0:00:11 > 0:00:14Ammanford is a typical Welsh coal mining town
0:00:14 > 0:00:16that sits in the Amman Valley.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19Despite the mines closing in the 1980s,
0:00:19 > 0:00:22it has retained a strong sense of community spirit.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30These are resilient folk who have a history
0:00:30 > 0:00:32of pulling together in times of hardship.
0:00:34 > 0:00:38And I've enlisted the help of a local girl who still has
0:00:38 > 0:00:40strong links with the town.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42This is the home to One Show presenter Alex Jones,
0:00:42 > 0:00:45who is proud of her Ammanford heritage.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47She has strong memories of the neighbourhood.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49Well, I mean, it's a small town, James,
0:00:49 > 0:00:53that was really heavily reliant on mining, you know, back in the day.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56- Yeah. - A mining strike happened in 1984.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58And it had a real impact, you know.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01- It's always been a real close community here.- Yeah.
0:01:01 > 0:01:02Built on industry, really.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04But after the mining strike,
0:01:04 > 0:01:06a lot of the big factories closed down.
0:01:06 > 0:01:11But even back then our neighbours, the people who lived opposite us
0:01:11 > 0:01:15and the people to the right of us, were both miners,
0:01:15 > 0:01:17and, you know, Mum and Dad rallied around.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19We didn't realise as kids, but, you know, Mum and Dad would
0:01:19 > 0:01:22take their kids to school because they didn't have money for petrol.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25- Yeah.- You know, but it was just a community like that.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28And I hope today, you know, as we go and meet a few people here
0:01:28 > 0:01:32and there, that we'll see that that still exists here.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35Well, we've got a lot to do today. I've got to meet a few people.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38- I want you to go knocking on a few doors...- OK, I can do that.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40Introducing yourself to the town.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43- And then we're going to have a bit of a do later on.- Lovely.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45- We love a bit of a do around here. - Exactly.
0:01:45 > 0:01:46So you go that way, I'll see you in a few hours.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48OK. See you later.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50I've hired the pensioners' hall.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52The idea is to fill it with locals
0:01:52 > 0:01:56and to find out if Ammanford's strong community will come together
0:01:56 > 0:01:58to help each other out.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01As Alex is a local girl, I reckon she's got a better chance
0:02:01 > 0:02:03than anybody of persuading the people
0:02:03 > 0:02:06to leave their houses for a bit to join us.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10Hello. Hiya. I'm Alex. Nice to meet you.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14I'm not sure there's anybody at home.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16It's estimated that one in ten of us
0:02:16 > 0:02:20across the UK suffers from feelings of isolation.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23My experience so far has found that whilst on the face of it
0:02:23 > 0:02:27communities are friendly, there's a big difference between saying hello
0:02:27 > 0:02:30and having meaningful contact with those around us.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36And I'm learning that people can fall through the cracks
0:02:36 > 0:02:37for all sorts of reasons.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43Many of us will at some point in our lives be confined to our homes
0:02:43 > 0:02:44because of ill health or
0:02:44 > 0:02:48because we're caring for someone who is long-term sick.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51This transition often leaves people feeling isolated.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56It doesn't take a genius to work out that getting out of the house
0:02:56 > 0:02:58and meeting people will combat loneliness
0:02:58 > 0:03:01and reduce its negative effects.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05But what if leaving the house causes more pain than it's worth?
0:03:08 > 0:03:12Kate and Paul are a young married couple who fell in love
0:03:12 > 0:03:14when they were just 17.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19We met at school.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23There's a picture here of us at Christmas our first year.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26So when was this? Your first year together?
0:03:26 > 0:03:28Oh, yeah, our first Christmas together, yeah,
0:03:28 > 0:03:32so when I was 19 and when Paul was 19.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34So, after our first year of university
0:03:34 > 0:03:38we moved into our own flat together in Cardiff.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41But their young love was soon dealt a heavy blow.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51Kate had ME and her condition deteriorated rapidly
0:03:51 > 0:03:53within 18 months of getting together.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59Paul went from history student to full-time carer.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03They both completed their studies, but now rarely leave their home.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08Although together, they both feel isolated.
0:04:10 > 0:04:17It feels like an emptiness inside, like a pain, almost,
0:04:17 > 0:04:19that you can't touch.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21And that...
