Episode 4 Sister Rita to the Rescue


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Across Britain, in hundreds of towns, cities and neighbourhoods,

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people are struggling with everyday worries that have got on top of them.

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But there are places to turn,

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even if it seems that no-one else will help.

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This centre is one of them.

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Made unique by the woman that runs it.

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A nun for 50 years...

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-HORN BEEPS

-Bye-bye!

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..she's made it her mission to get this community back on its feet,

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and make a real difference to the lives of as many people as she can.

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In her own particular way.

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They don't call me the Formidable Sister Rita for nothing!

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Today, Sister Rita launches a new crusade to clean up Collyhurst.

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I know what's going to happen,

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I will be on my own at the litter pick, and all of you will be in bed,

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is that right?

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Bring the kids, they're nearer to the ground than I am.

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And with the help of the Sister's Job Club,

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a five-year hunt for work finally ends in success.

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A fella told me this morning he's got a job.

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Will you give him a clap, please?

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CHEERING

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Now you follow his lead. All of you.

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Like most days at the Lalley Centre,

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this one starts with Sister Rita taking the mic.

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Don't you dare be scared of me.

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Are you listening?

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And the redoubtable nun is taking no prisoners.

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Er, do you want to be thrown out on your ear?

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With her team of staff and volunteers,

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Sister Rita runs a food bank and drop-in centre

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helping with all of life's essentials.

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The hairdresser's coming this Monday.

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If you want your hair cut,

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-wash your hair before you come in here.

-Did you hear that, Steve?

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Did you hear that?

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All of you, never mind Steve.

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The Sister's established the Lalley as a cornerstone of the community.

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Offering practical support to those who need it,

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in one of the most deprived parts of Manchester.

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Take the form.

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Fill it in with the children you have.

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Her determination to improve the lives of people in the local area,

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and beyond, has won her friends in high places.

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The Government's Department For Work And Pensions

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has set up a pilot scheme that,

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once a week, sees officials come to the centre

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to give out on-the-spot advice on benefit issues.

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Is that it, Max?

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Is there another page?

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I'll be here all day!

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And the first stage of Sister Rita's plans to bring the community together

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has started to bear fruit with the creation of her new Friendship Group.

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There's a lot of buzz of conversation,

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and people actually looking and talking at one another.

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That's all brilliant.

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No-one could doubt that it's Sister Rita who's the

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driving force at the Lalley.

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But she couldn't achieve all she does by herself.

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There's one key ingredient that makes all her projects possible.

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I think that all volunteers at the Lalley know that we rate them very highly.

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And we really appreciate,

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and there would be no Lalley without them.

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The Lalley has a small number of paid staff

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like the Sister's deputy, Max, and right-hand woman, Kath.

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But what really keeps things on track is the efforts of the 15 volunteers

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who give up an hour, an afternoon, or in some cases longer,

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to cook, help at the food bank, or generally get stuck in.

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I've worked in other places and nothing compares to our volunteers.

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Unlike Sister Rita, the volunteers are rarely trained social workers.

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And when they first walk through the door, few of them have

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any of the training and experience required to deal with some

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of the more challenging situations that can occur daily at the Lalley.

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Even though sometimes we get visitors who drive you daft,

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they just do, you can't let that show.

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You know, you have to be as polite as you possibly can.

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And they do try very, very hard, I have to say.

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But you have to have training.

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If you have a sheet that you can show everybody...

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You could type that up for us!

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Yeah, no...

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I've dug myself another hole, haven't I?

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You could type that up for us...

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The much-needed training is laid on regularly by Sister Rita

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and her core team.

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There's a focus on health and safety,

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and helping volunteers understand the complex social and mental health

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needs they're likely to encounter when helping many of the visitors.

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Would it be an idea to allocate somebody to do that task each day?

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Some of Sister Rita's band of volunteers, like Yvonne,

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are required to help out here as part of the conditions of getting

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their Jobseeker's Allowance.

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Although it's not at all unusual

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for several to continue volunteering even after they find paid work.

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I love it, I love meeting new people. I like helping people.

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So I enjoy it, I love being in the kitchen. You've seen me

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with my apron on every day since I started here.

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Others come to help because they've benefited from the services

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at the Lalley in the past and want to give something back.

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But the majority, like Michael, are here because they genuinely

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want to contribute to the greater good of the community.

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I just think I'm trying to make a difference, that's all, to

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people of the area, some less better off than I am.

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One of Sister Rita's longest standing volunteers is Muriel,

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who has been helping out for almost five years.

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Well, Muriel lives in the parish where the Lalley operates from,

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and obviously our first port of call was to ask parishioners

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if they would help in the running of this centre.

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So I guess that's a help for her,

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to feeling very much part of the Lalley Centre and the way it's run.

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She's a total gem.

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I can't imagine working at the Lalley Centre without Muriel.

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I retired five years ago, and about six months after I retired

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I came here in the summer and I've not been away since.

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Volunteering keeps you occupied, and knowing you're helping somebody

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makes you feel better about yourself.

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Nearly 14 million people in the UK regularly give up their free

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time to work as unpaid volunteers for organisations and charities.

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Without such willing helpers,

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centres like this one couldn't function.

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Sister Rita considers people like Muriel to be

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the lifeblood of the Lalley.

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And she's relying on their enthusiasm to kick-start her

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next big idea.

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She wants to foster a better sense of community in Collyhurst

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by encouraging the locals to take pride in where they live.

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So she's working with Margot, who heads up

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the Collyhurst Big Local community group,

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and together they are organising a monthly litter pick that they

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hope will bring people together to transform their surroundings.

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You know, we have a beautiful country here

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and I think we should look after it.

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And I think that the environment is vital to all of us.

