0:00:02 > 0:00:05MIKE: Attention, the My Life In Care videos are about to receive their
0:00:05 > 0:00:06world premiere in the TV room.
0:00:06 > 0:00:10Don't miss these personal takes on what life is really like in
0:00:10 > 0:00:12Ashdene Ridge.
0:00:12 > 0:00:13And this time, it's me!
0:00:13 > 0:00:15You have been warned.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20Right, you guys, are you ready for this?
0:00:20 > 0:00:22Any laughing and it'll be double chores.
0:00:22 > 0:00:23I mean it.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27'Hello. I'm Michael Milligan,
0:00:27 > 0:00:29'lead care worker at Ashdene Ridge.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32'But you kids know that already, so...
0:00:32 > 0:00:36'Everyone else here seems to have had their say about our home.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38'So I'm going to tell you how it really is,
0:00:38 > 0:00:40'from the man who sees everything.'
0:00:42 > 0:00:44So, girls, what do you think?
0:00:44 > 0:00:47- Top quality, eh? - You could be in Lord of the Rings.
0:00:47 > 0:00:48As a hobbit.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51'So what am I like?
0:00:51 > 0:00:52'Depends on who you ask.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55'Some might say I'm handsome, a work of art.'
0:00:56 > 0:00:57Guess what this is?
0:00:59 > 0:01:02- A hippo? - BOTH:- It's Mike.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05'To others, I'm wily and clever.'
0:01:05 > 0:01:06You've called your snake Mike?
0:01:06 > 0:01:09Isn't that going to get a little bit confusing?
0:01:09 > 0:01:12- Mike's just done a poo. - THEY LAUGH
0:01:12 > 0:01:14'A snake? Really, guys?
0:01:14 > 0:01:17'I mean, would it be too much to be compared to animal that gets some
0:01:17 > 0:01:21'respect, like a lion, or an eagle, or, uh...'
0:01:21 > 0:01:24We thought long and hard about who we were going to name him after.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26'I think you know what's coming by now.'
0:01:26 > 0:01:28- We decided to call him... - ALL:- Mike!
0:01:28 > 0:01:29LAUGHTER
0:01:29 > 0:01:32'I would like to take this opportunity to announce a new rule
0:01:32 > 0:01:34'in the house. As and from today,
0:01:34 > 0:01:36'no naming of animals after anyone
0:01:36 > 0:01:38'with a name beginning with M.'
0:01:38 > 0:01:41How about May-Li?
0:01:41 > 0:01:42Oh. There's an exception to every rule.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44LAUGHTER
0:01:44 > 0:01:46'In fact, no more animals, full stop.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50'Got that? I've got my hands full keeping you lot fed and watered.'
0:01:52 > 0:01:54All right, troops. Let's saddle up!
0:01:54 > 0:01:56Let them eat cake, then. Goodnight.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58And if you require any room service,
0:01:58 > 0:02:01please feel free to call the desk.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03But if you do get into trouble,
0:02:03 > 0:02:05my door is always open,
0:02:05 > 0:02:06even if some of yours aren't.
0:02:06 > 0:02:07Mo?!
0:02:09 > 0:02:11Lily, please come out.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15'So what's my thing?
0:02:15 > 0:02:17'What is it that makes me so much fun to live with?
0:02:17 > 0:02:20'That keeps Ashdene Ridge running so smoothly?
0:02:20 > 0:02:23'Well, I'm good with money.'
0:02:23 > 0:02:25- SHE SCOFFS - Yeah, tight more like.
0:02:25 > 0:02:26Oi, shush.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30'Especially when, by spending less, we can help save the planet.'
0:02:30 > 0:02:33The council's giving an award for the greenest children's home.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35So what does the greenest children's home have to do?
0:02:35 > 0:02:37All the basic stuff.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39You know, like reducing waste.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43But I want us to take this to another level.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47- Upcycling.- See, told you - tight.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49Fly swatter.
0:02:49 > 0:02:50SCATTERED LAUGHTER
0:02:50 > 0:02:53A funky earring.
0:02:53 > 0:02:54A chest wig. LAUGHTER
0:02:54 > 0:02:57That is so embarrassing.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59So the upcycling challenge is on.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02Old junk, new function. Impress me.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05'It's amazing how many of you cared about the planet...
0:03:05 > 0:03:08'and the upcycling prize that was on offer.'
