianism that often seems undemocratic.
‘This is further compounded by the globalisation and Americanisation of the internet. Often what we read is from an American perspective that can feel more relevant to us than it is.
‘These are tumultuous times. It feels like a lot is changing and we don’t know what is going to happen.
‘There’s a lot of division and opposing opinions. Sometimes looking from the outside in it can all seem terrifying and out of control.’
Dr Daria Kuss, Associate Professor in Psychology at Nottingham Trent University, tells us: ‘UK and US relations have always been important politically, economically and socially, which is why someone from and in the UK may be stressing about the election in the US even if they don’t have any personal ties to the country.
‘Moreover, as a significant economic and political power, political decision-making in the US will likely have consequences beyond national borders, and therefore it is not surprising that some people will be worried even if they are not based in the USA.
Try and avoid the doomscrolling (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
‘In addition to this, the current pandemic gives many individuals more time to worry about the election outcome, especially when engaging in doomscrolling news reports on social media sites – a common pastime activity in the present day and age. This may lead to feelings of anxiety and general worry for the future.’
When it comes to how you can ease your election anxiety, Jamie says: ‘Talk to people about how you feel, and perhaps with people who aren’t going to just argue with your opinions.
‘What specifically are you worried about? For example, if it’s the US response to the climate emergency you can think about what you can do more locally. What do you have control over?
‘While we don’t know what will happen, remember things will change at some point. And while we can’t control when this is, all of us can make a difference.’
Meanwhile, Dr Daria recommends: ‘Manage your expectations. Be prepared for the eventualities and make a plan of how to cope with these.
‘One of the ways in which this can be done is to find positive distractions. Engage in self-care by nourishing your bodies and souls with good company, music and exercise.
‘Moreover, be hopeful. No matter the result, tomorrow is another day. The current political situation in the USA has brought along opportunities for citizens to claim their individual rights and to organise themselves together to fight for equal opportunities.
‘Especially in difficult circumstances, such as a negative political climate, people will find their voice and ask for what is right and just.’
It takes your sleep cycles into account (Picture: Shutterstock)
A bad night of sleep can ruin your day.
But a new online calculator works out when you need to go to bed, to stop you feeling tired the next day.
Most people will know that we have different phases when we sleep, but if we wake up in the middle of a cycle then it’s pretty bad news.
Each sleep cycle lasts roughly 90 minutes and we should, ideally, be passing through around five or six of them every night.
This new calculator from Hilary’s helps estimate when you should be going to sleep by taking these all-important sleep cycles into account.
It simply asks users to put in the time they wish to wake up and it works out the rest.
For example, if you want to wake up at 7:30am, the calculator explains that you should go to bed at one of the following times: 10:16 pm, 11:46 pm, 1:16am or 2:46 am. That way you’re less likely to feel tired as you won’t wake up during a sleep cycle.
It also acknowledges that people don’t sleep straight away. Most individuals take around 14 minutes, on average, to fall asleep and this is factored into the sleep calculator.
The website reads: ‘Waking up mid-cycle can leave you feeling grumpy and tired; rising in between phases will help you to start the day with a smile on your face.’
In other news, a recent study has also found that white noise sleep apps could be having a negative effect on us. One of the professors of the study expressed concerns that the auditory system stays switched to listen to the noise – so doesn’t get any rest.
Time to update the foliage in your home (Picture: metro.co.uk)
From succulents to figs, snake plants to devil’s ivy, there’s no question that a house plant or or ten can brighten our homes and our moods.
2020 has been the year that so many of us have upped our plant game, and made a concerted efforts to bring more greenery into our homes.
In no small part due to the fact that we are all pending more time at home than ever before.
But which house plants are going to be the biggest trends next year? There have been some clear favourites emerging among proud plant parents over the last few months, but will we go in a different direction in the new year?
The green-fingered team over at Flowercard dived into search trends data to reveal the most in-demand houseplants of now, those who have seen the biggest surge in popularity and those which will be trending in 2021.