0:04:21 > 0:04:23You know, that's hard for Paul
0:04:23 > 0:04:26because it's the only thing he can't really make better.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29He can't make me feel better about the fact
0:04:29 > 0:04:32that I feel like I have no friends
0:04:32 > 0:04:36and that nobody would notice if I disappeared.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41And just feeling like you have nobody to share life with, really.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46Paul and Kate are housebound
0:04:46 > 0:04:51and their routine is based entirely around managing their illness.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54Now, what's the average day for you?
0:04:54 > 0:05:00I spend all morning in bed and then in the afternoon I try
0:05:00 > 0:05:05and come down here and maybe do an activity.
0:05:05 > 0:05:06I quite like crafting.
0:05:06 > 0:05:11Around the evening time, we'll have dinner together and then we'll
0:05:11 > 0:05:13probably, like, watch a film together or something like that.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16And then obviously go to bed.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20What part of the day do you and Kate feel so lonely?
0:05:20 > 0:05:24Probably at night, you know, when you kind of get to that point where
0:05:24 > 0:05:28you're just watching TV cos that's all you can do.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31Typically, that's when people socialise, they go out together.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33When was the last time you went out?
0:05:36 > 0:05:40I went to the doctor's a couple of weeks ago, maybe two weeks ago,
0:05:40 > 0:05:41something like that.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44I try and go out about once a fortnight for an hour or two just
0:05:44 > 0:05:46kind of for my own sanity.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49When was the last time you went out with your friends?
0:05:50 > 0:05:53- Oh...- Or is that something from university?
0:05:53 > 0:05:55Yeah, it was...
0:05:57 > 0:05:59..probably years ago.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02I knew what I was letting myself in for. You know, I chose to, um...
0:06:04 > 0:06:06But it has been very difficult.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08It's a lot of stress, a lot of pressure.
0:06:08 > 0:06:13I had to do my degree full-time, care for Kate on my own full-time
0:06:13 > 0:06:14and I had to have a job.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17So you get overwhelmed, there's so much pressure.
0:06:19 > 0:06:20He's amazing, really.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25I idolise my dad and I always thought, like, I'll never meet
0:06:25 > 0:06:31anyone as kind as my dad, but Paul is exactly like him in lots of ways.
0:06:31 > 0:06:36He's very kind, he has infinite patience with me.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42- Do you feel as if you're a burden on him?- Yeah.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45I try and get rid of that feeling, but it just stays.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49You just always feel like, um...
0:06:49 > 0:06:53..you're the person that's blocking them from a life.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56This happens to me and I don't have any choice about it,
0:06:56 > 0:06:58but he has a choice.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01He could go and just have a normal life now,
0:07:01 > 0:07:05and especially when I see it making him ill.
0:07:05 > 0:07:10You know, he doesn't seem to resent me at all for the way our life is,
0:07:10 > 0:07:14even though he could go and live a completely different life.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17And I've even sat him down and said, you know,
0:07:17 > 0:07:22"I think it's fine if you would rather us break up and..."
0:07:22 > 0:07:26- Is that what you've sat down and said?- Yeah. And...
0:07:26 > 0:07:28It's tough for you, then.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33But he said that the thought had never crossed his mind.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36- But then that leaves you on your own.- Yeah.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41But when your illness is taking over someone else's life
0:07:41 > 0:07:45and you love that person, you want them
0:07:45 > 0:07:49to be...have the life that they dreamed of
0:07:49 > 0:07:53and not be stuck in a house looking after you.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00- Is that what you feel?- Yeah.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08Do you know what? I've been privileged in my job
0:08:08 > 0:08:10to meet some amazing people,
0:08:10 > 0:08:15but I've never met a couple as positive, as brave,
0:08:15 > 0:08:18as committed to each other as those two.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22For Paul to give up everything that any 19-year-old would ever wish for
0:08:22 > 0:08:26to care for somebody you love so much,
0:08:26 > 0:08:29it's kind of an inspiration for us all, really.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32Whilst they have each other, hearing that they both feel
0:08:32 > 0:08:35so alone really is heartbreaking.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39Kate adores animals and I'm convinced
0:08:39 > 0:08:41that if, on one of her good days,
0:08:41 > 0:08:44she could spend some time pursuing her love of animals,
0:08:44 > 0:08:48it could also free up some time for Paul to follow his love of writing.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53I've learnt there are places offering animal therapy
0:08:53 > 0:08:57across the UK, and as luck would have it, there's one such place
0:08:57 > 0:09:00right on Kate and Paul's doorstep.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04Being around animals in general can take away that
0:09:04 > 0:09:05feeling of loneliness.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10Especially when you're with an animal that wants to be with you.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13The thing about being with animals is that they're very genuine,
0:09:13 > 0:09:15that everything that they show you is true,
0:09:15 > 0:09:18whereas you don't always get that with people.
