AllClear’s poll found that the number of people compounding the risk of extreme experiences with a lack of travel insurance is growing, up from 71% last year. The number of people with medical conditions who are keen to enjoy an activity or adventure holiday abroad sat above the national average (71%) and well above the figure for people aged over 55 (46%). 

Many people with medical conditions are keen to ‘seize the moment’ and turn their holiday into an adventure, but with adrenaline and enjoyment comes the risk of expensive  medical costs abroad. With wildfires and global unrest affecting holidays this year, travelling without insurance is already risky, but rising medical costs in many overseas countries can mean that the sums associated with medical attention or repatriation can be eye-watering, making travel insurance which includes good medical cover essential. 

Among the  holiday experiences chosen by those who are likely to cut corners with their travel insurance, animal experiences such as swimming with dolphins (chosen by 28% of those surveyed) and safari (18%) were favourites, alongside cross-country road trips (30%) and cross-continental rail journeys (14%). Extreme sports such as water skiing (12%) and bungee jumping (10%) were also popular.

At a time when 55% of brits are opting for short-haul holidays, many might assume that people who risk travelling without insurance might be doing so because they feel they are taking relatively ‘low-risk’ trips (which they feel they can quickly return from if needed), but AllClear’s latest data shows that in reality, those who roll the dice by travelling without insurance often compound that risk by choosing to engage with activities that could potentially jeopardise their physical safety.

Garry Nelson, Head of Corporate Affairs at AllClear Travel Insurance comments: “ People understandably want to get as much value out of their holiday as possible, but sacrificing comprehensive medical travel insurance should not be seen as a cost-saving measure – especially for those more likely to have higher risk holidays abroad. 

“Travel insurance is a vital safety net . People tend to only realise the value of comprehensive travel cover when something goes wrong. AllClear understands the need to cut holiday costs where you can, but not where it counts. Saving money on the wrong things can end up costing you more in the long run: without the protection of travel insurance, the significant and rising cost of medical treatment in some countries abroad could cost people their home. It is also vital to check your policy to see exactly what experiences are covered ”

Each year, the charity funds more than 100 people to spend four to eight weeks learning from leading practitioners, in person or online. They build  networks, exchange knowledge and ideas and use what they learn to improve communities, services and policy across the UK. In 2026, 109 people received Fellowships to explore issues ranging from social media harm and climate-friendly school canteens to dementia care in rural communities.

Julia Weston, Chief Executive of the Churchill Fellowship, said: “Every year we are inspired by people who see something that could work better and are determined to do something about it. A Churchill Fellowship gives them the chance to look outwards, learn from others, and turn those ideas into practical action here in the UK.

“This year’s programmes reflect many of the challenges and opportunities communities are facing now. We hope people from the widest range of backgrounds and life experiences, and from across the four nations, will see something here that speaks to their own experience and ideas for change.”

The charity has added a new Civic and Democratic Engagement programme to support people with ideas for strengthening participation, trust and engagement in public life. It joins other Fellowship programmes including Tech for All; Promoting Lifelong Health; Supporting Engagement in Education; Climate Change; Caring for our Natural Environment; Building a Society that Cares; Building Prosperous, Resilient Economies; and Making Space for the Arts.

Key facts

• Open to all UK citizens aged 18 or over and living in the UK
• Around 100 Fellowships awarded each year
• Four to eight weeks of international learning, in person or online
• No qualifications required
• Applications open 1 September and close 20 October 2026

Find out more about how to apply for a Churchill Fellowship

Whether it is the lush, mountainous archipelago of the Ionian Islands; the world-class art, culinary experiences and artisan culture of Florence – or the pearly white beaches and clear water of Thailand’s beaches – InsureandGo asked a nationally representative sample of 2,000 adults if they had taken holiday inspiration from the books they love.

Of the 54% of people who said they have chosen a holiday destination inspired by a setting of a novel, Alex Garland’s The Beach and The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown came top of the list, with 18% of survey respondents saying it inspired a trip to Thailand or Paris. Women are slightly more likely to be inspired by Alex Garland’s Thai adventure (19% vs 18%), while men narrowly favoured Dan Brown’s Paris-set thriller (19% vs 17%).