The data proves that 2020 is the year of the cactus, with three of the top five houseplants with the biggest popularity increases being different types of cacti – the Fishbone Cactus, Bunny Ear Cactus, and Mistletoe Cactus. These plants are, after all, pretty low maintenance, so they’re an excellent choice for amateur green fingers.
Also in the top five are the Blue Star Fern, an easy-care plant with a blue-green hue, and Velvet Calathea, a plant with waxy leaves and red stems.
These houseplants have all seen huge increases in popularity since 2010, with the Fishbone Cactus jumping by more than 2,280%.
So, while you may not have seen many of these plants in homes ten years ago, you might just spot them far more often in 2020 and beyond.
The 10 houseplants growing in popularity
Fishbone Cactus
We love these snazzy leaves (Picture: BAKKER)
Bunny Ear Cactus
Cute by name and nature (Picture: thelittlebotanical)
Blue Star Fern
A real star of a plant (Picture: hortology)
Mistletoe Cactus
Demand people kiss you every time you walk past this cactus (Picture: hortology)
Velvet Calathea
We love these luscious leaves (Picture: canopyplants)
String of Hearts
We love the romance of this one (Picture: thelittlebotanical)
Happy Bean Plant
Looks good enough to eat (don’t eat it) (Picture: gardernersdream)
Chinese Money Plant
A firm favourite (Picture: patchplants)
Snake Plant
Good luck trying to kill one of these (Picture: patchplants )
African Milk Tree
Such a unique look (Picture: hortology)
Top five most popular houseplants right now
Aloe Vera/Aloe Barbadensis Miller
We love a plant that can multitask, and the trusty Aloe Vera does just that. Not only does it look great, but it also has medicinal properties, being used for everything from treating burns to settling an upset stomach.
Lavender/Lavandula
Plants really can do it all, and Lavender is a perfect example of a plant with a skill. The aroma of this pretty little purple plant can promote calmness and reduce stress, even helping you to get a good night’s sleep.
Snake Plant/Sansevieria Zeylanica
If you don’t have a great track record for keeping plants alive and happy, a Snake Plant may be the perfect one for you. This sturdy houseplant can withstand a lot, even going weeks without needing to be watered.
Peace Lily/Spathiphyllum
Another low maintenance plant, the Peace Lily is known for being particularly good at cleaning air, so it makes an excellent addition to your home.
Money Tree/Pachira Aquatica
The sturdy Money Tree is said to bring good luck and prosperity, so it’s no surprise that this plant is so popular.
How to keep your houseplants healthy
The experts at Flowercard have some essential tips for keeping your green babies happy and thriving:
All houseplants need natural sunlight to survive, but how much sunlight plants need, depends entirely on the individual plant – so try a quick Google to find out the needs of your indoor plants.
To ensure your house plants receive enough natural sunlight, turn off your light to see how much natural sunlight fills the room where your houseplants live – plants cannot feed off bulb light, so make sure your room is receiving enough light.
For plants that need a lot of sunlight, placing them by large windows is a great way to ensure they receive the light they need, while shade-loving plants can sit in corners of rooms or on shelves, for example.
Another tip for ensuring plants get enough sunlight is to use a compass on your phone to work out which direction your windows are facing. With the UK being located in the Northern Hemisphere, south-facing windows are the best bet for ensuring maximum light exposure.
When it comes to watering your indoor plants, this will also vary depending on the type of plant you have, though most plants need watering every 2-4 days.
As a general rule, smaller plants will need more frequent watering than larger plants, and those sat in sunlight will also need watering more frequently – if in doubt, feel the soil.
Most indoor plants will thrive in moist compost in spring and summer-time but just be careful not to over-water your plants, as water-logging can be fatal. Pots with drainage holes will allow excess water to drain out, and prevent any wet compost.
Do you have a story to share? We want to hear from you.
Putting a child up for adoption can be a traumatic experience for their biological parents (Picture: Getty)
Adopting a child is a life-changing event for both the child and their new parents, however, the decision to give your child up for adoption is equally monumental, and not one that can be taken lightly.
