0:00:10 > 0:00:13Barrow is the gateway to the Lake District.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16It was once the biggest iron and steel centre in the world
0:00:16 > 0:00:19and had a flourishing ship-building industry.
0:00:20 > 0:00:24Those days may have gone, but it also has another claim to fame.
0:00:27 > 0:00:31'It's the home town of Hairy Biker Dave Myers, and that's why I'm here.
0:00:33 > 0:00:38'Dave has agreed to help me meet the locals and to get them talking.'
0:00:39 > 0:00:43His family have lived in the area for generations
0:00:43 > 0:00:45and Dave stayed here until the age of 19.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52Having achieved fame through his Hairy Biker series
0:00:52 > 0:00:56and other programmes, he returned to his roots with his family.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00I came back about ten years ago, which was a soft option for me
0:01:00 > 0:01:01because I knew everybody,
0:01:01 > 0:01:03I knew I'd settle into the community.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07So looking down here, what do you think has changed over the years?
0:01:07 > 0:01:09I tell you what hasn't changed, though, James.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12This reddish kind of pebbledash pavement.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14Yeah, but they're all cracked now and old, a bit like meself.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17When I was a kid, the year that this was laid was the year
0:01:17 > 0:01:19I got roller-skates for Christmas.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22I can remember the smell of drying tarmac
0:01:22 > 0:01:24and me rubber wheels going like lightning up the street.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27It's things like that are magical.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30And, you know, the pavements might be a bit cracked now,
0:01:30 > 0:01:33but I'd love to think the community spirit was still here.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35- Hello!- Hello. Hiya.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39So what was life like as a kid, growing up here?
0:01:39 > 0:01:42Right, the back street was a playground.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46Everybody's back yard gate opened onto the back streets.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48So the kids are in and out of each other's yards.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54I'd spend hours and hours on my bicycle,
0:01:54 > 0:01:56going to the bottom to the top of the back street.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58As the years went on, I was allowed to venture further.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05Well, this is it. I think this is your old house.
0:02:05 > 0:02:06Gosh, yeah. It's been painted.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09- Has it?- 88, yeah. - What's changed, then?
0:02:09 > 0:02:12I remember once when my father painted this bright green
0:02:12 > 0:02:16and he sat up there in bed and there was two old ladies who were here
0:02:16 > 0:02:18and they were just basically explaining
0:02:18 > 0:02:21what a blooming awful colour they thought he'd painted the house.
0:02:21 > 0:02:22And he was just...
0:02:22 > 0:02:25He was knocking on the window. He was absolutely furious.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28- So did you know everybody around here?- Pretty much, yes.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31I mean, there was an old lady who lived on the road, Mrs Morgan.
0:02:31 > 0:02:32Lived next door.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34And me mum would always, on baking day, you know,
0:02:34 > 0:02:35give her a cake or a loaf.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37Then there was the Baines boys over there.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40They had the chip shop, you see, so that was a certain currency,
0:02:40 > 0:02:42you know? They owned the chipper.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46And of course, there were the corner shops. Newby's, Sturgeon's...
0:02:46 > 0:02:49You get the sense that there was a huge sense of community here.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52So was there corner shops on each of these corners, then, more or less?
0:02:52 > 0:02:54Yeah, and you can kind of see the scars,
0:02:54 > 0:02:56like where they've got modern brick there.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58That's where the shop windows have been bricked in,
0:02:58 > 0:03:00probably in the 1970s.
0:03:00 > 0:03:05Do you think the community's kind of divided and split because of jobs?
0:03:05 > 0:03:08Cos now people are having to travel further afield to get more work.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10So they're not around as much as they used to be.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14I personally think it's changing times.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18Barrow had a really bad time in the '90s with unemployment.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21It's bounced back, you know, pretty well.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23Always has been an element of poverty in the town.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25It's a working-class town.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28Well, I'm hoping that today we can gather some of the community
0:03:28 > 0:03:32that are around together and improve things for the better.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36I want to create an event similar to what we did in Wolverhampton,
0:03:36 > 0:03:38like a street party,
0:03:38 > 0:03:43and Dave is the perfect person to get the local community behind it.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45- You've got a few doors to knock on.- Yeah.