Overall, Italy emerged as the literary travel winners, with three of the nation’s top ten  influential travel-inspired books being set in Italy – Pompeii, A Room with A View and The Talented Mr Ripley.

The trend was strongest in London, where 73% of residents said the novels they enjoyed went on to influence subsequent holiday choices. The top holiday-inspiring reads in the capital were: The Da Vinci Code (19%) The Beach(18%), The Talented Mr Ripley (16%) The Summer I Turned Pretty (16%) and Chocolat (14%). Other UK regions where books played a major role influencing holiday choices included; the North West (58%), the West Midlands (57%) and the South West (55%). Books had the least influence on holiday choices for people living in Wales (46%).

The Top 10 holiday destinations inspired by books

1. The Beach – Thailand (18%) and The Da Vinci Code – Paris, France (18%)
2. Pompeii – Italy (16%)
3. Chocolat – France (14%)
4. A Room With A View – Florence, Italy (13%)
5. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin – Greece (13%)
6. The Talented Mr Ripley – Italy (12%)
7. The Summer I Turned Pretty – USA (12%)
8. Life of Pi – India (10%)
9. Normal People – Ireland (9%)
10. My Family and other Animals – Corfu (9%)

The InsureandGo study found that the influence of books on travel decisions was strong across all age-groups. Nationally 48% of the over 45s cited holidays inspired by books (their top choice novel being The Beach) – and this rose to 72% among the under 25 age group, whose top choice book was Pompeii.

Garry Nelson, Head of Corporate Affairs at InsureandGo comments: ‘’Books have always had the power to transport us to another place, but increasingly they are inspiring people to experience those destinations for themselves. What’s striking is that novels continue to influence travel decisions in an age dominated by social media and streaming services. 

“A great book can be the beginning of a great holiday. Whether it’s a beach in Thailand, a piazza in Florence or the streets of Paris, stories have a unique ability to turn destinations into must-visit locations. As travellers bring those literary adventures to life, it’s important not to overlook the practical side of planning too. At InsureandGo we aim to make it easy for people to get the cover that best fits their needs. Having appropriate travel insurance in place means if the unexpected happens, your holiday story can remain one with a happy ending.”

InsureandGo is one of the best-known names in travel insurance in the UK.  Based in Southend-on-Sea with over 100 staff it is a multi, award-winning travel insurance company. InsureandGo has  were awarded the prestigious ‘Best Buy’ status by Which? for 3 years running, most recently in May 2026. InsureandGo has supported 27 million travellers with travel insurance policies and specialises in value for money products.

CLICK HERE TO ENQUIRE ABOUT BECOMING A COUNSELLOR

The Academy’s next intake begins on 1st September 2026. The Professional Practitioner Programme runs for two years part-time, with teaching taking place on Tuesday evenings from 6.00pm to 9.30pm in Liverpool. Successful students can achieve a Level 5 Diploma in Integrative Counselling alongside a Level 5 Practitioner Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy. The curriculum takes an integrative approach, covering a broad range of therapeutic models and areas of practice including….

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Person-Centred Therapy
• Gestalt
• Psychodynamic approaches
• Transactional Analysis
• Grief and loss
• Family counselling
• Couples counselling
• Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
• Clinical Hypnotherapy

CLICK HERE TO ENQUIRE ABOUT BECOMING A COUNSELLOR

Rather than focusing solely on theory, the programme incorporates observation, discussion, practical exercises, monitored practice and feedback, helping students gradually develop the skills and confidence required to work therapeutically with clients. The programme is accredited through professional organisations including the National Council of Integrative Psychotherapists (NCIP) and the General Hypnotherapy Standards Council (GHSC), with further professional pathways associated with the qualifications.

CLICK HERE TO ENQUIRE ABOUT BECOMING A COUNSELLOR

A previous counselling qualification at Level 2 or Level 3 is not required to apply for the Professional Practitioner Programme. The course is suitable for complete beginners as well as people changing careers and those already working in health, care or other people-focused professions. Applications are assessed individually, with shortlisted applicants invited to an interview to discuss their background, experience and future goals.

