It was 2014 and my guitarist James Wiseman and I went over to my Nanny Bennett’s, to play her some music.

Standing in front of her, by her bed, for the first time in a very long time, we saw her smile.

Nanny Bennett was my dad’s mum and she had been living with vascular dementia. Her disease had taken away her ability to move or talk, so we were overwhelmed with happiness to see her smile.

She had always been a big lover of music and very supportive of mine, and just then, I knew that against all odds, she remembered and felt happy.

Two years before this, I had lost my Nanny Martin, from my mum’s side, from vascular dementia. Dementia became a huge part of my family’s life and the devastation from it is staggering.

Nanny Martin was an amazing Nan – she was kind and strong. She brought up my Mum and her four brothers – five kids overall. She was the helm of the household while my grandad worked, and then went back to work herself. She was a chatty, kind and beautiful woman who wore lovely outfits and I still wear her shoes now.

In 2003 when I was 12, I spent a month living with my grandparents while I was doing a show at the London Palladium and we had such a special time together. I remember baking with her – she loved making bread and butter pudding, apple pies and she would always have choc ices in the freezer for me.

We would move from the kitchen to the living room, dancing, and she would ask me to ‘do a little twirl’ for her.

I would spin around on the rug in the middle of the living room, and we would watch old fashioned western movies under the duvet on the sofa. These were beautiful times that I will never forget.

I used to play with my nan and grandad’s record player and dance around to old records I’d find. They used to do ballroom dancing, and were huge fans of music – my grandad even made an appearance on the TV during my time in Strictly because of that and he said he was the talk of his local golf club!

I was already recording music when I was a teenager, and my entire family was so supportive. But Nanny Martin’s memory was already beginning to go.

We noticed that she also began telling stories that weren’t true, like ones about people cooking downstairs – but they were living in a bungalow.

By the time I turned 18, I released my first single Mama Do, but unfortunately Nanny Martin already had dementia quite badly by then. She always cheered me on coming to all my early shows before she had dementia so I think she would have loved joining in on the antics once I started releasing my own music.

The thing that we weren’t prepared for was to see how her personality completely changed and turn to the opposite of her character.

It was hard to adjust, but as a family, we pulled together and were there for her and my grandad, who was very strong for her. It was important we enjoyed the little moments that we had while she was still with us. Nanny Martin passed away peacefully in 2014.

At first, I didn’t know what to do with all the memories but my sister Charlie, our mum and I talked through them all and I wrote them into a song with my songwriter friends Jerry and Andrew called Cry and Smile for my third album.

During this time, my Nanny Bennett was dealing with dementia also. She was a huge fan of the Beatles, and she always had Capital Gold radio station playing in her house.

I remember playing her my first singles and getting her opinion while we had tea and biscuits from tins at her house. She loved listening to all of the songs I released for my first album and her favourite was Cry Me Out.

She was a strong and opinionated woman, always fighting for justice and loved her family fiercely.

That’s why years later, my guitarist James and I went over to Nanny Bennett’s to play her some music.

I knew about the effect music has on people with dementia, and studies have shown that music therapy can help reignite memories or create connections with people living with the condition.

But I didn’t expect such a strong reaction, and I’m glad it resonated so much.

We watched her change just like my Nanny Martin and she kept going back to thinking Dad and his siblings were young again and also an opposite change in her character. It was devastating to see.

I have since become an ambassador for Alzheimer’s Research UK – losing two of my nans to dementia was hard, but it doesn’t mean I can’t help others.

Along with my family, we raised funds doing charity football matches, organised by Uncle Rick from my dad’s side. It was all his idea and it was really brilliant. It gets the whole family together – and even though I don’t have a clue what I’m doing on the pitch – we managed to raise lots for Alzheimer’s Research UK. 

Uncle Rick also ran the London Marathon for Alzheimer’s Research UK, blasting out my nan’s song Everybody’s Talkin’ by Harry Nilsson and we all went along to support, of course. I’ve also dedicated some open mic nights at my local pub that I ran with my best friend Jocee, to help raise more.

