0:00:02 > 0:00:05Across the UK, there are many people who would love to do something they think will
0:00:05 > 0:00:07enhance their community.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09Let's not leave the beach as we found it.
0:00:09 > 0:00:10Let's leave it a little nicer.
0:00:10 > 0:00:15But what they are lacking is the money to get their bright ideas off the ground.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17My project needs your vote!
0:00:17 > 0:00:21We're giving individuals the chance to kick-start their venture with
0:00:21 > 0:00:23donations from their own communities.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27Brilliant, come on in, then, come on!
0:00:27 > 0:00:30But to win that pot and to make dreams a reality,
0:00:30 > 0:00:32they first need to win over an audience of locals
0:00:32 > 0:00:35who will be voting for their favourite idea.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37Is it going to be open for 24 hours a day?
0:00:37 > 0:00:40Would this be sort of an annual event?
0:00:40 > 0:00:41What are your running costs likely to be?
0:00:41 > 0:00:42All across the country,
0:00:42 > 0:00:46there are local heroes prepared to go the extra mile to make our
0:00:46 > 0:00:48communities better places to live.
0:00:48 > 0:00:49It's a very... Sorry.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53Unusual for me - very emotional.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57They just need a helping hand to get their ideas up and running.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00The champion who you have voted for is...
0:01:11 > 0:01:13Welcome to South Wales.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16Today, we're in the Rhondda Cynon Taff - RCT for short.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19Five coal-mining valleys make up this region,
0:01:19 > 0:01:22which is home to almost a quarter of a million people.
0:01:22 > 0:01:26Across the Valleys, there are dozens of towns and villages like this,
0:01:26 > 0:01:29with classic terraced houses lined up like...
0:01:29 > 0:01:32..ribbons clinging to the hillside.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36Coal mining was a big employer in this region.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38But after the pit closures in the '80s,
0:01:38 > 0:01:41high levels of unemployment followed.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46From up here, you can see the town of Pontypridd.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48Ponty, as it's affectionately known,
0:01:48 > 0:01:52is the home of Tom Jones AND the Welsh national anthem.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55And for one day only, it's going to be our home, too.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03And right in the heart of Pontypridd is the Muni Arts Centre.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06A former Wesleyan chapel, it's now home to music,
0:02:06 > 0:02:08comedy gigs and runs community drop-ins
0:02:08 > 0:02:11that gives support for veterans and their families.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14And because it's run by the community,
0:02:14 > 0:02:17there's no better place for us to kick off today's
0:02:17 > 0:02:19Let's Get A Good Thing Going.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22The four locals hoping to get their projects off the ground are...
0:02:22 > 0:02:27Reverend Peter, who wants to share skills between his parishioners.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30Caryl, who is determined that gardening should be for all.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35Steve the police officer, who's on a one-man mission to save lives.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37Shock delivered.
0:02:37 > 0:02:38And Amy and Katie,
0:02:38 > 0:02:42animal lovers with a crafty idea to support the local dog shelter.
0:02:43 > 0:02:48Each of them has an idea which could really benefit their local area.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50But to get the money that could make it happen for real,
0:02:50 > 0:02:54they must first win over an audience from their local community.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57Right, let's open up for business.
0:03:00 > 0:03:01Come on in, everyone!
0:03:01 > 0:03:05Come on in! Local people have been invited to hear what our community
0:03:05 > 0:03:07champions have got to say.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09As they come in, they can make a cash donation
0:03:09 > 0:03:11towards the community fund.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14This is brilliant, I can feel the atmosphere already now.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17Now, it doesn't matter how small or how big their contribution is,
0:03:17 > 0:03:19everybody will get a chance to vote,
0:03:19 > 0:03:22and the person that they think deserves the funds the most,
0:03:22 > 0:03:25and whoever wins, gets all the money that's in that box.
0:03:30 > 0:03:31Here you all are!
0:03:31 > 0:03:33- How are you doing? - All right, yeah.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35It's an amazing opportunity, isn't it, for the community?
0:03:35 > 0:03:36Who's nervous?
0:03:36 > 0:03:38We've got some good support, so I think we'll be OK.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41- Steve, you are really nervous, aren't you?- I'm very, very nervous.
