thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-31--‘No Hajj And No Hugs’: UK Muslims On Missing Their 'Pilgrimage Of A Lifetime'

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It was a trip that had been five years in the planning – from finding the right year when it wouldn’t affect the kids’ schooling, to saving up the money needed for the return trip to Saudi Arabia.
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So when Aksa Khan and her husband Waseem discovered that Hajj 2020 had been cancelled for all overseas visitors, she admits she was “absolutely gutted” – knowing it wasn’t as straightforward as planning it for next year instead.
Hajj, the annual pilgrimage made by Muslims to the holy city of Mecca, is one of the five pillars of Islam. All able-bodied and financially capable Muslims are obliged to perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime.
The ritual usually attracts millions from around the world, but this year, to attempt to control the spread of Covid-19, for the first time in Saudi history, Muslims from abroad have been barred from entering the country for Hajj.
“This was the last year Hajj would fall in the school summer holidays,” the mum-of-four tells HuffPost UK. “It won’t fall during the summer again in my lifetime.”
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ASSOCIATED PRESS Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque, as they observe social distancing to protect themselves against the coronavirus.
Hajj has still gone ahead this year, but very much scaled back, with only those already living in Saudi Arabia taking part. Instead of a huge sea of people walking around the sacred Kabah at the Grand Mosque, a smaller number of Muslims have gathered in Mecca – and in a socially-distanced way.
Eid al-Adha, known as the festival of sacrifice, marks the end of the five-day pilgrimage, which is believed to cleanse the soul of sins and instil a sense of equality and spirituality.
Many British Muslims who had planned and booked for Hajj this year are devastated at the cancellation for international visitors that leaves them unable to perform their religious obligation.
As the Islamic calendar is lunar, Hajj falls around 11 days earlier each year – which for Khan and her family means that their carefully planned trip, co-ordinating childcare around school holidays, isn’t possible to re-schedule.
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Aksa Khan Aksa Khan with her husband Waseem and their four children
“We had planned it for 2020 and had arranged childcare for while me and my husband went on Hajj and all the family were rallying around to accommodate this,” explains Khan, 42, who lives in Worcestershire with three daughters and a son aged between five and 12.
“It worked out so perfectly this year as the children were going to break up from school on July 20 and we were flying out on July 23. For the two of us, it cost around £14,000 and we planned and saved for it with a ‘Hajj pot’.
“We booked the Hajj as soon as the tickets were released and were really looking forward to it and it felt like the holiday of a lifetime. We hadn’t been on any other holidays for 18 months as we were planning and preparing for Hajj.”
One daughter has exams in 2021. “Deep down, we know Hajj isn’t going to happen for us any time soon. This was our only year for the next five or six.”
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“No Hajj and no hugs outside of the immediate family is difficult, but we have to adapt and adhere to the guidelines.” - Aksa Khan
Khan, a solicitor, says that as Muslims deeply connected to their religion, she and her husband desperately wanted to complete this pillar of Islam and felt spiritually prepared for it, which has only increased their disappointment.
“We were absolutely gutted when we found out we couldn’t go. When you have a young family, it’s not as straightforward as rebooking for next year.”
Even at home in the UK, Khan knows that Eid al-Adha will be completely different, but is urging people to remain strong and adhere to the guidelines.
“With Covid-19, everything is affected,” she says. “Eid will be different as we have to remain in our bubbles and the rules mean we can’t celebrate in the way we are used to.
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“No Hajj and no hugs outside of the immediate family is difficult, but we have to adapt and adhere to the guidelines if we want to progress and resume normality.”
When Talha Ghannam and his wife Tamina got married two-and-a-half years ago, Hajj felt like the perfect way for them to start their life together.
However, in their first year of marriage, the pilgrimage clashed with an exam that Tamina, who works as an anaesthetist for the NHS, was taking. Something else also came up the following year, too.
So they eventually planned and booked Hajj for 2020.
Talha Ghannam Talha Ghannam and wife Tamina
Tamina has been doing a lot of emergency frontline coronavirus work during the crisis, while Ghannam runs an app called Quran Club and an online tutoring centre. The couple were excited about Hajj and had planned their whole year around the pilgrimage, he tells HuffPost UK, even encouraging friends of theirs to come, too – with 15 people signing up for the trip together.
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“Hajj is an obligation for everyone to do once in their lifetime. However, it is a large expense so you have to sacrifice other things and it is a long and physical experience,” says Ghannam, 30.
“We felt Hajj a good way to start a marriage by doing the pilgrimage together and having that connection. We wanted to do Hajj while we were young and before we had kids and we felt spiritually ready.”
Instead, they have had to stay at home and watch a new socially distanced Hajj on the television. “Watching the socially-distanced Tawaf was quite heartbreaking, knowing we should have been there,” says Ghannam of the ritual of walking seven times anticlockwise around the Kabah at the Grand Mosque ij Mecca.
“But it is all part of God’s plan and if you make the intention of doing something, you still get the reward for it. We are now firmly planning to do it next year instead.”
Talha Ghannam Talha Ghannam and wife Tamina
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Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim celebration that takes place after the month of Ramadan fasting, was a very different affair this May as mosques were closed, alongside other places of worship, and there were no congregational Eid prayers. Muslims were not permitted to meet and interact with those outside their households and were encouraged to celebrate virtually with family and friends instead.
With lockdown easing, restrictions are not quite as strict now for Eid al-Adha, but Muslims are still urged to remain safe and vigilant in their celebrations.
The World Health Organisation says cancelling social and religious gatherings should be seriously considered and has recommended if they do go ahead, there should be physical distancing of at least one metre and masks worn.
Ghannam tells HuffPost UK that Eid al-Fitr was a very surreal experience with the country being in serious lockdown mode and he is hoping the second Eid of 2020 will have a greater sense of normality.
“With the last Eid, I had not seen my mum apart from waving from the pavement and me and my wife had just moved to a new house which my brother still hasn’t seen the inside of,” he says.
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“With this Eid, there will still be elements of restrictions, but hopefully it will be a bit more normal with necessary precautions.”
Talha Ghannam
Unlike Eid al-Fitr, Eid prayers are planned as places of worship have reopened. However, he stressed it is still important to make sure everyone stays safe.
“Usually, there are one or two Eid prayers with lots of people attending,” he says. “But this year, there will be six different prayers so we can have fewer people. I will be reading one of the prayers out of necessity.
“Hopefully, people will still be able to celebrate Eid with their friends and family while remaining safe and protecting each other from coronavirus.”
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Qari Asim, senior Imam at Makkah Mosque in Leeds and chairperson of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board, tells HuffPost UK that he has been consoling Muslims who have missed out on the opportunity of going on Hajj this year – particularly those in frail health who feel they might not be fit enough to go another year and those who had saved up many years to go.
“I myself was planning to go on Hajj this year with a group of people including those who are elderly and professional,” he says. “Many of them had planned and looked forward to it for years so when it was cancelled, they felt a huge sense of spiritual loss and grief and it is mentally challenging to face that.
“As an Imam, I have been consoling people and healing them and telling them this is God’s will.
“It is about realising that God is present everywhere and that he will listen to your prayers and know why you can’t visit his house and perform Hajj this year.”
Qari Asim Qari Asim, senior Imam at Makkah Mosque in Leeds.
Asim tells HuffPost UK that he has been on Hajj before and that each time, he has found it to be transformative, invigorativing and an emotionally soothing and uplifting experience. He says unity is needed more than ever during the coronavirus pandemic.
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“The powerful symbol of Hajj is unity,” he says. “There is a sea of people from all corners of the world; all colours and backgrounds, who all stand united before God as equals. They all have one purpose – to seek peace for themselves as well as peace in the world.
“Uniting is needed more than ever during this pandemic. All human beings need to be united to confront coronavirus and keep each other safe.”
“The powerful symbol of Hajj is unity. All human beings need to be united to confront coronavirus and keep each other safe.”” - Qari Asim, senior Imam at Makkah Mosque in Leeds
Asim is urging Muslims to remain safe in their Eid al-Adha celebrations observed after Hajj and not to allow “scapegoating” or Islamophobia narratives to circulate.
“During this pandemic, festivities from home are just as effective as those carried out in larger groups,” he advises. “I am confident these humble gatherings will be as blessed as the usual ones in our mosques. We must make sure that everyone remains safe during this time and adheres to guidelines.
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“As we saw during Ramadan, Muslims were scapegoated and we cannot allow this to overshadow the celebrations of Eid and sacrifice of Hajj. We do not want to give rise to Islamophobic hateful narratives that some groups will try to exploit when Eid celebrations commence today.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-31--Create A Mental Health Shelf – And 8 Other Tips To Calm Anxious Kids