It’s a really heartbreaking thing to go through, and dementia affects nearly one million people in the UK right now, which is a lot.

It’s an important cause, and if there’s anything we can do to bring that number down we have to as it’s something we will all experience in some way or another.

Without that sounding cliché, seeing family members face dementia gives you a new perspective on life. You realise just how important time is, and that life is so short.

I think making memories with family is the most important thing you can do in life. A love like that lasts forever.

Remember, that every moment counts and means so much and leaves a lasting impact. The best thing we have in life is each other and family, so you want to hold on to that with all you can.

As told to Sharan Dhaliwal and Nicole Vassell

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

Share your views in the comments below.

Estelle Keeber never used to exercise. ‘I was the type of person who’d drive to the shop around the corner,’ she admits.

But then, five years ago, everything changed. Not just for Estelle, but for hundreds of thousands of people across the UK who discovered the joy – and literal escape – of walking as the world became engulfed by the deadly covid-19 pandemic.

In the months after lockdown started, exercise app Go Jauntly reported an 80% surge in membership, while government figures from the fateful summer of 2020 discovered 39% of people said they were walking more than before the pandemic struck. 

And while banana bread and Houseparty may have had their moment, the nation’s walking obsession is still going strong, with the hashtag #walking used on over 30.5 million posts on Instagram and more than 830 million Google search results for local walking groups. Research from the walking organisation Ramblers UK, suggests it has experienced a larger boom in the last five years than 80 other sports when it comes to UK participation.

For Estelle, it offered a sense of freedom – in many ways.

‘When we went into lockdown and the opportunity to get out in nature was limited, I suddenly started to crave it,’ she tells Metro. ‘I started doing Couch to 5k but got injured and the impact of running wasn’t an option – so I started walking.’

However, Estelle soon discovered that soaking up nature on a basic level wasn’t enough. As she progressed from local walks to long hikes on her own, she used it as an opportunity to embrace the naturist lifestyle. 

‘I had never even considered it before, but I’ve always been comfortable in my own skin,’ explains Estelle, who runs social media company Immortal Monkey. ‘When I was walking I felt hugely connected with nature and it occurred to me that the connection could feel more complete if I was able to feel nature against my skin more.

‘We’re so used to feeling the breeze on our faces or hands but there’s a deeper connection when it’s on all of your skin.’

To learn more about the naturist community, Estelle booked herself into a nudist spa – and has never looked back. 

‘I’m now working with British Naturism and am organising a naked ramble with them,’ she adds. ‘I’m a naturist and there’s a difference between that and nudism. 

‘Nudists like being naked and naturists enjoy the connection with nature without being clothed. There’s a park in Nottingham which is a naturist park where people can walk unclothed. 

‘The signs say clothing is optional so it’s a great way for naturists to interact with clothed people. It’s not illegal to be nude in this country but it is to cause distress if you’re naked so there’s a fine line which is why parks like the one in Nottingham are so important.’

For Estelle, her discovery of walking has been truly life-changing. ‘I would never have believed I’d become a naturist and a hiker when we went into lockdown but I get so much from both aspects of my life.’

27-year-old Joel Moore isn’t surprised people stayed in love with walking even when lockdown ended. He founded the walking group Common Ground during the pandemic, which is still going strong.

‘Walking is a fantastic way to move through the landscape,’ the civil engineer tells Metro. ‘I’ve always hiked and started the group with a couple of other walkers I met online in lockdown. Since then we’ve got thousands of people walking and joining our treks and groups online. We get people coming on our walks then branching off and starting their own groups with people they met through us. 

‘We’ve got some lovely groups of mates who found one another at a Common Ground walk who have since gone on walking holidays together. It’s brilliant and exactly what we set the group up for.’