0:03:45 > 0:03:46I've got a few people to see,
0:03:46 > 0:03:48so you go that way and I'm going to go that way.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51- All right, James.- And we'll join for fish and chips later.- Excellent.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59- Hello.- Pleased to meet you. - Pleased to meet you, too.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01Hello, Betty. It's lovely to meet you.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04- I used to be your neighbour years ago.- You did?
0:04:04 > 0:04:05I did, just over there.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08This was the first community I knew, and we're wondering,
0:04:08 > 0:04:10- is it the same as it used to be?- No.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13- You don't know your neighbours like you used to.- Really?- Yeah.
0:04:13 > 0:04:14Every New Year's Eve,
0:04:14 > 0:04:19the whole of the street used to go to a party at the local club.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21But there's none of that now, really.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24I only know about six people up this street.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26We're doing a thing later on. It's about communities.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28We're going to have a bit of a street party.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30- Are you?- Between 4pm and 6pm.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33- We've got James Martin coming. - Oh, well.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35- You only know six people in the street.- Yeah.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38Maybe at the end of this, if you come, you might know a dozen.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41- Didn't this house used to be a corner shop?- That's right, yes.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43- Mrs Sturgeon's. - That's right. Yes, yes.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45Four-and-a-half years we had it as a shop,
0:04:45 > 0:04:48then we closed it down and made it into a big house.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52It's a fact of life that communities change,
0:04:52 > 0:04:55but sometimes people get left behind.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02Dorothy has lost her husband and daughter and, four years ago,
0:05:02 > 0:05:07her only son died suddenly, leaving Dorothy in the house on her own.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12And how have you been coping since then? Because...
0:05:14 > 0:05:19I'm not coping, to be honest. Since he went, I just can't cope.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23Well, I'm trying to.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25I don't have cleaners or anything.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29I do everything myself. I do all my own washing.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31But it's loneliness.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34But it seems to me that you've always had people around you.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36Yeah, I have. I've always mixed.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38Then, over the last, well,
0:05:38 > 0:05:40since four years ago when your son passed away...
0:05:40 > 0:05:42That's been it. Yes.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44- It's been...- Lonely.
0:05:47 > 0:05:52Dorothy's isolation is compounded by her failing eyesight.
0:05:52 > 0:05:57She has a tumour in her left eye and is partially blind in her right.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07With the loss of her family, she is increasingly isolated
0:06:07 > 0:06:10and finds that there is no-one she can turn to,
0:06:10 > 0:06:12even for an occasional chat.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15I stand at my front door.
0:06:15 > 0:06:20I don't see anybody going for three or four days, or more sometimes,
0:06:20 > 0:06:22and I don't see a soul.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28When do you find it difficult?
0:06:29 > 0:06:32I find it difficult when I'm going up town,
0:06:32 > 0:06:36because with having only the one eye and that...
0:06:36 > 0:06:39And the other eye is not really perfect.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43And you think you're somewhere
0:06:43 > 0:06:46and you find out you're not, you know?
0:06:46 > 0:06:53It's strange, it's just odd things that are strange, really.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57You find it difficult to get around because you can't see?
0:06:57 > 0:06:59I can't see properly.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02I can see silhouettes.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06I can't go on the bus or anything like that.
0:07:06 > 0:07:12And most of my friends who I used to go around and see and all that,
0:07:12 > 0:07:14they've all got... a lot of...Alzheimer's.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18So they're not, you know, they're not the same people they used to be.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20Despite all of her problems,
0:07:20 > 0:07:23Dorothy still manages to keep a smile on her face.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27I've had a wonderful life. I've...