0:09:18 > 0:09:22That's one introduction I can make at the gathering we're organising.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26Alex is on a roll. She's knocking just about on every door.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32- Hello.- Alex.- Hiya. Alex, yeah. Hello.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- Well, how are you? Welcome home. - Thank you very much.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37Do you feel ever lonely
0:09:37 > 0:09:39or do you feel you've got enough people around you here?
0:09:39 > 0:09:44You do miss company going out, yes. You know, sometimes, innit?
0:09:44 > 0:09:47So how do you keep yourself busy, then, during the day?
0:09:47 > 0:09:50- I make musical instruments.- Do you? - Yeah.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53- Well, I'd love to see your instruments.- Yes.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55- Come in, then, and have a look. - Is that OK? Yeah? Are you sure?
0:09:55 > 0:09:59- Yeah, positive. - Have you hoovered, now?- Yes!
0:10:01 > 0:10:05Wow! That is quite something, isn't it?
0:10:05 > 0:10:08And you've made all of these?
0:10:08 > 0:10:09Gosh.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12It just goes to show that behind closed doors lie great stories
0:10:12 > 0:10:14and hidden talents.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17See you later. All right, ta-ta. Ta-ta.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22Community spirit really hinges on finding a few positive people
0:10:22 > 0:10:24who will get involved.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26And a bit of encouragement from Alex.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29- Hello.- Hiya. Nice to meet you.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32Hiya. Hiya. I'm Alex. Hiya. Lovely to meet you.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34So how long have you lived, then, on the estate?
0:10:34 > 0:10:36This particular street, 20, 21 years.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38And you must have seen it change in that time.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41Oh, I moved here and the tarmacking hadn't been done in the road.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44And, you know, how have you seen it change, then, over that time?
0:10:44 > 0:10:47When we first all started living here,
0:10:47 > 0:10:49we started building community associations.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53And were you involved, then, in this residents' association?
0:10:53 > 0:10:55Yeah, I was the treasurer and the children's coordinator.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58The neighbours passed away and then it just all faded away then.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01Yeah. So, are these your girls?
0:11:01 > 0:11:04- The first two.- The first two. All right, not three of you.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06So, what about young people in this area, then, Amanda?
0:11:06 > 0:11:09You know, is there plenty for them to do around here, would you say?
0:11:09 > 0:11:11No, there's not a lot around here now.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14- We've got a little park over the road, but that's for toddlers.- Mmm.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16But what do these girls spend time doing?
0:11:16 > 0:11:19On their mobile phones and their tablets.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22But there isn't a lot around here for them to do.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24I mean, is there plenty of work in Ammanford these days?
0:11:24 > 0:11:27No, there's not a lot of work in Ammanford at all.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29- My daughter's just recently lost her job.- Oh, never.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32- So, but there's nothing around.- No.
0:11:32 > 0:11:33Since I've been out of work,
0:11:33 > 0:11:35I've just been like a couch potato, really.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38- Mm.- You know, there's no communication any more.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40I just seemed to have locked myself away.
0:11:40 > 0:11:41- Come along this afternoon, then.- I will do.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44- And that's a starting point, isn't it?- Definitely.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46Lovely, Amanda. Lovely to meet you. See you later.
0:11:46 > 0:11:47- Thank you. Thank you.- All right.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51So, the towns and cities across Britain have people like Amanda
0:11:51 > 0:11:54who are more than capable of getting their community together.