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We’re here to guide you through the coronavirus pandemic. Sign up to the Life newsletter for daily tips, advice, how-tos and escapism.
Now, more than ever, parents are aware of how their children might be feeling, encouraging them to talk as we live through a global pandemic.
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Research has shown children have shown an increase in mental health difficulties during lockdown, such as feeling unhappy, worried, being clingy, and experiencing physical symptoms associated with worry.
As parents, it can be tricky to know how best to support your child when they become fearful – are their worries something they can deal with alone, or is it a sign they need some help?
To help your child articulate how they’re feeling, we had a peek in upcoming book, 101 Tips to Help Your Anxious Child, by Poppy O’Neill, who has written widely on mental wellbeing for children and adults.
Here’s an extract from the book, which is released on 13 August, detailing nine ways parents can help their anxious child.
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1. Create a mental health shelf
Keep feel-good movies, motivational quote books, treasured photos, stress toys and soft blankets all together somewhere your child can access them whenever they need a boost. If a shelf isn’t practical, you could use a box, drawer or suitcase. You could encourage your child to personalise theirs, making it an appealing go-to place for wobbly moments. Make sure it’s well stocked with familiar, comforting objects that will help restore your child’s sense of well-being.
2. Find the right time and place to talk
Sitting down with your child to “have a chat” might not be the best strategy, as it could feel unnatural and intimidating to them. Try to broach the subject while you’re doing a calm activity, just the two of you. Perhaps gardening, walking, cooking or colouring together. Having something else to focus on, and less eye contact, can make tricky conversations flow more easily. Take the pressure right off and don’t push if they don’t want to talk or can’t articulate what’s wrong. Have patience, trust your gut and let them take the lead.
3. Learn how to listen
The right kind of listening will mean your child feels safe expressing themselves to you. Let them have their say and respond by using body language to show you are listening and understanding. When the moment’s right, paraphrase what they have said, showing they have your full attention. It’s important to remember that you don’t need to agree with your child – a lot of worries can be irrational – but you can still affirm and empathise with them.
Try these phrases:
“I hear you.”
“I can see why that would make you feel sad/ worried/upset.”
“That makes sense.”
“How does that feel in your body?”
This technique is called active listening and it’s used by therapists to encourage the speaker to open up.
Taiyou Nomachi via Getty Images
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4. Try alternative communication tools
Talking isn’t the only way humans have of communicating and feelings can often be expressed more comfortably in other, more creative ways. Try these alternative communication tools:
Writing poetry or a letter
Drawing
Playing out scenarios in an age appropriate way using toys, fictional characters or role play
Using emojis – have a selection to choose from pinned up in your kitchen or use text messages if your child has a phone.
If you feel uncomfortable with what your child expresses, it’s useful to remember that research has found expressing difficult emotions through creative play is one of the most effective ways for children to process their feelings and improve their mental health
5. Talk about anxiety
Whatever the age of your child, you can explain why we feel anxiety in terms of evolution and biology. Here’s a simple way of putting it: “Anxiety is a type of fear or worry. It’s really useful for keeping us safe by stopping us from doing dangerous things. But sometimes our brains aren’t able to tell the difference between real and imaginary danger, so they produce feelings of anxiety in our bodies just in case.”
The emotion of anxiety often brings with it uncomfortable sensations and thoughts. Ask your child: “How does it feel in your body? Can you point to where you feel it? What thoughts are in your mind?” Feel free to research anxiety in more depth with your child – the Mind and Anxiety UK websites are a good place to start. The better their understanding, the more equipped they’ll be to cope with it.
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6. Use mind and body calming activities
Research has found that repeated, rhythmic activities work to relax and rewire the link between a child’s brain and their nervous system, making it easier for them to regulate their emotions.
Rhythmic activities include:
Walking
Dancing
Running
Bouncing on a trampoline
Drumming
Singing
Yoga
Breathing exercises
monkeybusinessimages via Getty Images
When your child is in the company of an adult they trust and feel comfortable with, a little of one or more of these activities every day can have a marked effect on their mental health, according to research carried out by American psychiatrist Dr Bruce Perry.
7. Remind them they can cope
When your child expresses worry about something that might happen, it can be tempting to dismiss the worry and explain how unlikely it is. However, statistics won’t calm an anxious mind. There is always the possibility that it might happen, and that’s what keeps the anxious thought swirling around in your child’s head. Instead, try reassuring your child that even if something bad does happen, they will cope. You could make an action plan of ways to keep calm and solve the problem; or role-play the scenario, letting your child take the lead. This can be a gentle way to help your child face their fears.
8. Make your home a place of positivity
Try putting positive messages around your home where your child can see them. Postcards, Post-it notes, pages from magazines or your favourite quotes – you can find positivity anywhere. Whenever you see a calming, uplifting or soothing message write it down, cut it out or print it, stick it on your fridge, wall or pin it to a noticeboard. Seeing short, memorable words of positivity on a regular basis as they go about their day will help give your child little boosts.
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9. Cultivate self-trust
Learning to trust themselves will set your child up for life. Just like trust in others, self-trust is earned, so let your child rely on themselves in certain situations in order to prove to themselves that they are trustworthy. The key to teaching self-trust is recognising that your child is the expert on themselves. So, as a parent, it’s important to avoid telling your child how they feel or should feel.
For example, if your child says they’re not cold, don’t force them to wear a coat. If they insist they don’t need the toilet, take their word for it. Giving them autonomy in this way will show them that they can rely on their own judgement and that even if they make a regrettable choice, they can change their mind and learn from their mistakes.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-31--Overdose Deaths Are Skyrocketing During The Pandemic. My Brother Was One Of Them.

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Over the past decade I have been a quiet observer of opiate-related data. I skimmed opiate-related headlines with one eye open, holding my breath, searching for information on fentanyl outbreaks or promising new treatments. The news was a matter of life and death: My brother was addicted to heroin.
When opiate use increased nationwide, I knew I wasn’t alone, even though I felt completely isolated. When trends shifted downward, I held hope that Matt might recover, and our family would find peace again.
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While the first half of 2020 has seen a marked increase in drug overdoses, the headlines now only haunt me. In May, my brother, a 43-year-old attorney and father of five, became a statistic.
As a younger brother, Matt was lovable and goofy. He had a mop of thick strawberry hair and a face full of freckles. Our mother said that’s where the angels kissed his cheeks on the way in. Growing up in the late ’80s, he kept our family of five laughing by quoting entire movies. “Tommy Boy” was his go-to recitation. Matt was a lot like Chris Farley: They had the same enthusiastic, insecure, teddy-bear kind of charm. As a teen and throughout adulthood he joyfully followed the Grateful Dead, Phish and Widespread Panic.
Diagnosed with attention deficit disorder as a child, Matt started taking Ritalin as a boy, then never stopped. He became an attorney, and departed for 12-hour days at the office with an amber prescription bottle clutched in his fist, openly celebrating the drug that allowed him to concentrate.
Matt was adored by his five children. Photo Courtesy of Jennie Burke
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Following an emergency appendectomy in 2012, Matt, then 35, became hooked on painkillers. In a few short years he progressed from OxyContin to heroin. He chased them with benzodiazepines like Xanax and Klonopin. His athletic frame became bloated and heavy; his sunny disposition turned lethargic and mean.
When he was unable to maintain his law practice, clients left. Although he was admitted to the bar in four states, his licenses expired. His salary trickled down to nothing. The state came after him for back taxes. His wife eventually left, saying he was a liability to their children.
Our family life dissolved into a nightmarish cycle of rehabs and relapses. My parents finally cut off monetary support when they found him unconscious in their living room, fresh off his second stay in rehab. After three tries, Matt told us rehab didn’t work, and that he did drugs there, too. We sought therapists, psychiatrists and alternative treatments.
“You can’t change me,” he told us.
Matt, the author and her husband Photo Courtesy of Jennie Burke
Soon Matt’s friends and colleagues moved on, embarrassed when he was high on the golf course or nodding off at lunch. He ripped a plastic bat from a child’s hands and smashed a piñata to bits at a family picnic. As the children plucked bits of candy from the grass, he sped down the driveway in his black sedan.
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My husband insisted I seek counseling, since the pressure of constant worry was preventing me from enjoying my own young family. My therapist agreed with my brother: I couldn’t change him. I could only change my own behaviors in the predictable saga that surrounded me. She warned that Matt might die young, but I never imagined we would lose him in the isolation of a pandemic.
By March, Matt had cut off most communication with our family, including his ex-wife and his children. On the occasions when I talked with him on FaceTime, he seemed tired and bloated. Sometimes he slurred words. Due to travel restrictions, he was unable to fly to visit his kids, who lived in another state. He often said his children were his reason for living.
Finally, he was unable to rely on his one responsibility: his job. Although addiction made it impossible for him to work as an attorney, he found gratification as a shipping clerk at a memorabilia shop. He was well liked by his fellow employees. The job gave him a place to go each day, and an income. When Covid restrictions hit and the shop closed, he lost his place to go, and the income he used to pay for the room he rented in a shared townhouse.
When his ex-wife called me late at night on May 15, I knew something was wrong. Matt had been found unresponsive, locked in his room. He had accidentally overdosed on a cocktail of drugs that included heroin.
When my 68-year-old father succumbed to a terminal illness in 2016, we mourned according to our Christian traditions: relatives and friends attended a wake supper of tearful toasts, then packed shoulder-to-shoulder at a pipe-organ funeral in downtown Baltimore the next day. My brother’s death was different.
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Due to social distancing restrictions and the stigma of addiction, there would be no celebratory supper. At a graveside internment, our tiny group of (masked, sanitised) immediate family kept six feet from the priest. Instead of late nights, rollicking stories, friends and a fridge full of deli platters, we were left with only the void of losing him. A stunned wondering: How did this happen to us?
In addition to opiate abuse, methamphetamine and cocaine are on the rise again. Fentanyl and synthetic opioids continue to infiltrate communities. One health care official labeled the 30-plus states with increased overdoses a map of despair.
I am worried for other addiction families facing situations like ours. I am worried for families that haven’t seen or heard from their loved ones, or can’t reach them because they can’t physically get to them. It’s easy for someone to hide during Covid. (I know this, because I am hiding in my grief. I stay housebound, and find it hard to communicate with friends and even family.)
People suffering from addiction face an increased risk of mortality due to the pandemic, robbed of socialisation, routine and access to care. The supports have fallen away. For many people who live with addiction, there is an added element of shame.
For some people, a job or a meeting was their reason to get out of bed each day. Overnight, those incentives changed, or went away entirely. In their place: kids facing Zoom algebra, dwindling finances, nowhere to go and nothing to do.
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Addicts who suffer a fatal overdose, like my brother, are now screened for Covid before any drug testing occurs. But feelings of despair, shame and lack of support due to the virus can’t be measured.
While society may dictate otherwise, I refuse to hide anymore, or feel ashamed that my brother suffered from heroin addiction. But between his isolation, and mine, I won’t call him a statistic of the opiate crisis. We are victims of two different kinds of crippling isolation, both brought on by the pandemic. His loneliness was cut short. But my grief will be eternal.
This article first appeared on HuffPost Personal
Have a compelling personal story you want to tell? Find out what we’re looking for here, and pitch us on ukpersonal@huffpost.com
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-30--Extra Lockdown Restrictions Imposed For Parts Of Northern England