CLICK HERE TO ENQUIRE ABOUT BECOMING A COUNSELLOR

The Academy is led by founder and course director Nichola Doyle, whose own experiences as both a counselling client and trainee helped shape the ethos behind the organisation. The Academy says its aim is to provide a learning environment that is supportive, consistent and personal, with tutors getting to know students individually rather than treating training as simply a process of completing academic requirements.

UK Therapy Guild’s wider aim is not simply to run counselling courses, but to develop more professionally trained therapists within the region. The Academy highlights growing demand for mental health support across Merseyside and sees training new practitioners as one way of strengthening the availability of therapeutic support within local communities.

CLICK HERE TO ENQUIRE ABOUT BECOMING A COUNSELLOR

UK Therapy Guild incorporates placement and supervised client experience into its training pathway. During the second year, students progress towards client work alongside group supervision, allowing them to put their developing counselling skills into practice with professional support around them. The Academy also operates a community counselling service, providing therapy while giving appropriately trained students opportunities to build the client hours required as part of their professional development.

The September 2026 intake begins on Tuesday 1st September and runs over two years on a part-time basis, with the main weekly teaching session scheduled for 6.00pm–9.30pm on Tuesday evenings. This structure can make professional counselling training more achievable for adults who need to combine studying with employment, family responsibilities or other commitments. The investment to become trained is just £3,750 — with payment plans available.

CLICK HERE TO ENQUIRE ABOUT BECOMING A COUNSELLOR

Prospective students interested in counselling training in Liverpool can now explore the programme, request a prospectus or submit an application. For someone who has been considering becoming a counsellor, changing direction professionally or adding therapeutic skills to an existing career, UK Therapy Guild’s Professional Practitioner Programme offers the opportunity to study locally in Liverpool while working towards two Level 5 professional therapy qualifications.

Nichola Doyle / UK Therapy Guild

CLICK HERE TO ENQUIRE ABOUT BECOMING A COUNSELLOR

Follow UK Therapy Guild on FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM

Photo Credit: Goldfinch

One of the year’s most acclaimed music documentaries is coming to Tyneside Cinema this September as the venue hosts the North East Gala Premiere of Eddie Cochran: Don’t Forget Me, the first fully authorised documentary celebrating the life and legacy of the rock ‘n’ roll pioneer.

Taking place on Thursday 3 September, the special gala event also celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Sir Graham Wylie Foundation. Over the past decade, the Foundation has raised millions of pounds to support a wide range of charitable causes, including initiatives such as Tyneside Cinema’s Talent Unit, which nurtures emerging film talent across the North East.

Made possible with support from the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority (North East MSA), the evening will feature a gala screening of the documentary followed by an exclusive Q&A with director Kirsty Bell, actor Nick Moran, legendary journalist John Gibson and Jack Harris, who makes his screen acting debut as Eddie Cochran.

Produced by Oscar and BAFTA-winning Goldfinch Entertainment, the film features exclusive interviews including; Keith Richards, Yungblud, Ronnie Wood, Roger Daltrey, Sting, Alice Cooper, Rod Stewart, Billy Idol, Linda Perry, Peter Frampton, Suzi Quatro, Kiefer Sutherland, John Waters and members of Eddie Cochran’s family,  .

Although his career was cut tragically short at just 21, Cochran’s influence continues to shape popular music. His songs have been covered more than 500 times by artists including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Bruce Springsteen, Joan Jett, Led Zeppelin, T. Rex and many more.

The documentary has already received widespread acclaim following screenings at the Raindance Film Festival, where director Kirsty Bell won Best Director, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

Kirsty Bell, Director:
“It has been the deepest honour to be entrusted by Eddie Cochran’s family to tell his story. His life burned fast and bright, but the ripples of his sound reached across oceans and decades, shaping the very language of rock ‘n’ roll. ‘Don’t Forget Me’ is not just the title of this film. It is Eddie’s own plea, echoed in autograph books and in the lives he touched. My hope is to bring him vividly back into the world’s consciousness, to remind us not only of what we lost, but of the brilliance he gave.

