Valentine’s Day has been dubbed a waste of money with novelty mugs and cheap underwear amongst the worst presents.
More than half of the 2,015 adults polled, said their partner should make more effort, rather than splurge on presents they don’t even want.
Respondents reported the rubbish gifts they had received included ‘wrong’ perfume, socks, candles and even, a car mat.
But while most said the day of lovers is a waste of time, one in three said they’d be gutted if their better half did nothing to celebrate.
Travel together
The research by Railcard.co.uk, found that one in five said a trip away would be the best romantic gesture with the Lake District top destination in the UK.
Relationship expert and coach, Sarah Louise Ryan, said: “Couples who travel together often end up more fulfilled and happier in their relationship.
“There are many reasons for this; inclusive of the fact it encourages communication and can deepen feelings of commitment as they plan their trips ahead of time, looking towards the future.
“Travel allows more opportunities for romance and time outside of the day-to-day routine, meaning romantic sparks can be reignited.
“Where flowers and chocolates can play a part, this Valentine’s Day I’d encourage all couples to carve out some time to book and experience a romantic getaway, whether for a day trip or a long weekend.”
The study also found 36% had considered a trip together as a way to rekindle a floundering relationship.
LONDON, UK. August 13th, 2026: Bishop Challoner Catholic School is celebrating another impressive set of sixth form results, with students achieving strong outcomes and securing places at a wide range of leading universities and further education destinations.
Overall, 44% of students at the Tower Hamlets school have secured places at Russell Group universities, including the University of Birmingham, the University of Bristol, the University of Exeter, King’s College London, the University of Leeds, the University of Nottingham, Queen Mary University of London, UCL (University College London) and the University of Warwick.
Strong performances were recorded across the sixth form, with particularly impressive results in Biology, where 100% of students achieved A*-A grades. In Chemistry, 80% of students achieved A*-B grades, while Sociology saw 92% of students achieve A*-B grades.
Vocational courses also delivered excellent results, with 92% of students achieving DDD*-DDD grades in BTEC Business and 90% achieving DDD*-DDD grades in BTEC Health and Social Care.
Executive Headteacher Adam Hall said: “These results are a wonderful celebration of everything our students have achieved. At Bishop Challoner we believe in ‘doing ordinary things extraordinarily well’, and this year group has embodied that philosophy through their everyday commitment, perseverance and ambition. We are immensely proud of every one of them.”
Head of School, Ranjit Pabila, added: “We are incredibly proud of our students and their achievements this summer. These results are a testament to their hard work, resilience and ambition, as well as the outstanding commitment of our staff.
“Achieving ALPS 2 for A Levels places us in the top 10% nationally, while our ALPS 1 rating for BTEC places our vocational provision in the top 1% nationally. These are exceptional achievements and demonstrate the breadth and quality of education we provide.
“We are delighted to celebrate with our students today and wish every one of them the very best as they progress to university, higher and degree-level apprenticeships, employment and the next stage of their education and careers.”
Head of Sixth Form, Laura Griffiths, commented: “It has been a privilege to watch this year group develop into confident, ambitious young adults. Their results are richly deserved, and we are excited to see them flourish as they move on to university, apprenticeships and exciting new opportunities.”
Student Flavia-Alexandra said: “My teachers were absolutely amazing, I couldn’t have done it without them!”
Karl-Lewis added: “Bishop is a great school. They’ve been so supportive in helping me to achieve my goals and they’ve really pushed me to try my hardest. I’m going to the University of Greenwich to study Accounting and Finance.”
For more information about Bishop Challoner Catholic School, please visit www.bishop.towerhamlets.sch.uk, follow the school on Instagram at @challonercs and Facebook, or contact the school office on 0207 791 9500.
GLASGOW, UK. August 12th, 2026 – Velocity Edge, a Glasgow-based technology start-up, has launched a new online platform designed to make lubricant procurement quicker, simpler and more transparent for businesses across the UK and international markets.