0:07:27 > 0:07:29It's only now at old age,
0:07:29 > 0:07:32which is something nobody can run away from, can they?
0:07:34 > 0:07:36I know we'd like to, but we can't.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39And you find out it's a very lonely life.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44Dorothy is such great company and I can't help but feel
0:07:44 > 0:07:48there are people in the area who would love to spend time with her.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52Back on the street, and Dave has found a new friend.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57The community shop's been here since he lived in the area.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01- Hello.- Hello.- Hello, I'm Dave. - Pleased to meet you. I'm Pauline.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03- Pleased to meet you, Pauline. - Thank you.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05By heck, this has changed.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07Do you know, I used to have a paper round here when it was Watts,
0:08:07 > 0:08:11- the newsagent's.- Oh, yes. - What's happening now?
0:08:11 > 0:08:14Well, Mr Watts retired, so the community took it over.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18And we're running it as a community shop and a community centre.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24We run a community association, which helps people.
0:08:24 > 0:08:25Then we have a youth club.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27Anything that people have got problems,
0:08:27 > 0:08:30if they can't solve them, they normally get sent down here.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33"Go and see Pauline, she'll sort it for you."
0:08:33 > 0:08:35- Pauline, I've got a favour to ask. - What?
0:08:35 > 0:08:37I've got James Martin coming to the town.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39We want to get together and have a bit of a street party,
0:08:39 > 0:08:42just to bring people together. I wondered if you'd help us.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44Yes, certainly, I would.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46If it's anything to do with community, I will be the helper.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49- 4pm this afternoon, it's a date. - Thank you very much.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51- Thanks, Pauline. See you later. - Bye.- It's a date!
0:08:54 > 0:08:58For most people, loneliness is about relationships they've lost.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04But for some people, it's about relationships they've never found.
0:09:06 > 0:09:11Brian, a writer, is 73 and for his entire adult life, he's lived alone.
0:09:13 > 0:09:14DOORBELL RINGS
0:09:17 > 0:09:20- Mr Martin, nice to meet you.- Hello there, Brian. Nice to meet you.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22- You all right?- OK.- Good.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29Now, tell me about you. Have you met somebody in your life?
0:09:29 > 0:09:31Have you ever been married? Kids?
0:09:31 > 0:09:33I show willing. I try now and again.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36But I'm not the guy who gets the girl.
0:09:36 > 0:09:37I've never been married.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39I know that, throughout my life,
0:09:39 > 0:09:42I've always been in recurring situations
0:09:42 > 0:09:46where I find myself staring at a piece of paper and asking,
0:09:46 > 0:09:48"Why am I so alone all the time?
0:09:48 > 0:09:51"Why does it always end up with me
0:09:51 > 0:09:54"being by myself, alone,
0:09:54 > 0:09:55"..again?"
0:09:56 > 0:09:59And it feels like fate, doom, or whatever.
0:10:02 > 0:10:03Strange.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07The feeling that...
0:10:07 > 0:10:10you can't communicate with people
0:10:10 > 0:10:12or that you have difficulty with it.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20It can feel like a kind of self-created prison.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26When you fully realise, as if for the first time,
0:10:26 > 0:10:28that you are alone...
0:10:29 > 0:10:32..and it's a terrifying feeling.
0:10:32 > 0:10:37Sat in here, you've just got your seat, your fireplace,
0:10:37 > 0:10:39your books around you.
0:10:39 > 0:10:40It's just you.
0:10:40 > 0:10:45You have to make the best of it and you can do this in various ways -
0:10:45 > 0:10:47by putting on a Byronic attitude
0:10:47 > 0:10:50and giving two fingers to the rest of the world and...
0:10:52 > 0:10:54"..Go to hell, rest of the world."
0:10:55 > 0:10:58When was the last time you cooked something for yourself
0:10:58 > 0:11:00that wasn't out of a packet?