Nic Greenan, Chief Executive, Tyneside Cinema:
“We’re delighted to be bringing the Northern Premiere of Eddie Cochran: Don’t Forget Me to Tyneside Cinema. This special event celebrates outstanding filmmaking, music and culture, while also marking the 10th anniversary of the Sir Graham Wylie Foundation and recognising the support that helps create opportunities for emerging film talent.”

Angie Jenkison, CEO of Graham Wylie Foundation said: 

“We are honoured that the Northern Premiere of Eddie Cochran: Don’t Forget Me, will be part of Sir Graham Wylie Foundation’s 10th Anniversary Celebrations. Eddie Cochran was a young man with extraordinary talent and passion and that is exactly what we are funding at Tyneside Cinema, a facility that will support young people with talent and passion to find their purpose.”

Ticket Information

Standard admission tickets at £17.50 available HERE, together with a limited number of VIP Circle tickets including drinks, canapés and an exclusive meet and greet with cast and crew plus entry to the aftershow party at PILGRIM with special live perofrmances. (£45). BOOK VIP TICKETS HERE

Two North Shields dentists have swapped their dental drills for running shoes and crossed the finish line of one of Europe’s toughest endurance challenges – completing the Copenhagen Ironman in aid of The Percy Hedley Foundation.

Kathryn Eccles and Jamie Dury from Union Quay Dental on North Shields Fish Quay took on the gruelling event on Sunday 16 August, completing a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km marathon – all in a single day.

Jamie completed the course in an impressive 11 hours, 40 minutes and 54 seconds, while Kathryn crossed the finish line in 12 hours, 28 minutes and 50 seconds.

The challenge marked a major milestone for both, as although they had previously completed Half Ironman events, Copenhagen was their first full-distance Ironman.

After months of intensive training, early mornings, long bike rides, hours in the pool and countless running miles – all fitted around their busy careers and everyday lives – the pair finally made it to the finish line.

And their efforts have already raised £1,743 for The Percy Hedley Foundation, helping support the charity’s work with children, young people and adults with disabilities across the North East.

Kathryn said:

“It’s difficult to put into words how it feels to have actually completed a full Ironman. There were moments during the day when it felt incredibly tough, but crossing that finish line made every early morning, every long training session and every tired leg completely worth it.

“Knowing we were doing this for Percy Hedley gave us an extra reason to keep going when things got difficult. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who donated and supported us throughout the journey.”

Jamie said:

“A full Ironman is every bit as tough as you imagine it will be – and probably a little tougher! But finishing in 11 hours 40 minutes is an incredible feeling.

“The training has been a huge commitment, but being able to do it alongside Kathryn and raise £1,683 for The Percy Hedley Foundation has made the whole experience even more worthwhile.

“There were definitely some tough moments out on the course, but once you see that finish line, all you can think about is getting across it. We’re absolutely delighted to have done it.”

Bev Reid, Corporate Relationships Manager at The Percy Hedley Foundation, said:

“We are absolutely delighted to be collaborating with Union Quay Dental. Kathryn and Jamie have shown incredible determination in taking on such a demanding challenge, and their fundraising will help us continue to provide vital services to people with disabilities across the North East.

“We’d like to congratulate them both on an amazing achievement and thank everyone who has supported their fundraising.”

Donations can still be made via Kathryn and Jamie’s fundraising page, with every additional contribution helping The Percy Hedley Foundation continue its work across the region. Just go HERE

Delap became synonymous with the long throw during his playing career, with his deliveries into the penalty area becoming an important part of Stoke City’s success under Tony Pulis.

The tactic has attracted renewed attention in recent seasons as clubs place greater emphasis on set pieces and employ specialist coaches.

Speaking to business consultants Champions (UK) plc at the British Par 3 Championships, Delap said the growing focus on set pieces should not be viewed as a new development.

“I think people have jumped on it because set-play coaches have come in over the last few years, but it was always part of the game.

