Seeking Someone Special

Mum will have to learn that I'm with James and I'm happy with James.

The very best you could want is for them to be independent.

It's a real conflict of interest to step in

and say, "Hang on a minute, I think we need to do something here."

I've found someone... found someone at last!

He always goes for, like, stunners.

She kinda said that she had a boyfriend, and I was upset.

You've got normal girls eyeing him up and then he makes a face,

and that's it. And he's such a lovely boy, it's a shame.

This film follows three young people with a learning disability

as they struggle to assert their independence,

fight loneliness and get their heads round the dating scene.

Just like everyone else, people with learning disabilities

want independence and love.

So will they find that someone special?

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

Richard Brownlie is 25.

He is just one of 120,000 people in Scotland who have

a learning disability. He lives in Larkhall

with his mum and dad.

He likes wrestling, gladiators,

acting and posing,

but most of all, he likes girls.

This is everything, posters of people,

hot women and all that type of thing.

But there's a problem.

As well as a learning disability, he also has Asperger's,

a form of autism which makes social interaction difficult.

'I feel really disappointed about things that I don't get to do'

because I'm Asperger's.

Richard's never had a serious relationship.

He's desperate to get experience,

and now he may have his chance.

She's pretty, she's gorgeous, she's good-looking,

she's more capable of doing all the stuff that I want to do,

she turns up on time!

Which is good.

She's brilliant, aye. She's good, aye, absolutely good.

Richard's only been going out with Nastasja,

who also has Asperger's, for three days now.

What would you want to happen in the future?

Having her round at my house, having her round during the holidays

having her round for a barbecue, if my mum and dad are having one.

My favourite barbecue food is cheeseburgers,

because they're lovely, they're tasty and they're delicious!

While Richard's making plans, it turns out Nastasja has other ideas.

"Richard, I don't feel...

"we are right for each other.

"Good luck for the future."

Oh, shit!

Well, why don't you put "Let's talk," "Let's talk about this,"

-and see what she says to that?

-Right, no bother! Thanks.

See, it's things like that that he doesn't know how to handle it,

he's getting upset now.

He's such a lovely boy, it's a shame.

I'm disgruntled, I'm upset, and I have never been this mad!

And I really am mad just now,

but don't worry, I'll find the right girl, and I hope I do.

Who is really, really nice.

-Clear, go!

-Thanks, darling.

Two months later, and Richard has stuck to his word.

He's found a girlfriend, just in time for Valentine's.

Jillian. That's what she looks like.

It's lovely having a photograph, you know, it's always brilliant.

It's always nice, you know.

"I like you, Richard, you are a nice boy to me.

"He is good-looking, I love him to bits."

Richard met Jillian at a training course on relationships

for people with learning disabilities and autism.

He is absolutely full of himself.

He said, "Mum, Mum, erm, Jillian's my girlfriend

-"and make sure you tell Dad."

-"I love you, you're hot."

From our point of view, it's experience for him,

and that's what we think is good for him.

Without going out with a girl,

he will never learn how to treat a girl,

or how to decide who is right for him and who isn't right for him.

As Richard seeks out the perfect gift for Jillian,

he runs his ideas past Mum.

I quite fancy going to Internacionale for earrings for her.

Right, write that down then.

'He said "Relationships are difficult, Mum, and I find it really difficult."

'I said, "So do people that haven't got Asperger's."

'When you start going out with somebody,'

you don't really know what to do.

She likes lipshine, like lipstick and that.

Does she?

Are you sure it's not just you that likes buying that?

Yeah.

All right, put it down then.

'He wants to be like everyone else, he wants to have a normal life

'and I think deep down inside

'he knows Asperger's kind of holds him back.'

Oh, that's quite nice, I think she'll like that.

-I think I'll get that for my Valentine.

-OK.

There are lots of different kinds of learning disability.

Sometimes there's no clear cause, other times,

it's linked to a condition like autism or Downs Syndrome.

Natasha has Downs Syndrome - a genetic condition

which causes learning disabilities.

While many people like her struggle just to get by,

Natasha is a role model for her peers.

Today she's going to give a talk to a group of medical students

about what it's like to live with the condition.

I want you to understand that although I have Downs Syndrome,

it is just a small part of who I really am.

Downs Syndrome affects 1 in 1,000 people all over the world.

Most people with Downs Syndrome can do the same things

as everyone else, but may need help with things like schoolwork,

going to college, shopping, sorting out money, or living alone.

This is me. I am 22 years old

and I work in a cafe called The Engine Shed.

This is James.

James celebrated his 30th birthday on 3rd February.

He also works in a supermarket, and is learning to drive.

He has his own flat

and he is engaged to be married to me.

I just want to live with her and love her.