0:03:41 > 0:03:42Just breathe and relax.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45I think my friends and family are fed up of me reading these cards,
0:03:45 > 0:03:48because I've read it and read it and read it. I still will be reading.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50No, that's... I do take my hat off to you.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54- I just want to wish you all the best of luck...- Thank you.- ..to everyone, and I'll see you shortly.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58APPLAUSE
0:03:58 > 0:04:00Well, hello!
0:04:00 > 0:04:04Hello, hello, hello! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
0:04:04 > 0:04:08You are about to hear four people, four local people,
0:04:08 > 0:04:12who share with you something that they care about - actually,
0:04:12 > 0:04:15something that they're very, very passionate about.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17What is it?
0:04:17 > 0:04:21It's you. It's all of you, the RCT community.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24Give yourself a round of applause.
0:04:24 > 0:04:25That's what they share.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27APPLAUSE
0:04:31 > 0:04:33And because you've been so generous,
0:04:33 > 0:04:38you've created a pot of money that will enable one of our community
0:04:38 > 0:04:42champions to start their project as soon as we leave today.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45Now, our four pitchers are backstage.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48They've prepared a presentation to explain their project,
0:04:48 > 0:04:52and explain the benefits to the community.
0:04:52 > 0:04:56But it will be down to you to decide who wins.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00You can get the opportunity to ask the questions, decide and vote -
0:05:00 > 0:05:02who gets to get a good thing going.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04THEY CHEER
0:05:04 > 0:05:06Let's start with our first pitch.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09This is a man who's got a novel approach
0:05:09 > 0:05:11to rebuild, restore and renew.
0:05:11 > 0:05:16Please give a very big, warm welcome to the Reverend Peter Lewis!
0:05:23 > 0:05:24Thank you for this invitation to be here.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27My name is Peter Lewis, I'm one of the vicars
0:05:27 > 0:05:29in the town of Pontypridd...
0:05:30 > 0:05:35Reverend Peter Lewis has been the team vicar of St Catherine's Church
0:05:35 > 0:05:39in Pontypridd and nearby St Luke's in Cilfynydd for five years.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42It's a job I think you feel really called into,
0:05:42 > 0:05:45because it gives you a great satisfaction inside.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49You know you're part of a great team of people locally.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53Pontypridd is at the bottom of the Valleys,
0:05:53 > 0:05:56which traditionally are a great place for a welcome,
0:05:56 > 0:06:00for people working hard, and looking after each other.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04He's not just busy with his flock, but with his family, too.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07Son Joshua is proud of his dad.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09He does do a lot for the community.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13He does this thing called food bank and he goes out into the streets,
0:06:13 > 0:06:15sometimes every Saturday.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17Over the last five years,
0:06:17 > 0:06:21Peter has been involved in setting up a string of community projects.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23We developed a community cafe.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25Like all community projects,
0:06:25 > 0:06:28they take a long time to really begin to get right.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32We started up a job club with Christians Against Poverty.
0:06:32 > 0:06:33And then, on the back of that,
0:06:33 > 0:06:36we've realised we needed to set up the computer project.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39Tina Rankin is the manager of the church cafe,
0:06:39 > 0:06:41and works closely with Peter.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45Oh, he's great. He's great. Very much a people person.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48He just really, really wants to connect with people
0:06:48 > 0:06:51and help bring people to where they need to be.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55Having a minister like Peter's very vital in this community.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Communities have become very disjointed over time, and it's very,
0:06:58 > 0:07:02very hard to bring communities to pull back together.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05Unemployment here is higher than the UK average,
0:07:05 > 0:07:09with 5.3% of the RCT community out of work.