“The manager or one of the assistant coaches used to do the set plays, so it’s nothing new. It’s been around for 30 or 40 years.

“For me, you utilise every strength you’ve got in the squad. If you’ve got someone who can throw a ball, why wouldn’t you use it?

“Teams don’t like defending balls into the box, and it’s proven that the more balls and touches you get in the box, the more goals you’re going to score. So why wouldn’t you use it?”

Long throws have sometimes divided opinion, particularly when teams take significant time setting up attacking deliveries and send central defenders forward to contest the ball.

For Delap, however, the tactic itself is not the issue. Instead, he believes greater attention could be paid to how quickly teams restart play when preparing a long throw in an attacking area.

“I do think something has to be done about the time it takes to set them up. I know they’ve brought in counting for throw-ins all over the pitch, but it hasn’t quite been utilised properly. In attacking areas, you seem to get a dead spell when everyone is waiting for the throw.

“I don’t see any reason why long throws should be treated differently, but I don’t think the centre-halves will thank me for that, having to get up and back so quickly.

“That’s probably the only thing they need to look at. Long throws are going to be part of the game, so you have to accept that. It’s more about how quickly you can get the ball back in play.”

For a player whose own long throw became one of the most recognisable weapons in Premier League football, Delap remains clear that there is nothing wrong with teams continuing to use the tactic, provided they keep the game moving.

Roy Shelton, CEO of Connectus Business Solutions, said the milestone, which falls on 11 August 2026, lands at the busiest point yet in the company’s growth, with more scale-up activity to come.

“Fifteen years in, the pace is only increasing,” he said. “We’ve gone from a standing start in Doncaster to supporting more than 700 businesses and 15,000 users, and this is the most active period of acquisition and investment we’ve had in the business’s history. This isn’t a moment to slow down and reflect; it’s only the beginning of the next 15 years.”

The anniversary comes weeks after Connectus completed a strategic investment in Glu Digital, the fastest transaction the company has ever taken from announcement to delivery, with two joint projects delivered within weeks of the deal, forming the new Digital Connect Group.

The business has grown from 380 clients and 7,000 users in 2020 to its current scale of more than 700 businesses and over 15,000 end users, having completed seven transactions in total, including Cybersity, YouCloud Solutions, Mango Tech, IT 4 Growth, the PCSC customer base, the assets of i7 Technologies and, most recently, Glu Digital. Recurring revenue has risen at double-digit rates for three consecutive years, with turnover now set to exceed £6 million.

Connectus was founded in 2011 as Eximus Solutions, a spin-out of Peel Telecoms, building a full fibre network at Doncaster Sheffield Airport in 2013 and launching its UCentrix hosted voice platform in 2014. The company was acquired in 2018 to form Connectus Group, backed by FW Capital and chaired by Paul Ruocco. In 2019, Shelton, alongside Commercial Director Andy Marden and Operations Director Phillippa Shelton, set a target of building a 500-customer managed services business, a goal the company has since more than doubled.

Shelton said the milestone reflected discipline as much as ambition. “We didn’t just hit that target, we grew beyond it, more than doubled the number of users we support, completed seven transactions and built a great team along the way,” he said. “What matters most is that we’ve kept our standards. We still treat customer 700 exactly the way we treated customer one. That consistency is why partners like Glu Digital want to build something with us.”

The company, which remains 100% privately owned with every share held within its own team, launched its Connectus Evolve AI-as-a-Service platform in 2025 and was named SME of the Year at the Doncaster Chamber Awards the same year. It has also strengthened its regional ties, moving from Club House Sponsor to front-of-shirt sponsor of Doncaster Knights.

Looking ahead, Connectus says its next phase will include further acquisitions across both its managed services and channel businesses, deeper investment in AI-driven managed services through Connectus Evolve, and continued expansion across the Northern Powerhouse, Midlands and wider UK. The company has identified Microsoft-stack-focused managed services businesses as priority acquisition targets for 2026 and 2027, alongside continued organic growth in cyber security, business connectivity and telephony.