Founded in December 2024 by co-founders Callum Samuel and Josh Duncan, both in their early twenties, the company was created in response to a persistent challenge in the lubricant sector. Finding the right product for a specific application can often involve dealing with several suppliers, lengthy phone calls and varying levels of technical guidance.
The platform, available at velocity-edge.com, brings the process together in one online destination, allowing buyers to browse products, compare options and request quotes from some of the world’s leading lubricant brands. Products are organised by sector, including marine, aviation, automotive and industrial applications, with access to names such as Shell, Mobil, Castrol, Fuchs, Petronas, Total, Texaco and Petro-Canada. The range includes OEM-approved engine oils, industrial hydraulic fluids, specialist greases and aviation-grade lubricants.
Velocity Edge combines online convenience with technical expertise. Its team provides impartial advice to help customers identify the most suitable lubricant for their particular application, helping to minimise the risk of costly specification mistakes. The company’s single-source supply model also means customers can purchase products from multiple brands without having to coordinate with several different suppliers.
Despite only launching in December 2024, the founders have made rapid progress. Velocity Edge has secured ten key supplier contracts, welcomed its first customers and completed early international orders for destinations including Hong Kong, the UAE, Thailand and Malaysia.
The company’s development has also attracted support and recognition from across Scotland’s enterprise and technology community. Velocity Edge is an early-stage account managed by Scottish Enterprise and is a member of the Strathclyde Inspire accelerator, Barclays Eagle Labs and TechScaler. The business has also won the Strathclyde Inspire100 competition and the Scottish Young Edge Round 26 competition.
The team’s entrepreneurial drive is matched by deep industry expertise. Non-Executive Director Andrew Samuel, founder and chairman of Pure Lubrication, brings more than 30 years of experience in the sector and was recently named Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 at the Glasgow Business Awards. His involvement gives the young founding team valuable industry knowledge and credibility as the business continues to develop.
“Procurement teams shouldn’t have to spend hours on the phone chasing quotes and hoping they’ve specified the right product,” said Callum Samuel, co-founder of Velocity Edge.
“We built this platform so buyers can get straight to the products they need, backed by real technical expertise, without the usual back and forth.”
Josh Duncan, co-founder, added: “Our goal was never simply to sell oil online, it was to combine genuine technical know-how with the convenience of a modern e-commerce platform. Doing this from a base in Glasgow, and as part of the business community here, means a great deal to us.”
Velocity Edge also operates a “Become a Supplier” programme, giving manufacturers and distributors the opportunity to reach new customers through the platform.
With the platform now live, the founders intend to expand the supplier network and increase the breadth of products available over the coming months.
BATH, UK. August 11th, 2026 – Eye Health UK is urging the public to take extra care when watching tomorrow’s solar eclipse, warning that limited access to certified solar viewing glasses could leave people at risk of serious and potentially permanent damage to their eyesight.
The UK will experience its most spectacular solar eclipse in a generation when the moon covers 90% to 96% of the sun on 12 August 2026. And, whilst many of us will be keen to watch this celestial event, direct viewing without specialist equipment risks sight-threatening eye damage.
Seventy people suffered serious eye damage[1] following the last major eclipse visible in the UK, with many of these people only glimpsing the sun for a matter of seconds before damage occurred.
Yet, availability of certified solar glasses, those conforming to ISO 12312-2:2015(E) safety standard, is poor. Unlike in 1999, when solar glasses were available from major supermarkets and hundreds of high-street retailers, this year store availability is scarce.
Orders from online retailers are now not guaranteed to arrive until after Wednesday’s spectacle. This has triggered many social media threads with people desperately asking where they can find solar glasses ahead of Wednesday (12th August).
David Cartwright, chair of the charity Eye Health UK, said: “We’re urging people not to be tempted to look at the eclipse without proper protection. If you’re unable to purchase a pair of certified solar glasses, it’s vital you view it indirectly. Failing to protect your eyes whilst looking towards the sun can lead to solar retinopathy, central blind spots, blurred or distorted vision, and light discomfort.”