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I think that going out in fluorescent jackets

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and showing people that we're picking up litter

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just makes them think for a couple of seconds about what's going on

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and about the importance of keeping the streets and the areas clean.

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It's Saturday morning

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and there are high hopes for Collyhurst's very first litter pick.

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Although a lot of the areas are very clean, a lot of the residential

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areas are quite clean but the areas that aren't lived in can tend to

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have quite a lot of rubbish so we decided to get together.

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But it quickly becomes clear that almost all the people who've

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turned up to muck in are the people who helped arrange

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the litter pick in the first place.

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Only two other people from the community have come along.

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I'm a bit disappointed but not massively disappointed because it's

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the first time we've done this, and we are going to make a difference.

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Undeterred, Muriel and the others roll up their sleeves

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and get stuck in.

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You know, it shows we have some respect for it.

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If you try to get the kids to do it as well,

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that's the main thing, get the kids doing it, cos they are going to be the next ones to care for the area.

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And local councillor, Julie, is also keen to get involved.

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That bag there, somebody's just come along, seen this rubbish,

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it's unkempt, and thrown it away. So, by keeping it clean,

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it stops that casualness of just throwing stuff over a wall,

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hopefully, fingers crossed

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While the litter pick can be a fun way to stretch your legs and

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make a difference, it doesn't come without risk.

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Muriel comes off worst in an encounter with a rogue branch,

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and needs first aid.

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-It's only a scratch.

-I'm doing blonde, not red.

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THEY LAUGH

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I gave my blood for this place!

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But before long, they stumble on a much more serious problem.

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I would be very surprised in an environment like this

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if we didn't find any drugs paraphernalia at all.

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But I'm surprised and I'm really, really pleased that so far

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in this area we've found so little, so that's really good for this area.

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Community litter picks are becoming increasingly common.

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And the Campaign to Protect Rural England has advice

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on its website for anyone looking to organise one in their area.

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Here in Collyhurst,

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despite the turnout limiting how much of the local area can be covered,

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Sister Rita's team can congratulate themselves on a promising start.

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18 bags,

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-18 bags of rubbish and all this, this is the difference...

-Say a round 20 and have done with it.

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..it makes today for this environment

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and the people of this area.

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It's great. Thanks, guys!

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Yay!

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I think if you work in Collyhurst, you really have to have drive,

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you have to be determined, you have to be optimistic,

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and it's difficult at times, when time and time again you feel let down.

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Time and time again people won't turn up.

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Now, if you don't

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have that single-mindedness, and that determination,

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then you wouldn't

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make any difference in Collyhurst, and I actually think I have that.

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A much more established part of what the Lalley can

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do for the community is the centre's weekly job club.

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We are having a new job club on a Monday as well as Thursday.

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And the Monday job club is at the same time, one o'clock until three.

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Figures show that around half a million people who haven't

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got jobs have been unemployed for 12 months or more.

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So the purpose of job clubs like this one,

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run in hundreds of drop-in centres around the country, is to

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help provide new skills and offer support to people looking for work.

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The job club that we have on a Thursday afternoon helps people

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with their computer skills - some of them have, some of them haven't.

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With their CVs, with the job searching.

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The other thing is, they have people around them,

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around the table, that they link into to say, "How do you do this?"

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And that helps them grow in confidence.

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Sister Rita knows the encouragement the job club provides makes

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a real difference in maintaining motivation.

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As it has for Tommy Hibbs.

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He's been unemployed for five years,

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despite constantly applying for work.

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In five months I've applied for 400.

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I've had two answers. Both of them were basically no.

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That's how hard it is.

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When they come in and they tell you how many times they've applied

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and they've not even had anything back,

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that's soul-destroying for them.

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So I would say, "Don't give up on this, literally, because you can't.

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"Don't give up.

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"Keep on searching for jobs, keep on trying to get a job,

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"because, believe me, you will get one in the end."

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Tommy has signed up to a number of agencies in the hope that

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getting a short-term contract might lead to something longer-term.

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Today it seems there IS the prospect of a job.

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But to firm it up he has something very simple Sister Rita can

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help him with.

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Come on, Tommy, sit yourself down, love.

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Good morning.

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How are ya?

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Aye.

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Tommy was rung with news of a possible short-term

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painting-and-decorating job.

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He's supposed to call back,

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but he doesn't have any credit on his phone.

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I got a phone call from me advisor.

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He said it's only eight weeks but I said

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if I work hard, get my head down, I might get kept on, there's

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always a chance, so that's the one I'm trying to get hold of now.

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That is brilliant. Well, please, God, you will.

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If you need to use the phone, the phone's there.

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Yeah, I do need to use the phone.

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Hiya, I phoned up this morning about a job,

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and I was offered it yesterday and someone was supposed to have phoned me,

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but they never did. I've just got me work boots and that. I've just got no brushes or anything.

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All right, thanks a lot, bye.

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Sister Rita has a solution for that, too.

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To help Tommy afford the new brushes he needs, she reminds him

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about a government work programme that lends job seekers

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the money to buy the necessary tools or equipment for a new job.

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It works like a loan - so once you're earning,

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you pay the money back.

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So Tommy wastes no time hotfooting it down to his local DIY store.

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Roller, radiator brush. Well, I couldn't have afforded it.

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I've got everything I need now.

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For Tommy, the chance he'll be able to live on more than benefits

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is the break he's been waiting for.

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You've got a better lifestyle.

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You feel happier in yourself when you're working.

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The only way, in my book, out of poverty,

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and the only way to have good wellbeing in your self, is to work.

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Tommy's had a difficult life, and hasn't always made the best choices.

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But in recent years he's been determined to turn things around.

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And getting back into work will be a huge step forward.

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I was taken into care when I was ten.

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And from there, I just went through everything then,

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one home to another home, then approved school and borstal and prison.