There are many reasons why someone might put their child up for adoption – they may not feel emotionally, physically or financially ready to have a baby, they might not have a strong support network or there could be other issues at play.
Some may find themselves pregnant at a difficult point in their lives so the decision feels like the best one at the time.
When the child is adopted, the biological parent relinquishes all responsibility and legal rights, but what happens if they later want to take the child back?
Can biological parents regain custody of their child after adoption?
Custody cannot be regained by the child’s biological parents.
Many children stay in contact with their birth parents (Picture: Getty)
Can biological parents stay in contact with their child after adoption?
You may be able to stay in contact with your child after they are adopted, depending on their needs.
In most cases, the level of contact will be discussed during the adoption process and will vary depending on what is deemed best for the child.
Biological family – including parents or grandparents – may stay in contact through face-to-face meetings, phone calls, or by letter.
There is no legal requirement for this, but 2019 research from Adoption UK showed that 84% of adoptive families had signed an agreement for ongoing indirect contact (such as letterbox), and a further quarter have direct contact with birth family members (in most cases, siblings).
Adoptive parents may send pictures to the child’s biological parents – particularly during milestone events (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
In most cases, you will work with them, a social worker and local authorities to work out your next steps. They can also direct you to further support.
Once you are sure this is the right thing to do, the courts will make the arrangement final with an adoption court order.
This document will give new parents all legal rights and responsibilities and cannot be undone.
Your baby must be at least six weeks old before you make a final decision.
Whatever your reason, remember that it’s your choice to decide what you want to do.
Adoption Month is a month-long series covering all aspects of adoption.
For the next four weeks, which includes National Adoption Week from October 14-19, we will be speaking to people who have been affected by adoption in some way, from those who chose to welcome someone else's child into their family to others who were that child.
We'll also be talking to experts in the field and answering as many questions as possible associated with adoption, as well as offering invaluable advice along the way.
If you have a story to tell or want to share any of your own advice please do get in touch at adoptionstories@metro.co.uk.
Here is a selection of the stories from Adoption Month so far:
Could your body type be affecting your progress in the gym? (Picture: Getty Images)
Have you ever followed the exact same training regime or diet as a friend but ended up with completely different results? It could be down to your different body types.
A body type, or somatotype, is the concept that our bodies can be classified into three categories based on build: endomorph, mesomorph and ectomorph.
The idea was created by American psychologist Dr WH Sheldon in the 1940s and, while some of his work has been debunked (he theorised incorrectly that people with certain body types tended to exhibit specific personality traits), somatotypes are still broadly used by the fitness industry today to say whether you are fat, muscular, or tall and thin.
‘Lots of PTs put their clients on the exact same exercise regime and diet, even though they have different body types and fitness goals,’ says female fitness expert, Rachael Attard who trains according to somatotypes.
‘I have found that body-type distinction gives you a good starting point for adjusting your workout and diet if you’re not seeing results.
Fitness coach Rachael Attard trains according to somatotypes
‘For example, if you’re an endomorph (typically curvier and with shorter limbs) and your goal is to lean down your thighs, you will most likely not achieve that result with sprinting and heavy lifting.
‘Whereas for an ectomorph (naturally leaner with longer limbs), that approach would give great results.’
A body type is not a life sentence and your somatotype can change depending on an array of things such as environmental and social influences, genetic variations, geographic locations, and the personal decisions you make.
‘Studies suggest that while your genes may determine up to 80 per cent of your weight and body type (your physiology), environment and personal choice still play a significant role,’ adds Rachael.
However, don’t be confused by the apple, pear and hourglass terms you commonly hear to describe a woman’s figure. ‘Normally, these are references to visual appearance,’ says Rachael.
‘Some women fall into a mix of two or more body types, ie a 65 per cent mesomorphs and 35 per cent endomorphs would classify a woman with an hourglass figure (which maintains the slim waist of a mesomorph but has more curves).’
What are the different body types?