0:03:08 > 0:03:10Yes! The Leaning Tower of Pizza.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12GLASS SMASHES
0:03:12 > 0:03:14Stop! What's going on?
0:03:14 > 0:03:17- Where did you find this? - The skip down the road.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21'Never has the house rallied around a cause more than on that day.'
0:03:21 > 0:03:24All of you are joint winners.
0:03:24 > 0:03:25- THEY GROAN - Mike, that's a cop out.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27Yeah, I know, here you go.
0:03:27 > 0:03:28What is it?
0:03:28 > 0:03:31- A potato clock? - Are we the greenest children's home?
0:03:31 > 0:03:34As long as we're the happiest...
0:03:34 > 0:03:35that suits me.
0:03:35 > 0:03:36Oh, you cringe...
0:03:36 > 0:03:41'A selfless display of concern for the planet we all call home.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44'I was so proud of each and every one of you.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46'Well, almost all of you.'
0:03:46 > 0:03:51Oh, no, no, you've upcycled my best vintage shirt!
0:03:51 > 0:03:53- LAUGHTER - It looks way better on Finn.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56I bought that in 1988 in a beach shack in Jamaica.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58HE GROANS
0:03:58 > 0:04:00- Oh, I thought it smelled a bit.- Oi!
0:04:00 > 0:04:03Right, that's it - no more upcycling. Right?
0:04:03 > 0:04:05From now on, it's banned.
0:04:05 > 0:04:06THEY CHEER
0:04:06 > 0:04:08Give me back my shirt!
0:04:08 > 0:04:11'OK, so there's more to being green than upcycling.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13'It's all about making what we have
0:04:13 > 0:04:15go a long way here at Ashdene Ridge,
0:04:15 > 0:04:17'which is where my DIY skills come in handy.'
0:04:21 > 0:04:24Which lucky lads are going to help me clear out the garage, eh?
0:04:24 > 0:04:25No, no, no! HE GRUNTS
0:04:25 > 0:04:26TAP SQUEAKS
0:04:26 > 0:04:28LOUD RUMBLING
0:04:28 > 0:04:31'And although I am a world expert on DIY,
0:04:31 > 0:04:34'you will never catch me doing electrics on my own. No way.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37'There's one thing I will never compromise on, and that's
0:04:37 > 0:04:39'health and safety.'
0:04:39 > 0:04:41Can anybody else smell smoke?
0:04:41 > 0:04:42It must be the barbecue.
0:04:43 > 0:04:44But I haven't lit it yet.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46MIKE GROANS
0:04:46 > 0:04:49I can't believe you did something so utterly idiotic and dangerous.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52- Step off the trampoline now, please. Come on, off you come.- What?
0:04:52 > 0:04:54Look at the rust, it's lethal. Come on.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56- MAY-LI:- Sorry, kids. It might look safe to you,
0:04:56 > 0:04:58but we just can't risk it.
0:04:58 > 0:04:59'That's another one of my things -
0:04:59 > 0:05:04'the effortless respect of all the young people in my care.'
0:05:04 > 0:05:06JAUNTY MUSIC
0:05:08 > 0:05:12'It's typical that it was at this moment the council decided to call
0:05:12 > 0:05:14'a snap health and safety inspection.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16'If only the inspectors had come on a normal day.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19'Sadly, there are no normal days at Ashdene Ridge.'
0:05:19 > 0:05:21Thank you so much for coming.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25This is Billy.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28Poor Billy - he's had a fatal accident,
0:05:28 > 0:05:30unfortunately, so he can't do any bouncing.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35He tripped over our massive, hairy dog and fell all the way
0:05:35 > 0:05:36down the stairs.
0:05:37 > 0:05:42Kids, let me introduce the health and safety inspector.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45'Luckily, Finn's leg looked a lot worse than it was.'
0:05:45 > 0:05:48It's not the first time you made a meal out of an injury, is it, Finn?
0:05:48 > 0:05:50It really hurt.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53'Something really serious happening to one of you lot is probably one of
0:05:53 > 0:05:55'my worst fears. And, believe me,
0:05:55 > 0:05:58'I know how fragile life can be.'
0:05:58 > 0:06:00- HE GROANS - Are you OK?
0:06:00 > 0:06:01Yeah.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03'Even though I put a brave face on it,
0:06:03 > 0:06:05'some of you guessed something was up.'
0:06:05 > 0:06:08Look...I'm fine. All right?
0:06:08 > 0:06:10Whatever it is, you can tell us.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14All right. I-I didn't want you guys to...