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And it was only when I got to 40 and thought, "What have I done?"

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But just as the future appears to be looking brighter for Tommy,

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he gets some unwanted news.

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Hello?

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Job's fell through.

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HE SIGHS

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HE EXHALES HEAVILY

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That's fell through.

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You get your work stuff ready and everything,

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and then they tell you it's been pulled.

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This is what you get, you know what I mean?

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And you wonder why people get fed up.

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Despite yet another knock back, Tommy's not giving up.

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He'll be back at the Job Club next week.

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Collyhurst has higher than average unemployment,

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but in Britain as a whole,

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the number of people in work is at a record high.

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Wages too are rising faster than they have for years,

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although not for everyone.

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Sister Rita regularly sees people coming to the food bank

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who HAVE jobs but need a bit of extra help to get by.

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I have no problem with people who work coming to the food bank

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because some people who work just can't make ends meet.

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Why would we punish them for that,

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when they're getting out of bed in the morning,

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getting out to work, doing their bit,

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trying to keep their children happy and fed,

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and yet not making enough to make ends meet?

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Among the people in that position is Tanisha.

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Her 15 and a half hours a week as a teaching assistant

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just falls short of the 16 hours she'd need to work to qualify

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for the Government's Working Tax Credits,

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designed to top up the wages of low-paid workers.

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So, to keep on top of things, she's found herself

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relying on the Lalley's food bank.

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I'm sure there are people that just dip in and out

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of food banks as and when they need them.

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We have young children. We struggle, and that's it.

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Her top-ups from the food bank mean she doesn't need to worry about

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whether she can afford to provide three meals a day for her children.

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My kids used to say things like,

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"Are we going to get lunch today or are we just having dinner?"

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And there was always this sort of anxiety, "Is this lunch or dinner?",

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but now that stress has been removed.

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My heart goes out to these people.

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They have all the pressures of a working day,

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but not the benefits. The pay is so pathetic

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that they can't really manage their lives on what they're getting.

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So I just think they need even more consideration

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than the people who can't get jobs and are coming in for food.

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I'll hold your tea for you.

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When I first came, I was expecting that there would be people

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homeless or...I don't know, druggies.

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And then when I came in and I saw,

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"Oh, look it's mums and families,"

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you know, I saw one or two people in their work uniforms

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There have been dissenting voices amongst some of the others

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using the food bank, who don't agree that the service

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should be available to people in work,

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assuming that having a job brings in enough money

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to buy food, rather than take it for free.

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And while, for Tanisha, the top-up supplies

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she gets from the Lalley make all the difference,

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her situation has made her question whether she'd be better off

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if she DIDN'T have a job.

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What I think is happening is that those who are working

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and are trying, we get penalised more than those who are not

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doing anything at all.

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It's really, really stressful.

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'Being on benefits is much more easier, I reckon.'

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Tanisha would like to work more,

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but can't due to her son, who has medical issues,

0:18:240:18:27

and relying on benefits wouldn't be the right choice for her.

0:18:270:18:30

So, she's sticking with her job and using the food bank

0:18:300:18:33

as and when she needs to, depending on what bills need to be paid.

0:18:330:18:37

Sister Rita doesn't make a distinction between those

0:18:370:18:39

who need short-term assistance and those who come back week after week.

0:18:390:18:43

She just wants to help, no matter what.

0:18:430:18:45

Er, no.

0:18:460:18:48

When you've finished talking... Thank you.

0:18:500:18:53

But she knows the secret to keeping the centre running smoothly

0:18:560:19:00

is the volunteers who give up so much time to help.

0:19:000:19:03

She's keen to make sure they understand just how much

0:19:030:19:07

their contribution is valued.

0:19:070:19:09

Right, girls, come on, let's get out.

0:19:090:19:12

So today she's rewarding her faithful team with a day out

0:19:120:19:16

and taking them to Blackpool.

0:19:160:19:19

Well, I would like to do far more for the volunteers, actually,

0:19:190:19:21

than what we do, but we do take them for a day out in Blackpool.

0:19:210:19:26

Now, they're very happy with that.

0:19:260:19:28

We have great camaraderie in the bus, great fun, great laughter.

0:19:280:19:33

Even on days out, it's Sister Rita who has her foot on the gas.

0:19:350:19:39

Will you shut up at the back!

0:19:390:19:41

In the name of the Father, and of the Son

0:19:420:19:44

and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

0:19:440:19:46

Lord, we ask you today to protect us,

0:19:460:19:49

to help Rita to be able to drive the van,

0:19:490:19:52

and to able to find all the controls.

0:19:520:19:55

We're off, people.

0:19:550:19:56

Are we going to hit that blue car?

0:19:580:20:01

-Oh, my God.

-Keep going.

0:20:010:20:03

-It's tight.

-It's fine.

0:20:030:20:06

Safely parked up, the volunteers are free to enjoy

0:20:060:20:09

the sights and sounds of the seaside.

0:20:090:20:12

FAIRGROUND MUSIC PLAYS

0:20:120:20:13

-Are you going on the Big Dipper?

-No.

-THEY LAUGH

0:20:150:20:18

-Now listen...

-I want to come to watch you.

0:20:180:20:20

No, let's get this straight, I am going on no Dipper.

0:20:200:20:24

I've always liked Blackpool. The air is nice.

0:20:240:20:27

Beautiful day. We're very blessed.

0:20:270:20:29

And while riding the Big Dipper doesn't appeal to Sister Rita,

0:20:310:20:34

she takes pleasure from watching her team make the most of the rides.

0:20:340:20:38

Oh, my goodness.

0:20:420:20:44

I hope then can walk when they get off that.

0:20:440:20:48

Days like this are a rare opportunity for her volunteers

0:20:480:20:51

and staff to mix, away from the constant demands

0:20:510:20:54

of their work at the Lalley.