Hannah Da Silva also started her hiking group at the height of the pandemic and says she had no idea it would be so big. ‘It was about finding like-minded girls to hike with as a lot of people took it up during the pandemic as a way to stay mindful,’ the Londoner tells Metro.

‘I noticed a large lack of female representation within the outdoors and tech space online. 

‘GorpGirls was born as an Instagram page but has branched out, so women have been able to make new friends via hiking, feel more socially confident and have a new sense of freedom in a space historically dominated by males.’

Meanwhile, influencer Amina saw her following explode during lockdown and now has more than 200,000 people following her Instagram account @adventureswithamina. 

Having moved to Scotland in 2019, Somali-born Amina tackled the West Highland Way, a 96-mile hike from Milngavie to Fort William, during lockdown. ‘I come from a strong nomadic culture so you can say wandering it quite literally in my blood,’ the 27-year-old tells Metro. 

‘My love for hiking began when I moved to Scotland and since then I promised myself that no matter what I would do a long-distance walk in the UK every year. 

‘I feel super grateful for the life I get to live. Being outdoors makes me feel alive. It’s where I feel most connected, most at peace and the most reassured. 

‘It’s hard to feel anxious or uncertain when you see how everything from the birds in the sky to the fish in the sea are tenderly cared for,’ adds Amina. 

Several studies back up her statement, with walking continually promoted as a way to improve mental health by experts. Research from the Mental Health Foundation says a short burst of 10 minutes of brisk walking increases our mental alertness, energy and positive mood, while a link has also been discovered in terms of better sleep, memory and cognitive function. It’s even believed to reduce the risk of several conditions including Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

But it’s not just adults that have been part of the walking boom. Since 2020, the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme – a youth achievement programme which has an expedition section ranging in distance from 19 to 57 miles – has seen an increase in participants. 545,910 young people are actively doing their DofE award currently, numbers went up 10% in the pandemic and have continued to climb with a 30% participation since.

With almost three-quarters of the UK population now saying they walk at least once a week, Joel says if you’re considering it, don’t overthink it.

‘We learn to walk as babies and it’s that simple,’ he says. 

‘Don’t plan epic routes to begin with or focus on distances, just put on whatever footwear feels comfortable and walk to the coffee shop, get a coffee and walk back. Or take a circular route around somewhere you know. 

‘Walking is about getting out into the fresh air and slowing down. Work and life is busy for a lot of people. I use walking in part as a mindfulness to just slow down and focus on the weather, the sky, and bird song. It can be really relaxing.’

If what you’re about to read doesn’t make you reach for your Stanley cup, we don’t know what will.

It turns out that nearly two thirds of us don’t drink enough water and all that tea and beer we’re drinking isn’t helping. In fact, it’s doing the opposite.

Worse still, one in three people go without drinking any water at all throughout the day, and nearly half have no clue how much they should be drinking.

But what does that mean for your health? And how much does it actually affect your mental clarity?

Metro spoke to a GP to find out.

What does dehydration do to your body and what are the main symptoms?

Dr Nadira Awal explains that while thirst might be the most obvious hint that you need to up your water game – by the time you’re there, you’re already likely experiencing a low level of dehydration.

For these reasons, it’s ‘best to drink water throughout the day, rather than waiting until you’re thirsty,’ she shares.

Then there’s the headaches, which are another early sign of dehydration.

When the body lacks fluids, blood volume falls, which as Dr Nadira outlines, results in ‘diminished blood flow to the brain’ – and naturally, the best tonic for this is a little bit of Adam’s ale. Who’d have thought?

It’s bad news on the beauty front: dehydration can dry your lips out – beyond anything a bit of lip balm can solve. Plus, there’s the obvious issue of having a dry mouth.

‘As the body dehydrates, saliva production diminishes, causing the mouth to feel dry or sticky. Lips may also become dry and chapped,’ Dr Nadira adds.