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Extra lockdown restrictions have been imposed in large areas of northern England as part of “immediate action” to keep people safe, Matt Hancock has said.
People from different households in Greater Manchester, parts of East Lancashire and parts of West Yorkshire are banned from meeting each other indoors.
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The rules apply in:
Greater Manchester
Blackburn with Darwen
Burnley
Hyndburn
Pendle
Rossendale
Bradford
Calderdale
Kirklees
The rule also applies to Leicester which has already been under separate restrictions for a number of weeks.
The health secretary said “households gathering and not abiding by the social distancing rules” was a reason for the stricter rules.
He told the media: “We take this action with a heavy heart but unfortunately it’s necessary because we’ve seen that households meeting up and a lack of social distancing is one of the causes of this rising rate of coronavirus and we’ll do whatever is necessary to keep the country safe.”
1/4 We're constantly looking at the latest data on the spread of coronavirus, and unfortunately we've seen an increasing rate of transmission in parts of Northern England. — Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) July 30, 2020
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4/4 We take this action with a heavy heart, but we can see increasing rates of covid across Europe and are determined to do whatever is neccessary to keep people safe. — Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) July 30, 2020
There was some confusion over what the new rules actually mean and Andy Burnham the mayor of Greater Manchester, tweeted his understanding of them as of 11pm Thursday.
Lot of people asking for clarity on the Government’s announcement. Our understanding is:
▪ no visitors to your home or garden from tonight
▪you can go to the pub but stay within your household/bubble
▪further openings planned for 1/8 on hold
Everything else remains as is. — Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) July 30, 2020
He also added “by not acting selfishly” the measures could be removed more quickly.
He added: “Over recent days, there has been a marked change in the picture across Greater Manchester with regard to the spread of Covid-19.
“We have gone from a falling rate of cases in nearly all of our boroughs last week to a rising rate in nine out of 10 affecting communities across a much wider geography. In Rochdale, the one borough where cases have fallen, they are still too high.
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MP for Oldham, in Greater Manchester, and shadow transport minister Jim McMahon said there needs to be more clarity over what the government is doing to support those in areas affected by new lockdown restrictions.
He tweeted: “On the face of it, for Oldham borough residents this is the same restriction announced already this week, replicated in further areas.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-31--Birmingham Commonwealth Games Organisers Vow To Improve Diversity On 95% White Board

Commonwealth Games Federation president Louise Martin Associated Press
Equality rights campaigners in Birmingham have successfully convinced the city’s Commonwealth Games planners to reappoint their board – which had been 95% white despite the area’s diversity.
Ammo Talwar MBE, chair of the diversity taskforce at UK Music, was among 51 local authors of a letter demanding change from the Birmingham Organising Committee for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
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Birmingham 2022 chief executive Ian Reid and chair Jacob Crabtree replied vowing there would be changes made.
It isn’t yet clear whether they will rely on voluntary departures – such as that of Dame Louise Martin, who stepped down this week, making way for sports lawyer Sandra Osborne – or how many of the 20 members the group hope to replace. But Talwar is optimistic.
“I am overwhelmingly positive about the change,” he told HuffPost UK. “And we [the letter’s signatories] are here to help the board shape up within the next two years.”
The signatories included Joel Blake, who is president of the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce; Anita Bhalla OBE, who chairs the West Midlands mayor leadership commission and set up BBC Asian Network in the West Midlands; and Joy Warmington, chief executive of the Birmingham Race Action Partnerships.
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“Growing up in north Birmingham, I know Birmingham is a city filled with cultural and ethnic diversity and it’s incredibly important for the games to show that,” said Talwar.
Just over 42% of Birmingham residents are non-white, according to 2011 census data. But the Black Lives Matter movement, the Windrush scandal, and the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus have underlined an enduring lack of equality.
Talwar said: “Birmingham is diverse, the Commonwealth is diverse, athletes are diverse. Therefore, the workforce has to be reflective of that product of diversity.”
The commitment by games chiefs is a “positive start for our concerns being taken seriously”, he added.
“We look forward to collaboration and an emphasis on working [with] diverse communities to represent the city more.”
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Birmingham 2022 chief executive Reid wrote in his reply to the group: “I completely accept the leadership is not currently reflective of the host city and it should be. Things need to change.”
Commonwealth Games Federation president Martin was the first person to step down from the Birmingham 2022 board to make way for a non-white representative. She remains president of the Commonwealth Games Federation and has not been asked to step down from that role.
Osborne, who is president of the Barbados Olympic and Commonwealth Games associations, sits with Martin on the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and will join the Birmingham 2022 board in her place.
“The CGF is proud that our organisation reflects the diversity of the Commonwealth Sports Movement and that we have a person of Sandra’s calibre to actively contribute on the Birmingham 2022 Board,” a CGF statement said.
With promises of multi-million-pound investments, housing developments and new transport links, the games are set to change the landscape of the West Midlands. But the debate about whether the Games is worthwhile for the region’s diverse, young and digital communities will continue.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-31--'Targeted And Singled Out' – How It Feels When The Government Cancels Your Eid Plans

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Muslim families across the north-west of England were forced to change or cancel long-awaited Eid celebrations with just hours’ notice after new lockdown rules were imposed late on Thursday night.
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Thousands awoke on Friday to find they were no longer able to see family or friends to mark the Muslim festival, because of new restrictions forbidding separate households from meeting each other in homes or private gardens.
The new rules – announced on Matt Hancock’s Twitter account, and which came into force at midnight – apply to Greater Manchester, East Lancashire and parts of West Yorkshire.
The news came as Muslim communities from across the region were preparing to mark Eid al-Adha, one of the holiest days in the Islamic calendar.
Dentistry student Maya, 19, had been looking forward to celebrating Eid in Manchester with a huge dinner alongside family and friends. Her mother had booked out an entire restaurant for the night, and had made sure all the tables were spaced two metres apart to maintain social distancing.
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“We were all excited to see family and friends,” she told HuffPost UK. “Now we have had to cancel the whole booking as well as go-karting that was booked for the younger kids. We are going to stay at home like a normal day.
“It’s just sad – I wish they had given a week’s notice or even an actual full day’s notice. They literally left it to the night before Eid where everyone was excited.”
She found it “ridiculous” that households were banned from meeting each other indoors while at the same time pubs remained open.
“Honestly, I felt attacked,” she said. “If this was done on Christmas Eve people would be appalled and I really believe that this is motivated by Islamophobia.”
More than 800,000 Muslim people live in the regions affected by the new measures, according to figures from the Muslim Council of Britain.
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Housewife Aisha: "It was done specifically to target Muslims.” HuffPost UK
On Friday Tory MP Craig Whittaker, claimed the “vast majority” of people breaking lockdown rules were from Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, particularly those from Muslim backgrounds.
Speaking to LBC radio, the MP for Calder Valley – one of the areas affected by the new measures – said there were “sections of the community that are not taking the pandemic seriously”.
“If you look at the areas where we’ve seen rises and cases, the vast majority – but not by any stretch of the imagination all areas – it is the BAME communities that are not taking this seriously enough.”
Hasan Azram, from Manchester, said Whittaker was a “hypocrite” for making these allegations. “It is unfair to blame ethnic minorities,” he told HuffPost UK.
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“There are a vast majority of groups breaking lockdown rules that including many white people who have been situated at beaches every bank holiday and every day when temperatures have been warm. Are they not to blame?”
Instead of going out to see family and friends as he had originally planned, Azram will spend Eid with only his immediate family at home.
“Now it has been put under lockdown again, it just means Eid is a much more private celebration whereas in the past it has been quite public, with lots of people involved.
“I do prioritise safety so I understand it’s necessary, but I think people not being allowed to meet in households but in pubs just shows the economy is more important than people’s lives.
“Actions speak louder than words and that is clear as day from the actions of the government.”
IT contractor Mo Congress, 29, said the last-minute lockdown measures had “ruined” his family’s plans to go out and celebrate Eid in Blackburn.
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“We won’t be spending time with family no more,” he said. “Food has gone to waste. It’s put a real downer on the day.”
Congress was working with the local council to avoid a lockdown and said everyone had been left “extremely angry” by the news. “Not only were they ill-timed but we felt directly targeted and singled out.
“I was receiving calls after calls – we were unsure if Eid prayer would still be going ahead in the mosque. It caused huge panic.”
IT contractor Mo Congress: “It is a kick in the backside". HuffPost UK
“It is really upsetting as the community has come together and worked extremely hard. Tthe majority whom I have seen have been abiding by the guidelines.
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“We spent last Eid in lockdown and this Eid was taken from us at the very last minute, which is extremely frustrating. We feel really let down.”
He was “furious” when he heard Whittaker’s comments and said they were “a middle finger” to people in the BAME communities.
“He is pushing the blame on to Muslims and minorities as we’re easy targets,” he told HuffPost UK. “It is a kick in the backside after all the efforts Muslims have put in.”
Health secretary Matt Hancock has denied the new regulations were aimed at targeting Eid celebrations, claiming his “heart goes out to the Muslim community”. Critics have suggested otherwise.
“I was stunned,” said Aisha, 29, from Greater Manchester. “I really tried to consider why the government [would do] this but I can only conclude it was done specifically to target Muslims.”
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She had planned to visit her in-laws with her husband and two young children on Friday, and then spend Saturday with her parents who are shielding.
“The plan was for everyone to cook one dish and I already made an enormous amount of biscuits and cakes to take with me,” she said.
Aisha initially thought she would have to cancel all her Eid plans, but after a closer look at the new rules decided to continue with meeting her in-laws on Friday and forgo visiting her parents.
“My kids were looking forward to seeing their maternal grandparents,” she told HuffPost UK. “I’ve only seen my dad once since March as he is high risk. A lot of people have had their hopes up.”
Keeping the pubs open “just doesn’t make logical sense”, Aisha said. “I joked to my family that we should all meet up at the pub and just order orange juice all round!”
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She said she was “shocked” by Whittaker’s comments. “There’s no evidence or statistics to back up this ridiculous claim. It’s plain, unambiguous racism.
“In Islam, following the law of the land is important. Breaking the law in any way is sinful for Muslims.
“It’s Islamophobia. They want us to bend the rules so they can blame us when there’s a second wave.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-31--How Boris Johnson's Confusing New Slogan Capped Off 15 Hours Of Lockdown Chaos