0:20:540:20:56

You can relax more, you're not seeing to anybody else.

0:20:560:20:59

It's our free time, between ourselves,

0:20:590:21:01

get to know each other better, outside the Lalley.

0:21:010:21:03

Cos we never get a minute to chat when we're at the Lalley,

0:21:030:21:06

or spend any time or have a cup of tea together.

0:21:060:21:09

It's all full-on, isn't it? So these days are great.

0:21:090:21:14

Sister Rita's delighted to have found a moment to show her team

0:21:150:21:19

that without them, she wouldn't be able to get on

0:21:190:21:21

with the job of helping the people of Collyhurst

0:21:210:21:24

No one person runs the Lalley Centre.

0:21:240:21:27

It's a team effort and if we haven't the team,

0:21:270:21:31

we can't do it.

0:21:310:21:32

-SHE LAUGHS

-Come on, Anthony!

0:21:320:21:35

THEY CHEER

0:21:390:21:40

But all too soon, it's time to get back to the Lalley.

0:21:400:21:44

Is everybody in?

0:21:440:21:45

Very, very, very successful day.

0:21:480:21:50

I'm so pleased that they all enjoyed themselves and I know that they did.

0:21:500:21:54

Once back in Collyhurst, it's business as usual.

0:21:590:22:02

The team has heard from a local couple with an unexpected

0:22:020:22:05

need for help, and no idea where to start.

0:22:050:22:08

So Sister Rita's despatched Kath to make a home visit.

0:22:090:22:13

Well, Kath is a law unto herself, and she goes in...

0:22:130:22:18

She'll go the extra ten miles

0:22:180:22:19

because she has a heart as big as a mountain.

0:22:190:22:22

We want to do it because people can't always get out to us,

0:22:220:22:26

and we want to do it. That may not be physical.

0:22:260:22:29

That may be mental, and that may be that they can't face it.

0:22:290:22:33

Kath's going to meet Edward and Hilary,

0:22:330:22:35

who until recently were both in work.

0:22:350:22:37

Take your time.

0:22:380:22:40

I am. I'm all right.

0:22:400:22:43

But their lives were turned upside down when Edward

0:22:430:22:45

suddenly became seriously ill with a disease that weakens the muscles,

0:22:450:22:49

and had to give up his job as a forklift truck driver.

0:22:490:22:52

His wife has also had to stop working to be his full-time carer.

0:22:520:22:56

I can't get up the stairs. That's why I'm sleeping down here.

0:22:560:23:00

I can't wash myself properly.

0:23:000:23:02

I'm reliant on her 24 hours a day.

0:23:020:23:05

I'd be lost without her, to be honest with you.

0:23:050:23:07

I'd never tell her that.

0:23:070:23:09

You've just told me!

0:23:090:23:11

With both of them suddenly no longer working, the couple's income

0:23:120:23:16

has fallen from around £350 per week,

0:23:160:23:18

to Edward's statutory sick pay of £88 a week.

0:23:180:23:22

They've asked for help identifying what support or benefits

0:23:220:23:25

they may be entitled to.

0:23:250:23:26

And on top of everything else they're dealing with,

0:23:260:23:29

they don't where to begin.

0:23:290:23:30

We've never been through it, so I haven't got a clue what you do.

0:23:310:23:37

So that's why we're relying on the Lalley Centre.

0:23:370:23:40

I wouldn't even know how to go about it, you know.

0:23:400:23:44

Edward's illness means he's unable to walk much further

0:23:440:23:47

than his front door.

0:23:470:23:49

But it's at least a bit of fresh air, isn't it?

0:23:490:23:52

And a few of the people that are around, you know...

0:23:520:23:54

It's also affected his ability to swallow,

0:23:550:23:58

meaning he can't eat solid food and is currently fed through a tube.

0:23:580:24:02

You've been through a massive amount, haven't you?

0:24:020:24:05

-I'm still here to tell the tale, aren't I?

-Yeah!

0:24:050:24:08

There is lots of help available if you suddenly find yourself ill

0:24:090:24:13

and unable to work, or with a dramatic drop in your income.

0:24:130:24:17

But understanding how to get it isn't always easy.

0:24:170:24:20

Organisations such as Citizens Advice are a great first stop

0:24:200:24:24

and it's a key part of the work of centres like the Lalley

0:24:240:24:27

to help get you through your options too.

0:24:270:24:30

Part of my role is to maximise your money

0:24:300:24:32

-and to make sure you're getting things you should be getting.

-Yeah.

0:24:320:24:36

THEY LAUGH Kath thinks their best option

0:24:360:24:38

is to claim for a Personal Independence Payment, PIP for short,

0:24:380:24:42

known as the Disability Living Allowance until 2013.

0:24:420:24:46

It provides financial support to help cope with long-term health issues.

0:24:460:24:50

The Personal Independent Payment, it's a passport to other things.

0:24:500:24:55

It will impact on other things about what you pay in council tax...

0:24:550:24:58

Oh, right, yeah.

0:24:580:25:00

-And that can be backdated for three months.

-Right. Yeah.

0:25:000:25:05

So, as soon as that's awarded, then we can apply for the carer's

0:25:050:25:09

and that's quite a quick thing, and look at support for you

0:25:090:25:11

cos you were working.

0:25:110:25:13

A Personal Independence Payment award could also open the door

0:25:130:25:17

for Edward qualifying for a round-the-clock carer,

0:25:170:25:20

meaning Hilary could be able to go back to work at least part-time

0:25:200:25:23

to help ease the burden on the couple.

0:25:230:25:26

They feel a bit up in the air with their finances, you know.

0:25:260:25:29

He's on his statutory sick pay and it's a low amount.

0:25:290:25:34

I mean, Hilary's given up her job to be able to care for him,

0:25:340:25:37

so they've got that income that's gone.