0:11:54 > 0:11:59A few strong characters can really motivate many others.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01Nice to see you as well.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03I reckon the plan might just come together here.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05Yeah. Hello. Alex will do you.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09It's been a really lovely experience to come back here this morning.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12There's this real strong sense of community here, especially meeting
0:12:12 > 0:12:16somebody like Harry, who seems to know all his neighbours.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18And I guess the same as well with Amanda.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20She seemed really comfortable and, you know,
0:12:20 > 0:12:22she said that even though they don't have the events
0:12:22 > 0:12:25they used to do, there seems to be a good support system
0:12:25 > 0:12:29within the community. Of course you've got, then, people like Sue,
0:12:29 > 0:12:30who is a little bit isolated
0:12:30 > 0:12:32even though she's just a couple of streets away.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35And it's such a shame because there's such lovely people
0:12:35 > 0:12:38living on her doorstep that she doesn't realise are there.
0:12:38 > 0:12:43So hopefully this afternoon we can just connect everybody and, yeah,
0:12:43 > 0:12:45just expand their network a little bit.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48The more I get to understand the issue of loneliness,
0:12:48 > 0:12:50the more complex the subject seems to be
0:12:50 > 0:12:53because really, before I started this journey,
0:12:53 > 0:12:56I thought it was just a subject that affected the elderly.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00But I would never even in my wildest dreams think that it would affect
0:13:00 > 0:13:02somebody the same age as me.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08Simon is 41. He lives with his partner and two children.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12Simon was an active man.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15He worked as a trainee paramedic and in his spare time was a keen biker
0:13:15 > 0:13:18and martial arts enthusiast.
0:13:19 > 0:13:20But in recent years
0:13:20 > 0:13:24he's suffered from an illness called fibromyalgia.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29Despite wanting to be a writer, his ambition is restricted.
0:13:29 > 0:13:35He lives in constant pain, and as a result has hardly any social life.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37I had to give up work, had to give up my studies,
0:13:37 > 0:13:40I had to give up my martial arts,
0:13:40 > 0:13:43I had to give up things that I enjoyed, like walking and...
0:13:43 > 0:13:46You're literally stuck in these four walls, are you, really?
0:13:46 > 0:13:48Yeah, pretty much. Pretty much.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52- I'm assuming 8:30 in the morning, everything goes quiet.- Yeah.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56I have nothing to do until about two o'clock in the afternoon.
0:13:56 > 0:14:01- And how do you cope with that? - Just, I sleep a lot.- Right.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03Um...I read a lot.
0:14:03 > 0:14:08And...there's literally nowhere for me to go unless I go to, like,
0:14:08 > 0:14:10the shops or I take a special trip out in the car somewhere
0:14:10 > 0:14:12to a library or whatever.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16I've got no interaction and that's what I miss.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20If I could get you to explain what loneliness feels like,
0:14:20 > 0:14:22what would it be for you?
0:14:22 > 0:14:25It's like you've fallen into a hole
0:14:25 > 0:14:28and the only way out is to cry enough tears
0:14:28 > 0:14:30to float you to the surface.
0:14:32 > 0:14:33That's how it feels.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38It feels like you've...everything that once made you you
0:14:38 > 0:14:41has drained away.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44And you're just stuck, stuck in the hole.
0:14:46 > 0:14:51- And you don't see any way of getting out of it?- No.- No way?- No.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59Well, I've got to say I'm kind of shocked, really,
0:14:59 > 0:15:04because when you think of loneliness as a subject, you think of -
0:15:04 > 0:15:07well, certainly not somebody of his age, my age.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11On the outside, you look at it as the perfect family.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15And it's not until you dig deep in there where you realise that...
0:15:17 > 0:15:20..you know, this is a guy that's in constant pain.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24And because of the medical issue that he's in,
0:15:24 > 0:15:28he's then got depression which then causes loneliness,
0:15:28 > 0:15:30you get to understand
0:15:30 > 0:15:34that loneliness is not just a single thing,
0:15:34 > 0:15:37it's an accumulation of lots of things.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39But...
0:15:39 > 0:15:42..it shocked me.