0:06:14 > 0:06:16- HE YELPS - Mike!- Whoa!
0:06:16 > 0:06:20'But you know me - I'm never one to make a fuss. It's not my thing.'
0:06:22 > 0:06:23Um...
0:06:24 > 0:06:25What did the doctor say?
0:06:26 > 0:06:29Turns out...I've got a kidney stone.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32A kidney stone? That's nothing.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34THEY LAUGH Oi.
0:06:34 > 0:06:35Stop sniggering at the front.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37And at the back. May-Li?!
0:06:39 > 0:06:42'You'll be pleased to hear I pulled through in the end.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44I'm going to be just fine.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48THEY CHEER
0:06:48 > 0:06:50HE GROANS Oh, careful, it hurts!
0:06:50 > 0:06:53'That was a bad day...for a bit.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56'But it was nothing compared to the day when I thought I was going to
0:06:56 > 0:06:58'have to leave Ashdene Ridge forever.'
0:06:58 > 0:06:59What are you looking for?
0:06:59 > 0:07:02Oh, Carmen's file. I could see how busy you are,
0:07:02 > 0:07:04I thought I'd update it.
0:07:04 > 0:07:05- Where is it?- It's in my car.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09- It's in your car?- Yeah.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11Mike, those files aren't allowed outside the house.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15'I'd taken Carmen's personal file home to work on.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18'Having it stolen was a massive professional breach of conduct.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23'Worst of all, I'd let Carmen down.'
0:07:23 > 0:07:25I want to report Mike.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28It was my file that got stolen in the car,
0:07:28 > 0:07:29and now it's gone!
0:07:31 > 0:07:33You're going to need to speak to head office.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37'What happened next was inevitable.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39'I was suspended.'
0:07:39 > 0:07:40So you're leaving?
0:07:43 > 0:07:45For the time being, yes.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49'Leaving Ashdene Ridge like that was the worst day of my life.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51'But I'd lost the files and that was that.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56'I would accept whatever the disciplinary board decided.
0:07:57 > 0:07:58'Luckily for me,
0:07:58 > 0:08:01'there were some of you who didn't give up so easily.'
0:08:01 > 0:08:03Look at this. Carmen.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07That's MY file. What's it doing over here?
0:08:07 > 0:08:09Mike was sure it was in the car.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12But if it was here all along, Mike's done nothing wrong.
0:08:12 > 0:08:13Come on!
0:08:15 > 0:08:16'If you do wrong in life,
0:08:16 > 0:08:19'there are consequences, I know that.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21'But I learned something else that day -
0:08:21 > 0:08:25'I'm lucky enough to have people in my life who will look out for me.'
0:08:25 > 0:08:27What on earth?
0:08:27 > 0:08:29Guys! Guys, what are you doing?!
0:08:29 > 0:08:32- You've got to see this.- No.- It's the file that Mike thought was stolen
0:08:32 > 0:08:35from his car. It's been at the office back at the care home.
0:08:35 > 0:08:36We've only just found it.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39'It's amazing how Carmen's file turned up like that.'
0:08:41 > 0:08:42Y-You mean I can keep my job?
0:08:44 > 0:08:45THEY CHEER
0:08:47 > 0:08:50'That day showed me what Ashdene Ridge is all about.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54'It's more than a care home to me,
0:08:54 > 0:08:56'it's family.
0:08:56 > 0:08:57You are...
0:08:57 > 0:08:59my family.
0:09:00 > 0:09:01Got a minute, Mike?
0:09:02 > 0:09:03Um, do you have a clean hanky?
0:09:03 > 0:09:06Mike, stop footering.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09So I said I'd talk to you cos I know you so much better than she does.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12First date, eh? Don't worry, they're going to love you.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14This is your allowance.
0:09:14 > 0:09:15You're very good at explaining things.
0:09:17 > 0:09:18Hey!
0:09:19 > 0:09:21Johnny, no. Johnny, no.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23Can't you see what he's doing?
0:09:23 > 0:09:26- As per usual.- 'Oh, yeah, people shouting at each other.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28'I'd only just got on to family.'
0:09:28 > 0:09:29Tyler, stop!
0:09:29 > 0:09:31Tyler!
0:09:31 > 0:09:33With family, you can't have the ups without the downs.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36And even I, a paragon of self-control,
0:09:36 > 0:09:38sometimes, occasionally, get angry.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41Mad, even.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44You do not want me even angrier than I am now.
