Mental Health Mates Bristol grows to 1,000 members
A walk and talk group in Bristol set up to support people with their mental health is celebrating its sixth anniversary.Mental Health Mates Bristol, which is part of a national organisation, helps people talk through issues while also connecting with nature in and around the city.Since it was created by Rachel Rayner in 2019 it has grown to more than 1,000 members. An anniversary walk is taking place on Sunday.She said: "We've got students in the city who need to make new friends, we've got people living by themselves. We want people to connect with nature and with each other."
Ms Rayner said between 10 and 15 people show up for every walk.She told BBC Radio Bristol: "After Covid I feel everybody pulled back into themselves and back into their homes."
Ms Rayner said: "There's still a lot of mental health groups which are on Zoom, which I think is extraordinary. "We're well past Covid, we need to get out and connecting."Nationally, Mental Health Mates was started by journalist Bryony Gordon in 2016 after she invited strangers to join her in Hyde Park to walk and talk "without fear or judgement" and 20 people turned up.Seven years later and the organisation now has more than 150 groups across the UK.Ms Rayner said: "It's very different to other mental health groups because it's more of a community, more of a family."We get together, you can talk about anything whether you're suffering from depression or feeling isolated. "Or if you've done some amazing sewing at home or you've grown something amazing in your garden. "You can talk about anything. That's the brilliant thing about it."The anniversary walk starts at 14:00 GMT on the Downs.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Covid Nimbus variant with painful symptom UK hospital cases rise
New figures show the viral infection is on the rise after hitting UK shores - with NHS advising 'stay home' with symptoms Covid cases being admitted to hospital have shown a big increase as a new variant with a 'painful' symptom hit the UK. Doctors have said the new strain of Covid - codenamed Nimbus has one specific symptom. Cases of the variant have been found in the UK as it starts to dominate across the world, having been detected in January. The increase in cases has seen the World Health Organisation say it is monitoring the new variety, also known as NB.1.8.1, closely. New figures updated by the UK Health Security Agency show that the number of hospitalistations in the UK has risen almost 10 per cent in the last week for which figures are available. The statistics show a 947 patients admitted with Covid in the week to May 31 - an increase of 9.4 per cent on the preceding week. Number of detected cases, and bearing in mind there is no widespread testing going on, is 1,211 in the week to June 4, a rise of 6.9 per cent. Number of deaths was 63, in the week to May 30, down 12.5 per cent on the previous week. The NHS advice is currently that if a person believes they have Covid they should stay at home. Nimbus is now the dominant strain in China and makes up a third of cases in the USA, while it is being blamed for a spike in cases in Australia. The mutated Nimbus strain is able to spread more easily and more infectious than previous variants. Vaccines and previous infection have been found to be about half as effective at blocking Nimbus as some other strains. A World Health Organisation spokesman said: 'Currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective against this variant against symptomatic and severe disease. Despite a concurrent increase in cases and hospitalizations in some countries where NB.1.8.1 is widespread, current data do not indicate that this variant leads to more severe illness than other variants in circulation.' Patients have reported this variant giving them 'razor blade throat', a very sore throat which has left some people with a hoarse voice. Director & Superintendent Pharmacist, Prescription Doctor, Mohamed Imran Lakhi, said: 'People commonly report a severe sore throat, persistent fatigue, mild cough, fever, muscle aches, and nasal congestion. Some also experience digestive issues like nausea or diarrhoea, which isn't always typical with Covid variants.' According to Dr Naveed Asif, GP at The London General Practice, the NB.1.8.1 variant has a distinctive symptom, a severe sore throat known as a 'razor blade sensation'. This is a sharp, stabbing pain when you swallow, often at the back of the throat. It can be treated in the same way with rest, fluids and painkillers. If your symptoms persist or get worse, or if you are worried about you or someone else you can speak to a GP or call 111. If someone is in serious distress, for example struggling to breathe, you should call 999. The UKHSA said: 'You might have seen news or social media conversations about the COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1, which you might know as the 'Nimbus variant'. NB.1.8.1 has been detected in small numbers in the UK to date, but international data suggests that it is growing as a proportion of al Covid-19 cases. Based on the available information so far however, there is no evidence to suggest that this variant causes more severe disease than previous variants, of that the vaccines in current use will be less effective against it.' The UKHSA has confirmed the emergence of the 'Nimbus' variant in the UK, highlighting its relatively rare status but noting its faster growth rate compared to other Covid-19 cases globally. Regions hit by NB.1.8. 1 have seen rises in cases and hospital admissions, however, health professionals have yet to ascertain whether it leads to more severe health complications than previous strains. UKHSA suggests that if you must leave your home whilst having symptoms of a respiratory infection and either a fever or feeling poorly, you're advised to "avoid close contact with anyone who you know is at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell, especially those whose immune system means that they are at higher risk of serious illness, despite vaccination." UKHSA guidance on minimising the risk of transmitting infection to others: Wear a well-fitting face covering made with multiple layers or a surgical face mask Avoid crowded places such as public transport, large social gatherings, or anywhere that is enclosed or poorly ventilated Taking any exercise outdoors in places where you will not have close contact with other people Covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser after coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose and before you eat or handle food; avoid touching your face. Symptoms include: severe sore throat fatigue mild cough fever muscle aches congestion
Scotsman
a day ago
- Scotsman
Warning over using old Covid tests as 'Nimbus' variant found in UK