0:15:45 > 0:15:50The real tragedy is that there are plenty of people who can help Simon.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53I hope that he comes to the event later.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55It will be a big step for him,
0:15:55 > 0:15:57but I'm sure with the right introductions,
0:15:57 > 0:15:59he'll find a new purpose.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05Lonely people are much more likely to withdraw into themselves
0:16:05 > 0:16:07rather than seek emotional support.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09But as hard as it may seem,
0:16:09 > 0:16:13making an effort to meet new people is essential.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19I've got to admit, Simon has really got to me.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23And got to me in a way that if he could only just find an outlet,
0:16:23 > 0:16:26something to do more than anything else,
0:16:26 > 0:16:30a place where people could just accept the fact that he's ill,
0:16:30 > 0:16:33and that some days he may not feel like talking about anything,
0:16:33 > 0:16:35including the fact that he's ill,
0:16:35 > 0:16:40I think that would take a lot of pressure away from his family,
0:16:40 > 0:16:43but most of all, take a lot of pressure off Simon himself.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50Men aren't great at communicating their feelings face-to-face.
0:16:50 > 0:16:55But give them a hammer or a chisel, and they won't stop talking.
0:16:55 > 0:16:56That's something that makes
0:16:56 > 0:17:00the UK Men's Sheds Association so successful.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04It's essentially a club aimed at bringing men together
0:17:04 > 0:17:06under one big shed roof.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08So, Robert, tell me about Men's Sheds.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11It's a very simple idea - it's basically that most men,
0:17:11 > 0:17:14when they get to retirement age or they're unemployed,
0:17:14 > 0:17:18they can often lose heart, lose that kind of sense of dignity
0:17:18 > 0:17:23and pride that a lot of men sort of have with their work, as it were.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25Once that goes, it can get very difficult.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29Our idea is very simply, instead of sending the guy down
0:17:29 > 0:17:31to the bottom of the garden in his shed,
0:17:31 > 0:17:34getting out from under the feet of a lady, to actually get them
0:17:34 > 0:17:38to meet together, set up their own shed which they own
0:17:38 > 0:17:42and they look after and then the rest is up to them.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45They can either produce their own stuff, whatever they want to do.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48There's no time span, there's no pressure.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50The kettle is the most important thing in the shed
0:17:50 > 0:17:54and they can really enjoy themselves.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59There are men with all sorts of different interests
0:17:59 > 0:18:02and backgrounds who feel a lack of social interaction.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07If I can get the folk from the shed together with Simon,
0:18:07 > 0:18:09I'm sure it will help Simon out of his rut.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15It's nearly four o'clock and the pensioners' hall is open
0:18:15 > 0:18:18and already, people are turning up to help out.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28There he is. It was the balloon.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31Today is really about encouraging people out of their homes
0:18:31 > 0:18:35to see what can happen when they all come together.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39Paul and Kate haven't been out of their house for weeks.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43It's an impressive turnout.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52This isn't an elaborate affair.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54It's just people, cups of tea and a few sandwiches.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00That combination, though, means the community has come together.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05Well, hello, everybody, and welcome to our community event.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07It's so nice to see so many of you here.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11So, first of all, we're going to have some traditional folk dancing
0:19:11 > 0:19:13with a group I used to dance with when I was younger.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23There's plenty of dancing and singing,
0:19:23 > 0:19:25but this event is really about talking.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29And there's one conversation I can't wait to start.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31This is Simon, guys.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34- Hi, Simon. Nice to meet you. - I am Roderick. Nice to meet you.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36I'm going to leave you in their capable hands.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38I'll come back in 10 minutes for you.
0:19:38 > 0:19:39- Robert and Roderick? - Yeah.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43Meanwhile, Alex is making some introductions of her own.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45Hey, you've turned up. That's good.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47Again, the theme of sharing skills
0:19:47 > 0:19:50is emerging as a way of uniting people.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52These two boys have got an interest in guitars,
0:19:52 > 0:19:55maybe about learning how to play guitar.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58Harry can teach you anything.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01He can teach you to make them, play them, anything you want to.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03Come on, Lynsey.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07'I really want Simon's partner Lynsey to meet Paul and Kate too.'