0:09:44 > 0:09:45Some of us have to keep this place running!
0:09:45 > 0:09:47I don't suppose you ever think about that, do you?
0:09:47 > 0:09:50This house, i-it's built on trust.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53You are so busted, young lady.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56And whoever is responsible has precisely
0:09:56 > 0:10:00five minutes to own up or you are all grounded.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02- All of us?- And chores are doubled.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04- But that's not fair.- Trebled. - Mike.- Quadrupled.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06We're not done here.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08Stop pretending to care.
0:10:08 > 0:10:09It's embarrassing.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11We do care.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13You are paid to care.
0:10:13 > 0:10:14Sasha!
0:10:14 > 0:10:16Despite what some people think,
0:10:16 > 0:10:19this is much more than just a job.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21Some of the best days we have here
0:10:21 > 0:10:23are when new residents come to stay.
0:10:23 > 0:10:24Hello, girls.
0:10:28 > 0:10:29Hey, Chloe.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32I'm Mike. Mike Milligan.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34This is going to be your very own room.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36Meeting a young person for the first time,
0:10:36 > 0:10:40finding out what makes them tick, I love it.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42It's the goings I find harder.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45Goodnight...for the last time, Michael Milligan.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Goodnight for the last time, Gus Carmichael.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55'No matter how many times you say goodbye,
0:10:55 > 0:10:57'it never gets any easier.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00'But I've found ways of dealing with it over the years.'
0:11:00 > 0:11:02It's Tracy.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04Yeah. Lily, Luke,
0:11:04 > 0:11:06Liam and Frank.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09And all of the other kids who've been in my care down the years.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14Some of whom have got kids of their own now.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17For me, each goodbye is a new beginning.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20Got you something. MIKE LAUGHS
0:11:22 > 0:11:25There's an old Irish blessing -
0:11:25 > 0:11:27"May the windows be at your back,
0:11:27 > 0:11:30"and may the sun always shine warm upon your face...
0:11:31 > 0:11:33"..and may you never lose your keys."
0:11:34 > 0:11:37That's so you don't lose your very own house keys.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40- And for good luck.- Thank you.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42Come on. Come here.
0:11:42 > 0:11:43THEY SOB
0:11:46 > 0:11:49I'm really going to miss you two.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51I'm going to miss you, too.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55Go on away, the pair of you, before I start blubbing like a baby.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03So when you've all left Ashdene Ridge and moved on with your lives,
0:12:03 > 0:12:05where does that leave me?
0:12:05 > 0:12:07The real me?
0:12:07 > 0:12:11Well, some of you have taken it upon yourselves to ensure
0:12:11 > 0:12:15that old Mike Milligan doesn't pop his clogs alone and unloved.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18- What's Sian doing here? - She's having lunch with you.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25- Hi.- Hi.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30If I'd known you were coming, I'd have got dressed up.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32I'd just like to state now for the records that,
0:12:32 > 0:12:34grateful as I am for your concern,
0:12:34 > 0:12:37I don't need any help with my love life,
0:12:37 > 0:12:40thank you very much. I'm as smooth as they come.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43That was spectacular.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45I may never eat again.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47That's a shame, cos I was going to ask you out for dinner.
0:12:49 > 0:12:50- I told you he liked you. - THEY LAUGH
0:12:53 > 0:12:54I mean, come on.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56Who could resist me? I'm a catch, I tell you.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58I can dance, for a start.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01Watch and learn.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03FUNKY MUSIC PLAYS
0:13:03 > 0:13:06Say hello to the boogaloo.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08I'm down with the kids.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10Bit like being back at Glastonbury!
0:13:12 > 0:13:14'Heck, I can even play an instrument.'
0:13:14 > 0:13:16'Rock and roll, baby!
0:13:16 > 0:13:20'If that doesn't turn a not-so-young lady's head, nothing will.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22And that's me, Mike, signing off.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25If you disagree with any of it, put a note in the suggestions box.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29Hey! I think I did a pretty good job, don't you?
0:13:29 > 0:13:31- Camera loves me.- Uh, Mike?
0:13:33 > 0:13:35Did you forget to switch the camera off?
0:13:37 > 0:13:39MUSIC: Step Back In Time by Kylie Minogue
0:13:45 > 0:13:47THEY GASP AND LAUGH
0:13:49 > 0:13:52- MAY-LI:- Michael Milligan! Oh, wow.