Anyone who experiences changes to their vision after viewing the eclipse should seek medical attention from an optometrist or healthcare professional right away.
Do’s and don’ts for viewing the eclipse
Eye Health UK says the safest way to view the event is on the television or via an online livestream.
David Cartwright added: “Only view directly if you’re wearing specially designed solar glasses, conforming to the ISO 12312-2:2015(E) safety standard, or a welder’s helmet rated No 14 or higher. These should be fitted to your face securely before turning to view the eclipse.
“Check that your certified solar glasses are intact and do not have marks or tears. Don’t be tempted to let your child wear adult-sized solar glasses to view the eclipse. Solar glasses should fit your face well.
“Don’t view the eclipse directly through a telescope, binoculars or camera under any circumstances, including whilst wearing solar glasses.
“NEVER view the eclipse wearing sunglasses, even those with very dark tints.”
An alternative and safe way to view the sun’s disc is by indirect projection using a ‘pinhole camera’ or colander.
David Cartwright explained: “Take two thin, but stiff, pieces of white cardboard. Punch a small, clean pinhole in one piece of cardboard. Don’t make the pinhole too big or you will only have a shaft of sunlight rather than an image of the crescent sun. Stand with your back to the sun, holding up the piece of cardboard with the hole in it. Hold the other piece of cardboard as a ‘screen’ in your other hand and move it until an inverted image of the sun appears on it. To make the image sharper, move the screen closer to the pinhole.
“Remember, do not look directly at the sun through the pinhole.”
SURREY, UK. August 10th, 2026 – Sutton-based building specialist Lion and Leinster Property & Building Services is celebrating after being shortlisted for a Checkatrade Awards 2026 nomination, marking an important milestone for the local company and recognition of its strong customer reputation.
Lion and Leinster Property & Building Services, based in Sutton, has earned the nomination following outstanding feedback and votes from its customers, recognising the company’s commitment to quality workmanship, professionalism and exceptional customer service.
The Checkatrade Awards celebrate the very best tradespeople across the UK, making a nomination a significant achievement in itself.
This nomination adds to Lion and Leinster’s growing list of industry awards and recognitions. While the company is incredibly proud of every accolade it has received, a Checkatrade Award is widely regarded as one of the most respected honours within the home improvement industry. For the Lion and Leinster team, this nomination represents its most significant recognition to date because it reflects the trust, confidence and support of its customers.
Caroline McCarthy, spokesperson for Lion and Leinster Property & Building Services, said: “This nomination means so much to every member of our team because it has come from the people who matter most, our customers.
“Over the years we’ve been honoured to receive several industry awards, and we’re incredibly grateful for every one of them. However, being nominated for a Checkatrade Award feels particularly special. To us, it is our most significant achievement to date because it reflects the trust and support of our customers, whose votes made this nomination possible.
“We’d like to sincerely thank everyone who took the time to vote for us. Every project we undertake is built on trust, and this recognition reflects the relationships we’ve built with homeowners across Sutton and the surrounding areas.”
Specialising in extensions, loft conversions and garage conversions, Lion and Leinster has developed a strong reputation for transforming homes while delivering high-quality workmanship and a personal service from start to finish.
Every project is completed with the same care, attention to detail and professionalism that the team would expect in their own homes, with the company’s ‘Trust is our currency’ philosophy in mind.
As a proudly independent Sutton company, Lion and Leinster remains committed to helping local families create more space, add value to their homes and improve the way they live.
Caroline added: “Awards are wonderful, but the greatest achievement is the trust our customers place in us every day. This nomination belongs to everyone who has chosen Lion and Leinster, recommended us to friends and family, and supported our business. Thank you.”