0:07:09 > 0:07:14So, the weekly computer club and the job coaching sessions are vital.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18We know that we get 20% of people into work, which is fantastic.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22And when we ask people how they feel about themself at the end of our
0:07:22 > 0:07:26courses that we do, everybody says they're much better -
0:07:26 > 0:07:30they feel more optimistic, more self-assurance,
0:07:30 > 0:07:33and they feel they can overcome barriers.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37I think it's a great place for anybody to come.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39You know, a safe place, safe environment,
0:07:39 > 0:07:42if you just want to meet people,
0:07:42 > 0:07:45if you're lonely or need help, emotional help,
0:07:45 > 0:07:49I think it's a vital part of the community.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53With the success of the existing projects, it's time to look ahead,
0:07:53 > 0:07:56and Peter has got a clever idea for a new one.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59We have a huge amount of furniture
0:07:59 > 0:08:01which is just waiting to be worked upon.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03It's falling into disrepair,
0:08:03 > 0:08:07and it's just waiting for something to come and bring new life into it.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11The project is going to start off as relating
0:08:11 > 0:08:13to those who are part of our job club.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17And it will help them in their search for work,
0:08:17 > 0:08:18in their confidence.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21It shows that they're interested in using their time,
0:08:21 > 0:08:24and I'm sure that employers, when they see
0:08:24 > 0:08:26that kind of CV information,
0:08:26 > 0:08:29will think, "Oh, there's something different about this person."
0:08:31 > 0:08:34I'm here to chat to you about furniture.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36And I'd like to put a bid for some money
0:08:36 > 0:08:40so that we can improve furniture and restore it.
0:08:40 > 0:08:45So, I've got some furniture which has probably had better days.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47And if you had something like this in the house,
0:08:47 > 0:08:51you maybe would not want to put any effort into it, or you might think,
0:08:51 > 0:08:53"I just don't know what to do with it."
0:08:53 > 0:08:56Or you might just think, "I'm going to chuck it away.
0:08:56 > 0:08:57"It's not worth anything."
0:08:57 > 0:09:01But the furniture project that I want to start up is going to take
0:09:01 > 0:09:05something like this and make it into something great.
0:09:05 > 0:09:10We want to try and rebuild and restore and renew things
0:09:10 > 0:09:13that perhaps are left by the side,
0:09:13 > 0:09:17or maybe even people who are left behind.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21And we want to try and put something new into their life.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24Here's something which one person,
0:09:24 > 0:09:28she's in her 20s and she enjoys as a hobby restoring things,
0:09:28 > 0:09:29and she said,
0:09:29 > 0:09:32"Can I share my skills with other people?"
0:09:38 > 0:09:41This represents hard work and creativity
0:09:41 > 0:09:43and a way of taking something
0:09:43 > 0:09:49which has maybe had better days and putting it into something new.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51We've got furniture, we've got a place to do it,
0:09:51 > 0:09:54we've got people waiting to share skills.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57But what we haven't got is that starting-off money,
0:09:57 > 0:10:01and you can be a catalyst for me to put money in, so that people who are
0:10:01 > 0:10:07looking to improve their skills in employment have got a real good base
0:10:07 > 0:10:11from which to grow, to rebuild, to restore and to renew.
0:10:11 > 0:10:12I'd love for you to help.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21For his furniture restoration programme, Peter wants...
0:10:30 > 0:10:32Well done. Not too bad, was it?
0:10:32 > 0:10:33Thank you.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36Right, you're not going to go anywhere yet,
0:10:36 > 0:10:38because we're going to take a couple of questions from the audience.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42- OK.- Gentleman there in the red.- Hi, Peter, talking about
0:10:42 > 0:10:44all these people restoring the furniture -
0:10:44 > 0:10:46what will happen to them once the furniture has been restored?
0:10:46 > 0:10:50What the furniture project is going to help do is create a social
0:10:50 > 0:10:53enterprise, so it's not just a hobby,
0:10:53 > 0:10:55it's something that's going somewhere bigger.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59And that income that will come from selling these things
0:10:59 > 0:11:00will go back into
0:11:00 > 0:11:03the community projects which are already up and going,
0:11:03 > 0:11:07helping people with addictions, helping people into employment,
0:11:07 > 0:11:10helping people who have got debt pushing them down.
0:11:11 > 0:11:12Great question, thank you.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14So, anybody else got a question?
0:11:14 > 0:11:16Gentleman there in the blue T-shirt, yes.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19Hi, Pete. What sort of age group would you be looking at
0:11:19 > 0:11:21to do this sort of work?