And spend my whole life with her.

Until recently, Natasha and James had been living together,

but then something happened that made Natasha return to her parents'.

Living together again is all the couple dream of.

When Natasha's not around,

it's a bit emotional.

I love her that much, I want her back.

While Natasha and James see through their challenges,

31-year-old Peter Bowers is still on the lookout.

What kind of girlfriend would you like, then?

Blonde, beautiful, nice, slim, no' too cheeky and that.

Peter has not only has learning disabilities,

he also has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD.

This can make him excitable

and means he finds it difficult to focus.

Luckily, he's found a job where his ADHD works to his advantage.

DJ Bowers is cool.

He's number 1 DJ.

If you want him for a party, I'll gie you my number.

Freedom! FREEDOM!

It says Mr Disc Jockey, DJ t-shirt, lights up and everything.

When the lights go down it will be all smooth and disco-y,

disco lights, disco lights, disco lights.

For Peter, DJing isn't just a job -

he also hopes it will lead him to love.

Ladies love DJs, because they're smartly dressed, all gelled hair.

They're nice, they're smart, they request songs for the girls.

Turn me on, darlin'!

While at work he's Mr Disco, back in his Glasgow flat, Peter lives alone.

This room is my bedroom,

with my bike and everything, a mess as usual.

-That's basically my bedroom.

-What's it like living on your own?

Good. I sometimes I get a lonely feel when I'm on my own,

I get a wee bit upset when I've no friends or that.

That's my sister, when we were younger, I think it was 1982.

Peter was brought up in care.

Soon after this picture was taken, he and his sisters were separated.

He has little family contact

and is desperate to have someone special in his life.

I've asked and they've went "No, I've got a boyfriend,"

or they've probably said they've got a boyfriend.

I need love and I need a girlfriend because I don't like being single.

It's Valentine's, and Glasgow City Chambers

is host to the biggest event

in the learning disabilities social calendar -

the Dates'n'Mates Valentine's Ball.

Here people with and without learning disabilities get to mingle.

Rich, you should go and sort out your money.

-Are you going to be buying Jillian a drink tonight?

-Yes.

For Richard, it's an extra-special occasion.

He's taking his new girlfriend to the big event.

I don't know if it's behaving itself today, Rich. That's it, right.

Have a look and see what you think.

Are you happy, or do you want me to change it?

Yeah.

Now, have you put your aftershave on?

Watch the eyes, watch the eyes!

It's the first time he's been out to a dance with a girl.

And he's relying on his mum's advice for help.

What if Jillian doesn't want to dance,

-what are you going to do?

-Dance with a different girl.

Right, now, do you think that that will upset Jillian?

I don't know. I'll need to ask her when I get to the dance.

Well done, but don't ask her right away.

-Ask permission from Jill.

-That's right.

And what if she says no?

I'll just go and dance myself.

Well, that's better then, that's a good answer.

Because she might not like you dancing with other girls.

All I can do is do what my dad said, is get girlfriends' phone numbers,

like chat a lot to get to know them,

but I need to ask Jillian first to see if it's OK.

Well, I don't know about that when you're taking a girl!

You can't go around getting other girls' phone numbers.

Think about how you would feel

if she went and she started getting phone numbers

of all the chaps that were there?

-How would you feel? If she was busy doing that.

-Angry.

And remember you've always got to look after?

-Jillian.

-That's right, and most of all, you've got to...

-Listen and think.

-Well done.

MUSIC: "Disco Inferno" by The Trammps

At the ball, DJ Bowers has arrived.

Unlike Richard,

it looks like he already knows just how to talk to the ladies.

Oh, thank you! Will you dance with me?

I just pulled!

I danced with her and then I gave her a balloon

that said "I love you" on it.

-They're a good band, aren't they?

-Yeah.

This is the first time I've been to an event like this,

so it was nice to get to know Pete

and he's really friendly as well, so...it's nice.

There you go, I've found someone! I've found someone at last!

She's a nice attractive woman,

she's nice and she's pretty

and I want to ask her out and all that,

but I get the butterflies in my stomach

if I ask someone out, in case something wrong goes wrong.

Hello!

Richard's date starts off smoothly as well.

That's for you, my love!

Thank you.

That's a teddy for Jillian.

Excuse me a minute.

There's your card from me...

That's a lovely perfume for you, honey.

As Richard gives Jillian her gifts, her mum looks on.

Are you spending all your money on her? Perfume! Oh!

Richard is head over heels for Jill,

and the feeling is very mutual.

That's the love letters as well, that I've written out for you.

She's only looking for the same as you or I

are looking for, and that's to be loved.

Jill just deserves the same as we deserve.

Stop a minute.

I am...

I am so happy for Jill just now, because she is happy.