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Hands. Face. Space. Get a test. And self-isolate. If you have symptoms.
As slogans go, it is perhaps the most confusing of Boris Johnson’s lockdown soundbites – which is saying something for a campaign that has also included “stay alert by washing your hands”.
Johnson may have taken his cue from Donald Trump, who repeatedly chanted the words “person, woman, man, camera, TV” during an interview about his mental aptitude last week.
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But what does it mean? Why did the government cancel thousands of people’s Eid and wedding celebrations with a few hours’ notice? What happened to staying home, protecting the NHS or even controlling the virus?
The slogan
Let’s begin with the announcement of the new catchphrase.
“Of course we’ve got to explain things as clearly and as crisply as we can!” said the prime minister as he stood in front of a podium emblazoned with his old slogan.
PA
“The only real utensil we have for containing the spread of this new virus is...”
Across the nation ears pricked up as Brits eagerly anticipated the discovery of a tool for fighting coronavirus that had been hiding next to the spatula in their kitchen drawer all long.
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″... is human behaviour.”
And we haven’t even got to the slogan itself yet. Here is what the PM later tweeted which makes it very clear the new slogan centres on “hands, face, space”.
There are some very simple ways we can all protect ourselves and others from the spread of coronavirus.
Wash your hands, cover your face & make space. #HandsFaceSpace pic.twitter.com/C1RHeRVvcr — Boris Johnson #StayAlert (@BorisJohnson) July 31, 2020
So it’s slightly baffling that he only said this once. On seven other occasions he tacked on the additional advice of “get a test”, “self-isolate if you have symptoms” or both.
The scene was reminiscent of Donald Trump reading out the “very hard” answers to a dementia test he took in 2018.
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Here’s Johnson at the very end of the address and even he doesn’t appear sure what the three monosyllabic words in his new slogan are.
Inevitably, “hands, face, space” took social media by storm, for all the wrong reasons.
In case you are confused about what our new slogan means:
Use your HANDS to touch your FACE in a crowded SPACE. #handsfacespace — Parody Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson_MP) July 31, 2020
Meanwhile outside Downing Street the impact of the PM’s new slogan had been negated around 12 hours earlier when Matt Hancock decided to drop a big bag of rules on large parts of northern England just as most people were going to bed.
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And if any of those people were getting into beds not in their own houses, they had two hours to get dressed and get out or risk finding themselves branded criminals.
The government decided the best way to make this major announcement was to limit the information solely to Matt Hancock’s Twitter account.
The new restrictions in the north haven’t yet been posted to: The government’s coronavirus website, the Number 10 Twitter or Facebook accounts, The Department of Health website or Facebook account. pic.twitter.com/9KsizWJN6i — Mikey Smith (@mikeysmith) July 30, 2020
Not even the mayor of Manchester knew what was going on and he’s mayor of the very area it was supposed to going on in.
Lot of people asking for clarity on the Government’s announcement. Our understanding is:
▪ no visitors to your home or garden from tonight
▪you can go to the pub but stay within your household/bubble
▪further openings planned for 1/8 on hold
Everything else remains as is. — Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) July 30, 2020
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The next morning, hours after the rules came into force, Hancock himself insisted that new localised lockdown rules for the north-west were “crystal clear”.
So crystal clear that Sacha Lord, night time economy adviser for Greater Manchester, was spending his night time desperately seeking clarification.
Hearing reports that No.10 are advising separate households should not meet up for meals or drinks together in pubs, bars and restaurants in Greater Manchester. I have requested urgent clarification on this and how operators can/should manage this. — Sacha Lord (@Sacha_Lord) July 30, 2020
The leader of the opposition thought the government’s handling of the announcement was a “new low” and while it is basically his job to slag off the government, he did have a point.
No one would argue with putting in place local action to reduce the transmission of coronavirus.
But announcing measures affecting potentially millions of people late at night on Twitter is a new low for the government’s communications during this crisis. — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 30, 2020
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To top off the shambles, one Tory gent then felt the need to blame minority ethnic people.
Craig Whittaker, whose West Yorkshire seat of Calder Valley was one of the areas affected by the new measures announced on Thursday night, told LBC there were “sections of the community that are not taking the pandemic seriously”.
When asked if he was talking about the Muslim community, the Tory MP replied: “Of course.”
Here’s a bunch of people not taking the lockdown seriously, none of whom appear to be BAME.
PA
Clearly buoyed by how well that rules announcement went, Johnson then decided to have another pop, only this time for everyone, not just “sections of the community” in northern England.
Face coverings will be made compulsory in museums, cinemas, art galleries and places of worship from August 8. Adding to the gloom that the new catchy slogan failed to permeate, England’s chief medical officer warned the nation has “reached the limit” of what it can do to ease lockdown.
According to the ONS, between July 20 and 26 there were 0.78 new Covid-19 infections for every 10,000 people in the community population in England.
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This is equal to around 4,200 new cases a day. This is up from an estimated 2,800 new cases a day in the previous week.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-31--Boris Johnson Hands Brother Jo Johnson Seat In House Of Lords

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Coronavirus has changed everything. Make sense of it all with the Waugh Zone, our evening politics briefing. Sign up now.
Boris Johnson has handed his brother Jo, and several other allies, seats in the House of Lords.
Jo Johnson was on the list of new peerages nominated by the prime minister published on Friday.
It marks a swift return to parliament for the PM’s brother, who dramatically quit the Commons entirely last year in protest at Boris Johnson’s Brexit policy.
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Jo Johnson campaigned for Remain in 2016 and was a public supporter of holding a second referendum.
Other names on the list of peerages include former England cricketer Sir Ian Botham, newspaper owner Evgeny Lebedev and the PM’s chief strategic adviser Sir Edward Lister.
Lord Fowler, the speaker of the House of Lords, said the appointment of 36 new peers was a “massive policy u-turn”,
“This list of new peers marks a lost opportunity to reduce numbers in the House of Lords. The result will be that the House will soon be nearly 830 strong - almost 200 greater than the House of Commons,” he said.
“It was only two years ago that the then prime minister, Mrs [Theresa] May, pledged herself to a policy of “restraint” in the number of new appointments.
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PA Wire/PA Images
Former Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson has been made a peer, as have former chancellors Philip Hammond and Ken Clarke.
Nigel Dodds, the former deputy leader of the DUP, has been rewarded with a seat in the Lords.
Theresa May’s husband Philip has been handed a knighthood for “political service”.
Tony Woodley, the former general secretary of the Unite union, has been nominated for a peerage by Jeremy Corbyn.
In 2018 a spokesperson for Woodley said he was “not seeking nomination to the House of Lords” and media reports that he was were “wholly inaccurate”.
Former Brexit Party MEP Claire Fox is on the list of new peers, despite having previously said she did not “agree” with the Lords.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-01--Sian Clifford Reveals The Special Gift Phoebe Waller-Bridge Gave Her After TV Bafta Win

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Sian Clifford didn’t just bag a famous golden statue when she won a TV Bafta on Friday – she also got something arguably more priceless.
The actor has revealed her Fleabag co-star Phoebe Waller-Bridge gifted her the the famous godmother sculpture from the show to celebrate her win.
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Sian beat Phoebe and other nominees to win Female Performance In A Comedy during the surreal event, which saw winners and nominees forced to appear from home over video link.
Sian Clifford won Female Performance In A Comedy at the TV Baftas BBC
She revealed they had been watching the ceremony together, but had to separate when they both had to call into the show to find out who’d won.
Speaking after her win, Sian told the press: “There was sound feedback so we broke into our friend’s house down the road.
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“We reunited after I won and she gave me the godmother statue, we both have one.”
Sian and Phoebe as Claire and Fleabag BBC
The sculpture, of the naked torso of Fleabag and her sister’s late mother crafted by their godmother, is a fixture in the show.
Sian said she and Phoebe – who she has been friends with for over 20 years – had been “stuffing their faces” with vegan burgers during the ceremony as they “saw off the show”, which came to a conclusion with its critically-acclaimed second series.
Snagging your BAFTA for Female Performance in a Comedy Programme from the comfort of a beautiful garden? Well, that's just how @SiansUniverse rolls! #VirginMediaBAFTAs #BAFTAs pic.twitter.com/wbLytP0tTL — BAFTA (@BAFTA) July 31, 2020
She added: “There is so much history with this show, with my friendship with Phoebe.
“We have just championed each other since that day and I just feel so lucky to have found her and have somebody who believes in me more than I believe in myself.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-01--Pubs Could Shut For Schools To Reopen In September, Scientific Adviser Warns

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Pubs in England could have to be closed in order for schools to reopen next month, a scientist advising the government has warned.
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Professor Graham Medley, a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), said a “trade off” might need to be made to ensure full-time education could resume.
Concerns have turned to a rise in infections among young people after the number of Covid-19 cases increased.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4′s Today programme on Saturday, he said it was “quite possible” pubs could have to shut for schools to reopen.
“I think we’re in a situation whereby most people think that opening schools is a priority for the health and wellbeing of children and that when we do that we are going to reconnect lots of households.
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“And so actually, closing some of the other networks, some of the other activities may well be required to enable us to open schools.
“It might come down to a question of which do you trade off against each other and then that’s a matter of prioritising, do we think pubs are more important than schools?”
He added the increase in Covid-19 cases was mainly among young people, but warned there was a danger it could “spill” over into other sections of the population.
“The age distribution of infections has changed, it has moved down into younger age groups and so it is likely we won’t see that increase in hospital admissions related to infection in the same way we did in March,” he told the BBC.
“But the big fear is the virus just gets out of control and we end up in a situation where there is so much virus that it inevitably spills out into all sections of the population.”
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Prof Medley’s comments came as Boris Johnson scrapped some of his plans to further ease lockdown restrictions in England from August 1 “in order to keep the virus under control”.
Speaking at a press conference in Downing Street on Friday, the prime minister said lifting these restrictions would be delayed until August 15 at the earliest.
It followed a warning by Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer, that the country had “probably reached the limits of what we can do in terms of opening up as a society”.
The growth rate and R value of coronavirus transmission in the UK have changed slightly in the last week, according to figures published by the government.
Data released on Friday revealed the growth rate is now between minus 4% to minus 1%, compared with a rate of minus 5% to minus 1% per day, last week.
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The R value for the UK is between 0.8 to 0.9, a slight change from 0.7 to 0.9.
Johnson has previously promised both primary and secondary schools will return in September “with full attendance”.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-01--Lena Dunham Details Her Coronavirus Ordeal: 'My Body Simply Revolted'