0:11:21 > 0:11:24Well, I've learned from community projects that I've been
0:11:24 > 0:11:27involved with in the past, is to try and be focused to start,
0:11:27 > 0:11:29and then see what happens.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31The person who is doing this is in their twenties.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35The people who chat to us in the job club, though, are a mixed range.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39And some people who are approaching retirement age,
0:11:39 > 0:11:41they wanted to get involved.
0:11:41 > 0:11:42But so did younger people.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44I don't think there is an age limit for it.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46OK, thanks very much.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48And I think as well, predominantly, Peter,
0:11:48 > 0:11:51you're bringing people together to socialise, as well, aren't you?
0:11:51 > 0:11:56Yeah, part of community projects are to listen to see what's going on and
0:11:56 > 0:11:58to encourage new connections between people.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01And you may have folk in this community project who come from all
0:12:01 > 0:12:04different areas around the town, different backgrounds,
0:12:04 > 0:12:07but there's a common purpose bringing them into a place to share.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10Round of applause for Peter, please, everybody!
0:12:10 > 0:12:12CROWD CHEERS
0:12:13 > 0:12:18Losing a job for a short period can cause some stress and depression.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22In long-term unemployment, psychological problems can linger.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25Picking up a new job or learning a new skill
0:12:25 > 0:12:27can alleviate these mental issues.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31Now, there's nothing like home-grown fruit and veg,
0:12:31 > 0:12:33because it tastes delicious.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36However, the Prichard Street Allotment Association
0:12:36 > 0:12:40believe there's something more than just growing the produce and eating it.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43To find out more, please welcome Caryl Thomas.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45CROWN CHEERS
0:12:45 > 0:12:47- Here you are, Caryl.- Thank you.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49Thank you, Kevin.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59As Kevin said, my name's Caryl Thomas,
0:12:59 > 0:13:00and I'm here tonight on behalf of
0:13:00 > 0:13:03the Prichard Street Allotments Association in Tonyrefail.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09Retired nurse Caryl lives on the edge of Tonyrefail,
0:13:09 > 0:13:10with her husband Rhys.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14He does the heavy work, so she can enjoy her favourite hobby.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16I've had two knee replacements.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18It does cut my mobility down quite a lot,
0:13:18 > 0:13:21so I have to watch what I'm doing.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24This is like a little sanctuary for me in the summer.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27It's a really stable area for me to get around.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30So, it is my bit of heaven on earth.
0:13:30 > 0:13:35Just 200 yards away from her garden is another of her favourite places.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37And it's well used by many others.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39Caryl's been the secretary of
0:13:39 > 0:13:41Prichard Street Allotment Association for
0:13:41 > 0:13:43the past eight years.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45She's as good as gold.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48She always tries to get involved with everything in the community,
0:13:48 > 0:13:51involves herself in most projects in the local area.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53I love being over here.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56It's one of the bonuses of being part of the community,
0:13:56 > 0:13:58because some days I'm thinking, you know,
0:13:58 > 0:13:59I don't really want to get out.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02Then I'm thinking, I've got to go over and water the allotment.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04You only come over for ten minutes, and two hours later,
0:14:04 > 0:14:06you'll still been chatting to people.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09And by the time you go back, you feel so much better,
0:14:09 > 0:14:10maybe not physically, but mentally,
0:14:10 > 0:14:12you feel so much better because
0:14:12 > 0:14:14you've had that interaction with other people.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16What are you doing down here this afternoon?
0:14:16 > 0:14:18Well, I've done a little bit of digging up there.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20Idris Greening has been tending his allotment on the site
0:14:20 > 0:14:22for almost 30 years.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24I'm always down here all the time.
0:14:24 > 0:14:25Marvellous, can't fault it.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27- Take your time now.- I will.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29And don't take too much soil with you.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32- Oh, sshh now!- If I couldn't get down here, I'd be lost.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35I'm on my tod. What else could I do?
0:14:36 > 0:14:40Caryl is keen to see people aren't excluded because of mobility issues.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42There isn't any steps on the plot.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45The only step I've got is in and out of my greenhouse,
0:14:45 > 0:14:48I've got to be careful. We do try and keep everything fairly level
0:14:48 > 0:14:52and flat, so that people like myself can actually get on and off here.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56And she has an idea which will mean locals of all abilities
0:14:56 > 0:15:00- can enjoy the allotment.- What do you think would be the best thing to do?