0:20:08 > 0:20:11Lynsey has got a partner called Simon.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15Simon has gone through an awful lot in his life, pain as well.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17But one thing that Simon is really into is writing.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20- Oh, yeah? - Hugely into writing.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22- So this is Kate and Paul. - Nice to meet you.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24And they live down the road.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27You're, like, a stone's throw away from each other.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34What I'd like to do is see if you would like to come along to a shed,
0:20:34 > 0:20:37get the feeling of it, have a cup of tea,
0:20:37 > 0:20:39sit down, talk to some of the guys.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43And if you fancy it, you can become part of a shed
0:20:43 > 0:20:45and we can work from there.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47- Sounds all right. - Sounds good.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51That's a good start for Simon, but what about Kate?
0:20:51 > 0:20:54This is the first time she's been out of the house
0:20:54 > 0:20:56and talked to new people in ages.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59I know she would love to go out more if she could.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01She has a passion for animals,
0:21:01 > 0:21:04so I hope my animal therapy plan really works.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07Kate, I've got somebody I'd like you to meet.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09This is Kate. Easy to remember, you see?
0:21:09 > 0:21:11It's lovely to meet you.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13Kate works for an animal sanctuary.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16Now, I know that you loved your animals, you've got your cat.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20But I thought the two of you need to have a chat
0:21:20 > 0:21:24because I think both could benefit out of it, all right?
0:21:24 > 0:21:26- OK. Thank you.- Happy?
0:21:26 > 0:21:29- Yeah.- Good. You got enough chocolate?- Yeah.
0:21:29 > 0:21:30Through a person's life,
0:21:30 > 0:21:34people have times when they go through sadness or trauma
0:21:34 > 0:21:37and that can really affect a person's confidence.
0:21:37 > 0:21:42And being around the horses can make a big difference to that.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45So it can improve a person's self-belief,
0:21:45 > 0:21:47help people find a bit of inner peace.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51The noise levels in the room are on overdrive with conversations
0:21:51 > 0:21:55and it seems Paul and Simon have connected too.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59So what is your angle? What is your ambition for writing?
0:21:59 > 0:22:02Well, I like writing short stories and I like writing novels.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04Yeah, well, I got involved the last time,
0:22:04 > 0:22:08but I found because I didn't have transport, I couldn't get anywhere.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10People are enthusiastically talking
0:22:10 > 0:22:12about how they can help the community
0:22:12 > 0:22:15and finding out how the community can help them.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23Brilliant. It was nice to see people get together and do a bit of salsa.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26I'm going to join in my family housing now with a few tenants here.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34I can't remember the last time
0:22:34 > 0:22:36we went to something like this together.
0:22:36 > 0:22:41Yeah, I found myself smiling more and being a bit more confident
0:22:41 > 0:22:45because I'm interacting with people and they're interested in my life.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49Hopefully, we can build on that from here now
0:22:49 > 0:22:52and start getting out there a bit more, getting to meet some people.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54Yeah, it's been a really good day.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04I've got to say, after this morning, on a personal level,
0:23:04 > 0:23:06I was kind of feeling a bit down.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09But this afternoon and the conversations
0:23:09 > 0:23:11that I've been having in there, there's definitely hope.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14This could be the start of something really special.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16Let's just hope they keep talking.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19Ammanford has pride in its community,
0:23:19 > 0:23:22but sometimes people can feel left out.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26Making steps to include them doesn't take much effort
0:23:26 > 0:23:28and it can make the world of difference.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34Things didn't stop for the people in the community.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37Starting with Kate, she made her first trip
0:23:37 > 0:23:40to the animal therapy centre just a couple of weeks later.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44- Hello. - How are you?
0:23:44 > 0:23:45I'm good, thank you. How are you?
0:23:45 > 0:23:48- Shall we wander on down that way? - Yeah, that'd be great.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51So up here on the right, this is our offices.
0:24:06 > 0:24:11So you know all of the donkeys and horses here are all rescues.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14- Yes. - They've all got quite sad stories.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16Hello.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19- So he's about 18 months old. - Yeah.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22He left his mum when he was quite young.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26Places like this sanctuary provide some therapeutic help.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29Just being around animals and stroking them
0:24:29 > 0:24:32can help people with all sorts of conditions.
0:24:32 > 0:24:36So this here is Archie. He's about eight years old.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40And this one is Taco. He's about a year, maybe 18 months.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43Being here today has just been incredible.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47I was really, really excited cos I remember how good it felt
0:24:47 > 0:24:49to be around animals growing up.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52And I really enjoyed being back around the horses and the donkeys.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56Just stroking them, it really felt good
0:24:56 > 0:24:57and I just can't wait to come back.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01I can see that in my week, this is just going to be something
0:25:01 > 0:25:04I'm going to look forward to, something I'm going to think,
0:25:04 > 0:25:06"Oh, that's going to be an hour of just happiness."
0:25:06 > 0:25:08You can see how he's stepping closer to you.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10So the more comfortable he feels with you,
0:25:10 > 0:25:14that was his choice to step towards you, which is a lovely sign.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17Having the donkeys, especially, just respond to me
0:25:17 > 0:25:20and want to be around me, I think when you're lonely,
0:25:20 > 0:25:22that's always going to feel good,
0:25:22 > 0:25:24that's always going to feel like acceptance
0:25:24 > 0:25:28and bring up your confidence and just make you feel good.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33There you go. You can have one as well.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35Give it a good push.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38She's clearly loved it. She's so happy.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40You can see that by the smile on her face.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44She's grinning. She won't stop.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46And she's clearly really relaxed as well.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48I think it's just taken a bit of a weight off her,
0:25:48 > 0:25:52just spending some time with these horses and donkeys.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54She's in an environment that she loves.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58And I'm sure she'll be so excited about coming back here again,
0:25:58 > 0:26:02I mean, hopefully making this trip down here a regular thing.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06There's no reason why I couldn't use this time now
0:26:06 > 0:26:07to do stuff for myself,
0:26:07 > 0:26:11meet up with some people, maybe commit myself to some writing -
0:26:11 > 0:26:14whatever it is that I want to do with the time.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17And, yeah, it could be really beneficial to both of us.
0:26:17 > 0:26:21Kate now has a reason to try to leave the house.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23It may seem like a small step,
0:26:23 > 0:26:26but it's opening a whole new world to Kate and Paul.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29All right, guys?
0:26:31 > 0:26:34Simon has also found a new lease of life.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37He took up the invite to see a men's shed in full flow.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40Hi, Simon. Robert. Welcome to The Squirrel's Nest.
0:26:40 > 0:26:41- Hi there. - Good to meet you.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44- How are you doing? - Good, thanks. You found us.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46Yep, and we're interested in starting one up
0:26:46 > 0:26:48in our locality as well,
0:26:48 > 0:26:50so any information you can give us would be...spot on.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53I've got lots of that. And of course, I'd love to show you around.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56- Brilliant. Let's do that, then. - OK. Come in.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06Of all the items that the men had made,
0:27:06 > 0:27:09there's one piece that's really got Simon's interest -
0:27:09 > 0:27:12a set of hand-crafted pens.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15- Wow. - So there we are.
0:27:15 > 0:27:16Wow.
0:27:16 > 0:27:20You can learn to make one of those in a couple of hours.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23OK, well, I'll take these.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26For Simon, the event has encouraged his love of writing.
0:27:26 > 0:27:31He's now considering a book about the stories of the men in sheds.
0:27:33 > 0:27:37Since the event, I've been far more positive than I was.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40Having some project to work towards has made a massive difference.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45Instead of now sitting on my own in the house just dwelling on issues,
0:27:45 > 0:27:50I've got an actual focus, you know, so I can get my notepad out
0:27:50 > 0:27:53and sketch ideas down and sort of plan
0:27:53 > 0:27:56a little bit of a calendar of events, you know.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58And sort of try and get everything together.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01It's having the opportunity to share time and space with someone
0:28:01 > 0:28:05and an activity with someone without having to explain, yeah?
0:28:05 > 0:28:07With them just understanding.
0:28:07 > 0:28:08You'll probably be interested.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10- Be glad, my friend. - Yes.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13Oh, this has already woken me up to a whole new horizon.
0:28:16 > 0:28:21Simon now aims to start his own shed, specifically for writing.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25Oh, they're wonderful. They really are.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28You can't possibly imagine the pain
0:28:28 > 0:28:32that Simon and Kate must be going through with their illnesses.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34But having spoke to them and knowing a little bit more about them,
0:28:34 > 0:28:37I know what they're going through mentally.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40And I just hope that the connections that they've made will be of help.