0:11:00 > 0:11:02Well, we're talking...
0:11:02 > 0:11:04We'd have to go back into ancient history, really.
0:11:04 > 0:11:05I can't remember.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11How would you feel if I cooked something for you
0:11:11 > 0:11:13that I think you could easily do at home?
0:11:13 > 0:11:15- Yeah.- Would you like that?- Yeah.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17Well, by all means.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21Something that's not difficult, takes probably ten minutes to make.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23I never refuse help.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27After looking in Brian's kitchen,
0:11:27 > 0:11:30I realise that his diet is even worse than I feared.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36So after a bit of shopping, it's time to expand his taste buds.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39So, Brian, I'm going to make you something that hopefully will
0:11:39 > 0:11:42- convince you that it's worth your while.- Tell me all about it.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45- So I bought you a chopping board. - Yeah.- I've got you a little blender,
0:11:45 > 0:11:48so everything you can make in this little blender.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51- It's a really simple little soup. - I've never used a blender before.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54Well, you've got one now. So, onion first of all.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58What do you normally do for soup? Out of a tin or a packet?
0:11:58 > 0:12:00Out of a tin, everything out of a tin.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03Chop up the onion. Ready?
0:12:05 > 0:12:07I'm going to use butternut squash for this.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10- Have you ever tasted this stuff? - What's that?- Butternut squash.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12- No, no, I haven't.- It's brilliant.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15Now, the secret with this is, you can just use whatever you want.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17You can have carrots, you can have potato, you can have leeks.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20All you need to do is get some water...
0:12:22 > 0:12:24..a bit of water...
0:12:26 > 0:12:28..and bring this to the boil.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33I've been home alone for an evening
0:12:33 > 0:12:36and all I can be bothered to do is eat the beans out of a tin.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39I mean, not every time, but that has happened.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41And if someone's coming round,
0:12:41 > 0:12:44I'll probably make a bit of an effort with a pie crust.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47And I think that sort of mind-set,
0:12:47 > 0:12:49"I only deserve baked beans out of a tin,
0:12:49 > 0:12:52"but if my friend comes around, I'll make something nicer,"
0:12:52 > 0:12:57is that we don't necessarily value ourselves, cos we are taught that,
0:12:57 > 0:13:02you know, we put ourselves last and we must be nice to other people.
0:13:02 > 0:13:07But really, we really should make the effort to look after ourselves.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11Right, we're nearly there.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13Bit of butter in there.
0:13:13 > 0:13:14A touch of cream.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17- Yes.- And all we do now is just stick it in there.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23Also, once you've made it, you could stick it in the freezer,
0:13:23 > 0:13:24pop it in the fridge.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26Tell me what you think.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30Oh, yes.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34- Yes, I like that. - You like that?- Mm-hm.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39- That's better than any ready-made meal.- Yeah.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41It's not bad, that, is it?
0:13:42 > 0:13:47Brian is such an intriguing and interesting guy to speak to,
0:13:47 > 0:13:50but like many people his age, he's almost trapped in a little world
0:13:50 > 0:13:53and the world is getting smaller and smaller.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55He clearly doesn't look after himself enough.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58Whether he'll accept the help that I'm hopefully going to try
0:13:58 > 0:14:00and find for him is another matter.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05I really want Brian to come to the street party later
0:14:05 > 0:14:07so I can introduce him to some other locals.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15But all that hinges on how well Dave is doing on the street.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20- So how's it been going? - It's been amazing, actually.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23- I would say it's been like a Jacuzzi of nostalgia.- Really?
0:14:23 > 0:14:25Yeah. You know, it is wonderful.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28And what I have found when I've been knocking on people's doors,
0:14:28 > 0:14:31that the people are there, the community spirit is there.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33The people that I grew up with are there.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36But certain things aren't. Times have changed.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38So what's the plan? Have you come up with a plan?