The UKHSA have confirmed that 13 cases of the 'Nimbus' variant have been found so far🧪 Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A leading pharmacist is warning against using old Covid tests. George Sandhu, deputy superintendent at Well Pharmacy is urging people to avoid using tests that have expired. Cases of NB 1.8.1, known as the 'Nimbus' variant have been found in the UK. A leading pharmacist is warning against using old Covid tests from the pandemic - amid a rise in UK infections. Covid cases have increased over the last month after the discovery of a new variant, the spread of which is now being monitored by the World Health Organisation. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The NB 1.8.1 variant has reportedly been causing a spike in infections and hospitalisations in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Now, the UK Health Security Agency has reported 13 cases of the new variant in England this week. New infections of all Covid strains have been at more than 1,000 for the last fortnight and 72 people have died due to related conditions in the last week, according to the government. With infections on the rise, George Sandhu, deputy superintendent at Well Pharmacy, is urging those feeling unwell against using any pandemic-era lateral flow testing kits. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Can I use an expired Covid test? While it may be tempting to use a Covid test that may be expired, Mr Sandhu advises against it, as using an out of date test is unlikely to give you an accurate result. Mr Sandhu said: 'Home-test kits played a vital role in the UK's fight against the global pandemic, but any left lurking at the back of your bathroom cabinet are almost certainly out of date today. 'While there is no requirement to self-isolate today, the danger of relying on an expired lateral flow test is that it gives a false negative - and therefore risks giving the user false confidence that they are not infectious to other people. 'Because NB 1.8.1 is a variant of Covid, an in-date test should be able to detect it, along with other strains of the virus, so I would urge anyone taking one, to ensure it has not expired.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Are Covid tests still free? Covid tests are available to purchase from your local pharmacy, supermarket or online. The tests involve taking a quick swab inside the nose or from the throat, and should give a positive or negative result within minutes. If you are eligible for Covid treatment on the NHS, this includes anyone aged 12 or over at high risk of serious illness from Covid, those over the age of 75, or those who live in a care home, you are eligible for free Covid tests. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Sandhu believes it is vital that we don't overlook Covid this summer, and urges people who suspect they may have symptoms to take a Covid test. He said: 'While it is clear that we all hope for a long, hot summer which in turn will give us plenty of time to spend in the sun with the family, it is important to make sure that we protect against viruses including Covid. 'Covid is still a serious issue in the UK, so we would encourage anyone who feels unwell and believes they may have Covid to purchase a Covid test to get peace of mind.'
Scotsman
a day ago
- Scotsman
Warning over using old Covid tests as 'Nimbus' variant found in UK
The UKHSA have confirmed that 13 cases of the 'Nimbus' variant have been found so far🧪 Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A leading pharmacist is warning against using old Covid tests. George Sandhu, deputy superintendent at Well Pharmacy is urging people to avoid using tests that have expired. Cases of NB 1.8.1, known as the 'Nimbus' variant have been found in the UK. A leading pharmacist is warning against using old Covid tests from the pandemic - amid a rise in UK infections. Covid cases have increased over the last month after the discovery of a new variant, the spread of which is now being monitored by the World Health Organisation. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The NB 1.8.1 variant has reportedly been causing a spike in infections and hospitalisations in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Now, the UK Health Security Agency has reported 13 cases of the new variant in England this week. New infections of all Covid strains have been at more than 1,000 for the last fortnight and 72 people have died due to related conditions in the last week, according to the government. With infections on the rise, George Sandhu, deputy superintendent at Well Pharmacy, is urging those feeling unwell against using any pandemic-era lateral flow testing kits. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Can I use an expired Covid test? While it may be tempting to use a Covid test that may be expired, Mr Sandhu advises against it, as using an out of date test is unlikely to give you an accurate result. Mr Sandhu said: 'Home-test kits played a vital role in the UK's fight against the global pandemic, but any left lurking at the back of your bathroom cabinet are almost certainly out of date today. 'While there is no requirement to self-isolate today, the danger of relying on an expired lateral flow test is that it gives a false negative - and therefore risks giving the user false confidence that they are not infectious to other people. 'Because NB 1.8.1 is a variant of Covid, an in-date test should be able to detect it, along with other strains of the virus, so I would urge anyone taking one, to ensure it has not expired.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Are Covid tests still free? Covid tests are available to purchase from your local pharmacy, supermarket or online. The tests involve taking a quick swab inside the nose or from the throat, and should give a positive or negative result within minutes. If you are eligible for Covid treatment on the NHS, this includes anyone aged 12 or over at high risk of serious illness from Covid, those over the age of 75, or those who live in a care home, you are eligible for free Covid tests. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Sandhu believes it is vital that we don't overlook Covid this summer, and urges people who suspect they may have symptoms to take a Covid test. He said: 'While it is clear that we all hope for a long, hot summer which in turn will give us plenty of time to spend in the sun with the family, it is important to make sure that we protect against viruses including Covid. 'Covid is still a serious issue in the UK, so we would encourage anyone who feels unwell and believes they may have Covid to purchase a Covid test to get peace of mind.' If you have a health story to share with us, we'd love to hear from you. You can now send your stories to us online via YourWorld at It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.