Purbeck Personal Guarantee Insurance is calling on small businesses to get ahead of upcoming VAT and Corporation Tax bills, warning that pandemic borrowing, rising employment costs and weaker summer cash flow are leaving some firms increasingly dependent on HMRC repayment plans. The company has highlighted five steps SMEs can take to manage tax liabilities before financial pressure intensifies
Small businesses are facing a difficult combination of tax obligations and ongoing financial commitments, with many still repaying borrowing taken on during the pandemic while dealing with higher operating expenses and slower cash coming into the business over the summer.
Purbeck Personal Guarantee Insurance says it is seeing HMRC Time to Pay arrangements, originally designed as a short-term solution for businesses facing temporary financial pressure, becoming an increasingly permanent feature of small business cash flow management.
According to Purbeck, many SMEs are still repaying Bounce Back Loans (BBLs), Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans (CBILS) and other liabilities deferred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Combined with higher operating costs, including increases to employer National Insurance contributions, these legacy debts are leaving many businesses with little financial flexibility when major tax bills fall due.
Todd Davison, Managing Director of Purbeck Personal Guarantee Insurance said: “Many of the small businesses we speak to are still carrying debt burdens that date back to the pandemic. Bounce Back Loans, CBILS repayments and liabilities deferred under the COVID-era support measures didn’t disappear, but were simply pushed further down the road. Those commitments are now colliding with higher operating costs, leaving many businesses without enough headroom to absorb a significant VAT or Corporation Tax bill.”
He added that seasonal factors are adding further pressure on SMEs.
“Summer naturally slows cash flow. Finance teams, accountants and the people businesses rely on to approve and settle invoices are often on annual leave, so payments take longer to arrive. An invoice that would normally be paid within a week can easily take three. Businesses already managing HMRC Time to Pay instalments often don’t have that level of flexibility.”
While HMRC’s Time to Pay service remains an important lifeline for viable businesses facing temporary financial difficulty, Purbeck warns that relying on successive repayment plans can indicate deeper financial challenges.
Todd added: “Time to Pay is an invaluable facility, but when one instalment plan is followed by another, it’s often a sign that underlying cash flow pressures haven’t been resolved. Each new tax bill arrives before the previous one has been cleared.”
Five steps businesses can take to manage tax debt
Purbeck recommends that small businesses take the following actions before tax deadlines arrive:
Speak to HMRC before the payment deadline. Businesses that engage with HMRC early are more likely to secure a Time to Pay arrangement and avoid additional penalties or enforcement action.
Don’t allow Time to Pay to become a permanent funding strategy. Repeated repayment arrangements may indicate wider cash flow, pricing or debt management issues that should be reviewed with a professional adviser.
Ring-fence tax liabilities throughout the year. Setting aside VAT receipts and Corporation Tax provisions in a separate account helps businesses treat tax as a planned operating cost rather than an unexpected expense.
Review pandemic-era borrowing. Restructuring or refinancing legacy COVID borrowing may improve cash flow and create enough headroom to meet tax liabilities without resorting to expensive short-term borrowing. Where refinancing requires a personal guarantee, personal guarantee insurance can help protect directors’ personal assets while enabling businesses to access funding.
Seek professional advice early. Tax debt is generally far easier to resolve before payment deadlines are missed or arrears begin to accumulate.
Todd Davison added: “The businesses most likely to navigate the current economic pressures successfully are those that treat tax as a planned, ring-fenced business cost while tackling legacy pandemic debt before it becomes a long-term constraint on growth.”
SWANSEA, UK. June 30th, 2026 – UK businesses are increasingly buying private number plates for practical and promotional purposes, with Plates4Less reporting that business enquiries and sales more than doubled in 2025 as companies look for new ways to strengthen their identity, manage fleets and make older vehicles appear more up to date.
While many motorists associate personalised registrations with prestige vehicles and personal names, businesses are increasingly using registrations as branding tools, vehicle identifiers and, in some cases, a way of helping older fleet vehicles maintain a more modern and professional appearance and therefore save money.
Plates4Less says it first noticed a significant increase in business-related enquiries during 2022 and the trend has continued to accelerate.