0:15:00 > 0:15:03Well, the first thing, we'll have to clear the space,
0:15:03 > 0:15:05because we'll have to put some weedkiller down...
0:15:05 > 0:15:08You don't realise how many people would like to be on here.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11It's sort of a hidden statistic, really.
0:15:11 > 0:15:12That, you know,
0:15:12 > 0:15:17people wouldn't naturally come to an allotment if they're less able,
0:15:17 > 0:15:21because they know it's going to involve a lot of physical work.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25So, if you provide somewhere that is not so physically demanding,
0:15:25 > 0:15:28they've got the access in, and I think that's the most important.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36We're looking to raise money for two planters and a safe pathway to allow
0:15:36 > 0:15:39the less able access to our allotment site.
0:15:39 > 0:15:44I'm very lucky, I've more than a willing helper in my husband Rhys.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47And he does all the heavy jobs on the allotment.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50Some people don't have this.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54Having a reason to be out and on the allotment site has helped me
0:15:54 > 0:15:57tremendously with my mental health.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59Motivation to get involved.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03It may be that I would only be going over to water the greenhouses,
0:16:03 > 0:16:06but it means I have to get up and get out.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11This is what happened to one of the past members on our site.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13He had to give up his plot due to ill health,
0:16:13 > 0:16:16and he missed the social interaction.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20He became isolated and he complained of being lonely.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23There's a study by the University of York
0:16:23 > 0:16:25that found out that lonely people
0:16:25 > 0:16:27are more likely to suffer a stroke or heart disease.
0:16:27 > 0:16:33We as allotmenteers are a passionate community in RCT.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36We love to sow and nurture our plants.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39But we also realise that this is very restrictive
0:16:39 > 0:16:42to some members in the community at large.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45This is why we want to open our plot up to the less able.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50So, these two planters that we're trying to get will be available for
0:16:50 > 0:16:55people like our past member, a small area to cultivate,
0:16:55 > 0:16:58without the demands of a whole allotment plot.
0:16:58 > 0:16:59For some people in the community,
0:16:59 > 0:17:03it would offer them a new and exciting opportunity
0:17:04 > 0:17:07to change their lifestyle, to give them a purpose,
0:17:07 > 0:17:11resulting in a beneficial way of life.
0:17:11 > 0:17:12Thank you.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14CROWD CHEERS
0:17:20 > 0:17:22To make her allotment more accessible
0:17:22 > 0:17:23to gardeners of all abilities,
0:17:23 > 0:17:25Caryl wants...
0:17:30 > 0:17:32Hello, Caryl!
0:17:32 > 0:17:33All right?
0:17:33 > 0:17:35Well done! Brilliant.
0:17:35 > 0:17:36Oh!
0:17:37 > 0:17:39Bless you!
0:17:39 > 0:17:42Caryl was really nervous there, everyone. She said,
0:17:42 > 0:17:44"I don't know what I'm going to do."
0:17:44 > 0:17:46You did brilliantly. Didn't she do brilliantly?
0:17:46 > 0:17:48Well done, well done, well done.
0:17:48 > 0:17:49- Thank you.- Now...
0:17:50 > 0:17:51I can't let you go just yet.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54- I know.- Because I'm sure there's a couple of questions.
0:17:54 > 0:17:55Gentleman over there, please.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59How many less able gardeners could you facilitate at your project?
0:17:59 > 0:18:02Well, we looked at the price of everything
0:18:02 > 0:18:05and we initially thought two planters would be enough to start.
0:18:05 > 0:18:10But we have the room to put at least another two, if not three, there.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14So, we're just starting off small, we're not being too ambitious,
0:18:14 > 0:18:17and then we're going to... It will be an ongoing project, it will...
0:18:17 > 0:18:19We can explore more people.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23Caryl, you mentioned the word isolated, and people can feel isolated.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25- Yeah.- And that's a horrible word, isn't it?
0:18:25 > 0:18:27It is. When you become an allotmenteer,
0:18:27 > 0:18:30you join a different part of the society,
0:18:30 > 0:18:32because you're always talking to one another, you're always saying,
0:18:32 > 0:18:34"What are you growing?"