‘When the body is not adequately hydrated, the skin may feel less plump and flexible. The skin turgor test is a basic test in which you gently pinch and release the skin on the back of your hand. If the skin doesn’t soon return to its usual position and instead appears “tented,” it may be an indication of dehydration.’

Elsewhere, it can also impact your energy levels – and as Dr Nadira explains, fatigue is a common sign of dehydration, but it’s sometimes missed.

When the body is dehydrated, it needs to work harder to ‘execute routine processes, which can cause fatigue and a lack of energy,’ she adds. So, if you’re feeling exhausted and you can’t put it down to a lack of sleep (or even too much exercise), it could simply be a lack of aqua.

And when dehydration levels up and becomes more extreme, so do the symptoms, which might include a faster heartbeat and heavier breathing as the body ‘attempts to compensate for decreased blood volume,’ as well as confusion or irritation, which stem from the brain’s deprivation of water.

‘In extreme circumstances, fainting may result from a drop in blood pressure,’ Dr Nadira advises.

‘When these symptoms appear, it is critical to treat dehydration at once. In most circumstances, increasing fluid intake will treat mild to moderate dehydration.

‘However, in severe situations or susceptible populations such as small children or the elderly, medical intervention may be required.’

How much water do you actually need to drink in a day?

It’s an age-old question. The amount of water you need to drink actually depends on multiple factors, including age, gender, activity levels, climate, and the overall state of your health.

Dr Nadira advises that the typical adult male should be drinking roughly 13 cups or 3 litres of water each day, while the recommendation for adult women is substantially lower at 9 cups (or 2.2 litres).

During pregnancy, a person’s water requirements also increase to support the growth of the baby, increasing to 10 cups (which equates to 2.3 litres) each day.

‘This heightened demand persists after, particularly among lactating women. Lactating women should aim for about 13 cups (3 litres) of water each day to support milk production and keep themselves hydrated,’ Dr Nadira adds.

And if you’re sick, if it’s a particularly hot day, or if you’ve been exercising, your requirements ‘dramatically’ increase. During illness, the exact amount will vary depending on how long you’re down for, but you should generally ‘strive to drink enough to maintain urine pale and avoid thirst.’

Whether you’ve been packing in the miles on the treadmill, lifting weights or running an ultramarathon, Dr Nadira’s rules state that during any form of exercise, you should drink one cup of water for every 15-20 minutes of activity.

You should continue to hydrate yourself after you’ve finished your workout too, to replenish all the liquids you’ve lost while sweating.

‘It’s worth noting that, while these guidelines provide a general framework, the best indicator of appropriate hydration is frequently listening to your body’s cues and examining the colour of your urine. Thirst is a reliable indicator that your body requires more fluids, while pale yellow urine typically suggests enough hydration,’ Dr Nadira further advises.

Do other drinks besides water count towards your daily liquid intake?

Yes – all kinds of beverages count towards your daily liquid intake, including tea, squash (without excessive sugar), coffee, milk and even some soups – but naturally, water is the most hydrating option.

However, Dr Nadira adds that drinks like caffeine can actually have a mild ‘diuretic effect’ – which means that you might be popping to the loo more often.

‘Still, for most people, these drinks still contribute to hydration in a net-positive way. Just be mindful of added sugars if you’re looking for a healthier option,’ she concludes.

‘Keep in mind that alcohol is the only fluid to be dehydrating in healthy individuals with full gut function.’

So, if you’re getting a few pints in at the pub with your pals, you might want to intersperse them (or zebra stripe) with some trusty old H20 to save an even worse headache the next morning.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

His Majesty King Charles III’s team has had to issue a last-minute notice do to “essential” works at his Sandringham estate

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Mother’s Day is fast approaching, as it falls on 30th March this year, and it is the prime time to spoil the mother figure in your life, whether it is your mum, stepmum, grandmother, aunt, wife, or partner. 

When it comes to Mother’s Day many people are on the hunt for the perfect spot to enjoy a Mother’s Day meal out, or a pub lunch, as well as experience gifts, according to Google. 