“We are privately owned, team-owned and completely in control of our own pace, which means we can be bold,” Shelton added. “The market does not need another IT provider that just keeps the lights on. It needs partners who reduce cost, complexity and risk while genuinely innovating. That is what Digital Connect Group is about, that is what Connectus Evolve is about, and that is what the next 15 years of this business will be about.”

Prof Chris Booth, retired urologist and founder of the men’s health charity CHAPS, said the decision was “a step backwards for the UK” and warned it would “further discourage GPs from providing PSA blood tests to men who go to their GPs with symptoms.”

Prof Booth, who spent 25 years in the NHS specialising in urology and prostate cancer said the “surreptitious removal of the guidance to family doctors was yet another blow after the flawed decision to oppose a national screening programme.”

The new rules mean men aged over 50 will no longer be entitled to a blood test to help identify the disease, with GPs instead deciding who is given one.

A DHSC letter sent last week told doctors that ‘the prostate cancer risk management programme guidance has been withdrawn’.

“Previously men had the ability to make an informed choice about whether to have a PSA test,” said Prof Booth.

“The rules clearly stated that the test was available free to any man aged 50 or above who requests it.

“And since prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK, with sadly over 12,000 deaths each year, we should be expanding that with a national programme, not limiting men’s ability to take action over their health,” he warned. 

“Obtaining a PSA test for the early diagnosis of prostate cancer is already a postcode lottery with many GPs declining legitimate requests or advising men to come back when symptoms arise, usually too late for diagnosis at a curable stage.” 

The UK currently ranks 23rd out of 31 European countries on prostate cancer mortality rates, behind comparable countries like France and Germany. 

“The UK already has worse prostate cancer mortality compared with our western neighbours, due almost entirely to late diagnosis,” Prof Booth added. 

“Following on from the UK National Screening Committee’s deeply flawed recommendations and their hasty acceptance by a new Secretary of State, this latest manoeuvre by the DHSC will do nothing to improve the service and will almost certainly cost lives.”

About 1 in 8 men in the UK will be diagnosed in their lifetime but Prof Booth says that early detection is the best way to increase survival rates.

“Despite no national screening programme, there are ways we can help to reduce prostate cancer deaths through education and early detection as we continue to fight for a change in national policy. 

“And I would still advise any man, if he is concerned, to make an appointment with his GP. 

“Prostate cancer is serious but if caught early enough, it is curable and you can go on to lead a normal, healthy life afterwards.

“But I believe we must still push for a national screening programme if we want to save lives because by the time symptoms appear, prostate cancer will already be advanced and incurable.

“This is because prostate cancer usually grows slowly and causes no symptoms till it has spread. That is why screening needs to be done before symptoms arise whilst the cancer is still inside the prostate and curable.”

The National Screening Committee has instead recommended screening only for men carrying BRCA gene variants, a group estimated at three in every 1,000 men. Everyone else remains outside any organised programme.

About CHAPS:

Founded in 2000, by Professor Chris Booth, a retired Urological Surgeon, CHAPS is a registered charity dedicated to advocacy for men’s health in general and prostate cancer in particular to ensure men have the knowledge and resources needed to live longer and healthier lives. Focusing on prostate cancer, our mission is to raise awareness of the challenge it presents and ensure access to information and screening until a UK national prostate cancer screening programme is established.

We work to increase understanding of men’s health issues, providing crucial information to help men make informed choices about their well-being. Prostate Cancer Screening: We run prostate cancer screening events throughout the UK, advocating earlier detection and better support for those affected. Health Screenings: We organise health screening events across Essex, Suffolk, and the UK, offering essential checks for a variety of conditions, particularly cardiovascular disease by working jointly with NHS Health Check teams. Campaign for Change and Research: We actively campaign for the introduction of a national prostate cancer screening programme to improve early diagnosis and survival rates.

But experienced funeral celebrants, Sacha Mulligan and Michelle Harvey, say that trust is being placed in an industry that still lacks many of the safeguards the public assumes already exist.

That’s why the pair have launched a new national register for funeral celebrants and officiants – the Funeral Officiant Authority -aimed at improving safeguarding, accountability and professional standards across the industry.