0:25:370:25:40

I think we should put him in for the top 24-hour care,

0:25:400:25:44

and you'd definitely meet all the criteria for that.

0:25:440:25:47

I've done a lot of those forms and, you know,

0:25:470:25:50

you've got all your evidence there and your health.

0:25:500:25:53

Smashing.

0:25:530:25:55

Really... I wouldn't know where to start with it.

0:25:550:25:58

For people who can't get to the Lalley Centre,

0:26:000:26:03

home visits like this are a vital part of the service

0:26:030:26:06

Sister Rita and the team offer the Collyhurst community.

0:26:060:26:09

I'll just make my way out. OK. Thank you.

0:26:100:26:14

If the claim Kath's helping him with is approved,

0:26:140:26:16

Edward could double his weekly income to around £160.

0:26:160:26:21

And Kath's relieved she's been able to help the couple start

0:26:210:26:24

the process of getting their lives back on track.

0:26:240:26:27

It went really well.

0:26:270:26:29

It's quite demanding completing one of those forms,

0:26:290:26:33

so it's quite a bit of work to do there, and I'm quite happy to come

0:26:330:26:37

and fit it in and make sure that they're feeling OK.

0:26:370:26:41

Back at the Lalley Centre, Sister Rita is continuing with her plan

0:26:460:26:50

to transform the look and feel of Collyhurst,

0:26:500:26:53

in the hope that the whole community will get behind the project

0:26:530:26:56

and start caring just a little bit more about the place where they live.

0:26:560:26:59

All right, Peter, my name is Sister Rita.

0:27:010:27:03

I'm project leader at the Lalley Centre in Collyhurst

0:27:030:27:07

and I'm a social worker.

0:27:070:27:09

She's joined forces with Margot from a charity that organises

0:27:090:27:12

community action.

0:27:120:27:14

But the first litter pick they ran didn't have the impact they'd hoped,

0:27:140:27:17

as the turnout was mostly limited to volunteers from the Lalley.

0:27:170:27:21

So, to avoid that happening second time around, Sister Rita and Margot

0:27:210:27:25

are determined to come up with ways of getting more people involved.

0:27:250:27:28

Well, we had some success in that we collected a lot of litter

0:27:300:27:33

but there weren't as many people there as we'd hoped to have.

0:27:330:27:36

And we were hoping for some families to come, which didn't happen.

0:27:360:27:40

Perhaps if I do a bit of work in the four primary schools...

0:27:400:27:42

-That'd be brilliant.

-..and bring the flyers in and do a bit of a talk.

0:27:420:27:46

Well, I think that's a good start, and then to sort of say,

0:27:460:27:49

"Why don't you try and get your mum or your dad to come? Or both?"

0:27:490:27:52

Sister Rita and Margot have hatched a plan to go into the local school

0:27:540:27:58

and encourage pupils to come to the next litter pick.

0:27:580:28:01

They hope that by interesting children in the community,

0:28:010:28:04

there's a better chance of changing things longer term.

0:28:040:28:07

She's encouraged me to go into the four primary schools in Collyhurst

0:28:070:28:10

to talk to the older children about the litter pick,

0:28:100:28:12

and use their pester power on their parents to encourage them

0:28:120:28:15

to come along and help with the litter pick.

0:28:150:28:19

So, while Margot targets the children in their school assembly...

0:28:190:28:22

OK, so we're going to meet tomorrow at 11 o'clock at the Lalley Centre,

0:28:220:28:25

which is right here near the school, and we're going to go,

0:28:250:28:28

and we're going to collect litter from around Collyhurst.

0:28:280:28:31

We hope that that's going to make Collyhurst

0:28:310:28:33

look like a really, really nice place.

0:28:330:28:36

..Sister Rita braves the rain to canvass

0:28:360:28:39

the parents at the school gates.

0:28:390:28:41

-Will you try and come?

-Course I will.

0:28:410:28:43

-Bring her with you. I want her with us.

-Thank you, Sister!

0:28:430:28:45

OK, thank you.

0:28:450:28:47

Come here! Do you see that? It says, "Collyhurst litter pick, Saturday."

0:28:470:28:52

I have to get up out of bed. Why don't you just come and join me?

0:28:520:28:54

Bring her. She'd be brilliant. You will, won't you?

0:28:540:28:57

-Good girl.

-Here you are.

0:28:570:29:00

To remind you. There you are.

0:29:000:29:03

They've had a positive response.

0:29:030:29:06

But the nun and Margot will have to wait till Saturday

0:29:060:29:09

to see if their work has paid off.

0:29:090:29:11

I'm hopeful for a good turnout.

0:29:110:29:13

I'm not saying it's going to happen but, if it does, it'll be great.

0:29:130:29:18

While the formidable Sister Rita is the force that drives

0:29:220:29:24

the Lalley Centre, she's the first to admit that everything she does

0:29:240:29:28

depends on the work of not just her volunteers, but her core team,

0:29:280:29:32

none more so than her right-hand man, Max Leon.

0:29:320:29:36

Max is everything really that you could desire in somebody

0:29:360:29:42

you're working close with. He's very supportive of me,

0:29:420:29:46

very protective of me, and always there when I need him. Always.

0:29:460:29:52

You're going to fill this form now

0:29:520:29:55

-and next time you're going to bring documents.

-OK.

-OK?

0:29:550:29:59

Originally from Peru, Max left there to be with Maria,

0:29:590:30:03

who's a teacher in the UK.

0:30:030:30:04

They've now been married for seven years

0:30:040:30:06

but coming to Britain wasn't a straightforward decision.

0:30:060:30:10

To leave my country,

0:30:100:30:13

my family, my job, my business, everything.

0:30:130:30:19

It was a very difficult step to do.