All bodies are not created equal, so diets and training sessions shouldn’t be either. Identifying your somatotype could help determine the success of your goals, so Rachael explains the best ways to train and eat for each.
Endomorph
Curvy J-Lo is an endomorph (Picture: Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Caesars Entertainment)
Body type:
Generally short, round and curvy with larger midsection and hips. You are predisposed to store fat, but you also gain muscle fast and have good strength and endurance.
How to train:
‘You tend to be bottom heavy so up your reps and use lower weights. Combine low-intensity cardio sessions with at least 2-3 moderate-high intensity ones.
‘Running at a steady pace and on a flat surface will work best for your body type. Try to do as much power walking as you can – at least five times per week for 45 minutes per walk. It helps reduce fat on your legs and burns more calories than you think.’
What to eat:
‘Thanks to a slower metabolism, you should stick to a low-carb diet. Make sure most of your carbs come from fruit and vegetables and skip starchy carbs like pasta, bread and rice.
‘Healthy fats will keep you feeling fuller for longer – think lean meats, oily fish, nuts, seeds and avocado. No diet should be restrictive, but if you must have treats, keep them healthy, like protein balls.’
Macronutrient ratio:
20-25% carbohydrates, 30% protein, 45-50% fat
Mesomorph
Naturally athetlic? You might be a mesomorph like Jessica Biel (Picture: Robert Kamau/GC Images)
Body type:
Naturally muscular with broad shoulders, solid torso and a narrow waist. You can lose and gain weight quickly, but see results quickly, too.
How to train:
‘You tend to be more athletic and gain muscle easily so choose your weights carefully. Focus on HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) to burn calories and build muscle simultaneously and incorporate this 1-2 times a week.
‘Also include regular steady pace cardio sessions. High-intensity cardio, such as running on a flat surface and at a steady pace, works best for fat loss. To really challenge yourself, make one of your cardio days high intensity.’
What to eat:
‘You do best with a balanced macronutrient ratio so try and have all three in your meals and snacks.
‘You tend to gain weight quickly if you eat too many high sugar foods so stick with the 80:20 rule. If your fat loss is being stubborn, try a low carb/high protein diet for four weeks, then switch it back to balanced macros.’
Macronutrient ratio:
30-35% carbohydrates, 35-40% protein, 30% fat
Ectomorph
Most models like Kate Moss are slim ectomorphs (Picture: Broadimage/REX)
Body type:
Usually tall and slim with long, thin muscles and limbs. You look athletic and have a good metabolism. You generally find it difficult to gain weight or muscle and are naturally low in body fat.
How to train:
‘Up your strength training (ideally three times a week) to build muscle mass (lower reps at a higher weight) and include longer rest periods so you don’t elevate calorie burn.
‘Cardio is optional, (unless you love it of course) or if you’re trying to get rid of excess fat. Aim for one rest day per week or an active recovery day (that might involve some light walking or stretching).
‘Your body will gain muscle and strength very slowly so do not be disheartened if you don’t notice improvements straight away.’
What to eat:
‘You are the only body type that thrives on carbohydrates and does not gain weight, so embrace a high-carb diet.
‘Avoid sugar and focus on healthy carbs such as fruit, brown rice, whole grain pasta, quinoa and veggies. High levels of protein are good for muscle growth plus good fats will help you recover you recover from workouts faster.’
Macronutrient Ratio:
40-50% carbohydrates, 30-35% protein, 20-25% fat
Not sure what type you are? Rachael has created a free online quiz to help women figure out where they fit.
Trainers that will get you the most out of your workout
Asics Gel Fujitrabuco 8 shoes have full ground contact in the midsole to deliver a smooth transition with every step, while gel cushioning absorbs shock to alleviate impact.
With a water repellent finish and a sole offering traction and durability, these Karrimor Rapid 2 Ladies Trail Running Shoes are a good option for trail runners.
The On Cloudflyer is fortified with something called Helion Superfoam and a forked outsole which supports take-offs. A wider base also disperses the weight of your impact.