I think unless you're in the position

of having a special needs child,

sometimes you don't understand some of the problems

that we as parents have to go through.

It would be wrong for us to hold her back

because she's only doing, really, what comes natural.

Oh! With Jillian it's been brilliant!

Getting on well with Jillian,

spending some time to get to know her, and dancing with her.

Jillian, she's a nice-looking babe, I like, love and fancy her.

She's hot, she's sexy, she's good-looking,

she's all of these things, you know.

Oh, man,

it was awesome kissing Jillian -

I preferred the lips better than the tongues, you know,

that's all I remember, all I remember!

Richard may be having a good night, but Peter's just had some bad news.

We'll stay friends but, you can keep in touch with me.

She kinda said she had a boyfriend and all that,

so she had a boyfriend and I was upset

and I just said we'll stay as friends and we'll keep in touch.

It's been a good night, I've enjoyed myself.

I'm keeping my options open for whoever comes, for any nice girl.

Are we going, then? See you later.

As Peter leaves, Richard has a plan.

50 pence.

He's bought a Valentine's card for Jillian to give to him.

Remember and put "I love you" on it!

Don't worry, I will!

Look, Valentine's card!

That means I get two!

-Let me kiss you, please.

-Aye, OK.

Time to say his goodbyes and return back home.

Did Jillian give you that?

I bought it for her, so she could give it to me to write.

Oh, Richard, you're not supposed to do that!

That's you there, that's her, isn't it?

That's me and Jillian.

That's lovely, going to a dance with your girlfriend!

It's really crackin', isn't it?

Oh, it is, son, it really is, son.

While Richard lives with his mum,

for two years Natasha had been living independently

with her fiance in his flat in Edinburgh.

James is one of a rare breed of people

with learning disabilities who owns his own home.

Then, seven months ago, Natasha's parents became so concerned

about her weight, they asked if she would agree

to move from Edinburgh back to their house in Cumbernauld.

When she moved through to Edinburgh, she was a size 10,

and within a year and two months she was kind of like a size 22.

I was shocked when I was not going to be living with James.

They said, "You've put on a lot of weight,

"and we're here to help you to lose the weight."

She likes her food, basically.

She likes her food, and when her and James get together

they spend so much time BEING together

they forget to do the everyday things like taking exercise

and maybe planning food and shopping and then eating sensibly,

I think relied a lot on takeaways and meals out and things like that.

She had terrible stretch marks,

they were the physical things you could see,

-but then she had problems walking.

-She was breathless.

Breathless after about 20 yards, couldn't really walk any distance.

It was like self-destruction in front of our eyes, it was shocking.

I felt kind of upset because... they knew me since I was born,

and I was a lot slimmer when I was that age.

And when they saw me get bigger, it broke their heart.

My worry was that she would just get heavier and heavier

and end up being totally immobile.

I just thought that that was a real health issue

and the best thing to do was to step in and do something.

We thought James would end up as her carer,

which is a completely bonkers situation.

Body Pump this morning, has it started yet?

No, it's not started.

Natasha's parents have set her a target -

she must go from her old 14 stone back to a healthy 8.5

before she can move back in with James.

Natasha is working really hard to reach this target.

My mum and dad have done me a timetable

of things that I need to do.

Zumba class on a Monday morning at quarter past ten,

I've got an easy aerobics class at eleven o'clock on a Tuesday,

got a body pump, boxercise, another zumba class.

All this hard work is having a dramatic effect.

These are a size 22, and...

I can put them on this way,

and I've lost that much weight.

It feels kind of strange because I used to fit into them.

Although Natasha spends weekdays at home, her parents have agreed

to a compromise which means she can spend her weekends with James.

I'm going out tonight, so...that with that.

I'm packing to see James tonight

and I'm going to be spending the weekend with him.

When I first saw James...

he...was all nice to me...

and...nice and he used to spoil me with nice things.

I didn't actually choose the ring.

When I got a bit bigger, it didn't fit

so I had to have like a chain,

like you just saw there, around my neck.

How does it feel to be able to wear it again?

It's good actually, but sometimes I can't take it off

cos it's a bit hard to take off.

As Natasha packs to leave, her mum has her concerns.

We find that when she goes back through to Edinburgh,

she tends to put... She either puts weight on or doesn't lose as much.

It kind of slows down her progress.

I like my food...

but I intend not to eat an awful lot

because I know I'm on a healthy eating thing.

I'm on a healthy eating plan, so I'm not going to eat a lot of food.

And I won't eat chips!

Say hi to James, give him my love, have a nice weekend.

-I will.

-Watch what you're eating!

-I will!

-OK. Love you, Mum.

Love you too!

While Natasha longs for an independent life away from her family,

like 70% of adults with learning disabilities,

Peter already lives by himself.