0:18:34 > 0:18:37And, "Oh, I haven't tried that," that sort of thing.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39So, it broadens your outlook. It does, it really does.
0:18:39 > 0:18:44- Caryl, well done. I'll let you go now.- Thank you very much.- Round of applause for Caryl Thomas, please.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51Cor, that was really hard work!
0:18:54 > 0:18:58Being around other people, especially doing something fun or rewarding,
0:18:58 > 0:19:01helps individuals keep a positive outlook on life
0:19:01 > 0:19:03and a healthy mental state.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07So, we've already heard from Caryl and Peter.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10But we're just going to see if there's any favourite so far.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12The young lady here - anybody taken your fancy yet?
0:19:12 > 0:19:16Well, I am biased. I think what Caryl is doing on the allotment is
0:19:16 > 0:19:17absolutely brilliant.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20I certainly think that they deserve the money.
0:19:20 > 0:19:27But for me, the idea of being able to restore furniture to give jobs to
0:19:27 > 0:19:29the community and also to have a product that is finished,
0:19:29 > 0:19:32that people can buy, is really worthwhile -
0:19:32 > 0:19:34and that's what I'll be backing at the moment.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37Hold that thought, because there's still two more projects to go
0:19:37 > 0:19:40and the next project is literally life-saving.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42It's from a man who wants to save lives.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45Please welcome Steven Davies.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47APPLAUSE
0:19:50 > 0:19:55Good luck, Steve.
0:19:58 > 0:19:59Hi.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01I'm Steven Davies.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04I am from Tonyrefail, a small village in Rhondda Cynon Taff.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09Steve has been a serving police officer in the South Wales Police
0:20:09 > 0:20:13for 14 years, and he's just run the Cardiff Half Marathon
0:20:13 > 0:20:15for a cause very close to his heart.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18Yesterday there was a team of police officers that got together,
0:20:18 > 0:20:20all raising money for different charities,
0:20:20 > 0:20:22different reasons for running.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24So, that made it more of a team effort as well yesterday,
0:20:24 > 0:20:29running with friends. So, I was the last one out of that team to finish.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33And next year's aim - not to be the last one.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37Steve's wife Marie knows he has great determination.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40Steve is a very passionate guy.
0:20:41 > 0:20:45When he's involved in something, he does it 110%.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48And he won't let go and he's constantly thinking of ideas,
0:20:48 > 0:20:49"What can I do?
0:20:49 > 0:20:51"How can I make this better?
0:20:51 > 0:20:53"There is a shortfall there..."
0:20:53 > 0:20:57Very, very community-based bloke, really.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00Steve has been closely involved with a campaign to install
0:21:00 > 0:21:02community defibrillators.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05These are devices that help save lives by delivering
0:21:05 > 0:21:08a controlled electric shock to the heart
0:21:08 > 0:21:12when it's stopped or gone into an erratic rhythm during a heart attack.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14I was involved in an incident
0:21:15 > 0:21:19back last year, where a male collapsed.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21We believe he was suffering from a cardiac arrest.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24Thankfully, someone was able to get a public accessible defibrillator to
0:21:24 > 0:21:28me, so myself and some colleagues then used the defibrillator,
0:21:28 > 0:21:32and thankfully we were able to know that we had saved someone's life.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35Whilst defibrillators are more widely available,
0:21:35 > 0:21:38members of the public are still afraid to use them.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41Steve knows that, with just one training session,
0:21:41 > 0:21:43he can help people lose that fear.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46Steve's friend, electrician Darren Owen,
0:21:46 > 0:21:48has been installing defibrillators
0:21:48 > 0:21:50that have been funded by community voluntary groups.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53And Steve's keen to show him how easy they are to use.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55Pads underneath...