0:30:230:30:25

In Peru, Max worked as a paragliding instructor.

0:30:270:30:30

When he arrived in Manchester,

0:30:300:30:32

he came across the Lalley, where he asked to volunteer.

0:30:320:30:35

As he began to volunteer,

0:30:350:30:38

I could see there was more to this man than meets the eye.

0:30:380:30:42

Max has great empathy with people.

0:30:420:30:46

He has a love for people.

0:30:460:30:48

Max is a lamb and I am the lion.

0:30:480:30:51

That's the difference.

0:30:520:30:54

After a year of volunteering, Sister Rita gave him a paid job

0:30:550:30:59

helping her to manage the Lalley.

0:30:590:31:02

But as he's not from the EU, Max has to apply for a visa every two years

0:31:020:31:06

just to live and work in the UK.

0:31:060:31:09

So the couple have had to live with the uncertainty that Max

0:31:090:31:11

could one day be forced to return to Peru.

0:31:110:31:14

'We've spent £9,500 on visas,'

0:31:150:31:21

and we've just applied for indefinite leave to remain,

0:31:210:31:25

so hopefully that will come through

0:31:250:31:27

and then we can apply for citizenship.

0:31:270:31:30

And Sister Rita's just as eager as Maria

0:31:300:31:32

for Max to finally get his visa to remain in the UK.

0:31:320:31:35

She wants him to take more control in the Lalley,

0:31:370:31:41

and I think he would be very good cos he's got an approachable nature.

0:31:410:31:45

Sister Rita knows that one day she's going to need to hand over the reins

0:31:470:31:50

of the Lalley to someone else.

0:31:500:31:52

I wouldn't like to follow myself.

0:31:520:31:54

My standards are very high and I'm a bit demanding on workers.

0:31:560:32:01

Max would be the, I suppose, next best thing to me,

0:32:030:32:09

maybe higher on a lot of issues.

0:32:090:32:13

The people love him. They absolutely love him.

0:32:130:32:16

So hopefully, by the time I ride off into the sunset,

0:32:160:32:20

he will have exactly what he needs to take over the Lalley.

0:32:200:32:23

It's now three months since Max applied for his leave to remain,

0:32:240:32:28

and the envelope containing that decision has finally arrived.

0:32:280:32:31

I have this envelope.

0:32:320:32:33

I want you to open it because I am scared.

0:32:350:32:38

Dun, dun, dun. Home Office.

0:32:440:32:46

"Please find attached your Biometric Residence Permit.

0:32:480:32:52

"It is proof of your right to stay, work and study

0:32:520:32:55

"in the United Kingdom." Yay!

0:32:550:32:57

At least I get it.

0:32:570:33:00

Yes! God save the Queen.

0:33:000:33:03

-Cheers.

-Salud.

-Salud. Salud.

0:33:030:33:06

It's good news for the couple AND Sister Rita,

0:33:070:33:10

that Max can stay in the UK permanently

0:33:100:33:13

and he's now on the first step towards becoming a British citizen.

0:33:130:33:16

Well, I never had any doubt that the Lord would send him back to Peru

0:33:160:33:20

because he was crucial in the life of the Lalley Centre.

0:33:200:33:24

With Max's future sorted, Sister Rita and the team can focus

0:33:270:33:31

on their aim of helping as many people in the area as they can.

0:33:310:33:34

Did you hear what I've just said?

0:33:340:33:35

-SHOUTING:

-Yes!

0:33:350:33:37

Thank you. I am deaf.

0:33:370:33:39

And Kath is on her way to once again visit Edward and Hilary,

0:33:400:33:44

who contacted the Lalley after a sudden serious illness

0:33:440:33:47

left Edward unable to work and needing assistance

0:33:470:33:49

in applying for benefits,

0:33:490:33:51

something he's never before had to do in his life.

0:33:510:33:54

Since Kath last saw Edward, he's had some good news.

0:33:550:33:58

That's a lot better, isn't it?

0:33:590:34:01

Let's try it with the biscuit and just see how you're managing that.

0:34:010:34:04

Is that all right? Cos certainly the fluids seem a lot better.

0:34:040:34:07

A hospital appointment revealed he's made a breakthrough

0:34:070:34:10

with his condition.

0:34:100:34:12

-It's a remarkable difference in your swallow.

-It is, isn't it?

0:34:120:34:15

-You're back eating and drinking normally now.

-Yeah.

0:34:150:34:17

-And enjoy many more steaks.

-And a few pints now.

0:34:170:34:21

And a few pints. Yeah.

0:34:210:34:24

Drop us off at the pub on the way home!

0:34:240:34:26

As a result, Edward has been able to eat solid food once again

0:34:290:34:32

-with his wife, Hilary, and their grandchildren.

-Go on, then.

0:34:320:34:36

You can't beat a good meal, can you?

0:34:360:34:38

It's better than that liquid, I'll tell you.

0:34:380:34:40

Though it's an important step in his recovery,

0:34:420:34:45

Edward is still a long way from returning to work,

0:34:450:34:47

and with Hilary also having to give up her job

0:34:470:34:50

to provide full-time care for her husband,

0:34:500:34:53

the couple have seen their income fall dramatically

0:34:530:34:55

to under £100 a week between them.

0:34:550:34:58

Will you take it in for me, darling, please? Don't drop it.

0:34:580:35:01

Now though, Kath has more good news for Edward and Hilary.

0:35:010:35:05

She's helped them apply

0:35:050:35:06

for the benefits she believes they're now entitled to.

0:35:060:35:09

And she's just learned the claim has been successful.

0:35:090:35:12

I've come along today to follow up the phone call

0:35:130:35:17

about the Personal Independent Payment award.

0:35:170:35:21

You've been awarded the high rate

0:35:210:35:24

of Personal Independent for care.