But that doesn't mean he's independent.

-Did you boil the kettle?

-No, do you want to put it on?

-You've got stock cubes, haven't you?

-Yeah.

Peter has support 9-5, Monday to Saturday.

-We can always blend it afterwards.

-Yeah.

And life can still be lonely.

There you go.

He's got a small circle of friends,

so obviously we need to try increase that

so we're trying to get activities for him where he can do things and meet people.

Hopefully from that he'll gain friendships.

A real life, rather than a support team round him.

Smells lovely, that's good. Soup's up!

-OK, Pete, so until tomorrow!

-Yeah.

-See you later, Tom!

-See you then.

-Aye.

So what's your plans for tonight?

Just sit in and watch the telly.

-And you've got your soup in there, don't forget that.

-Yeah, I will.

-Nice. See you later, Tom!

-See you, Pete, cheers!

-Bye, bye!

At five o'clock, when his support worker goes home, Peter is all alone.

Fish, mmm! I don't like fish, don't like fish, hate fish.

I like bacon, though.

I might phone Hughie and see if he wants to talk to me.

My pal Hughie.

Hello, Hughie, how are you?

Are you wanting me to come up later?

Right, OK. Bye, bye.

Naw, Hughie doesn't want me to come down to his bit today.

Turning him over.

The bacon looks a bit on the crispy side.

Taking the fish.

Hmm.

Back in Larkhall, Richard's lucky enough to have a supportive family round him.

Before you go out, check keys to get back in.

As far as his family are concerned,

trying to get Richard a girlfriend is just part of the bigger effort

of preparing him for life on his own.

The point of lifeskills

is trying to get him to be able to independently look after a house,

for when he's able to move out.

And in his room,

you have to get everything organised, otherwise it gets a bit chaotic.

Cards, sunglasses, cases, sunglasses.

Pants, always remember labels so you all know what they are.

Would you not just know what they were by looking at them?

No, no chance!

I have to roll them up so they're in the correct places, the pants.

Teaching Richard to be independent has not been easy for either Richard or his family,

as his brother knows.

When Mum and Dad first started trying to get him

to be independent, for example, Rich would go into the living room

and turn the fire on.

Now, we use a handheld clicker to light the fire.

If that's not there, Rich will go and look for it with the gas on.

He'll just go hunting for it, so the gas will fill up in the room

while he's looking for this hand-held clicker and he doesn't understand that that's dangerous!

Oh, shit! Time already!

Everything has to be trained, everything has to be like practical,

and once it's practical, it has to be reinforced and reinforced and reinforced,

and soon as you've done that, you're onto the next thing.

And this is why we've always been for his independence

because everything in his life is training him to cope.

Oh, shit!

Richard would love to have a job.

Instead, he does a work placement for two hours a week at Subway.

It may not be real work,

but at least it gives him experience.

He was in college for a few years, but the nature of Rich's disability,

they won't let him do a course where there's an exam.

They say he's not capable enough to sit an exam.

Rich wants to work

but the difficulty being is that no-one wants to take him on because of his disability,

and he can't go to college to learn anything.

Have to go work.

The nature of Rich's condition, routine is such a big part of it,

that it's easy for him to fall into a loop, and do the same thing over and over,

and that's fine, it's keeping him out of trouble,

but he's not getting much quality of life,

and we've found that through pushing him into new experiences,

pushing him into situations where has to make his mind up,

his horizons are just so much fuller now.

Natasha is back in Edinburgh with her fiance James

and they're marking the occasion with a meal out together.

I don't mind if we share or not, I don't mind.

But the week's separation has been difficult for them.

I had a feeling like you have lost something on your body.

Like your arm or your leg,

and you have the sensation that it's still there.

That's how I feel about James now.

I don't want to lose him.

How do you feel when I am not there?

I have this toy and I cuddle that when I'm in bed.

And I think about you all the time.

You know that song that you and me cry to in that film, Titanic?

I always cry to it when you're not there.

-Are you enjoying it?

-Thanks, really lovely.

I want to see him more, so I can be apart from my mum and dad.

So I can live back here again and do all the things I used to do

like stay up until the crack of dawn

or go out to clubs or to restaurants.

Thank you.

-That's one big bone, baby.

-I know.

I can't find the words to say how much I love you. And...

This is your home and I want to be with you for the rest of my life.

I love you too.

In the morning, Natasha packs to return to her parents'.

So how do you feel about going at the end of the weekend?

A bit upset because I'm leaving James here.

I get to see him every weekend, but...

All I have to do is wait four days and then he comes, don't you, James?

Yep. Mainly...

I get emotional...

..and sometimes I, er...

..I cry for her.

Bye, James.