0:14:38 > 0:14:41People around here are really friendly.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43All it takes is a little bit of a push, a little bit of love,
0:14:43 > 0:14:45to get people together.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47And I think we can forge relationships
0:14:47 > 0:14:49that will last for a long time.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51- But I have a secret weapon, James. - What's that, then?
0:14:53 > 0:14:55- My mate, Pauline.- Pauline! How are you doing, Pauline?
0:14:55 > 0:14:58- Pleased to meet you, James. - Nice to meet you.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00- So you live around here, then? - Yes, I do.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02I live right next door to our community centre now.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05She does more than just live here, James.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07- You've got an amazing place. - Thank you.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09So tell me about the community centre, then.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12The people that come in for help from us
0:15:12 > 0:15:17can be from a baby right up till 80, 90.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21And if they just want to talk or a friendly face,
0:15:21 > 0:15:23I'm there for them.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26Pauline is a great asset to this community,
0:15:26 > 0:15:30so I'm really pleased to have her involvement in our street party.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33- How many people have you got planned...coming?- Hopefully loads.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35- Yeah, we hope so.- Yeah.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38- So we're going to do it right here? - Yeah, why not?- OK.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41I've met a wonderful, wonderful person yesterday.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45- It's very difficult for her to... - Say she needs help, yes.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47But when we leave here today,
0:15:47 > 0:15:48I'd really like you to keep an eye on her.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50I will try and look after her, yes.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52But it's amazing what you can do
0:15:52 > 0:15:54with a hot dinner and a friendly hello.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57It's amazing the change you can make to people's lives.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59- So we've got a lot to do. - We certainly have.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02- Fillings, sandwiches, buttering... - Bunting.- Yeah, bunting.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05You're in charge of bunting, chairs and tables.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10Now that we've got a plan for our event, Dave has gone out and about
0:16:10 > 0:16:13to drum up more support and get the community buzzing.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20- Hello, I'm Dave.- Hiya.- Hiya.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23- I'm Kerry and Oliver. - Hello, Oliver.- Hello.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27Unsurprisingly, one of the residents even remembers Dave's family.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31- Hello.- Hello, again. - Hello, nice to see you.- And you.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33- My sister used to live opposite you. - What was her name?
0:16:33 > 0:16:36- She was called Campbell, Mrs Campbell.- Campbell.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38- She used to live in number 75. - Oh, right!
0:16:38 > 0:16:41Dave's still got a lot of neighbours to meet.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45I really want there to be a good turnout, young and old.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48And we're going to have a bit of a party, a street party, at 4pm.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50Like we used to do in the old days here.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52It's like speed-dating, but for neighbours.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55- Speed-dating for neighbours?- Yeah. Fancy coming?- Are we invited?
0:16:55 > 0:16:58- Yeah, of course you are.- Shall we go? Shall we go speed-dating?
0:16:58 > 0:17:02- Right, I'll see you at four o'clock. - Right, then, see you later.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05- Thank you. Bye, Oliver! - Say bye-bye.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09It looks like Dave's getting a great response for our get-together.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12But there's one resident I particularly want to invite.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17Since meeting Dorothy last night, I've been thinking about her
0:17:17 > 0:17:21and about her situation and what I can do to help, really,
0:17:21 > 0:17:23if there's anything I can do to help.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26So I've gone to the supermarket, I've got a few bits and pieces,
0:17:26 > 0:17:29cos clearly she's not, in my opinion, not looking after herself
0:17:29 > 0:17:31as much as she should do, in terms of her health.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33So I think we need to have a chat.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37Well, I've got you a few bits and pieces, all right?
0:17:37 > 0:17:40- So I've got you some bananas, a few grapes, is that all right?- Oh, yes.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44- Now, what have you eaten today? Have you eaten anything?- Yes.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47I had a jelly with fruit in it.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50- Jelly with fruit for breakfast? - For breakfast.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54And I've have had a piece of brown bread with butter on,
0:17:54 > 0:17:55you might know, and...