The finished rolls (Picture: From the Pantry to the Table)
A homecook has revealed her secret to a perfect crispy coating – crushed up instant noodles.
Gail, who posts on From the Pantry to the Table, shared her recipe for crispy potato, chilli and parmesan rolls, which are very cheap to make.
They need just a free ingredients and can be whipped up in minutes.
After cooking and mashing the potato filling, Gail is able to roll it into shape, dip it in a batter and then dip it in the crushed up noodles.
Once she fries it, the noodles become a delicious coating and it’s a great alternative to breadcrumbs.
Gail says: ‘Party food or just a snack, even as a side dish, these little potato rolls are delicious. I teamed it with the Spicy Tomato Dipping Sauce, and it was just perfect. Recipe inspiration was from Maggi.’
She uses instant noodles from Maggi which aren’t sold in the UK but Super Noodles or supermarket own brand ones will work just as well.
Ingredients
3 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
1/2 a small brown onion finely diced
2 tbsp finely grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp red chilli flakes
3 tbsp rice or potato flour
Salt and black pepper to season
1 tbsp finely chopped chives
2 packets Maggi Chicken 2 minute noodles
1/4 cup flour
1 cup water
Oil for frying
Method
Dice potatoes and place in a pot of cold water.Bring to the boil and cook until tender, mash well. Allow to cool
Place in a bowl with onion, Parmesan, chives, chilli flakes and potato/rice flour.
Mix well until all is incorporated. Taking a tablespoon full, press and form into a cylinder shape. Repeat until all mixture is used.
Use a rolling pin and crush noodles well, tip into a shallow bowl. Reserve seasoning sachets.
In another shallow bowl add flour and seasoning sachets. Mix to combine.
Gradually add water until you have a smooth pancake like batter.
Dip potato rolls into the batter then roll in crushed noodles. Repeat until all mixture is used.
Place potato rolls on a tray and refrigerate for 1 hour at least.
Heat oil in a deep pan and fry until golden and crisp. Serve.
Names are a big part of our identity (Picture: Ella Byworth)
When we’re born, we’re all given a name, and whether we like it or not, it’s a big part of our identity.
For a parent who is adopting a child, their little one will probably have been given a name by their birth parent.
Children, even babies, will understand and recognise their name and changing that can be incredibly confusing.
While their surname will be changed to that of the adoptive parent, it’s rare to give a child a different first name.
Speaking to Metro.co.uk for Adoption Month, the Coram adoption team explains: ‘We encourage/advise adopters to understand the importance of the child’s first name and not to change this as it is part of their identity and birth family heritage and had been chosen for them by their birth parents.
‘It would be very exceptional circumstances when a change is considered and this, for example, would be connected to safeguarding.
‘We offer training to adoption applicants in assessment and the importance of the child’s birth name is one of the first things we cover. We also help people to understand that given all the losses and changes children, including babies, are experiencing that keeping their name is really important for them.
‘Even very young babies will respond to their given name quite quickly. Relinquished babies referred for adoption have a name given to them by their birth family and the advice remains the same.’
Adding a family connection
Of course, names can have a lot of meaning for new parents and they may have something important in their family they would like to pass down.
Sam (not her real name), who adopted her son last year explains: ‘All the oldest boys in my family have been given one of the same two names for generations – William and George. It was upsetting that my little boy wouldn’t follow the same pattern.
‘He was three when he came to us and his name was completely different and probably not something we’d have chosen but I did like it. Instead of fixating on it, we changed his middle name, giving him both William and George.’
Although children may already have middle names, more can be added at the point of the Adoption Order application when their surname changes to that of the adoptive family.
Coram adds that the age of the child is important when adoptive parents are thinking about this.
The charity spokesperson adds: ‘With older children, there would also be a discussion about this change as part of the legal process of becoming adopted. It takes time and work with the adoptive parent and social worker to support them to feel ready and comfortable with this change.’
What if you don’t like your child’s name?
Although an adoptive child’s name might not be something you would choose, their parents need to put their needs first.