Lena Dunham has detailed her excruciating experience with coronavirus.
The Girls star and creator revealed she fell ill with Covid-19 in mid-March, telling of how her body “simply revolted” after contracting the virus.
The US actor explained how she suffers from a chronic disease that affects the joints and skin, and said she was initially unable to distinguish the pain from her existing illness.
Lena Dunham Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP
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However, Lena said the pain was soon joined by an “impossible, crushing fatigue”, as well as a fever.
“Suddenly my body simply… revolted,” she wrote in a lengthy post on Instagram. “The nerves in my feet burned and muscles wouldn’t seem to do their job. My hands were numb. I couldn’t tolerate loud noises.
“I couldn’t sleep but I couldn’t wake up. I lost my sense of taste and smell. A hacking cough, like a metronome keeping time. Inability to breathe after simple tasks like getting a glass of water. Random red rashes.
“A pounding headache right between my eyes. It felt like I was a complex machine that had been unplugged and then had my wires rerouted into the wrong inputs. This went on for 21 days … that blended together like a rave gone wrong.”
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Lena said she was fortunate to have a doctor on hand to offer regular advice, meaning she never had to go to hospital. She was forced to isolate, describing the experience as intensely lonely.
After a month, Lena said she tested negative for Covid-19 but the symptoms did not fade.
Her hands and feet were swollen, she suffered from severe fatigue and a constant migraine. Her arthritis flared and she had “weirder symptoms that I’ll keep to myself”.
Lena said she had been reluctant to speak out and did not want to “unnecessarily add my voice to a noisy landscape on such a challenging topic”, but felt compelled to do so after “seeing the carelessness with which so many in the United States are treating social distancing, jogging without masks and parties on Instagram”.
She also urged people to “take the appropriate measures to protect yourself and your neighbours”.
Lena is the latest famous name to speak out about her experience with the virus, with the likes of Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson and Idris Elba having previously contracted Covid-19.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-01--Madonna Leads Tributes To Legendary Director Sir Alan Parker After He Dies, Aged 76

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Madonna has led the tributes to British director Sir Alan Parker, following his death at the age of 76.
Sir Alan was known for a string of hit films in the 70s and 80s, including Bugsy Malone, Fame, Midnight Express and Mississippi Burning.
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He also made the 1996 musical drama Evita, which starred Madonna.
Following the news Sir Alan had died on Friday morning following a lengthy illness, the singer posted an emotional message, thanking him for “pushing her to her limits”.
Sharing a photo of them together on set, Madonna wrote on Instagram: “I was so sad to hear about the passing of Alan Parker.
“One of the greatest directors iI’ve ever worked with—on the film Evita. He taught me so much, believed in me, pushed me to my limits and made an incredible film! Thank you!”
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Antonio Banderas starred in Evita alongside Madonna and described Sir Alan as a “great director”.
Dear Alan, goodbye. Thank you for having me in EVITA and thank you for your cinematography wisdom.
Here we have all you’ve done, that it is much and good. — Antonio Banderas (@antoniobanderas) July 31, 2020
Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber also worked with Sir Alan on Evita and said he was “one of the few directors to truly understand musicals on screen”.
Very sad to hear the news of Alan Parker's death. My friend and collaborator on the Evita movie and one of the few directors to truly understand musicals on screen. - ALW — Andrew Lloyd Webber (@OfficialALW) July 31, 2020
Singer Peter Gabriel worked with Sir Alan on 1984 drama Birdy, creating the film’s score. The former Genesis singer said the late director had a “serious impact” on his life.
He said: “He was so encouraging, passionate and dedicated to saying something real with his films, and all delivered with his gentle and timely sense of humour. I only ever heard great things from all those he worked with.”
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Really sad to say goodbye to Alan Parker. There’s a lot of wonderful work he has left us. He also had a serious impact on my own life as he was the first film director to think I might be able to create a film score - pg
In full > https://t.co/rRujBmsuxL pic.twitter.com/mLtQbtgC3k — Peter Gabriel (@itspetergabriel) July 31, 2020
Many other famous names also shared tributes online...
So sad to hear of Alan Parker’s passing. What a great director who made what I consider “real” movies. He inspired so many filmmakers: ‘Fame', 'Midnight Express,' 'Mississippi Burning'...Watch his films - they are some of the best of the 70s and 80s. #RIP https://t.co/Dchg3UPydh — Ben Stiller (@RedHourBen) July 31, 2020
Fantastic director and a lovely man..
R.I.P. Alan Parker https://t.co/S86uSuLN4A — Robert Carlyle (@robertcarlyle_) August 1, 2020
Fabulous director of such varied output: Bugsy Malone, Fame, Midnight Express, Commitments, Mississippi Burning etc and a lovely conversationalist #RIPSirAlanParker BBC News - Sir Alan Parker, director of Bugsy Malone and Evita, dies aged 76 https://t.co/rCoXG6kIds — Sanjeev Bhaskar (@TVSanjeev) July 31, 2020
Sad to hear that Alan Parker has passed. The Wall, Angel Heart, The Commitments and Mississippi Burning representing just a bit of his extraordinary and diverse filmography. Such a legend. pic.twitter.com/fgq6htxUk7 — Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) July 31, 2020
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From "Fame" to "Midnight Express," two-time Oscar nominee Alan Parker was a chameleon. His work entertained us, connected us, and gave us such a strong sense of time and place. An extraordinary talent, he will be greatly missed. pic.twitter.com/OxZPBxTE8F — The Academy (@TheAcademy) July 31, 2020
During a career notable for the variety as well as the quality of his work, Sir Alan won 19 Baftas, 10 Golden Globes and 10 Oscars.
Sir Alan wrote and directed his first feature film, Bugsy Malone, in 1975 – a musical pastiche of Hollywood gangster films of the 1930s with a cast of children.
Sir Alan’s second film, 1977’s Midnight Express, won two Oscars, six Golden Globes and four Baftas.
In 1981, he directed Pink Floyd – The Wall, the feature film adaptation of the band’s successful rock album, which became a cult classic among music fans.
In November 1995, he was made a CBE for services to the British film industry and he received his knighthood in 2002.
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Sir Alan received the Bafta Academy Fellowship Award, the body’s highest honour, in 2013.
Sir Alan was born in Islington, London, on February 14, 1944, and began his career in advertising as a copywriter.
He graduated to writing and directing commercials, and in 1974 moved into long form drama when he directed the BBC film, The Evacuees, written by Jack Rosenthal.
He is survived by his wife Lisa Moran-Parker, his children Lucy, Alexander, Jake, Nathan and Henry, and seven grandchildren.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-01--TV Baftas 2020: From Winners To Acceptance Speeches, Here's Everything To Know From The Socially-Dis

TV Baftas 2020: From Winners To Acceptance Speeches, Here's Everything To Know From The Socially-Distanced Event