0:21:55 > 0:22:00- DEFIBRILLATOR:- Tear open the pads' packaging, and stick to the bare skin of the patient.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02Top of the chest there.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04Just follow the instructions and look at the diagram.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07Press the pads firmly to the bare skin of the patient.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10So, all you do then, follow the instructions.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13Stand clear. Deliver shock now.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15Shock delivered.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19Now, I've been shown, erm, it's straightforward enough.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22I'm pretty confident that I can use that one now.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24Training everyone is the key thing for me.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27To know where they are and not have any fear at all in using them.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33I went on a training course with the Ambulance Service to become a
0:22:33 > 0:22:35certified defibrillator trainer.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38This training device is exactly the same as an actual defibrillator.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41We're able to go into the schools and community groups
0:22:41 > 0:22:43within Rhondda Cynon Taff
0:22:43 > 0:22:47and offer free basic life-support, life-saving skills.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51And we've overcome many fears of people just holding them.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54Just by holding them you won't get an electric shock,
0:22:54 > 0:22:55as many people fear.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57So, this is why I'm here this evening,
0:22:57 > 0:22:59to ask for your support to buy a training device,
0:22:59 > 0:23:01so I can do far more training.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05And we're looking to get more people qualified in training with a
0:23:05 > 0:23:09defibrillator, so they're able to go into the schools and offer that
0:23:09 > 0:23:10training as well.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13APPLAUSE
0:23:14 > 0:23:17For his defibrillator training sessions,
0:23:17 > 0:23:20which he believes can save local lives, Steve wants...
0:23:28 > 0:23:30CROWD CHEERS
0:23:30 > 0:23:33You did great.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35Brilliant.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40Who's got the first question for Steve?
0:23:40 > 0:23:42- Yes, sir.- Hi, Steve.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45- Hi.- Can you tell us how many more people you can train up
0:23:45 > 0:23:46if you had more money?
0:23:47 > 0:23:50It's not so much money.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54One of these devices costs roughly about £500.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57So, if I was able to get one device,
0:23:57 > 0:24:00which I can access then myself on a 24/7 basis,
0:24:00 > 0:24:02to go out and train people,
0:24:02 > 0:24:04I could train thousands of people with one device.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07My mission is to keep supporting
0:24:07 > 0:24:09basic life-support skills.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11I'm not an expert in this field,
0:24:11 > 0:24:13but if I can just get that message out to people,
0:24:13 > 0:24:18not to be afraid of using or accessing these machines.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22With early recognition that someone has suffered a cardiac arrest,
0:24:22 > 0:24:26with early defibrillation, leading to advanced medical care,
0:24:26 > 0:24:30a person would have a 53% chance of survival.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33Without that chain of survival, it's 3%.
0:24:33 > 0:24:38So, it's a vital, vital piece of equipment, it's life-saving itself.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40APPLAUSE
0:24:41 > 0:24:43Brilliant.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50Steve, you're off the hook.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52Well done. Steve Davies, everybody!
0:24:58 > 0:25:01Now, it's well known that the British
0:25:01 > 0:25:02are a nation of animal lovers,
0:25:02 > 0:25:07and our final project today is all about our four-legged friend.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11Please welcome Katie Schofield and Amy Greenfield.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14AUDIENCE CHEERS
0:25:27 > 0:25:29Thank you!
0:25:30 > 0:25:32My name is Amy
0:25:32 > 0:25:34and this is my friend Katie.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38- Hello.- And we are from a dog rescue charity based in Llanharan in RCT.
0:25:41 > 0:25:42Ready?
0:25:44 > 0:25:45Good boy!
0:25:46 > 0:25:47We're really lucky here at Hope,
0:25:47 > 0:25:51we've got 18 acres of woodland which we can use to walk our dogs.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54I grew up with dogs, so I've always been a dog person.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56It's a brilliant place to work.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58We work a lot, obviously, hands-on with the dogs,
0:25:58 > 0:26:00but we also have a lot to do with people,
0:26:00 > 0:26:03whether that's our volunteers or the people that we can help with our
0:26:03 > 0:26:06respite services and things like that.
0:26:06 > 0:26:11This is Sausage, my little Jack Russell cross.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13She comes to work with me quite often.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16Since I was a kid, I was always, like, bringing in waifs and strays,
0:26:16 > 0:26:21much to my family's distress, because my mam wasn't really a dog person,
0:26:21 > 0:26:24- were you, Mam?- No.- And my parents would come in through the front door,
0:26:24 > 0:26:27and I'd be ushering a dog out the kind of back door.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30And I'd have the neighbour's dog in the house.