When Elliot and Steve (not their real names) adopted their daughter they admit that while they fell in love with her profile, they were a little unsure when they found out her name.
Steve said: ‘We felt like she was ours and we heard her name and it was just something we would never have picked.
‘It sounds silly looking back now but it really freaked us out. She was only a baby and we sort of thought “oh it won’t matter if we do change it” but we realised how selfish that would be and our social worker explained and advised that wouldn’t be best.
‘We knew that making our daughter happy and helping her settle was more important than our worries.
‘As she got older, our daughter has naturally picked up a nickname (because she struggled to say her own name) and we love that. We know that when she is older, she’ll probably use her birth name because her nickname is not very professional but it does feel a little more personal for us.’
When can you make any changes to their name?
It’s also important to consider that you can’t change a child’s name the minute they become part of your family.
There is a time period where they will have come home but the Adoption Order has not been made.
Coram explains: ‘It is important to note that when a child is placed for adoption under the regulations the local authority remains their legal parent until the Adoption Order is made.
‘The local authority is therefore responsible regarding names and any change has to be with their agreement.’
When the adoption is made, you can change their surname and add middle names if that is right for your child.
Adoption Month is a month-long series covering all aspects of adoption.
For the next four weeks, which includes National Adoption Week from October 14-19, we will be speaking to people who have been affected by adoption in some way, from those who chose to welcome someone else's child into their family to others who were that child.
We'll also be talking to experts in the field and answering as many questions as possible associated with adoption, as well as offering invaluable advice along the way.
If you have a story to tell or want to share any of your own advice please do get in touch at adoptionstories@metro.co.uk.
Here is a selection of the stories from Adoption Month so far:
Kyra Edwards is the only Black mixed-heritage athlete on the senior British Rowing team, and one of just two non-white athletes.
The young sportswoman is a future Olympic hopeful, a talented ambassador for rowing, but Kyra’s identity is also defined by isolation.
It’s something she is determined to change for the next wave of young British sporting talent.
‘I want to make sure I leave this sport way more diverse than when I found it. That is more important to me than winning an Olympic gold medal,’ Kyra tells Metro.co.uk.
‘Winning a medal – that alone doesn’t really sit well with me. I don’t want to do this for myself, I want to do this for the generations sitting at home.
‘If I get the opportunity to race at the Olympics and win, I don’t want to just sit around with my medal around my neck and be like, “cool, I won”.
‘It is so important to me the Black children – or any ethnic minority – watching at home, that they can see that diversity is possible. That they can thrive even in spaces they don’t think were made for them.’
Kyra grew up in a majority white area and went to majority white schools throughout her education. Being the odd one out is almost second-nature to her.
‘I didn’t have any Black female friends whatsoever. I have never had one, I’m still waiting to find my one!’ she laughs.
Kyra with her double teammate Ruth Siddorn (Picture: Nick Middleton)
‘When I went to university, I was the only person of colour in the room in every single lecture I took. Rowing is just an extension of that. It isn’t a new feeling for me.’
While it may be a feeling Kyra is used to, consistently existing in spaces where she is the only one, the only person who looks like she does, does take a toll.
‘Being the only person of colour in the room – at all times – is extremely isolating,’ she admits.
This isolation was the norm for so long for Kyra that she found herself struggling to even identify what she was feeling. But, reading Reni Edo-Lodge’s seminal book Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race, helped her recognise these complex emotions.
‘There were so many little segments that just wholeheartedly resonated with me,’ she explains.
‘I read this passage about how people of colour aren’t able to bring up race without being shut down. And I felt that. Sometimes, I want so badly to have these conversations and talk about it, but I feel like I can’t be the one to bring it up.
‘It is just this weird tension within myself. And I feel like there have been so many things like that. I have been put in my place so many times that I now inherently, or subconsciously, feel like I have to follow other people’s rules in the world.
‘And these feelings are definitely accelerated in rowing because it is such a privileged and white space to be in.
‘I definitely feel like I am a guest in the space, rather than feeling like I belong here.’