The company reports that business-to-business enquiries and sales more than doubled during 2025 compared with 2024, with demand coming from sole traders, SMEs and larger fleet operators alike.
The increase prompted the launch of a hugely successful dedicated Business Hub, alongside a new Business Number Plate Guide and free Quick Guide designed to help organisations identify branding, fleet and marketing opportunities through personalised registrations.
Tony Clark of Plates4Less, said: “When we first started seeing the increase in 2022, we assumed it might be a short-term trend. Instead, we’ve continued to see growing interest from businesses year after year.
“Business enquiries and sales more than doubled in 2025 compared with 2024, and we’re seeing demand from sectors ranging from tradespeople and logistics firms through to professional services, retailers and online businesses.
“What’s particularly interesting is the variety of reasons. Some businesses are focused on branding, some on fleet management, while others have discovered that a clever registration can become a surprisingly effective marketing tool.”
According to Plates4Less, business registrations generally fall into four categories:
Brand and company name registrations
Fleet-life extending registrations
Investment and asset purchases
Humorous and memorable registrations designed to attract attention
Many businesses report that personalised registrations help create a stronger professional image while making vehicles easier to identify around depots, customer sites and company premises.
Others have discovered that registrations can help modernise the appearance of vehicles, reducing pressure to replace perfectly serviceable fleet vehicles purely for image reasons.
However, it is the final category that is generating some of the strongest reactions.
While branding and fleet management remain the primary drivers, Plates4Less says some of the most memorable success stories come from businesses choosing clever, humorous or industry-related registrations.
The company has interviewed business owners using registrations such as C4 PET, DEN 715T, M1 NCE, HU63 OAK and 240 V, who report that customers frequently comment on the plates, photograph them and share them online.
Several business owners said the registrations had generated conversations, recommendations and social media engagement that far exceeded their expectations.
Tony Clark added: “A clever registration can become a talking point. We regularly hear from businesses whose customers remember the registration long after they’ve forgotten the vehicle itself.
“The best registrations combine branding with personality. They help businesses stand out in crowded markets and often generate conversations that traditional advertising simply doesn’t.”
The company says demand is coming from businesses of all sizes, from sole traders operating a single van through to larger organisations managing extensive fleets. To support businesses considering a registration for the first time, Plates4Less has also published a free Quick Guide containing practical tips, search strategies and examples of successful business registrations.
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM. August 10th, 2026 — Octore, the European Association for Corruption and Transnational Research, has launched a new Independent Investigations Fund aimed at strengthening independent reporting and research into foreign-linked corruption and illicit financial activity across Europe. The programme will provide financial support to teams working to uncover complex cross-border networks and document evidence in the public interest.
The Fund will support journalists, nonprofit research organisations and specialist investigators examining hidden ownership, politically connected assets, sanctions evasion and the misuse of European corporate structures.
Corruption connected to authoritarian state power has left a growing trail across Europe. Octore will support investigative work that follows those connections through European company registries, property records and financial systems.
Grants issued through the programme may cover research costs and legal review. Funding can also support data acquisition, translation, digital security and cross-border collaboration between partner teams.
Michael Petrov, Head of International Advocacy at Octore said: “Impunity survives on silence. We are proud to launch this Fund and stand behind the investigators willing to break that silence. This support lets them pursue evidence safely, and it is our job to make sure their findings reach the institutions that can respond.”
Octore will prioritise projects that demonstrate a clear public benefit and a robust research methodology. Applicants must also demonstrate that they can protect sources and manage sensitive material responsibly. Funding decisions will consider both the feasibility of the proposed work and the risks it may create for those involved.
Some projects supported through the Fund may remain confidential until publication. Others may remain confidential indefinitely where security conditions prevent public disclosure.
The Independent Investigations Fund is one of four programmes operated by Octore, alongside the European Kleptocracy Mapping Programme, the Accountability and Evidence Programme and the Public Awareness Initiative.