You know I love you.

Back home in Glasgow, Peter is looking at photos of the family he used to have.

That's my mum, that's my dad, that's my...I think auntie,

and that's my granny, they three...they three have died.

My mum sadly passed away frae problems with drink,

she couldn't handle, she couldn't get help for drink...

off things... She sadly died.

She drank when I was in her stomach

and she was drinking a lot

and it affected my progress and my learning and that.

I feel upset and angry

because if she hadn't of done it, I'd be fine.

I was a small baby at the time.

My dad said I was so small he could just hold me,

from there to there, in the palm of his hand.

Do you think that was to do with the alcohol?

Maybe, maybe I wanted out early.

Maybe I wanted out early from my mum.

And I didn't want to stay in any more.

I think so. There's photos of me with my sister Angie.

Angie's important to me because, if anything happened to me,

she'd be the first to know about it.

Peter's sister may be important to him,

but that doesn't mean he gets to see her regularly.

In a bid to combat his loneliness,

Peter is going to the other side of Glasgow

to meet her at a cafe near where she works.

-I'm happy seeing my sister.

-Why's that?

Because I've no' seen her for a while.

That's no' her. I thought it was her running.

I thought it was her running across the road there, but it's no'.

It's a woman jogging. Jogging.

She's not answering.

She's not answering.

I'm sad my sister never came.

She never turned up, so...

I enjoyed myself, myself.

That's it getting busy now, so I'll call that a day.

I don't think she's coming, I don't think.

I don't think she's coming.

She's not coming.

-PHONE RINGS

-If I can get it...hurry up!

Back home, Peter gets a call.

Angie!

Right, OK.

OK.

Right, bye. Bye.

That was Angie, she's just been from the hospital.

She'll rearrange with us to go up again on another day.

It's been a month since Richard and Jillian got together

and things are no longer looking so rosy.

She just said to me that

"What have I ever done to you?

"You're not a good boyfriend" and all that type of thing.

She hadn't actually said she was finishing with him,

but she didn't want him to speak to her the way he was speaking to her.

Today they're meeting up to try to work through their differences.

But when two people with Asperger's get together,

communication can be a challenge.

Richard is having difficulty knowing where to start.

So, tell me about your interests.

What things do you like, Jillian?

I like dancing.

What else?

Juggling.

Eventually, Richard gets to the nub of the issue.

Last week, they went on a cinema date.

Because the lift was broken and she has a phobia of stairs,

Jillian couldn't go and see the film.

Richard just couldn't understand why she was reacting like this.

The way Richie is at moment,

I think that, um...it is quite difficult for him

to put himself in the other person's shoes.

Well, it's not my fault that I cannae do these stairs.

Uh-huh.

Because I feel like I'm scared

-and, like, shaky.

-You're frightened?

-You're frightened?

-Aye.

Despite the challenges, Richard does his best to understand where Jillian is coming from.

It's all right, we're here to sort this.

If you want to go in the lift to the cinema, that's fine.

If you can't manage with the stairs and escalators, that's fine.

I want the relationship to work, so we can be together.

I'm happy that you and I are together, I'm happy that we're girlfriend and boyfriend.

You know I really love you to bits?

Oh, that's nice.

Richard has pulled the relationship back from the brink.

And he doesn't hold back from showing Jillian his affection.

He thinks that's what it's all about, smoochin' all the time.

You know, he's like a wee boy that way.

-Bye, honey.

-Bye.

And then he's got the man inside him as well, and they're both contradictory to one another.

And how did you think it went with Richard?

'I would say he's brilliant.'

You would say he's brilliant, would you?

It went OK, but you didn't know what to say?

So you found talking quite difficult.

-'Aye.'

-That's OK.

That's OK.

It's the weekend. Natasha is back in Edinburgh with James.

When the couple are together, they get a chance to plan to their wedding.

-Shall we try that one on you?

-Yeah.

-Let me show you the back, look.

Wow!

I've always dreamed of having a wedding,

so I don't mind what age I am when I have a wedding,

but I really, really want one.

I was really quite pleased because when you have any child,

you want them to grow up...

..and be independent and be happy and content.

And do what the rest of us do.

I love that!

-Hi, honey.

-Hello.

I can see the minister just standing there saying,

"I now declare you husband and wife."

I'm going to cry in a minute.

Well, just you cry, I'll get you a tissue if you want. You look good.

-I'm sure James doesn't mind, do you, James?

-No, not me.

-Not a bit, no. It's happy tears, isn't it?

-Yeah.

# Every day It's a-getting closer

# Going faster than a roller-coaster... #

Next stop, the wedding fair,

where Natasha and James hope to make their wedding dreams come true.

How it works is you bring your music along

and I work out a dance that suits you to the music.