Their campaign comes amid growing concern over standards in parts of the funeral sector.

Both women say the overwhelming majority of funeral workers are compassionate, dedicated people who quietly go above and beyond for grieving families every single day. 

But they also believe stronger regulation is urgently needed to protect vulnerable people and restore public confidence in the profession.

“People put their complete trust into funeral workers at the most vulnerable time in their lives,” Sacha says. “Every person working near the deceased or their families should be enhanced DBS checked and properly registered.”

Michelle agrees, saying she was stunned when she first entered the profession and discovered how little formal oversight existed.

“The fact that literally anyone could open a funeral home, care for the deceased, and take a funeral service, I found that very strange,” she says. “When people are grieving, they are vulnerable. They are not always thinking clearly and can be open to exploitation or manipulation.”

Sacha’s route into funeral work began through floristry and bereavement counselling. After experiencing personal loss at a young age and later studying positive psychology, she found herself increasingly drawn towards helping grieving families navigate loss.

She later became a celebrant after encouragement from her husband, who worked in the funeral industry.

“I knew I wanted to create services from the heart,” she says. “Not just read words from a script, but to genuinely connect with families and help make a difficult day a little easier.”

Michelle entered the profession writing eulogies for an independent funeral director before later training professionally as a celebrant following the death of a close friend.

Both women say they quickly realised the role involved far more emotional support than many people imagine.

“You become a mediator, a counsellor and sometimes a source of stability for families dealing with grief and difficult relationships,” Sacha says.

But alongside the rewarding moments came growing concerns about safeguarding and accountability.

Sacha says she was astonished to learn enhanced DBS checks were not mandatory across the sector.

“You automatically assume there are regulations,” she says. “You need licences for so many things in this country, but someone can work closely with vulnerable families and deceased people without those same checks.”

Michelle says the risks without proper oversight can be serious.

“These include dignity and respectful treatment of the deceased, health and safety, infection control, identification procedures and legal responsibilities,” she says. “Without safeguards, standards of care can vary greatly.”

Both women reference recent scandals that have shaken public confidence in parts of the funeral profession and exposed gaps in regulation.

Sacha says she feels particularly strongly about safeguarding after officiating a funeral connected to one of the major ongoing inquiries into funeral industry failings.

“We should all be held accountable,” she says. “Families deserve reassurance that the people caring for their loved ones are suitable and properly monitored.”

Despite their concerns, both women are keen to stress that many funeral workers routinely go far beyond what families ever see.

Michelle says she has reduced fees or provided services free of charge for struggling families, particularly for babies’ and children’s funerals. She also personally funds a monthly bereavement café offering counselling support.

“I came into this industry to help people, not to make money,” she says.

Sacha says many funeral workers sacrifice evenings, holidays and personal time to support bereaved families.

“People don’t realise the emotional toll this work can take,” she says. “Many workers see traumatic situations, work anti-social hours and continue helping families long after the funeral has ended.”

Still, both women believe compassion alone cannot replace proper regulation.

Currently, there is no single mandatory national register covering everyone working within the funeral profession, and membership of industry organisations remains voluntary.

“We could set up a funeral business tomorrow and nobody would necessarily inspect or regulate us,” Sacha says.

The newly launched register for celebrants and officiants is, they believe, a major step in the right direction, introducing clearer standards, accountability and safeguarding for those working directly with bereaved families.

But both women say tougher national protections are still needed across the wider funeral sector.

“The register is excellent,” Sacha says. “But it should become a requirement.”

Michelle agrees.

“People need to trust again,” she says. “We need to move our industry back to one where we are respected again.”

For both women, the conversation ultimately comes down to dignity, not only for the deceased, but for the families left behind.

“Death is something every single one of us will experience,” Sacha says. “We need to stop avoiding the conversation and start talking openly about standards, care and regulation.”

Michelle reflects on the original meaning behind the word “undertaker”,  someone trusted within the community to care for people after death.

“Those people were respected because they had integrity,” she says. “Somewhere along the way, we lost that meaning. We need to find it again because dignity in death should never depend on luck.”