0:35:240:35:28

Smashing. I wouldn't have a clue what to claim for.

0:35:280:35:31

Well, you've never been in that position.

0:35:310:35:33

It's understandable, isn't it?

0:35:330:35:36

The PIP payment Edward will now receive,

0:35:360:35:38

won't just improve the couple's finances.

0:35:380:35:40

It also means he can afford round-the-clock care,

0:35:400:35:43

giving Hilary a break and the chance to perhaps return to work part-time.

0:35:430:35:48

And 63-year-old Edward is hopeful that his recovery will continue

0:35:480:35:52

and he'll eventually be back driving his forklift truck at work.

0:35:520:35:55

How are you coping with actually being at home?

0:35:560:35:59

-It's doing my head in.

-Is it doing your head in?

0:35:590:36:01

Yeah, honestly. I just can't get my head around it. Honestly, I can't.

0:36:010:36:04

-Well, I am going back to work. I'm determined.

-Are you?

0:36:040:36:08

Kath's help in winning the couple their first benefit payment

0:36:080:36:12

is only the beginning of the support they can expect

0:36:120:36:14

from the team at the Lalley during Edward's recovery.

0:36:140:36:16

The next step is to help them navigate through

0:36:170:36:20

the other possible benefits that might be available.

0:36:200:36:23

Well, I'll be with you every step of the way,

0:36:230:36:25

make sure you know what you're applying for

0:36:250:36:27

and we'll do it well in advance, so don't worry about anything.

0:36:270:36:31

-Just getting yourself right's the main thing.

-Yeah.

0:36:310:36:34

Sometimes the best help Sister Rita and her team can provide

0:36:360:36:39

is simply letting people know they're there when needed,

0:36:390:36:43

as they've been doing with Tommy Hibbs at the weekly job club.

0:36:430:36:46

And for him, too, things are starting to look up.

0:36:460:36:49

He's been doing a series of temporary jobs over the last few weeks

0:36:490:36:52

so for the first time in years he's earning money,

0:36:520:36:55

and he's been able to stop relying on benefits.

0:36:550:36:58

The first thing he wants to do is use some of that cash to decorate

0:36:580:37:01

his house and make it a home he's happy to live in.

0:37:010:37:04

I couldn't afford a tin of paint. Just couldn't afford it.

0:37:060:37:10

That's two or three days' eating.

0:37:100:37:13

When you're on the dole, you can't do it.

0:37:130:37:15

Now I can get it how I want it,

0:37:150:37:17

putting my own mark here and making it mine.

0:37:170:37:19

It makes you proud if people can come in.

0:37:190:37:22

It will be fresh, decorated, look clean.

0:37:220:37:26

That's what it gives you.

0:37:260:37:28

Having work for the first time in years means Tommy's no longer

0:37:290:37:33

reliant on the Lalley.

0:37:330:37:34

But he's grateful for the help it gave him when he needed it.

0:37:340:37:38

I wouldn't hesitate to go back if I was ever in the situation again,

0:37:380:37:42

especially to places like the Lalley Centre, cos they helped me.

0:37:420:37:46

They fed me and put food in me cupboards,

0:37:460:37:49

and I couldn't ask for more than that.

0:37:490:37:51

Today, after receiving news of another temporary contract,

0:37:510:37:54

Tommy's come to update Sister Rita on how he's doing.

0:37:540:37:58

-I start another job next Thursday.

-What is it?

0:37:580:38:00

-On the trains.

-On the train!

0:38:000:38:03

-And I've got another one straight away.

-I'd love that job.

0:38:030:38:05

-You don't think they'd have one for me?

-It's just replenishing the trolleys.

0:38:050:38:08

-Next Thursday, I start.

-Well done, you.

0:38:080:38:11

That woman deserves everything that she gets cos she's a brilliant woman.

0:38:110:38:16

Delighted by Tommy's good news, Sister Rita can't wait to share it.

0:38:160:38:20

A fella told me this morning he's got a job.

0:38:200:38:22

Will you give him a clap, please?

0:38:220:38:24

CHEERING

0:38:240:38:26

Now, you follow his lead, all of you.

0:38:280:38:30

It was wonderful to tell them this morning that one of them,

0:38:300:38:35

because they're a community here, has got a job,

0:38:350:38:37

and you could see the obvious delight when they heard that.

0:38:370:38:41

They were over the moon. You can't buy that, can you?

0:38:410:38:44

You can't buy it.

0:38:440:38:46

That's one of the greatest pleasures I get out of this place

0:38:460:38:49

because the people themselves are the salt of the Earth.

0:38:490:38:53

They're really wonderful.

0:38:530:38:55

For Sister Rita, it's a real joy to be able to give people

0:38:560:39:00

the boost they need to make things happen,

0:39:000:39:02

either for themselves, or the wider community.

0:39:020:39:05

One of her latest plans has been to encourage locals

0:39:060:39:08

to get behind the regular litter pick she's organised.

0:39:080:39:11

And the Sister's hoping that she's now drummed up enough interest

0:39:110:39:14

at the local school to make the next event a success.

0:39:140:39:18

I know what's going to happen, I will be on my own

0:39:190:39:22

at the litter pick and all of you will be in bed. Is that right?

0:39:220:39:26

Bring the kids. They're nearer to the ground than I am.

0:39:260:39:30

The Sister's ambition is about much more

0:39:300:39:33

than making the area look better.

0:39:330:39:35

'The litter pick is very important,'

0:39:350:39:38

and it does what we're trying to do in the Lalley

0:39:380:39:42

by gathering people together. That's what it does.

0:39:420:39:46

Working together, laughing together, playing together.

0:39:460:39:50

But as the day of the next litter pick dawns, things don't look good.