So when you actually get up to dance, you can,

rather than thinking, "Oh, no, I wish it was over." So when's the wedding?

We don't know the year yet, but it's going to be in July, the 24th.

24th of July, but we haven't decided on the year yet.

She's got all these ambitions about the wedding, but you know,

if there is going to be a wedding,

then we need to all plan that together.

She says their role models are Posh and Becks.

So we're going to have to rein that in a bit.

You've got to get me one of these cars!

You've got to get ME one of these cars!

How much is an average wedding, James?

Basic flat rate for an average wedding would be £2,000, roughly,

but there's a high-risk chance

it will go a lot higher than that.

Way off the scales sort of thing. Going up to...

going up to about a million, roughly.

From £2,000 to a million.

That's the whole range of high-street packages.

Just from a maths point of view, she's not that good with numbers.

There you go. Put that in the bag.

Tash reminds us that James has savings,

but even his savings would be wiped out with a wedding.

-INTERVIEWER:

-The average wedding actually costs about £15,000.

£15,000?

Phew, that's a lot of money!

We're not spending THAT much!

While the wedding may be expensive,

the cake samples are free.

Oh, wow! Try that lovely ganache!

Ganache?

Oh, baby! That's good!

Natasha and James are tucking in.

It's very moist, isn't it?

Oh, baby!

That's gorgeous!

Yeah, like you.

-The cakes were lovely.

-Yeah, yeah.

I liked the one with the white icing.

Mmm. That was a nice one. Definitely.

It was like my wedding dream-come-true cake.

Yep.

In one week's time, a new kind of event

will be appearing on the learning disabilities social scene.

A club night.

For the first time, young Scots with learning disabilities

will be able to go out clubbing, just like their peers.

And for Peter, this is an extra special event.

He's the headline act.

In order to get him ready for the big day,

a DJ has been taken on by Peter's support team to mentor him.

-I got it! I got it!

-Well done!

We're going to try and make it as easy as possible,

because the main thing is that you enjoy yourself.

When you enjoy yourself, everybody else enjoys themselves.

Then you can start doing your poses and your hand claps.

-HE LAUGHS

-Handstands!

I don't know about handstands!

But you can give it a shot!

-I'll look after the music while you're doing it!

-Aye!

As well as honing his DJ skills,

Peter is working hard to drum up a crowd.

I'm very nervous because I've got a busy schedule today, tomorrow...

I've got three things on tomorrow.

Hello, you're listening to Emma Clifford

on Sunny Govan Community Radio....

Rob, the event coordinator of the night,

is accompanying him on his publicity drive.

Why do we need this event?

The reason we need a night like this

is to give people with learning difficulties

the same options that we have for going out and enjoying themselves

and meeting each other.

So, Peter, do you have someone special in your life?

-Do you have a girlfriend?

-No, not really.

I'm hoping to find a girlfriend

and I'm hoping that she's nice and beautiful and kind

and has like interest to me as well.

So...so that's quite a list of things

that you're looking for there!

-Will you go out with me?

-Wow!

This has never happened to me on my radio show before.

-Really?

-Live on air!

But, unfortunately, I'm already taken.

Aw, bombed out again! I'm going to greet!

Sorry! But you'll find someone on the night, Peter.

You definitely will. Definitely.

-I hope so.

-Good luck to you.

It's Call Kaye this morning,

with Kirsty Wark standing in for Kaye.

How many people are you expecting at the club night?

Well, we're hoping to have, like, 250 people.

That is a tremendous number of people.

And then if that's a success, the idea is that you'll repeat it?

Yeah, I'll do, like, a monthly gig with them.

Do you think people are nervous,

as all people are, on first dates,

or on the possibility of having a date?

Yeah, they're always a wee bit nervous.

I try and just say, "Hiya!" to girls

and I try and get to know them.

I ask them if they've got a boyfriend, are they single,

and things like that.

But it's kind of... They kind of back me down,

and say, "I've got a boyfriend," thingmy and that...

-But you just kind of persevere?

-Yeah.

-PHOTOGRAPHER:

-One for safety.

What did you think of Kirsty, the presenter?

Nice, she's kind and generous.

-Has she got a boyfriend?

-Yes.

It's the morning of Peter's club night

and Richard is also going along.

But Jillian won't be coming with him.

What happened with Jillian?

I dumped her and I split and broke up with her,

because she couldn't kiss me.

She couldn't put her arm round me. She couldn't...

As I was sitting in the chair,

I got her to sit on my knees and kiss me,

and she just won't do any of that.

That's a shame, Rich,

-but that's what happens sometimes.

-Girls!

How did Jillian react when you told her, Richie?

She just got upset and angry and cheeky.

How do you feel about it all? Was it hard?

