One of the joys of working with the Rapid Eczema Trials team is that it is a perfect excuse for an early morning walk of just over two hours to Nottingham University. Walking gives me time to think and what’s not to love when half of the route is along a canal?
Walk to Work Day was Friday 3rd April 2026. Spoiler alert – my day to go to the university that week was Tuesday 31st March. But near enough. I saw many things on my walk that got me thinking about eczema and took photos of some of them.
The homeless are an example of a community underserved by health research. I wonder what is their experience of eczema and how it might impact things. Not an easy one I suspect.
There is such a happily decorated Gurdwara on the way. Reminded me what a lovely time I had the previous Saturday talking all things eczema to the Nottingham Bengali Association.
The canal has a wonderful light quality even on an overcast day. Lifts my heart. And got me thinking about the seasonal impact of eczema.
There are many ducks, swans and geese on the canal. Two ducks reminded me of the Bathing Study (whose mascot was Bob the Duck). We have already made an impact on clinical guidance with that, our first randomised study. A truly amazing achievement in such a short time.
Also saw a heron and nothing eczema came to mind!
Along the canal is an overflow which goes into the Tinker’s Lean. All Rapid Eczema Trials have been done online. This means that they are not geographically restricted, being open to anyone throughout the country, as there is no need to see someone face to face. There is also an environmental benefit – we have shown that online trials are greener.
Walking past Trevithick Boat Builders, my thoughts fell to Cornish summer holidays. Some people find their eczema improves by the seaside (salt water dips?) and some do not (irritant sand?). Eczema is so complicated.
Finally, I arrived at the Allied Health Research Building to spend another day marvelling at all that the Rapid Eczema Trials team do.
By Amanda Roberts
Co-lead of the Rapid Eczema Trials Project