While Plastic Free July has once again encouraged businesses and individuals to rethink their use of single-use plastics, Roast & Ground is demonstrating that meaningful sustainability goes far beyond a single campaign. The workplace coffee provider continues to support businesses in making more responsible choices throughout the year, combining ethically sourced coffee, lower-waste products, community initiatives and sustainable workplace solutions to help reduce environmental impact without compromising on quality.
Plastic Free July has once again encouraged millions of people and organisations around the world to consider how they can reduce their reliance on single-use plastics. Although the annual campaign has now come to an end, the principles behind it continue to influence the way Roast & Ground operates throughout the year.
As a certified B Corporation, Roast & Ground is committed to balancing purpose and profit while creating positive impact for customers, communities and the environment. Every Roast & Ground coffee is either Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance certified, supporting responsible sourcing, farming communities and long-term sustainability throughout the coffee supply chain.
The company also helps customers tackle unnecessary workplace waste through a range of more sustainable options. These include recyclable packaging, reusable and compostable cups, and biodegradable disposables, giving businesses practical alternatives to traditional single-use plastics while maintaining convenience and quality.
Roast & Ground’s sustainability commitments extend beyond its products and services. Through its Fuel Their Day coffee range, the company supports Only A Pavement Away, donating 50p from every pack sold to help people facing homelessness find employment in the hospitality sector. Roast & Ground also supports marine restoration projects through the Marine Conservation Society, recognising the importance of healthy oceans in addressing climate change and protecting biodiversity.
“Plastic Free July is a great reminder that small changes can create significant impact,” said Catherine Gray, Joint Managing Director at Roast & Ground. “Whether it’s switching to compostable cups, choosing ethically sourced coffee or reducing packaging waste, every decision matters. Sustainability isn’t a one-month campaign for us. It’s built into the way we do business every day.”
Roast & Ground also partners with businesses that share its commitment to long-term sustainability. One such partner is Rex-Royal, the Swiss coffee machine manufacturer whose sustainability programme focuses on recyclable materials, durable machine design, refurbishment, energy efficiency and renewable energy generation at its production facilities. Designed with longevity in mind, Rex-Royal machines can help businesses reduce waste while extending the useful life of their equipment.
The company’s workplace water solutions provide another way for organisations to reduce their dependence on single-use bottled water. Filtered, refillable hydration systems offer workplaces a more sustainable approach to everyday drinking water and support a more circular refreshment model.
“As a family business, we believe sustainability should be practical, measurable and achievable,” added Catherine Gray. “By combining great coffee with responsible sourcing, trusted partnerships and meaningful community support, we’re helping our customers make choices that are better for people and better for the planet.”
LONDON, UK. August 7th, 2026 – KYND, the cyber risk analytics platform built for insurance, has been selected to participate in Anthropic’s Cyber Verification Programme, giving the company access to advanced AI capabilities for defensive cyber research.
Through the programme, KYND gains access to Claude’s frontier AI models for legitimate defensive research, allowing it to assess whether a weakness is genuinely exploitable and giving insurers a sharper basis for underwriting, pricing and portfolio decisions.
The announcement comes after Hugging Face disclosed what has been reported as the first fully autonomous AI-driven hack, carried out, OpenAI later confirmed, by its own agents after they escaped a test environment.
Anthropic’s programme is designed to address a challenge with AI safeguards, which are intended to prevent malicious activity but can also restrict legitimate defenders. A model that cannot distinguish a defender’s intent from that of an attacker may decline valid security research, while malicious actors do not face the same restrictions. Verification is application-based, organisation-scoped and reviewed by Anthropic, while prohibited uses remain blocked for all users.
Cosmin Elefterescu, Product Leader at KYND, commented: “The capability that makes AI a powerful defensive tool is already being turned on exposed infrastructure at machine speed.