Yeah, it was difficult.

That's what happens. That's the thing.

You have a few girlfriends before you find one that...

that's The One, as they say.

Now that Richard is a single man again,

he's determined to make an impression.

HE LAUGHS

-Let me see you from the front.

-HE LAUGHS

Let's see you.

I would go for you, if I was a young girl, Rich!

Especially with that hairdo!

Meanwhile, Peter is approaching his big night

with a mixture of excitement and nerves.

It will be good once it starts.

Yeah, it'll be ready. It'll be...rock and roll.

I'm nervous for that, because if I go on and people go,

"Oh, come on! This DJ again?! I'm not happy about this!"

Or they don't dance and they don't dance to my music.

I'll probably talk to the girls.

I'm just hoping someone will want my number.

-DJ Bowers, ladies and gents!

-CHEERING

The club night kicks off.

A crowd gathers, and Richard makes his entrance.

# Now I'm feelin' so fly like a G6

# Like a G6, like a G6... #

It's Richard's first time in a nightclub,

and he's loving the atmosphere.

Absolutely awesome! Brilliant!

I'm going to chat to someone!

By God, I'm going to do well at it!

Care for a dance, please?

If you're in the mood?

Excuse me, care for a dance?

No, sorry!

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

That's what this says!

Look at what it says! Look at what the note says!

Oh, I do, aye.

Do you have a boyfriend? Do you?

-Hold on a wee second.

-Right, right.

LOUD DANCE MUSIC PLAYS

While Richard is focused on finding a girlfriend,

Peter is sidetracked by a different search.

My sister's supposed to be coming at eight,

so I'm waiting for her.

She's booked in. I'm going to go and see her.

Hannah, if my sister comes,

she's supposed to be due at eight,

then I'm in there.

Without further ado, I'd like you to give it up

for your headline act tonight, DJ Peter Bowers!

CHEERING

His set has begun, but his sister still hasn't arrived.

# You can go hard or you can go home

# You can go hard or you can go home

# You can go hard or you can go home

# You can go hard or you can go home... #

See, I told you! I told you I'd be here!

That's my sister!

That was my sister coming to see me!

I'm very proud.

He's absolutely great at his job.

He's busy.

He's busy, busy, busy!

I asked for a couple of requests and he's not having it.

He's like, "Nah, they're too slow, Angie."

And I'm like, "Aargh! No!"

He's like, "I'll do them later on in the night."

And I'm like, "Aargh!"

Yeah, he's good. He's keeping the crowd going.

Keeping it all up and going. He's good.

THEY SQUEAL

Peter has found his sister,

the crowd are loving the night,

friends have been made,

relationships have been forged.

Scotland's first ever club of its kind is a hit.

And the night is working out well for Richard too.

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

I was saying that to Fiona,

and she said "No, I don't have a boyfriend."

No, I've not got one.

Cos I'm looking for one.

-Excuse me, you can pick me.

-Oh!

-I'm free.

-Oh, yeah?

-Would that do?

-Yeah.

Would you and I be willing to go out on a date one day?

When I'm not busy.

Aye, exactly.

-Will we go for a coffee, please?

-Erm...

-OFF CAMERA:

-Just as pals, and you can see how you get on.

-Yeah, see how it goes on.

-Yes.

As Richard says hello to a budding relationship,

Peter is saying goodbye to his sister.

I'll see you soon. Give me a phone.

Aye, I'll phone you tomorrow.

-You're so sweaty!

-I know!

-THEY LAUGH

She wanted to stay to the end,

but she had to go because she had to get the last train at 11.

Cos the last train's at 11.

At the end of the night, when we were packing up,

I just got a glimpse downstairs...

two people snogging. I wish that was me!

You'll be phoning me, so you will,

and you and I will be willing to meet up and see each other.

-Yeah.

-Would that do?

-Uh-huh. Yeah.

-Bye.

-SHE GIGGLES

Excuse me. Again?

-Bye. Bye, Fiona!

-Bye!

Bye-bye! Bye-bye!

Bye!

Richard is delighted with his new girlfriend, and so is his mum.

You're getting really good now at finding girlfriends

-and knowing what to say, Richie.

-Yes.

And you were really good at drawing her out

and getting her to talk about herself.

-Yes.

-Weren't you?

I was listening to the whole thing. I wasn't butting in.

Exactly!

On the back of the club night, Peter is meeting up with his sister

near the house where they last lived together.

See who can throw the furthest!

-Wait a minute...

-Here's a flat one!

Look, there's a flat one!

That's a good, flat one. This'll work.

Don't go too close to the edge!

Watch the swans!

Used to kick about here.

-Did you?

-Yeah. So did you!

-Did I?

-Yeah. You used to run about.