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The TV Baftas were a very different affair this year, as a socially-distanced version of the annual event was held on Friday night.
The 2020 ceremony was postponed from its usual May date earlier this year, owing to the coronavirus pandemic, with it later announced it would be held behind closed doors.
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Friday night’s event saw new host Richard Ayoade presenting in an audience-less studio with a handful of guest presenters, with all nominees and winners appearing via video link from home.
TV Baftas 2020 were unlike any other awards ceremony before BBC/Getty
It meant that some nominees had pre-record acceptance speeches over Zoom in the event they were announced as a winner, while others appeared live.
To say the ceremony was surreal would be somewhat of an understatement, but there were still plenty of highlights from the evening...
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Chernobyl and The End Of The F***ing World were the big winners
Naomi Ackie picked up Supporting Actress for Channel 4′s The End Of The F***ing World, which was awarded Best Drama, whil Sky/HBO mini-series Chernobyl picked up two gongs, Leading Actor for Jared Harris and Best Mini-Series.
.@TEOTFW’s Naomi Ackie, Jessy Barden and Alex Lawther are sending a big shout-out to all the cast and crew that made their Drama Series win possible 🏆 #VirginMediaBAFTAs #BAFTAs pic.twitter.com/Bcfci5FPfS — BAFTA (@BAFTA) July 31, 2020
Artists from over 14 countries, 100s of crew members and an all-star cast, all in the name of truth and transparency… Chernobyl takes the BAFTA for Mini-Series. #VirginMediaBAFTAs #BAFTAs pic.twitter.com/s4ang7701H — BAFTA (@BAFTA) July 31, 2020
Naomi Ackie’s speech was particularly moving
The star was in shock when she was announced as the Supporting Actress winner for her role as Bonnie in The End Of The F***ing World, saying: “Oh man, are you serious?”
After saying her thank-yous, Naomi became emotional and joked: “This makes lockdown so much better!”
She later revealed she hadn’t realised she’d won as she wasn’t wearing her glasses and couldn’t see her name come up on the screen.
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'Oh man, are you serious?!.. this makes lockdown so much better'
Naomi Ackie picks up the Supporting Actress award at #VirginMediaBAFTAs for her (quite frankly) terrifying performance in The End of the F***ng World! pic.twitter.com/m9dOuEU9Cj — BAFTA (@BAFTA) July 31, 2020
During the winners’ room Q&A, she explained: “Weirdly, because I’m not wearing my glasses, they’re somewhere on my bed, I couldn’t see what the name was.
“So I was waiting for the man to say. When he said it, the first thing was like ‘No! No, no!’
“Because I was amongst such amazing performances. They’re all incredible, so my first thing was to reject it.”
Jared Harris made a revelation in his acceptance speech
He revealed that he wasn’t actually HBO chief Kary Antholis’ first choice to play Valery Legasov on the show.
Jared said of their first meeting: “About 10 minutes in, he looked at me and he said ‘Jared, I hope you don’t mind me telling you this but you were not our first choice,’ and then he said ‘Would you like to know who was?’
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“And I said ‘Oh I would, yes, very much.’ Daniel Day-Lewis! But he retired from acting.”
He added: “I would just like to say quickly to Daniel, don’t stay away too long. I miss seeing you up there.”
The person originally slated to play the role in #Chernobyl that @JaredHarris just won the BAFTA for Leading Actor for...may surprise you! #VirginMediaBAFTAs #BAFTAs pic.twitter.com/wFYxQq4vrb — BAFTA (@BAFTA) July 31, 2020
Glenda Jackson and Will Sharpe also won acting prizes
Glenda was awarded Leading Actress for her role in Elizabeth Is Missing, while Will was announced as Supporting Actor for his role in Giri/Haji.
In her speech, Glenda paid tribute to her fellow nominees, lamenting “there should be more awards tonight”.
On your feet for the icon that is Glenda Jackson, picking up the #VirginMediaBAFTAs Award for Leading Actress for her performance in Elizabeth is Missing 👏 pic.twitter.com/S62jbWBk8R — BAFTA (@BAFTA) July 31, 2020
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Will accepts his award for Supporting Actor at the #VirginMediaBAFTAs! 🇯🇵 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/nlrxaNa7QD — BAFTA (@BAFTA) July 31, 2020
Other winners included Strictly Come Dancing and Emmerdale
Emmerdale was named the Best Soap and Continuing Drama, while Strictly bagged Best Entertainment Programme for only the second time in its 16-year history.
There was a special prize for Gavin & Stacey
Nessa’s proposal to Smithy in the Christmas special was named as the Virgin Media Must-See Moment, which was the only category voted for by the public.
Co-writers and stars Ruth Jones and James Corden appeared via video link together to accept the award, with James calling it the “some lovely icing on an already lovely cake”.
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She likes it so she tries to put a ring on it, and we loves it!
The Virgin Media #MustSeeMoment winner is Gavin and Stacey - Nessa Proposes to Smithy! 🏴 #VirginMediaBAFTAs pic.twitter.com/LXUKV4JLzH — BAFTA (@BAFTA) July 31, 2020
Idris Elba collected one of Bafta’s highest accolades
The actor was given the Special Award, recognising his long-standing career, which has seen him star in shows such as Luther, The Wire and In The Long Run and work as a producer, director and musician.
In his acceptance speech, Idris said he will continue to champion other actors, writers and people to tell their stories.
“In the world of film and television nothing is different, in other words no-one is different, so me giving an opportunity to someone else is just part of my inheritance, part of my upbringing,” he said.
“I am hoping that from this point, everyone sees that you can’t make it without everyone else. That’s why I think I have got this award.
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“One day I might get an acting award but until that day I am going to make more opportunities for more actors, more writers and more people to come and tell their story.”
Idris Elba (@idriselba) uses his moment accepting his #VirginMediaBAFTAs Special Award to ask everybody to pay it backwards and make more opportunities for others! pic.twitter.com/xV9rLCbdXB — BAFTA (@BAFTA) July 31, 2020
Sian Clifford picked up a gong for her Fleabag role
She beat co-star and the show’s creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge to win the award for Female Performance In A Comedy, for her role as Fleabag’s sister Claire.
She was emotional as she picked up the award, saying: “I don’t even believe in competition and all of the women’s I’m nominated with, including the one that I wouldn’t even be here because of... Oh my God!”
Snagging your BAFTA for Female Performance in a Comedy Programme from the comfort of a beautiful garden? Well, that's just how @SiansUniverse rolls! #VirginMediaBAFTAs #BAFTAs pic.twitter.com/wbLytP0tTL — BAFTA (@BAFTA) July 31, 2020
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Mo Gilligan sent an important message in his acceptance speech
The comedian won Entertainment Performance for his Channel 4 series The Lateish Show, and as he collected the award, he said: “On a personal note, this award means so much to me, I can’t tell you. Even the names I’m with, it blew my mind away to be here.
“It also gives hope to so many people who sound like me, look like me and are from the same background as me.”
Now there's a laugh that will keep us smiling for days 😍Huge congratulations to @MoTheComedian for winning the first award of the night, Entertainment Performance, for #TheLateishShow! #VirginMediaBAFTAs #BAFTATV pic.twitter.com/JylRRraxK9 — BAFTA (@BAFTA) July 31, 2020
Expanding in a later winners Q&A, he added: “Within TV, I think we all know there is so much more to do, there is so much work to do to get people like myself on TV, people that sound like me.
“Not feeling like if you’re on TV you have to change the way you speak, hopefully there is someone watching who thinks ‘I am a Mo, I’ve got a friend called Mo and I can do it’, but there is still so much work to do and I think we all collectively know it.”
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Tributes were paid to those we’ve lost this year
As is commonplace during each year’s event, the ceremony was paused for a few minutes to remember those famous names from the TV industry we’ve lost over the last 12 months.
They included former Dame Vera Lynn, TV chef Gary Rhodes and Caroline Flack, with a short clip of her presenting Love Island played.
Laura Whitmore, who succeeded Caroline as the host of the ITV2 reality show, shared a picture of the tribute on her Instagram Story, while the show’s narrator Iain Stirling also posted it on the site along with a heart emoji.
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There was a Normal People reunion
The stars of BBC Three’s Normal People, Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal, were reunited at the event as they presented an award together.
However, they had to keep much more of a distance than we are used to seeing them at, posing for some hilarious photos together prior to filming the event.
Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones Dominic Lipinski - PA Images via Getty Images
Tim Minchin also gave a very Tim Minchin performance
Tim provided a musical interlude during proceedings, which was typical of his humour.
Tim Minchin *not bothered* he wasn’t nominated:
“To all you clever nominees, I hope you’re very, very pleased. I’m not bitter that my show wasn’t nominated.
“(It’s got 8.6 on IMDB)”#VirginMediaBAFTAs #BAFTAs pic.twitter.com/hDGAmygxCX — Scott Bryan (@scottygb) July 31, 2020


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-01--Trump Says He Will Ban TikTok From The U.S.

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President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday that he plans to ban the Chinese-owned short-form video-sharing app TikTok from operating in the U.S.
While aboard Air Force One, Trump said, “As far as TikTok is concerned, we’re banning them from the United States.” The president claimed he could use emergency economic powers to ban the app.
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Microsoft was rumoured to be in discussions with TikTok’s owner, ByteDance, to purchase the app, but according to reporters, Trump made it clear he was not in favour of allowing a U.S. company to buy the app.
Pool report via main print pooler David Cloud/LAT pic.twitter.com/RDV8LjnLLQ — Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) August 1, 2020
TikTok has contended with distrust in the U.S. over privacy and security concerns. In May, the company tried to head off growing unease by installing former Walt Disney Co. executive Kevin Mayer as CEO.
The U.S. military, which was using TikTok to boost recruitment efforts, banned the app in 2019 over concerns it presented a “cyber threat.”
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More recently, the app likely drew ire from the Trump administration after young TikTok users reportedly used it to coordinate a massive fake ticket-reserving scheme to undermine Trump’s sparsely attended June campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
It’s unclear how much the plan actually affected rally attendance, but reports of it appeared to get under Trump’s skin: The campaign started running anti-TikTok ads on Facebook soon after.
Trump now running anti-TikTok Facebook/Instagram ads accusing the company of spying on users pic.twitter.com/dfHuSVpciL — Taylor Lorenz (@TaylorLorenz) July 17, 2020
In July, Amazon instructed employees not to install the app ― then reversed course hours later, saying its memo was sent in error.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) last year requested a thorough review of the app by the intelligence community, expressing concern the China-based content platform might present a national security risk.
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In particular, the two worried that TikTok could be compelled to turn over sensitive user data to the Chinese government, with no legal mechanism to fight the request.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-01--Rupert Murdoch's Son Resigns From News Corp

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Rupert Murdoch’s son James has resigned from the board of News Corporation, citing “disagreements over certain editorial content”.
In a resignation letter filed on Friday, the youngest son of the media mogul told the company he was quitting with immediate effect.
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He wrote: “Ladies and Gentlemen: I hereby tender my resignation as a member of the Board of Directors of News Corporation (the “Company”), effective as of the date hereof.
“My resignation is due to disagreements over certain editorial content published by the Company’s news outlets and certain other strategic decisions.”
The exact nature of the disagreements or the news outlets in question were not detailed.
Rupert Murdoch and his other son Lachlan, co-chairman of News Corporation, released a joint statement on Friday saying.
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The statement read: “We’re grateful to James for his many years of service to the company. We wish him the very best in his future endeavours.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-01--Barbara Windsor Moved To Care Home As Dementia Advances, Her Husband Confirms

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Dame Barbara Windsor has been moved into a care home as her dementia advances, her husband Scott Mitchell has confirmed.
He said it “feels like a bereavement” after the former EastEnders star left the couple’s home in mid-July.
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Barbra Windsor with her husband Scott Mitchel, pictured in September 2019 ASSOCIATED PRESS
The actor was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2014 and her condition has worsened during lockdown.
Speaking to The Sun, Scott said: “I feel I’m on an emotional rollercoaster. I walk around, trying to keep busy, then burst in to tears. It feels like a bereavement.
“It’s always been my biggest fear, that one day I would have to take her somewhere and she’d be thinking, ‘Why would he do this to me?’
“That fear has become a reality. It’s something I never wanted.”
Scott said he has decorated Barbara’s room in her London care home to make it as welcoming as possible.
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He has put up family pictures as well as a photograph of the actress receiving her damehood from the Queen and a snap of her with Paul O’Grady and Cilla Black at the Royal Variety Performance.
Barbara was made a Dame in 2016 PA
Speaking of the day he left his wife at the home, Scott said: “I’ll never forget the feeling of emptiness. I felt sick in the pit of my stomach that I’d left her. I still feel like that.
“By the time I got home and went to bed, I just felt desperately sad. It’s been 27 years since we met and we spent so much of that time in each other’s company. It feels like another chapter has gone.”
Dame Barbara was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s six years ago and went public with her diagnosis in 2018.
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Back in June, Scott revealed doctors had told him to be prepared to move Barbara into a care home, admitting he’d had some “fairly dark moments” since then.
Barbara’s former EastEnders co-star Ross Kemp – who filmed a documentary about Alzheimer’s, in which Scott featured – said that seeing “the deterioration” in her condition had been “shocking and, to those of us close to her, deeply upsetting”.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-01--Torbay Was Already Struggling. Covid-19 Could Devastate It