0:17:55 > 0:17:58What have you got planned for supper tonight?
0:17:58 > 0:18:01Well, I had a tin of soup for my dinner.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04- You mentioned meals on wheels once yesterday...- No.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07- Would you do this?- No.- Why not?
0:18:07 > 0:18:11I don't like meals on wheels. I don't want a lot of fuss.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14- Yeah?- And I told you that yesterday.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16I like my own independence.
0:18:16 > 0:18:22That's why I will not have a cleaner or anybody to do a lot for me.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25- But it's more company than anything.- OK.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28I feel great whenever I've got company in the house.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30I'm offering to help, OK?
0:18:30 > 0:18:34And there's a person who lives on this street
0:18:34 > 0:18:35that would like to meet you.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38- Is that all right? - Yes, all right.- I'll swap you.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41You do that for me and I'll give you the grapes and the biscuits.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45- Thank you very much.- Is that a deal? - Oh, that's a deal, oh, yes.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47Having met somebody like Dorothy,
0:18:47 > 0:18:50I can really see it in my grandparents, what they were like,
0:18:50 > 0:18:54how it can be really cruel sometimes when you get older
0:18:54 > 0:18:57and how holding on for that last bit of independence is so crucial.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01And how difficult it is to ask people for help.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03And it's almost...
0:19:03 > 0:19:06You don't want to ask people for help
0:19:06 > 0:19:09because you put this pretence that everything's fine,
0:19:09 > 0:19:14when really, clearly, it isn't fine and it's not until you sort of
0:19:14 > 0:19:18get beyond the persona, the front, where you actually realise
0:19:18 > 0:19:21how much help often the elderly really need.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27It's four o'clock, the cakes are laid out,
0:19:27 > 0:19:29the sandwiches have been made
0:19:29 > 0:19:31and everything is coming together.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35People have started to arrive already.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38We've got bunting up, we've got food and we've got Pauline!
0:19:38 > 0:19:42- Hey up, Pauline.- Hiya, Dave. You all right?- Yes. James been busy?
0:19:42 > 0:19:43Oh, yeah, very busy.
0:19:43 > 0:19:44HE LAUGHS
0:19:44 > 0:19:47I've got a job for you now. Could you help move that table?
0:19:47 > 0:19:49- Yeah, of course I will.- Thank you.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53When was the last time we had a street party here?
0:19:53 > 0:19:54The last time was the Jubilee.
0:19:56 > 0:19:57So are we ready for the people?
0:19:57 > 0:20:00- I think so.- Because this is what it's all about, people.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02- It is all about the people. - And the community.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04LAUGHTER
0:20:06 > 0:20:09It really looks like Dave and Pauline have pulled it off.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11People are turning up and chatting.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17Everyone's packed into the community centre and the street outside.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22'The only thing left is for Dave to officially open the event.'
0:20:24 > 0:20:27Well, welcome, everybody, to our street party.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30Wouldn't it be lovely if this happened more often?
0:20:30 > 0:20:32- Yes!- Yes!- Things have changed around this area
0:20:32 > 0:20:34but they haven't changed that much,
0:20:34 > 0:20:36and it's lovely to see everybody here.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39Sit down, have a bit of nice food,
0:20:39 > 0:20:43a good chat, and meet your neighbours and meet your community.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47There's not much can be better, but thank you so much, so get stuck in.
0:20:47 > 0:20:48Thank you.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00As everyone tucks into their food, I need to make introductions.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04- Rosie, you work with Age UK. - Yeah, that's right, here in Barrow.
0:21:04 > 0:21:05Tell me about what they do.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08The kind of things that we do, especially the project I work in,
0:21:08 > 0:21:11it's called the Respectability Project.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13So we do various different activities
0:21:13 > 0:21:17but one of the main things we do is cooking at the centre.