Kyra with the women’s British Rowing team (Picture: Nick Middleton)
Kyra is still defining her own place in the world. She says she didn’t think about her race, or see herself as any different to her white peers, until just a few years ago.
‘I went to university and, in a way I didn’t even realise I was Black,’ she says. ‘I knew what it meant to be Black, but I didn’t really realise the way the world was set up. And that it made me different because of the colour of my skin.’
Kyra completed a degree in statistics from the University of California, and studying in America was a huge wake-up call. She says the people there made sure she was aware of the colour of her skin. There, it was an unavoidable reality that hammered home the fact that she was ‘other’.
‘I see it as a journey of grief, I feel like I have missed out, or that I lost something in those years where I didn’t consciously think about,’ she says. ‘And now I’m kind of angry about it. But obviously, I can’t be the angry Black woman.
‘It has been a whole journey of understanding. Now, I’m trying to work out how to approach these issues in an effective way that will actually move the conversation forward.’
Kyra started learning her craft on indoor rowing machines at school. She competed regionally and nationally in indoor competitions and started doing well, so she joined her local rowing club – which happened to be a high performing centre in Nottingham.
‘I was really lucky to find myself in a place with really good facilities. I really kind of fell into rowing, which is very different to a lot of my peers,’ she tells us.
‘Most people I row with have some rowing lineage in their family, or they are rowing properly right out of school, or they go to the Henley Regatta.
‘Henley Regatta is just this unworldly thing. It is a bunch of posh, rich people talking about rowing with their glasses halfway down their noses. So the whole world of rowing ends up being these kind of incredibly privileged circles.
‘It is incredibly inaccessible. It’s a very elitist sport.
Kyra and Ruth enjoying training (Picture: Nick Middleton)
‘Rowing does get more diverse once you get to the elite level. At this level, it is less about people doing it for status, or because their mates do it, so there is slightly more variety, and it becomes more about talent and hard work. But there are definitely still remnants of that privilege.’
One of the key reasons why rowing is still so elitist at every level is because of the inherent inequalities that exist in accessing the sport.
In rowing, not only do you need specialist kit and access to a boat and a body of water, you also have to pay for coaching, training camps and membership at a rowing club that can cost hundreds every year.
Kyra says that if it wasn’t for official funding, the sport would only be an option for people who have access to a generous and vast ‘bank of mum and dad’.
‘Elite sport is very much a world of privilege,’ she says. ‘If you go to a private school you’re significantly more likely to make it to the Olympics, which is something people don’t often realise.
‘That’s why we are so lucky to have funding from UK Sport. It means we can focus on being athletes without having to have second jobs or rely on our parents. We literally live off the funding we get – lottery funding too – and that does help in making the sport more accessible for different kinds of people.’
Kyra says this diversity is crucial. She believes it is about so much more than optics, or a tick-box exercise. Sports need to reflect society, says Kyra, and they can’t do that if the public only sees elite athletes who are white and privileged.
‘It’s extremely important to have more of a diverse group of people in sport, because sport is a microcosm of wider culture. It is not some random thing that’s not relative to the rest of the society around it,’ Kyra explains.
‘Sport is a pedestal for what we want society to look like, what we want the elite people in society to look like. When we represent at the Olympics, it should be a representation of our actual country, not just the people who have the money to buy a £10,000 boat.’
Kyra may be the only non-white athlete on her team, but she wants to use her position to make positive change. She is determined that future generations of rowers won’t have to face the isolation that she has.
‘Sport prides itself on being fair. That is it’s whole entity. Fairness, an equal opportunity to win, to succeed. But while there is so much emphasis on making the games fair, there isn’t enough fairness in the systems that allow people to start in the first place.
‘This message of diversity and equal opportunity in sport is so important to me. I often think about my “why” and my motivations for what I do, and I feel like I am lucky to have such a huge thing driving me forward. But then it’s also a huge burden, but it is worth it.
‘I’m in the privileged position to be a role model. I really want to help to make sure the next generation of rowers don’t all look the same.’
Do you have a story to share? We want to hear from you.