Nestled in one of the most picturesque areas of south Devon, Torbay is home to little more than 135,000 people year-round, but the population typically doubles come summertime as holidaymakers arrive. Not so this year, as the coronavirus pandemic forced bed and breakfasts, restaurants, pubs and shops to close their doors, just on the cusp of the vital tourist season.
Now, even as lockdown restrictions begin to ease, Torbay’s residents and business owners are facing the possibility that the disruption caused by Covid-19 will have a far more permanent impact on the region, potentially costing thousands of jobs.
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“If we don’t have much – or maybe any – of a summer, then we’ve had three winters in a row,” said Alan Denby, director of economic strategy at the Torbay Economic Development Company.
“A lot of our visitor accommodation is family-owned and family-managed, and there are still questions about how they will survive. There is a real risk that around 30% of tourism businesses could fail.”
Swithin Long, council cabinet member for economic regeneration, tourism and housing, told HuffPost UK that the pandemic “could potentially have a devastating effect.”
There are fears a sharp drop in tourism will hit areas like Torbay. MartinParratt via Getty Images
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More than 16,500 workers in the region – approximately 34% of the workforce – were furloughed when hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions shut their doors at the height of the pandemic. Some of those jobs have already been lost, and as the furlough scheme tapers off throughout the autumn, there are fears that thousands more could face redundancy.
“Forecasts of job losses might be a bit premature,” Long said, “but a worst-case scenario could involve 18,000 jobs.”
Those job losses would be a capstone to the hardship that many Torbay residents were already facing even before the pandemic. Despite Torbay’s reputation as the English Riviera, tourism to the region has been declining in recent years, and the impact of the 2008 recession is still felt more than a decade on. In 2018, the region had the third-highest rate of personal insolvencies in England and Wales, accounting for 47.3 per 10,000 adults.
Leaders are waking up to to the threat posed by the virus too. On Wednesday, ahead of a visit to the harbour town of Falmouth, Cornwall, Labour leader Keir Starmer warned that tourist towns risk “falling through the cracks” as the government’s furlough scheme tapers towards the end of the summer season.
Analysis carried out by Labour showed that areas with at least a fifth of workers in tourism-related jobs had seen unemployment soar by 174% since February, compared with just under 110% for the UK as a whole.
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“In a sense, coronavirus was just the final knock on the head,” said Simon Tonge, executive director of the Wild Planet Trust, a conservation charity that operates the local Paignton and Newquay Zoos.
A third wildlife centre, the Living Coasts zoo, was one of the biggest visitor attractions in the town of Torquay. But Covid-19 decimated the charitable organisation’s reserves, and in June, the Trust announced that the Living Coasts zoo would not reopen after shutting its doors in March. The other two zoos will likely need to lay off staff as well.
“Lockdown has been absolutely catastrophic for us in that we have lost our entire operating reserve,” Tonge said. “We will probably lose about 100 positions across our three sites.”
The Paignton and Newquay Zoos have now reopened, and Tonge believes they can survive until next spring with the help of a £3m loan from the government. Beyond that, however, the future remains highly dependent on whether tourists return next year — and whether the coronavirus pandemic remains under control.
“If there’s another lockdown on March 23 next year then that’s it, that’s the end of it,” Tonge said “There’s no way back.”
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Living Coasts Zoo & Aquarium in Torquay shut its doors in March. Ben Birchall - PA Images via Getty Images
The impact of lockdown and job losses is already being felt in the wider community too.
The Citizens Advice service in the Torbay area has seen a huge increase in demand through lockdown. Advisors have helped more than 800 people with 2,680 issues since March 23. Benefits, employment and housing have been the top issues raised, with redundancy and furlough among the most commonly-asked employment questions. The number of people with queries about Universal Credit has increased 104% since the start of the pandemic.
“Lockdown has had a huge impact on people,” said Steve Barriball, chief executive of Citizens Advice Torbay. “There are problems with getting back to work, some people might find that the hours just aren’t there to get their finances back on track. We’re already seeing quite a few people with more than one job – especially if they’re on zero-hour contracts.”
“There were times when we were running on a really fine line – we never ran out but we spent an awful lot of time looking for food, which was a shock in itself.” - David Gledhill
Foodbanks in the area have also experienced a spike in demand since the start of the pandemic, and struggled initially to source enough food to meet it. Coordinators were forced to scramble around local hotel chains and ask them for help before a new supply chain was set up with Bristol-based food charity FareShare, who have expanded into Devon ahead of schedule as a result of the crisis.
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“There were times when we were running on a really fine line – we never ran out but we spent an awful lot of time looking for food, which was a shock in itself,” said David Gledhill, a lead member of the Torbay Community Development Trust. “In the wealthy Western world, that’s just not something you think about having to do.”
Gledhill said that people in Torbay will continue to face challenges in the months to come, particularly as the furlough scheme begins to taper off and more people face possible redundancy.
“We’re expecting a massive mushrooming of people in need of mental health support because they’ve been locked down for so long and they’ve got nothing to look forward to, or they’ll see their neighbours going back to something and they can’t,” Gledhill said.
“There’s a lot of money going into services now locally to help, but there’s an awareness that there’s going to be a hell of a lot more people soon, and they’re going to get desperate.”
Foodbanks have struggled to meet demand. (File photo) PA
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In order to give local businesses a boost this year during the shortened summer season, leaders in the region have called for tourism-specific assistance from the treasury – partially delivered with a cut on VAT for the hospitality and tourism industry in a statement by Rishi Sunak in early July.
To tackle the decline in visitors, the Torbay Economic Development Company, which is wholly owned by Torbay council, is also pursuing some £43m in government schemes in order to boost town centres in Paignton and Torquay – backed by £80-£100m of private investment.
Recovering from coronavirus in the bay isn’t just about getting holidaymakers to return, however. Leaders are also looking to reposition the economy and encourage entrepreneurs to relocate to the area. A £25m investment saw the opening of the Electronics and Photonics Innovation Centre and South Devon College’s Hi Tech Digital Centre in 2019, and there are hopes that as Covid-19 dismantles our ideas about work and industry, a location like Torbay will become more attractive to leading companies.
“The fact that you haven’t got a 360-degree market is definitely a challenge – a lot of demand on the area comes in the summer months when the population can go up by anywhere from 70% to 100% depending on the week,” Denby said.
Shifting the local economy away from its reliance on tourism could be a key to its survival in the long term.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-01--How To Make A Wine Spritzer Without A Recipe

Yes, an Aperol spritz is great, but properly made wine spritzers deserve their time in the sun, too.
A wine spritzer is defined by its two core ingredients: wine (usually white) and sparkling water. Wine spritzers most likely originated in 19th century Austria. Their popularity faded, though, and quickly became the laughing stock of bar orders. “Back in the day, white wine spritzers were just so boring, and people always used the worst pinot grigio and then put soda water in it. They just weren’t done right, you know?” said Sarah Pierre, owner of 3 Parks Wine Shop in Atlanta, Georgia.
Tiffanie Barriere is a beverage consultant and wine spritzer enthusiast. “I love wine in general. So any way to make it long, which is what a spritz is, is great,” Barriere said. And wine spritzers are naturally low-ABV, making them the perfect summertime beverage.
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While an expertly prepared cocktail is great, the beauty of wine spritzers is that they’re low-stress. “They’re not supposed to be these insanely well-crafted cocktails. They can be, but that’s not really the point of it,” Pierre said. “The point is to have a really refreshing drink that has been cut. You want to be able to have it at 2 in the afternoon and not want to go take a nap, you know?” You don’t even need an exact recipe ― most wine spritzers are a 3-to-1 ratio of wine to carbonated beverage (and you can add modifiers, like bitters, as you wish).
Here are three ways to cool off with a legitimately good wine spritzer this summer.
Switch up your sparkling water to something with flavour.
One way that Barriere likes to liven up her wine spritzers is to use a fruity soda water in lieu of normal soda water. “I’m a huge fan of Mexican soda, like Jarritos,” she said. The soda comes in a variety of flavours like orange, strawberry, guava and pineapple. “Of course, my favourite is grapefruit,” Barriere said. She likes to pair the fruity soda with a snappy, dry white wine like sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio. Or, try using a flavoured sparkling water like Spindrift for a fizzy drink with less sugar.
Another option is to infuse the spritzer with fresh fruit, like muddled strawberry, or a fruit-infused syrup. “You can use fresh fruit and simple syrup, or you can do fruit and herbs at the same time in a simple syrup. That just gives a little extra depth of flavour,” said Leah Hall, co-creator of the cocktail-focused Gastronom Blog. A combination she returns to often is grapefruit juice, strawberry simple syrup, prosecco and soda water.
Try it with red wine or rosé.
Red wine doesn’t have to be off limits in the heat, especially if used in a spritzer. “Lambrusco spritzers are awesome. Lambrusco is light and fizzy as it is, but you can add a grapefruit soda water or soda water in there,” Pierre told HuffPost. Don’t forget a citrus garnish.
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A merlot or shiraz works beautifully in a wine spritzer too, Barriere suggested. “Make sure you’re using a sparkling water or soda water that has a lot of effervescence and a lot of carbon,” Barriere explained. “You don’t want a Perrier, which is going to flatten it out.” Opt for some Topo Chico or Q club soda instead.
You can always do as they do in Spain, and whip up a Tinto de Verano, which is simply red wine and lemon-lime soda water. For one serving, you need a half-cup of red wine (a young, cherry-forward Tempranillo would be perfect), half a can of lemon-lime soda water, and a slice or two of lemon.
The reigning wine of summer, rosé, is also fit for wine spritzers. Rosé combines beautifully with a variety of liqueurs, said Pierre, who likes to combine the pink wine with St-Germain (an elderflower liqueur) and soda water. Hall likes to infuse vermouth or St-Germain with summer veggies like cucumber or green pepper. “Those are really vegetal, but they go well with wine, especially prosecco or rosé,” Hall said.
Try it with a fortified wine.
For a lightly sweet, slightly bitter wine spritzer, Pierre will use dry vermouth or white port as the base. “I use Niepoort white port with tonic and just lemon. It’s a little white port cocktail,” Pierre said. The drink is found throughout Portugal, typically with an orange slice garnish. You can also combine a dry white vermouth with soda water for an easy to sip aperitif.
Spritzers of this variety hearken to coastal settings, so snack appropriately if you make one. “You want to drink it when you’re near the ocean or at the lake or, ideally, on the coast of Portugal,” laughed Pierre. “But you think about little sardines or canned octopus, or just spiced nuts, because they really are refreshing. It really does wash down salty items, salty meals, like fried calamari.”
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-01--Kind HuffPost UK Readers Flood Family Battling Poverty With Offers Of Support