Did I kick the ball in the water?

No, cos we stayed just further up.

You were only in primary school.

That was the last time we were together.

We went kind of...

You ended up getting removed away,

and I ended up leaving and got my own house.

-Are you going to greet now?

-No.

-Are you sure?

-Yeah, absolutely.

-HE GIGGLES

Listen, you cry more than I do!

I don't know what you're talking about! You cry all the time!

I don't cry, you do!

-Right, in that direction.

-Timber!

SPLASH IN WATER

Peter has had a difficult upbringing,

but it hasn't stopped him wanting children of his own.

I do want to have a family so that when I die, old,

and I get cremated and all that,

my kids will look back at this and think,

"That's my dad. My dad who brought me up for 40 years."

Yeah, there's nothing better than having a...yeah.

I don't want to live my life lonely and just die.

Just die lonely.

But you won't. You will, thingmy...

but you just have to focus on it, then.

-Mmm-hmm.

-Definitely.

Try and get kids. Try and get a girlfriend.

Well, the girlfriend comes first.

-Before the kids...

-SHE LAUGHS

Yeah. Get a relationship.

I hope it for him,

but I don't know if it will ever be possible.

Because he's not...the greatest one for taking care of things.

I thought I'd start off with a plant for you.

If you can keep a plant growing for a year...

-HE LAUGHS

-If we can keep you a plant growing for a year,

then we'll move up and advance to a hamster, right?

And if you keep that going, then you can have children! OK?

-HE LAUGHS

-Then we'll allow you to have kids!

What I hope for Peter is that he's not on his own.

That he settles down and that he's got somebody

that he can wake up every morning with and he's happy.

For Angie, Peter's ADHD is the reason

he gets distracted from what he really needs. Love.

If he just sort of focuses and tries to realistically think,

yeah, he could get it.

And yeah, he should, but because he gets side-tracked

and he gets excited about other things.

In a couple of years, hopefully.

If he's DJ-ing,

-hopefully the woman will come along.

-SHE LAUGHS

Natasha, meanwhile, is almost down to her target weight.

All being well, she'll be moving back in with James within the month.

Natasha has lost an awful lot of weight.

I'm very proud that she has.

I just want her back home with me.

You will have me back home.

I don't worry that I'll have to keep stepping in.

What I worry is whether Natasha will LET me step in or not.

I think she has this feeling that

once she is back through in Edinburgh

and living independently with James,

she'll want to prove that by saying,

"You can't tell me what to do any more."

But hopefully she's learnt the lesson

that I'm not trying to interfere.

I'm really trying to help, so that in the long term,

she lives a long and happy and healthy life.

Hey, look, James!

My engagement ring.

-Coming off and on my finger!

-SHE GIGGLES

That means I've lost enough weight to put it on and take it off again.

Oh, wow! Look at that!

Now that Natasha has got her figure back,

she is able to look to the future once more.

-You look so slim! What a beautiful dress!

-I know.

-Gosh!

And look at James!

Look how smart he is! Wow!

-That's lovely!

-I look like a real bride.

You do, don't you?

When I get married,

my mum will have to learn

that I'm with James and I'm happy.

That I'm happy with James.

And if she wants to help, she can help both of us.

But sometimes, we might need our independence.

Like Mr & Mrs Withers time.

-So, sweetheart.

-Yeah?

What do you want to do?

Go out somewhere nice for dinner.

-Baby!

-SHE GIGGLES

Go somewhere Mexican...Spanish?

We can go French,

Italian, English...

..Scottish...

..I know you don't like Japanese,

but I thought Japanese.

Oh, Thai! Oh, I hadn't thought about that!

In Glasgow, it's been a week since Richard got together with Fiona,

and it looks like he really is learning just how to treat a girl.

# Don't love me for fun, girl

# Let me be the one, girl

# Love me for a reason

# Let the reason be love... #

I enjoyed his singing.

A lovely, happy man.

Kind as well.

He'll make my life much happier.

# Don't love me for fun, girl

# Let me be the one, girl... #

He's definitely learnt.

He's definitely learnt. I'm amazed.

Because he's been getting girlfriends

quite close to one another.

He's been quite lucky, really.

It's helped him to approach girls, I think,

and it's helped him to understand what they're interested in.

# Love me for a reason

# Let the reason be love. #

FIONA LAUGHS AND APPLAUDS

Very good!

That's the most goodest song

she'll never shut up listening to, you know?

SHE GIGGLES Is that right, Fiona?

Aye!

So I'll say goodbye now.

Bye-bye, honey!

Bye-bye, honey!

I think he will find the right one,

but I think it will be a very, very long time.

FIONA GIGGLES

-Say bye-bye!

-Bye-bye!

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd