0:00:02 > 0:00:05I can understand people saying, "Paul O'Grady in the Salvation Army? No."
0:00:05 > 0:00:09Because I've got a bit of a track record, let's face it.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11'But at many different times throughout my life,
0:00:11 > 0:00:13'our paths have crossed.'
0:00:13 > 0:00:15And when I worked for social services,
0:00:15 > 0:00:18I frequently turned to the Salvation Army for help.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21'So now, on the 150th anniversary year...'
0:00:21 > 0:00:23- Oh, here we go! - SCREAMING AND LAUGHTER
0:00:23 > 0:00:27'..for the next three months, I'll be working with the officers and volunteers...'
0:00:27 > 0:00:31- Vegetable soup!- You enjoy that? - Fan-tastic! Oh, it was wonderful. - Yeah?
0:00:31 > 0:00:35'..on my very own Salvation Army training course.'
0:00:36 > 0:00:39Do you know, you're putting me off old age with all this!
0:00:39 > 0:00:41I'll be travelling up and down the country...
0:00:41 > 0:00:44If it hadn't had worked out for me, I could be in your position now.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46- Thank you.- You're welcome.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48Look at the size of him.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50..and even overseas.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53Too much.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57Tonight, I pass on my considerable cooking skills to some young people...
0:00:57 > 0:01:00As long as you watch yourself in that life,
0:01:00 > 0:01:02God forbid you die or you go to jail.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05..I help a man who hit rock bottom start his life again..
0:01:05 > 0:01:09Seriously, I wish you all the luck in the world. Come here.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11..and I pick up a new skill as a rap star.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13I'll fight to the very end!
0:01:13 > 0:01:16- We got it!- That all right?
0:01:17 > 0:01:19And if I make it through, they've promised me
0:01:19 > 0:01:24I can lead the Salvation Army band down London's busiest high street.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26It's fabulous.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39For the last two weeks, I've been with the Salvation Army cadets
0:01:39 > 0:01:41at the training college in south London,
0:01:41 > 0:01:44'finding out what it takes to be a new recruit.' OK.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48'In the classroom, I learned why the Salvation Army wash feet...'
0:01:48 > 0:01:49Is this sort of for practical reasons?
0:01:49 > 0:01:52Practical, but it's also because it's what Jesus did.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55..before travelling down south to try and put it into practice.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57Paul's only just started his personal training course
0:01:57 > 0:02:01with us here and we did kind of drop him right in at the deep end.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03It's given me a lot to think about.
0:02:03 > 0:02:04It really has. Food for thought.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06When you hear their stories...
0:02:06 > 0:02:09'And it's going to be tougher than I thought.'
0:02:09 > 0:02:11Ah, you're welcome! No, you're welcome.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14So, a lot of the work we do here is emotionally testing
0:02:14 > 0:02:15and it's not for everybody.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17You have to be willing to roll up your sleeves
0:02:17 > 0:02:20and go the extra mile with people.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23I want him to be even more hands-on for this next challenge.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29I can see why they're called an army. Because they act like an army.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33They move in, they'll deal with the problem and they move out.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36It's the social care that they do I'm interested in,
0:02:36 > 0:02:38rather than the "save your soul".
0:02:38 > 0:02:41I think my soul's too far gone, to tell you the truth.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43Like an old battered kipper hanging there.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46LAUGHING: You're not going to save that!
0:02:46 > 0:02:49Before my next job, Jo has a little treat for me.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56And this is a little something for you to look at.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58Ah! Is this the new hat now?
0:02:58 > 0:03:01- This is a bespoke outfit...- Oh, wonderful.- ..especially for you.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03- No, really?- Uh-huh.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05- Oh, how fabulous.- This is the only one that exists.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08The thing about the uniform is it's about faith first.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10Because we couldn't make you a soldier without you telling us
0:03:10 > 0:03:13that that was something within your heart you knew you needed to become.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16But we wanted you to be able to feel that you are part of us.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19- I don't look like a bus conductor? - Not even slightly.- No? Are you sure?
0:03:19 > 0:03:23No, it's smart. You can't wear it yet though. I haven't said that's all right.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25- You've got to wait.- So I've got to pass the test, have I?
0:03:25 > 0:03:28This shield in particular is really powerful for us,
0:03:28 > 0:03:30- because it's...- And it hasn't changed, that, has it?- No.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32We've had that since the war.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34That was the sign that was on the mobile canteens
0:03:34 > 0:03:37when we served the tea in the war.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39The uniform has changed quite a bit
0:03:39 > 0:03:43since the Salvation Army was founded in 1865 by Methodist preacher
0:03:43 > 0:03:46William Booth and his wife Catherine.
0:03:46 > 0:03:52They wore uniforms to identify themselves as salvationists and Christians.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55In those days, the women wore bonnets to keep out the cold,
0:03:55 > 0:03:58but also to protect themselves from missiles being chucked
0:03:58 > 0:04:02by protesters who didn't like being told not to drink.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06Today, the Sally's distinctive red shield and uniform
0:04:06 > 0:04:08are recognised all over the world.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14I know there's no such thing as a free lunch, Jo,
0:04:14 > 0:04:18so what do I have to do before I'm allowed to wear this uniform?
0:04:18 > 0:04:22- If you are able to meet all my requirements...- I will.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25- ..and pass your training...- Yeah? - ..then maybe this would be something
0:04:25 > 0:04:28that you could wear whilst you march.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31I'm not into fetish, or whatever you call it. I'm not into any of that.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33I'm not into rubber or leather uniforms.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35Just a nice, ordinary uniform.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38Naval always do it for me.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40'Well, enough of that.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44'The uniform is a big part of a Salvation Army officer's identity.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48'And I'm going to really have to earn the right to wear my outfit.'
0:04:48 > 0:04:51Paul is a great talker, so one of the simplest tasks that
0:04:51 > 0:04:55I can give him is to get out on the streets and sell the Salvation Army
0:04:55 > 0:04:59newspaper that we've been printing and selling for nearly 150 years.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01It's called The War Cry.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04I have heard of The War Cry, but to be honest,
0:05:04 > 0:05:05I don't know much about it.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11There we are. Thank you. God bless you.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13I'm being paired up again with my old friend
0:05:13 > 0:05:16Major Paul Johnson from Bournemouth.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18Who buys The War Cry?
0:05:18 > 0:05:21- Everybody. All sorts.- My mum used to. She used to buy it.- Yeah.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25The amount of people that come in who are now in their 50s, 60s.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28And they put something in your box and they say, "That's for my dad.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31"Because he was in the war, in the forces.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34- "The Sally Army were always there." - Yeah.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37The War Cry has been on sale since 1879.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40It was designed to bring people to the faith.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44One of its main messages was to warn against the evils of alcohol.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48It was popular in the 1940s and during the Second World War,
0:05:48 > 0:05:50when it helped boost morale.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56I thought we were never going to get out, then.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Today's paper is packed with everything from everything
0:05:59 > 0:06:01from army news to crosswords and recipes.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03It's sold for 20p normally,
0:06:03 > 0:06:07but I do wonder how relevant it is to the public today.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11Can you stand and look appealingly and smile?
0:06:11 > 0:06:13That's what I normally do.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16# Follow the fold and stray no more... #
0:06:16 > 0:06:19Do you want a War Cry? Go on, have one.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22'Maybe I can help make it more modern.'
0:06:22 > 0:06:24I'm the pin-up on page two.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28- You're funny, you are. - Oh, get out of it.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31Ha-ha or peculiar?
0:06:31 > 0:06:33- Oh, look, see. - Do you want a War Cry?
0:06:33 > 0:06:36Go on, have one. Right, we ready?
0:06:36 > 0:06:38Do you know what this is, what you're buying?
0:06:38 > 0:06:40- For the Salvation Army thing. - Correct.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43It may feel like the paper is a bit outdated,
0:06:43 > 0:06:46but I can see how doing this does give the cadets a chance to
0:06:46 > 0:06:49talk to regular people about who the Sally Army are
0:06:49 > 0:06:51and why they do what they do.
0:06:51 > 0:06:52How did you do?
0:06:52 > 0:06:55- I did quite well.- Oh, you have.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57Money raised from selling The War Cry goes towards
0:06:57 > 0:07:00the cost of helping people in need.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04Oh, no, look. Oh, that's a disappointment. Blinking euros.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08Send them to the French branch.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11- How much have you made?- £16.03.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14- Well, that's not a bad haul, is it? - It's very good.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17- So, then. The grand total. - And we were only out there, what?
0:07:17 > 0:07:1920 minutes, weren't we?
0:07:19 > 0:07:21£43.43.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24Well, that'll provide how many dinners at Christmas?
0:07:24 > 0:07:27- We can do that for four pounds a head.- Smashing.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30So that's fed 10 people at least, nearly 11 people.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32- That's good, isn't it?- Yeah.- There you go.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38Selling the papers is done by trainees of all ages.
0:07:38 > 0:07:4218-year-old soldier Lauren has grown up in the Salvation Army.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45I've always been quite proud to be part of it,
0:07:45 > 0:07:48but I know people very close to me that have decided it's not for them.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51You know, there's things that are cooler that they'd rather be doing.
0:07:51 > 0:07:55What was weird was seeing someone in school on a Monday morning
0:07:55 > 0:07:57after you'd been playing on a Saturday was sometimes
0:07:57 > 0:07:58they were a bit confused
0:07:58 > 0:08:01and they would just kind of like ask what you were wearing,
0:08:01 > 0:08:04and I remember once I was wearing my full uniform, and I was on the bus.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06I'd just started my new sixth form.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09And one of the boys came up to me and said, "Are you an air hostess?"
0:08:10 > 0:08:13And I had no idea why he was asking me if I worked as an air hostess.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15And he said, "Well, then why do you wear it?
0:08:15 > 0:08:18"If it's just where you go to church then why were you wearing
0:08:18 > 0:08:19"it on a bus on a Friday afternoon?"
0:08:19 > 0:08:22And I told him that although mostly I wear it on Sundays, when
0:08:22 > 0:08:26there's loads of other people who wear it, it is part of my identity.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28It's something to be proud of as well.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30It's where I found my identity as a Christian.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32So even if you're not wearing the uniform,
0:08:32 > 0:08:34you still have a part to play in the church.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37But I do think there's a lot of pressure on youngsters today now.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40- In what way? - To conform to everybody else.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42To be one of the gang and all that business and to be cool.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44- And not to be different? - Not to be different.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47It's a big mistake to be different. Big mistake.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49One of the biggest songs we sing at our church is called
0:08:49 > 0:08:51I Dare To Be Different.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54And it's the passion that they want to instil in young people.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57The way that I do that is by not drinking alcohol.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00I mean, I'm going to go to uni next year. I'm not going to lie.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02I'm terrified.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05I mean, for not drinking alcohol because it's such a big thing,
0:09:05 > 0:09:06it's a big part of university,
0:09:06 > 0:09:09but that's a promise that I've made and I'm doing it.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11I definitely think she should be in charge of youth.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- She's great, isn't she? - Missing the boat here if you don't.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16- And she's from Liverpool.- I know, exactly.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19- Should we go and have this cup of tea?- Yeah, let's have a cup of tea.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21Come on, then. We've had a good day's work there, I'd say.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24'Some of the money they raise goes towards their work helping
0:09:24 > 0:09:26'young homeless people.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30'It's estimated that nearly 300,000 youngsters aged between 16
0:09:30 > 0:09:36'and 24 sleep rough or in an unsafe place, and around 35,000 young
0:09:36 > 0:09:39'people are in homeless accommodation
0:09:39 > 0:09:41'at any one time across the UK.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45'As well as providing shelter for the most vulnerable,
0:09:45 > 0:09:47'they also teach them basic life skills.'
0:09:48 > 0:09:51The life skills classes that we teach in all of our lifehouses -
0:09:51 > 0:09:54we don't call them hostels any more, we call them lifehouses -
0:09:54 > 0:09:56they're really, really important to us
0:09:56 > 0:09:59because we want people to move on and to learn new skills
0:09:59 > 0:10:01and think about how to live independent lives.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04Today, Paul's going to be doing a baking class
0:10:04 > 0:10:07and I'm fairly sure anything could happen.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12Springfield Lodge in South London is one of the ten lifehouses
0:10:12 > 0:10:15they run in the UK that provides temporary
0:10:15 > 0:10:18accommodation for homeless youngsters. Up to 40 of them,
0:10:18 > 0:10:20aged from 16 to 21.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25They stay for an average of 16 months before moving on.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31Before, I was living in a girls' hostel. It was very bitchy.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33There was always some kind of confrontation
0:10:33 > 0:10:35and you'd kind of get in with the wrong crowd
0:10:35 > 0:10:39and then before you know it you're in too deep and it's you that's
0:10:39 > 0:10:43stuck with all the problems and all the tellings off and stuff.
0:10:44 > 0:10:49Now I'm here to start again fresh and not let the same thing happen.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53My life at the moment is looking much brighter than it was, say,
0:10:53 > 0:10:54two years ago.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58Young people here are taught the essentials,
0:10:58 > 0:11:00such as cooking and living on a budget.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05But while some are here because of breakdowns in family life,
0:11:05 > 0:11:08others are escaping the pull of gangs.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12I was involved with the gangs.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15I was more like social with the gang members
0:11:15 > 0:11:18cos I had cousins who were in gangs.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22And I think me being around that crowd kind of jeopardised me
0:11:22 > 0:11:23when I was in school,
0:11:23 > 0:11:25I got kicked out of secondary school.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28I didn't care what anyone thought of me,
0:11:28 > 0:11:32didn't want to do anything good about my life,
0:11:32 > 0:11:34it was just down the rails.
0:11:34 > 0:11:39The last time I was in a hostel was decades ago as a young care worker.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43I had a life, really, before I went into television.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45I got into this game quite by accident.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48I was working for Camden Social Services as a peripatetic
0:11:48 > 0:11:52care officer and what we did was... Say it was a single parent,
0:11:52 > 0:11:56she had to go into hospital, she had six children,
0:11:56 > 0:11:59I'd go into their home and look after them as a substitute parent
0:11:59 > 0:12:03to prevent them being split up and going into care.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07But that was 30 years ago, and I'm not quite sure what to expect here.
0:12:07 > 0:12:08- Hello.- Hi.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12Helen Wilson has looked after the kids at Springfield for years
0:12:12 > 0:12:14and is mother hen to everyone.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19- Are you Salvation Army, then? - I go to the Salvation Army,
0:12:19 > 0:12:21I worship at the Salvation Army on Sunday.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25And I have been in the Salvation Army uniform in my younger days.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28- I now am a smoker... - So, hang on a minute.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30So, if you smoke you can't be in the Salvation Army?
0:12:30 > 0:12:32You can be in the Salvation Army, no problem whatsoever.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35- Well, what's stopping you, then? - It's the uniform.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37You sign to be a soldier in the Salvation Army.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39- Soldier to God, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42And we sign the Articles of War which states that we will live
0:12:42 > 0:12:47a clean living life, and obviously smoking, drinking, gambling...
0:12:47 > 0:12:48sex before marriage...
0:12:48 > 0:12:52Drinking and gambling I can understand, but a little whiff,
0:12:52 > 0:12:55I mean, I'm sure Jesus wouldn't mind if he caught you with a Silk Cut.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58I'm sure he wouldn't mind. He'd probably give me a light.
0:12:58 > 0:12:59Can you me show around, Helen? Do you mind?
0:12:59 > 0:13:02- Of course I will. No problem at all. - Let's go and have a mooch.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05Come this way. This is our main hub area.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09This is where in the evening and mornings they all hang about.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12- Playing Kerplunk? - Playing Kerplunk.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15It would be Jenga, but they argue over Jenga.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18Sarah loses her temper on a regular basis over Jenga.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20Well, that's me. I get the ump playing games.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23- Do you have to go to bed at a certain time?- No.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25- That's all right, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27So there's no bell going at eight o'clock saying,
0:13:27 > 0:13:30"Upstairs, teeth cleaned and in the sack"?
0:13:30 > 0:13:33- Just Helen screaming. - She like Miss Hannigan from Annie?
0:13:36 > 0:13:40This lot seem pretty happy, but many arrive here with nothing
0:13:40 > 0:13:43and even have to be given basics such as soap and toilet roll,
0:13:43 > 0:13:47but I just can't get it out of my head that some of these youngsters
0:13:47 > 0:13:49have been involved in vicious gang life.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51We recognise that gangs exist.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55We recognise that because of all the dangers that go on, I mean,
0:13:55 > 0:13:58we've had young people that have had ends of fingers come off,
0:13:58 > 0:14:01- toes off, earlobes off. - Is this with gangs?
0:14:01 > 0:14:04And this is when they've come out of a gang.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06Oh, it's part of their initiation as well.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08I mean, I've known young people that tragically have died
0:14:08 > 0:14:10through gang-related crime.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12And it's dangerous and it's scary.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15The young people in the area know that this is a safe environment.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17Yeah.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19The aim for these kids is to get into their own places
0:14:19 > 0:14:21and be responsible for themselves.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25So, for the next stage of my training
0:14:25 > 0:14:27I'm going to lead a life skills class.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30Classes can include almost everything from DIY,
0:14:30 > 0:14:34interview skills, managing money to basic cookery,
0:14:34 > 0:14:37and that's my challenge today.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40If you follow the recipe, you're laughing. That's it.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43I've got a little trick up me sleeve.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47My old Uncle Harold's lemon drizzle cake recipe. It's a winner.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50So, what you do, you beat your sugar and your butter first.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52That's it, good lad. Go on.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55With a whisk, whisk the butter, sugar, eggs, flour.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58Zest of two lemons and juice. That's it.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01And then a bit of flour so it doesn't curdle.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04Now, tell me about yourself. Go on, how long have you been here?
0:15:04 > 0:15:07- Past a month.- Oh, is that all? - Yeah.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11When I first moved in, straightaway, everyone just made you feel at home.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14Do you mind me asking, why are you here?
0:15:14 > 0:15:15How did you get here?
0:15:15 > 0:15:18Well, I just got involved in the wrong crowd
0:15:18 > 0:15:21and just done silly things, and I think since I've come here
0:15:21 > 0:15:24- there's been a much bigger change in me.- Yeah.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27I'm more like willing to want to get out there
0:15:27 > 0:15:30and actually see what I can really do with my life.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32And what would you like to do?
0:15:32 > 0:15:34I've had a higher mission to want to play football.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37- Do you?- Yeah.- Good lad. Don't give it up, you know.
0:15:37 > 0:15:38No, I'm not going to.
0:15:38 > 0:15:43Look, we all go through bad patches, seriously. I was a dad at 17.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45- Wow!- So, there you go.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47And all that bad lot you were talking about,
0:15:47 > 0:15:50- is that behind you now? - Yeah.- Good lad.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52- You don't need that.- No.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54There's only two options for yourself in that life,
0:15:54 > 0:15:57it's either, God forbid, you die or you go to jail.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59- That's right.- It's not really a life.- Yeah.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01No, you want to keep away.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04They've been given hope, and you can see it in their eyes.
0:16:04 > 0:16:05They've got a future now,
0:16:05 > 0:16:08whereas maybe a few months ago they didn't believe they had a future.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11They thought that was it for them, you know.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13They were on the scrapheap.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16That's ready. Get that in there. Have you put your lemon zest in it?
0:16:16 > 0:16:18- Yeah.- Nice. OK.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20How you getting on over there?
0:16:20 > 0:16:25Springfield Lodge has also provided a lifeline for 19-year-old Rilwam.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28You can put bricks together with that.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31Do you know what you can do with?
0:16:31 > 0:16:34A tiny little drop of milk in there. How long have you been here?
0:16:34 > 0:16:37I've been here about nine months now.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41I was in care for about...ten months.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43Would you say it's turned your life around?
0:16:43 > 0:16:46- Yes. At the moment I'm studying engineering.- Oh, are you?
0:16:46 > 0:16:50So, my plan is to someday become a construction manger
0:16:50 > 0:16:52- or civil engineer. - Do you know what?
0:16:52 > 0:16:55You've all got these great ambitions. You really have.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57You should all be proud of yourselves.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01- Oh, thanks! - Seriously, you really should.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04Listen, when I was your age, if somebody said to me,
0:17:04 > 0:17:07"You should be proud of yourself."
0:17:07 > 0:17:09Never did. I wouldn't have believed them.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12But you should, the way you've got yourselves together.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14You've come through the care system, and look at you now,
0:17:14 > 0:17:18you're studying engineering. You're making a cake.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20- Yeah.- Do you know they need, these kids?
0:17:20 > 0:17:24They need a bit of love cos that's what's been missing in their lives.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28Oh, here we go!
0:17:29 > 0:17:31Not the poor bloke!
0:17:34 > 0:17:37I've got to get on the bus like this!
0:17:37 > 0:17:39I'm working with the BBC.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41They need to know somebody cares.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45And they're not on their own, and that's what they're getting in here.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47Nice to meet you, Paul.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50Well, that concludes... That concludes...
0:17:50 > 0:17:54Paul was certainly no Jamie Oliver, but they did have fun.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58It was great to see him engaging with the young people,
0:17:58 > 0:18:00- and the young people engaging with him.- Come here, you.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04They learnt about talking to each other, building relationships
0:18:04 > 0:18:06with each other and reacted to each other in a positive way.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08- Really nice to meet you. - And you.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10- Welcome to Springfield Lodge. - Thank you.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12We smell like Greggs.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16And that concludes our cookery lesson. Follow that, Mary Berry.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21Come on, gang, out!
0:18:21 > 0:18:24Helping people move on and make a fresh start is
0:18:24 > 0:18:25the aim of all the lifehouses.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29Whether for kids or for adults, they want to make sure that
0:18:29 > 0:18:33the transition into a new home is as easy as it can be.
0:18:33 > 0:18:38This is Cambria House in London, one of 25 all-male lifehouses in the UK.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43For the past year it's been home to 43-year-old Jonas,
0:18:43 > 0:18:47but he's finally been rehoused by the council.
0:18:47 > 0:18:52Usually the staff here help people move, but today, that's my job.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54- Nice to meet you. - Nice to meet you.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57- You OK?- Yeah, good, thank yo. - So, you moving?- I am, yes.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00- I'm your removal company. God help you.- Great.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04- You've had a bad time, haven't you? From what I hear.- Getting better.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07- Yeah. Can I take me coat off? - Yeah, sure do.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10This time last year you were in a flat in Hampstead.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12- Yeah.- With a boyfriend.- Yeah.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17It all started with a text at two o'clock in the morning.
0:19:17 > 0:19:22My partner was on a night shift and...he just said,
0:19:22 > 0:19:25"I want you out, relationship's over."
0:19:25 > 0:19:29And it wasn't just the three year relationship that Jonas had lost.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32I put all my money into the wedding...
0:19:33 > 0:19:35..which was only really two and a half weeks away.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38I had not been working cos I had taken time off
0:19:38 > 0:19:42to organise my wedding. I didn't have any savings left.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44That was when I officially became homeless.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49With nowhere else to go Jonas ended up sleeping rough.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54That bench was my new home.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56It seemed a good enough place to just sit
0:19:56 > 0:19:58and work out what I was going to do.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01It wasn't something that I ever imagined could ever happen.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05It just feels like your whole world collapsed.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09It's very easy to not think about homeless people.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11I...
0:20:16 > 0:20:18It's just difficult being back, really.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22Can I ask how much you spent on the wedding?
0:20:22 > 0:20:25- About 40 grand. - 40 grand on a wedding?!
0:20:25 > 0:20:27I have to sit here.
0:20:27 > 0:20:3040 grand on a wedding?!
0:20:30 > 0:20:33See, this is love. This is what it does. Blinds you.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35I just sound like an old cynic.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37Do you think he just panicked and thought...?
0:20:37 > 0:20:39I don't know. And that's the thing,
0:20:39 > 0:20:42I've been hurt more than I've ever been hurt in my whole entire life.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45But it's not just about your feelings, it's about your life.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47I mean, he's changed your life completely.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50And you had all these plans, you were going to get married,
0:20:50 > 0:20:51you had a future together.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54And next thing... So, where did you go from there?
0:20:54 > 0:20:57I ended up with depression and it was just one thing after another.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59I was trying to find a job
0:20:59 > 0:21:01because I thought, "Having a job would help me..."
0:21:01 > 0:21:03Get a place.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05But then I went and got some advice and they were like,
0:21:05 > 0:21:06"No, You need a home.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08"You can't be sort of living out of two bags,"
0:21:08 > 0:21:12- and a lot of it is a bit of blur. - That's shocking.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16But you had a classic case of how easy it is to go from
0:21:16 > 0:21:18that lifestyle, lovely flat, you had a partner.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21All of a sudden you're sleeping in Hampstead Heath.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23It's that easy.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25And that's the scary thing, it really is scary.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34Where would we be without bin liners?
0:21:34 > 0:21:36You can get so much more in there.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38Of course you can in a bin liner, they're fabulous.
0:21:38 > 0:21:39All of this is going to get creased.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42Have you got an iron when you get up there?
0:21:42 > 0:21:43- No.- Have you got a bed?- No.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45You've got no bed?! Where you going to kip?
0:21:45 > 0:21:48- On the floor.- Oh, goodness.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51What have you got in here, bricks?
0:21:51 > 0:21:55It's part of our job here to see people move in to their own places
0:21:55 > 0:22:00and settle down. It's a success for us, it's a success for him too.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03Yeah, we'll miss him. I got no-one to do me garden now.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11Shall we go to Finchley?
0:22:11 > 0:22:13Do you want me to leave you to say ta-ra to the room?
0:22:13 > 0:22:16Go on. And then don't look back when you walk out the door
0:22:16 > 0:22:19cos that means you're never coming back.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31It's only a short journey to Jonas' new flat,
0:22:31 > 0:22:33but it's a big step in building his new life.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37I'm just glad you haven't got more stuff.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43Cheers. Sorry, it's another flight.
0:22:43 > 0:22:44Too bloody right, you are.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50You could do with a lift.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54- It's all right, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58Size of the balcony. It's really quiet.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03This must be great after being in the hostel for so long
0:23:03 > 0:23:06cos you've got your own front door and this is it now.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09I'm so grateful for a lot of people who have helped me through
0:23:09 > 0:23:11the whole process.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14I think you've got to keep looking forward, you can't look back.
0:23:14 > 0:23:15Exactly.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18I should imagine you feel relieved at having a place.
0:23:18 > 0:23:19So it's onwards and upwards.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22I sound like a headmistress of a girls school, don't I?
0:23:22 > 0:23:24Onwards and upwards, girls.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26No, but it is so.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28It's like this, this is it, you're out of there and here you are.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31What are you going to sleep on tonight? You going to be OK?
0:23:31 > 0:23:35I'll sleep on the floor. I've got my duvet.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37But compared with...
0:23:37 > 0:23:40Sleeping on the park bench in Hampstead Heath, yeah.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42Look, I'm going to leave you. It's been lovely meeting you.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45And seriously I wish you all the luck in the world. Come here.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48- Cheers. Thanks very much. - And you take care of yourself.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52- Yeah?- Yeah.- Enjoy your new home. - Cheers.- Get it tarted up.- I will do.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56- I'll see you soon. Take it easy. - No problem. Take care, cheers.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04As he said, once you've slept on a park bench for six weeks,
0:24:04 > 0:24:07having no bed is nothing
0:24:07 > 0:24:11cos he's got a roof over his head and he can cook and he's safe.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15Really difficult to put into words how excited and...
0:24:16 > 0:24:21There's just so much possibility and that I think gives me hope.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28This week Paul has really started to embrace what we do here.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30It's all about getting stuck in and helping people
0:24:30 > 0:24:31to improve their lives.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33He bonded with the kids,
0:24:33 > 0:24:37even if they'll never remember how to make a lemon drizzle cake.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40And he made Jonas feel comfortable on what could have been
0:24:40 > 0:24:42a really nerve-racking day.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45Treating people with dignity no matter what their situation
0:24:45 > 0:24:49is a huge part of how we work, and Paul really nailed it this week.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54A few days after I visited Springfield Lodge,
0:24:54 > 0:24:56Helen rang me with some good news.
0:24:57 > 0:25:0119-year-old Rilwam has also found his own place
0:25:01 > 0:25:03and will soon be fleeing the coop.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06Thankfully he doesn't need any help moving, which is great
0:25:06 > 0:25:09because I just can't face any more stairs.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13- Here, I got you a present. - Oh, wow! Thank you!
0:25:13 > 0:25:16You're very... It's not much, it's a clock.
0:25:16 > 0:25:17That's really nice. Thank you.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20But it's always handy when you got to be up at the crack of dawn.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22- Are you looking forward to this? - Yeah, I'm very excited.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25- You nervous?- A little bit. - Do you know what?
0:25:25 > 0:25:27The best advice I was given in the theatre was,
0:25:27 > 0:25:29"Turn your nerves into excitement,"
0:25:29 > 0:25:31instead of being nervous, make it all...
0:25:31 > 0:25:35Go the other way. Get all excited. Well, it is.
0:25:35 > 0:25:40- 19, you're getting your own flat. It's a big move.- It is.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44Before he moves on, Rilwan and support worker Richie
0:25:44 > 0:25:45have set me a challenge.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49I'm pretty certain I'm the first trainee to have a go at this one.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51Did you do all this yourself in here?
0:25:51 > 0:25:55- You've got a recording studio?- Yeah. - It's brilliant.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00Who's singing this? Oh, is this you?
0:26:00 > 0:26:02And Sarah.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04Is this you on backing vocals?
0:26:04 > 0:26:07You should have had me and me tambourine.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10But it's not me tambourine skills they're after.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14They want me to record a rap using a speech by William Booth,
0:26:14 > 0:26:16founder of the Salvation Army.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19"While women weep, as they do now, I'll fight."
0:26:19 > 0:26:21And it's done to time with the music?
0:26:21 > 0:26:25- Do I do it to a rap beat? - No, you just talk it.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28- Oh, I was looking forward... - Well, do the rap, then.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31You're looking at the Ice T of Birkenhead here.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34I'm telling you. Can I do me moves in here?
0:26:34 > 0:26:36You can do your moves.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40- Are you ready?- OK.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45# While woman weep, as they do now, I'll fight
0:26:45 > 0:26:49# While little children go hungry, as they do now, I'll fight
0:26:49 > 0:26:51# While there is a drunkard left
0:26:51 > 0:26:55# While there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, I'll fight
0:26:55 > 0:26:57# I'll fight to the very end. #
0:26:59 > 0:27:03Smashed! Smashed!
0:27:03 > 0:27:05That all right? Fabulous.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07We'll be in the charts next, kids.
0:27:07 > 0:27:11- It has been an absolute pleasure. - And you and all, flower. And you.
0:27:11 > 0:27:16There you go. Me first rap record. Fabulous.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18Well, that's my new career sorted.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24- Oh! - I thought I was pretty tough,
0:27:24 > 0:27:27but seeing how much work goes into offering real comfort
0:27:27 > 0:27:30and practical help to people who are struggling, well,
0:27:30 > 0:27:33it's starting to have an effect on me.
0:27:35 > 0:27:39My soul's starting to twinge, actually, since I've been here.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42It's been laid dormant for quite a long time, underneath all the ice,
0:27:42 > 0:27:45and now it's starting to pop up, so who knows?
0:27:45 > 0:27:49You might see me marching down Oxford Street, banging on my drum.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52I hope so, it's something I've always wanted to do.
0:27:52 > 0:27:56That, and have a Lotus Europa Mark2, but there's no chance of that.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00'Next time, believe it not, I end up giving a Bible class.'
0:28:00 > 0:28:01Go easy on her.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04'I train to walk a mile in someone else's shoes.'
0:28:04 > 0:28:06I'm spinning going, "Where am I going, luvvy?"
0:28:06 > 0:28:09'And I face my biggest fear.'
0:28:09 > 0:28:13I'm not scared of death at all. I'm more scared of losing me marbles.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15Come here, you.