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A woman who described the brutal inequality of home-schooling during the coronavirus pandemic while battling poverty was reduced to tears as kindhearted HuffPost UK readers flooded her with offers of support.
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Terri-Anne Hamer, a single mum-of-three who lives in Leeds, spoke to HuffPost UK about the reality of coping with life during lockdown and the struggles of feeding and educating her children while being plunged into greater poverty.
The 34-year-old, who is in the final year of a university degree, described daily hurdles including having her family’s internet cut off, using food banks to make sure her children didn’t go without, and working on her dissertation until 3am after her kids had gone to bed.
Despite the hardships she has faced, Terri-Anne told HuffPost UK she has strived to do her best during lockdown by supporting her children with their schoolwork and learning, making sure they are fed well and carrying out activities such as baking, arts and crafts and organising scavenger hunts.
Terri-Anne – mum to Kaemon, 10, Amayah, six, and AJ, four – admitted it hadn’t been easy. “I run on survival mode,” she said. “I know what needs to be done and I just crack on with it.
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“I don’t think about it until the end of the day when I’m exhausted.”
Terri-Anne's three children Kaemon Smith, 10, Amayah Burrani, six and AJ Burrani, four Terri-Anne Hamer
Since telling Terri-Anne’s story, HuffPost UK has been inundated with positive messages describing her as “an inspiration” and an “amazing” and “fantastic” mum. Many people have come forward with practical offers of help, wanting to give gifts to her children.
“I’m exhausted just reading that,” one HuffPost UK reader said of Terri-Anne’s story. “She is amazing! The children’s happiness shines out from their faces. What a lovely family.
“There should be more help for families in these situations. We all benefit from investing in the wellbeing of our children. Those children are going to go far – as is Mum.”
Another wrote: “Wonderful mum, brilliant kids – and sadly single parents are discriminated against time after time. Super raw piece.”
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Another HuffPost UK reader said: “What a fantastic mum. Hats off to you. I don’t know how you managed to do any of that.
“The Universal Credit system is horrible and I hope you can get some help to relieve some of the financial pressure.
“Keep going, you’re such a great role model of resilience and determination. Your kids will one day understand the sacrifices you have made.”
One woman said: “I’m in awe of the woman in this article, Terri-Anne. Raising three kids alone; homeschooling them all during lockdown whilst in the final year of a degree; navigating poverty and parenthood as best she can. What a heroine.”
Another said: “Counting my blessing having read this article about another mum-of-three who lives less than two miles from me and shares her lockdown experience.”
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Terri-Anne told HuffPost UK about some of the trials and tribulations she has faced during lockdown – such as worrying about how to feed her children and having to find money for extra costs such as printer cartridges, which proved so expensive she instead took photos of her son’s work and emailed them to the school.
Talking about her children’s return to school in September, Terri-Anne admitted she was dreading having to afford a uniform for her youngest son, as well as worrying about how to make daughter Amayah’s birthday in September special.
“I came from nothing – why does anyone want to help me. I am just so overwhelmed that people who don’t even know me or my children would want to be so kind to us.”
When HuffPost UK told Terri-Anne about the generosity of readers and some of the positive messages people had given her, she burst into tears and had to be hugged by her daughter.
“I came from nothing – why does anyone want to help me?” she said. “I am sitting here in tears and am just so overwhelmed that people who don’t even know me or my children would want to be so kind to us.”
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Terri-Anne Hamer with her youngest son AJ, four Terri-Anne Hamer
Terri-Anne was contacted by one woman who had read her story and wanted to help out by buying a cartridge for her printer. “It was such a kind gesture and she asked me to take a photo of the printer and send it to her so she would know what cartridge to buy.
“I sent her the photo and she replied: ‘No, no, that’s no good.’ I thought I’d done something wrong but she told me the printer we had needed cartridges which were too expensive so she was going to buy me a new printer with a cartridge instead.
“I told her, no, no, a cartridge is more than enough. But she insisted and bought us a new printer with a cartridge.”
One woman got in touch with Terri-Anne and told her she wanted to help out with buying her children’s school uniforms.
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Terri-Anne has now bought the new uniforms for her children and has sent photos of them wearing them to the kind woman whose generosity made it possible.
Terri-Anne's daughter Amayah, six and son AJ, four, in their new school uniforms made possible by a kindhearted HuffPost UK reader Terri-Anne Hamer
A new printer which a generous HuffPost UK reader bought for Terri-Anne Hamer and her family Terri-Anne Hamer
“It is absolutely amazing how kind people are and it really restores your faith in humanity,” Terri-Anne said.
“I did not want people to think I was a scrounger or to think that’s why I had agreed to share my story for the article. I did it because I wanted to raise awareness.”
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“The lady who bought us the printer also sent the children some colouring stuff and bought a doll for my daughter’s birthday.
“At first, I said no to the kind offers as I did not want people to think I was a scrounger or to think that’s why I had agreed to share my story for the article.
“I did it because I wanted to raise awareness. Ever since I started uni, it has been one battle after another as the systems do not work with each other.
“The government tells people to better themselves then makes it physically impossible to do so. Universal Credit is supposed to make it pay to go to work, but I was worse off because of childcare.
“I felt I had been judged for so long and wanted people to know the full picture of what it is like when you are struggling and trying to do your best – and to show them that things like Universal Credit do not do what they set out to do.
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“I wanted to show people that you can come from nothing and still make something of your life despite the knocks.”
Faiza Afzal-Raza who was so moved by Terri-Anne Hamer's story, she is buying vouchers as a gift for her family Faiza Afzal-Raza
Faiza Afzal-Raza from Lancashire was moved so much by Terri-Anne’s story, she got in touch with HuffPost UK wanting to buy vouchers as a gift for the family.
“The story was written beautifully and sympathetically and I actually had a tear in my eye reading it as you could feel Terri-Anne’s plight,” she said.
“Parenting young children is stressful enough, let alone with having to adjust to a new normal of virtual classrooms, worrying about feeding the kids and having no wi-fi during lockdown.
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“It’s been difficult for all parents to keep their children entertained, but adding financial worries, a lack of proper technology for online learning and logistical challenges like grocery shopping, all while studying for a degree, is unimaginable.
“I have had to homeschool my two children while working three days a week from home. However, they’ve been lucky enough to have iPads and tablets and good, reliable wi-fi plus Netflix when they are bored.
“When I read about Terri-Anne’s struggles, especially about her taking pictures of her kids’ homework on her phone and uploading it to the school site and constantly relying on food banks to feed her three youngsters, I found it really heartbreaking.
“But despite the everyday struggles she faced, Terri-Anne put on a brave face and found ways to entertain her beautiful children and never gave up.
“She is a fantastic role model and I bet her children are as proud of her as she is of them.
“I am buying some vouchers so she can get her daughter something for her birthday as I know Terri-Anne was worried about how she would afford to celebrate her special day.”
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“Parenting young children is stressful enough, let alone with having to adjust to a new normal of virtual classrooms, worrying about feeding the kids and having no wi-fi during lockdown.” - Faiza Afzal-Raza
One man contacted HuffPost UK thanking us for “shedding light on the difficult realities of many and helping to change perceptions” and said he wanted to send the family a gift.
He said: “I was moved by how hard Terri-Anne is working to support her family and having to overcome so many barriers.”
One woman who said she had “never reached out to offer help in this way before” but felt compelled to after reading Terri-Anne’s story. She said: “She is a young woman who against the odds is doing a great job with her children and her own education. I’d like to help in some small way.”
And it’s not just people from this country who have been touched by Terri-Anne’s determination through hardship.
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One HuffPost UK reader who lives in the south of France with her family said the article “touched a nerve” as “my mum was a single mum and struggled but we had family support”.
She bought some vouchers for the family and said: “Terri-Anne is working so hard and deserves a little break from her worries. Everyone needs something to look forward to.”
One man from New York told HuffPost UK that reading Terri-Anne’s story “really bothered” him and he wanted to make an anonymous donation to help her.
“I don’t know much about UK politics and economics as I am a New Yorker,” he said. “Weirdly, it was the parts about the printer cartridge and the upcoming child’s birthday that troubled me the most.
“I guess I think of food and housing as societal obligations, but the idea that a child can’t do his school work because of a lack of toner is awful.”
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Terri-Anne says she feels lost for words at the incredible kind gestures. “I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who read the story and those who have sent such lovely positive messages and offers of help.
“I will now be able to give my daughter a special birthday. She wants to go to Betty’s Tearoom in Harrogate and have what she describes as ‘posh lady sandwiches’ and she also wants a tea party with friends with a mermaid birthday cake and a bouncy castle.
“I am just overcome by how kind people can be and want to thank them so very much.”
Victoria Benson, chief executive of Gingerbread, the charity that supports single parent families Victoria Benson
Victoria Benson, chief executive of Gingerbread, the charity that supports single parent families, told HuffPost UK: “Terri-Anne’s story will be all too familiar to so many single parents across the country who have been left behind due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Children should not be forced to live in poverty and single parent families shouldn’t have to rely on the kindness of strangers.” - Victoria Benson, chief executive of Gingerbread, the charity that supports single parent families
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“We know that single parents have been hit hardest and many have been pushed deeper into poverty by a lack of support from the government during these difficult months.
“Terri-Anne’s story has shone a light on the struggles that affect her and so many others. All too often the voices of single parents aren’t heard.
“The government needs to listen up, pay attention and ensure that single parent families aren’t further disadvantaged by the pandemic.