0:39:520:39:56

Along with Margot from community action group The Big Local,

0:39:560:40:00

Sister Rita's worked hard to inspire people to come along.

0:40:000:40:03

But she's worried the weather could make it another damp squib.

0:40:030:40:07

It's like a hurricane. The wind is dreadful.

0:40:070:40:12

It's raining again now.

0:40:120:40:14

Maybe that will stop. I don't know.

0:40:140:40:17

It seems though that her efforts to encourage more of a sense of pride

0:40:170:40:20

in the neighbourhood have struck a chord with local residents.

0:40:200:40:24

Despite the weather, around 40 people have come to help,

0:40:240:40:27

including a good few children from the local school.

0:40:270:40:30

It's a much bigger turnout than last time.

0:40:300:40:33

Lalley volunteer, Muriel, who was on the first litter pick,

0:40:330:40:36

is thrilled with the numbers.

0:40:360:40:37

With the weather, I didn't think anybody would turn up, really.

0:40:370:40:41

We're really lucky. So, let's hope they get stuck in.

0:40:410:40:44

Though equally delighted, Sister Rita realises that even in heavy rain

0:40:440:40:49

she'll need to lead from the front.

0:40:490:40:51

I am so impressed today,

0:40:520:40:55

and I had every intention of backing out of this, and I said,

0:40:550:41:00

"Get on and do it yourselves and I'll put the kettle on,"

0:41:000:41:03

but I'm afraid I HAVE to do it now, when I see all of you.

0:41:030:41:06

I have no option. I have to come with you.

0:41:060:41:09

-Right, John, are you all finished there?

-Yeah.

0:41:090:41:13

I think Sister Rita is Collyhurst's secret weapon.

0:41:130:41:17

If they know events are happening, they'll come along and help.

0:41:170:41:20

If they don't know, they don't.

0:41:200:41:22

But it's getting the message out there.

0:41:220:41:24

But the bigger turnout brings its own problems for the organisers.

0:41:240:41:28

There aren't enough litter picking tools for every volunteer.

0:41:280:41:31

The last time there were maybe six or seven people,

0:41:310:41:33

so we had loads of equipment and today

0:41:330:41:35

we just don't have quite enough.

0:41:350:41:37

A parent who's turned up for the first time is Lee Currie.

0:41:370:41:41

He answered Sister Rita's call to arms after being collared by her

0:41:410:41:44

at his children's after-school club at the Lalley.

0:41:440:41:47

Right, why have you come here today, sir?

0:41:470:41:49

-Because we want to live in a cleaner society, Sister.

-Oh, do you?

0:41:490:41:52

We do. My kids, I'm constantly on at them to pick the rubbish up

0:41:520:41:55

and throw it in the bin, yeah.

0:41:550:41:57

For Lee, it's important his children understand

0:41:570:42:00

the need to keep their community free of litter.

0:42:000:42:03

Community is vital, no matter where you live,

0:42:030:42:06

and we seem to have lost a sense of community

0:42:060:42:09

in a lot of neighbourhoods, and I don't want to ever lose

0:42:090:42:12

the sense of community in the Lalley Centre.

0:42:120:42:15

That to me is priceless.

0:42:150:42:18

If there's no litter, it goes a long way, doesn't it?

0:42:180:42:21

If your children are falling over outside

0:42:210:42:24

and they're falling on dirty cans and bottles and whatnot,

0:42:240:42:27

it's not ideal, so let's get it cleaned up.

0:42:270:42:30

Head teacher Janine Parker is pleased to see pupils and parents

0:42:320:42:35

coming together for the community.

0:42:350:42:38

We all know you can't say no to Sister Rita.

0:42:380:42:41

Yeah, nobody can say no to Sister Rita. She just has that effect.

0:42:410:42:44

I wanted to help picking the litter up so Collyhurst is not dirty.

0:42:440:42:50

I came down today to do a litter pick to make Collyhurst cleaner.

0:42:500:42:54

With a haul of more than 20 bags of rubbish, the volunteers head back

0:42:550:42:59

to the Lalley to congratulate themselves on a job well done.

0:42:590:43:02

I just want to say a really sincere thank you for coming here today.

0:43:020:43:08

Well done, Collyhurst. You are wonderful.

0:43:080:43:11

But I always knew that anyway. Thank you.

0:43:110:43:15

THEY CLAP

0:43:150:43:16

I was blown away by the response, if I'm honest.

0:43:170:43:20

I just couldn't believe that they did it, you know?

0:43:200:43:23

It's just... It was a great feeling

0:43:230:43:26

that people were interested enough in their area.

0:43:260:43:30

Sister Rita's shown what can be achieved

0:43:300:43:33

when a community pulls together.

0:43:330:43:35

But as Christmas approaches, she's going to need to bank

0:43:350:43:37

on even more of that goodwill

0:43:370:43:39

if she's to make good on her next challenge -

0:43:390:43:42

to make sure as many residents as possible have a Christmas

0:43:420:43:45

they'll never forget.

0:43:450:43:46

On the last day of her mission to make a difference,

0:43:510:43:53

Sister Rita celebrates her 50 years of being a nun as only she could.

0:43:530:43:58

How fast would you like to go?

0:43:580:43:59

About 140.

0:43:590:44:01

Don't be scared, Chris. Everything will be fine.

0:44:010:44:04

And as Christmas comes to Collyhurst, the team pulls out all the stops

0:44:040:44:08

to spread as much festive cheer as it can.

0:44:080:44:11

We could not do this without you.

0:44:110:44:14

I'm really grateful for Sister Rita. She's done a lot.

0:44:140:44:16

This is yours, I do believe.

0:44:160:44:18

Father Christmas is SPECIALLY coming to you.

0:44:180:44:22

-HIS MUM LAUGHS

-Thank you so much.

0:44:220:44:24

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