While we often gift our parent a fragrance, box of chocolates or flowers for Mother’s Day, some may be looking for something a little more sentimental. If you are planning to use the gift giving occasion as the chance to make more memories with your mum, which will last longer than the one day, we have found the best gift experiences this Mother’s Day.

Mother’s Day gift experiences are not only a great idea for those shopping an alternative present to the conventional Mother’s Day gift ideas, but it is perfect for those who may have left their shopping to the 11th hour. 

Plus, research conducted by VoucherCodes.co.uk has found that British people are likely to spend more on Mother’s Day gifts than Father’s Day gifts this year, with an average of £80.94.  Why that is? We don’t know. But, we do agree that a blow-the-budget gift is best applied to gift experience.

From afternoon tea, to a pamper, theatre shows to perfume workshops, we have whittled down the best Mother’s day activity ideas and experiences to treat your matriarch to. 

Shop The Best Experiences

Harrods Breakfast at The Tiffany Blue Box Café for Two

Start Mother’s Day in true elegance with a luxury breakfast at The Tiffany Blue Box Café, located inside Harrods. This iconic luxury designer jewellery brand’s café offers a stunning setting with its signature Tiffany-blue décor, plus a delicious gourmet breakfast menu. Ideal for mums who appreciate fine dining and timeless glamour, this experience is a sophisticated way to celebrate her special day. You could easily while away the hours with a shopping spree in Harrods after, darling.

BUY NOW FOR £95.40 (WAS £106)

Fortnum & Mason Afternoon Tea for Two in The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon

Indulge in a timeless afternoon tea experience at Fortnum & Mason’s Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon, a historic venue renowned for its luxury tea selection, handcrafted patisserie, and elegant surroundings. Treat your mum to a selection of finely cut sandwiches, fluffy scones, and exquisite cakes, all served on the finest china in a setting fit for royalty. Alternatively, you can select from a number of gift hampers to bring the Fortnum & Mason afternoon tea experience to the comfort of their home.

BUY NOW FOR £140 (WAS £160)

E.P.C. Mother’s Day Blending Experience for Two

For those who love fragrance, getting creative and experiences, Experimental Perfume Club (E.P.C) E.P.C. has launched a unique and unforgettable gift experience in the form of its Mother’s Day Blending Experience for two. Guided by expert perfumers, you and your mum will create a custom fragrance, perfectly tailored to your individual scent preferences. This immersive experience is educational, fun and allows you to let those creative juices flow. Plus, you leave with a one-of-a-kind perfume to take home. It may be a pricey gift, but you’ll never forget this experience.

BUY NOW FOR £390

Spa Treatments and Pampering Experiences

A spa treatment is the lavish gift experience your mum needs.Whether she prefers a rejuvenating facial, a soothing massage, or a full spa retreat, this experience allows her to unwind and refresh in a tranquil setting. With options available for one or two people, it’s the perfect way to treat her to some well-deserved down time.

BUY NOW FROM £79.99

MAMMA MIA! Theatre Tickets for Two

Surprise your mum with tickets to MAMMA MIA!, the hit West End musical filled with ABBA’s greatest hits. Sing along with your very own Dancing Queen while enjoying the heartwarming story, impressive performances, and being transported to a Greek island. Whether she’s a lifelong ABBA fan, or just loves a great night at the theatre, this experience is guaranteed to get a standing ovation.

BUY NOW FOR £88

Mother's Day Pottery Experience For Two

For a fun and unique Mother’s Day gift, why not try a pottery experience for two? This hands-on workshop is a relaxing and therapeutic way to spend quality time together while learning a new skill. From wheel throwing to hand-building techniques, you and your mum will create beautiful handmade pottery pieces to take home as a lasting keepsake. Opt for a mug, and enjoy slurping your morning brew out together over your mother and child catch ups for years to come.

BUY NOW FOR £99

You only have a few days remaining to get her a gift she’ll really want this Mother’s Day.

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