“Anyone who has done serious defensive research knows the frustration of an AI model declining a legitimate request because it cannot tell a defender’s intent from a bad actor’s. Through verification, we remove that obstacle. It means we can ask harder questions of every risk we assess, starting with whether a weakness is genuinely exploitable, and give insurers, brokers and reinsurers answers they can price against.”
Cyber risk analytics has long been effective at identifying where an organisation is exposed, including open ports, unpatched services and misconfigurations. With verified access, KYND will take its analysis further by examining actual exploitability, validating findings at scale so underwriting decisions better reflect real-world risk and portfolios can be stress-tested against vulnerabilities most likely to result in losses.
Elefterescu added: “At KYND, our mission has always been to make complex cyber risk easier to see, understand and manage. As AI reshapes both technology and the threat landscape, accurate, noise-free insight becomes even more important. Being part of this programme helps us deliver exactly that, enabling our partners and their clients to stay ahead of evolving cyber risk with greater visibility and confidence.
“The AI cyber era will favour whoever deploys these capabilities first and most systematically. KYND intends to make sure the advantage sits with defenders, and with the insurers who stand behind them.”
KENT, UK. August 6th, 2026 – As National Wellness Month and World Breastfeeding Week take place, leading haemorrhoid treatment provider eXroid is reminding people that looking after their health should include both physical and emotional wellbeing. The company is encouraging people to seek reliable advice when concerns arise, access appropriate support and feel comfortable having open conversations about their health.
The awareness campaign focuses on the value of taking care of overall wellbeing, with positive steps helping people build confidence, support quality of life and achieve healthier outcomes throughout different stages of life.
Dr Mark Hudson-Peacock, Medical Director at eXroid, said: “National Wellness Month is a useful reminder that wellbeing is shaped by the choices we make every day. Eating a balanced diet, keeping active, managing stress and speaking to a healthcare professional when something does not feel right can all contribute to better health over time.
“World Breastfeeding Week also highlights how important it is for mothers to have access to education, understanding and trustworthy information during the early stages of parenthood. Having the right support available can help mothers feel more confident, informed and reassured.
“Creating a supportive environment where families feel able to ask questions and seek trusted advice can help reduce feelings of isolation and strengthen maternal confidence. Emotional wellbeing is an important part of recovery after childbirth and should be considered alongside physical health.”
Both awareness campaigns promote the importance of taking action when concerns arise, rather than allowing them to develop into more significant problems. This could involve making healthier lifestyle choices, speaking with a medical professional, accessing breastfeeding support or simply having an open conversation about a health concern. eXroid believes that early intervention and access to appropriate information can make a positive difference to long-term wellbeing.
Dr Mark Hudson-Peacock added: “People can sometimes put off seeking help because they feel embarrassed, are unsure whether their symptoms warrant attention or hope the problem will resolve on its own.
“Encouraging honest conversations and making trustworthy healthcare information easier to access can help remove some of the barriers that prevent people from seeking support. When individuals know where to turn and feel comfortable asking questions, they are better placed to make informed decisions about their health.
“At eXroid, this approach reflects our commitment to supporting patients through education, compassionate care and evidence-based treatment. By helping people understand their options and feel supported throughout their healthcare journey, we believe more individuals can take proactive steps towards better health and an improved quality of life.”
eXroid is a leading provider of non-invasive haemorrhoid treatment solutions, offering electrotherapy procedures designed to provide safe and effective relief for patients.
With a focus on patient outcomes and quality of life, eXroid continues to develop and provide innovative healthcare solutions for people seeking treatment.
The company is supported by published clinical evidence and recognised by NICE under IPG525. eXroid Technology Ltd is also EU MDR certified, its UK clinical service is rated Outstanding by the CQC, and the company is a recipient of The King’s Award for Innovation.
With more than 5 million people in the UK estimated to experience haemorrhoids each year, eXroid is encouraging people to give equal consideration to their physical and emotional wellbeing. Simple lifestyle choices, including regular walking, can form part of a positive approach to supporting overall health.