0:21:17 > 0:21:18I've got the prime person for you.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21He's very, very proud. He's called Brian.
0:21:21 > 0:21:22I want you to have a chat with him.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24- No problem.- And see if we can get him involved
0:21:24 > 0:21:27- in a cooking class at least or just something.- Oh, definitely.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30- All right?- Definitely. I'd be happy to do that.- Good.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32- Brian.- Mmm?- This is Rosie.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35- I want you to meet Rosie. Have a seat there, Rosie.- Hi, Brian.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38- Hello again.- She's going to have a chat to you about certain things
0:21:38 > 0:21:41that may be of help to you. Is that all right?
0:21:41 > 0:21:44So, Brian, I'm from Age UK and what we do there is,
0:21:44 > 0:21:48we do cooking classes, cooking on a budget and cooking for one
0:21:48 > 0:21:52and really easy but healthy recipes that aren't going to break the bank.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55- Yeah.- And we do that with you as well.
0:21:55 > 0:22:00And judging from the way I was with James this morning,
0:22:00 > 0:22:02I need some lessons in cookery.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12It's not just Brian who is meeting new people.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14- We've never met, have we? - We haven't met, no.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16We live in the same street but we haven't met.
0:22:16 > 0:22:21- And you've got seven kids.- And I've got seven kids.- And I've got one.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23These two gentlemen are musicians.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27- Hi.- Hello.- All right?
0:22:27 > 0:22:30Paul, would you be interested in doing some volunteering with us,
0:22:30 > 0:22:33- with our young people? - Absolutely, yeah. I play guitar,
0:22:33 > 0:22:37sing, I could teach children, or any ages, really, how to play.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40That's going to get people together, the community, music,
0:22:40 > 0:22:44- definitely. 100%.- That'd be good. - That'd be excellent, wouldn't it?
0:22:46 > 0:22:49- All right? Can you hear everybody? - Yes.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52'And finally, the guest of honour makes her entrance.'
0:22:52 > 0:22:54Don't sit down yet. Now sit down.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58You've got Pauline in front of you, all right?
0:22:58 > 0:23:02- And I think you mightn't know, but you know me.- Eh?
0:23:02 > 0:23:06- That's what he just said. - I do know you from years ago.
0:23:06 > 0:23:07I'm going to leave you two in peace
0:23:07 > 0:23:11- and I'll catch up with you in a minute.- All right.
0:23:11 > 0:23:16'There's nothing left to do but leave those two at it.'
0:23:16 > 0:23:17Yes. Yes.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21And even Brian has come out of his shell.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23Have you come on your own?
0:23:23 > 0:23:26- I was chauffeured here.- Oh!
0:23:26 > 0:23:28You are a celeb guest, aren't you?
0:23:28 > 0:23:30'I didn't know what was going to happen at all.'
0:23:30 > 0:23:32As it happens, I've enjoyed it.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38And yeah, and you've got me out of myself,
0:23:38 > 0:23:42out of my house, at any rate, and you've got me all socialised.
0:23:42 > 0:23:43Well, Dad was like that.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46My dad used to sit in and watch television 24 hours a day
0:23:46 > 0:23:48and he used to get a bit fed up.
0:23:49 > 0:23:50You link with mine.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54It seems Pauline isn't the only person who remembers Dorothy.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56Young lady coming through!
0:23:58 > 0:24:01Friends she's lost contact with over time are keen to be reacquainted
0:24:01 > 0:24:03for a good natter.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07Betty, I've got a lady coming to see you that you know very, very well.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10THEY LAUGH
0:24:10 > 0:24:13I'm going to try and get her to come in the community centre,
0:24:13 > 0:24:15so that she feels wanted.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17You're looking good.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19I don't feel too bad but I'm not...
0:24:19 > 0:24:22- You're not fit for running yet.- No.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24- No.- I'll enter next year's marathon.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26Like me!
0:24:26 > 0:24:31'I've had a lovely time, yes, and I've met with friends - these two,'
0:24:31 > 0:24:33I've always been friends with them, really great,
0:24:33 > 0:24:36- we have had some fun, haven't we?- Yes.- Yes.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40And in the last few days, I'm not kidding you,
0:24:40 > 0:24:42I've been on top of the world.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45I really have enjoyed it all.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48- My tipple's Bailey's.- Oh, yes.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57This is what happens when you let a Hairy Biker loose onto the street.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10PEOPLE CHEER
0:25:21 > 0:25:23APPLAUSE
0:25:29 > 0:25:32The aim for today is to create a lasting impact here
0:25:32 > 0:25:34and it's looking good so far.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37Just before the bagpipes start up again,
0:25:37 > 0:25:39though, I think it's time for me to leave.
0:25:45 > 0:25:50The following week, Brian made his first trip to his cookery class.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52- Hello.- Hi, Brian.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54- You ready to do some cooking? - Yeah.- Brilliant.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56I'll take you through now to come and meet them.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59Hi, everyone, this is Brian. He's going to be joining the group.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02- There we go. - I'm not a good truster of people
0:26:02 > 0:26:05but they seem to be well-intentioned and...
0:26:06 > 0:26:11..I'll go along with what... their suggestions from now on
0:26:11 > 0:26:16and take what help there is and be grateful for it.
0:26:16 > 0:26:20- There and just move that down there.- Yes.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23- And that will just create a nice little pile in there.- Mm-hm.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29The cooking, which will presumably help me physically
0:26:29 > 0:26:33and mentally, being with people, can't be bad.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36That should help me.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38Surprising how much comes out of it, isn't it?
0:26:38 > 0:26:40I always think of myself as being a bit shy but I need
0:26:40 > 0:26:46a bit of a push into society and that's what been happening to me.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50I felt a bit shaky at first but it's been a positive experience.
0:26:50 > 0:26:51I liked it.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56So you're going to be making this for yourself at home, are you?
0:26:56 > 0:26:58That's the idea, yeah.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01I should be...well, certainly try to think
0:27:01 > 0:27:03about making a fish pie at home.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06I've got a recipe and so there's no excuse.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09Yes. Oh, yes, that's real food.
0:27:11 > 0:27:15- How's it going?- Nice.- You like it? - Yes.- Good.
0:27:15 > 0:27:16Did you help make it?
0:27:16 > 0:27:21- Well, I mashed the potatoes. - Made a very good job of it.
0:27:21 > 0:27:25But it's not just Brian who's embraced a change in life.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27DOG BARKS
0:27:27 > 0:27:31Dorothy now has an open invitation to go to the community centre
0:27:31 > 0:27:34to see her friends whenever she chooses.
0:27:34 > 0:27:38- Just give me your stick... - Oh, it was lovely to see them.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40I says, "I hadn't seen them for a year."
0:27:40 > 0:27:42SHE LAUGHS
0:27:51 > 0:27:53I'm thinking, "Now, what's that veg?"
0:27:53 > 0:27:55I can't see the colour of it.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58I thought it could be part of the tablecloth.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04Now we know who Dorothy is, we'll be getting her involved in a lot
0:28:04 > 0:28:07more things. She's going to be one of the crew.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10And hopefully we can get her involved in all the events,
0:28:10 > 0:28:12like our Christmas bingo party.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14Dorothy would fit in well with the lot of us.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19She won't be left on her own no more.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22It's made me feel an awful lot better.
0:28:22 > 0:28:26We just have a giggle and that makes it.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28Walks all the way round
0:28:28 > 0:28:31and gets in the side without the steering wheel on it.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36I've got to be honest, I've learnt a lot in Barrow.
0:28:36 > 0:28:38Sometimes the odd meal or two, a little bit of conversation
0:28:38 > 0:28:41can bring a spark back into people's lives.