0:26:30 > 0:26:34My background is in kind of design and product management
0:26:34 > 0:26:35and things like that,
0:26:35 > 0:26:38but I wanted to do something that made a difference,
0:26:38 > 0:26:40which was how I got into charity work.
0:26:40 > 0:26:41And then to come to work for Hope,
0:26:41 > 0:26:44which combines all of that with my love of dogs, is superb.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48Katie's dog Sausage is a regular at the charity shop
0:26:48 > 0:26:52and its dog-friendly cafe, where funds raised are ploughed back
0:26:52 > 0:26:55to help rescue and rehouse dogs across South Wales.
0:26:55 > 0:26:59The charity already attracts local people and their four-legged friends
0:26:59 > 0:27:00through its shop doors.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04But there is a space upstairs that could really bring people together.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08At the front, we've got a nice light from the windows,
0:27:08 > 0:27:11and this is where we're hoping that we'll hold our craft classes.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14Katie and Amy want to bring in tutors
0:27:14 > 0:27:16and provide free craft sessions,
0:27:16 > 0:27:19which give people a chance to learn a new skill, and more importantly,
0:27:19 > 0:27:21socialise.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24The basic ethos is for the community, and pets helping people.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28It's not just a dog charity, there is so much more to it.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31You've got elderly people, for example, who, you know,
0:27:31 > 0:27:33they might want to go out and have some company,
0:27:33 > 0:27:36so they'd obviously come here, where they can actually have a tea,
0:27:36 > 0:27:38a coffee, a cake, maybe a Welsh cake,
0:27:38 > 0:27:40and then they get to know other people.
0:27:40 > 0:27:46Katie and Amy are hoping it will soon be as busy upstairs as it is downstairs.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49At the rescue centre,
0:27:49 > 0:27:53we care for stray and abandoned dogs from all over RCT.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56And we find them loving, forever homes.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59Together, we want to launch a project that benefits the rescue dogs at the
0:27:59 > 0:28:01centre, and also the local community.
0:28:01 > 0:28:06And this really fits with our ethos of helping pets helping people.
0:28:06 > 0:28:10So, we're here today to talk to you about our community crafting project.
0:28:10 > 0:28:14So, we're hoping to situate it in our shop in Pontypridd.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16What we really want to create with the shop
0:28:16 > 0:28:19is not just a retail experience, but a community hub,
0:28:19 > 0:28:21and the craft courses will be a part of that.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25To give you a kind of idea of the sort of crafts that we hope to be doing,
0:28:25 > 0:28:28it sort of goes hand-in-hand with the dog rescue charity...
0:28:28 > 0:28:31We've got some of our lovely things here
0:28:31 > 0:28:34that have already been made by some volunteers for us.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37But to illustrate it better, I'd like to introduce Holly to you.
0:28:42 > 0:28:43Hello, sweetie!
0:28:43 > 0:28:45Good girl!
0:28:45 > 0:28:48So, Holly is a Hope rescue dog,
0:28:48 > 0:28:51so we're currently in the process of rehoming her.
0:28:51 > 0:28:55As you can see, she's got a snazzy little jacket on there.
0:28:55 > 0:28:57But the reason behind the crafting,
0:28:57 > 0:29:01it's not just about creating wonderful products,
0:29:01 > 0:29:02it's about people,
0:29:02 > 0:29:06and how crafting can kind of help a community come together.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09So, what we're hoping with the craft classes is to be able to reach out
0:29:09 > 0:29:14to everybody, young and old, from the morning, evening, weekends,
0:29:14 > 0:29:18so that everybody is going to be able to be a part of these craft classes.
0:29:18 > 0:29:23So, if you choose us today, your donations will provide a really lovely,
0:29:23 > 0:29:27cosy, crafting area for people to come and have a knit and a natter at
0:29:27 > 0:29:31the charity shop. It will also cover the cost of expert tuition for the
0:29:31 > 0:29:32crafting classes and lots of lovely,
0:29:32 > 0:29:35inspiring craft materials for everybody to use.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38We want to make sure that everyone can be involved in this project,
0:29:38 > 0:29:40so we're offering everything free of charge to the people who are
0:29:40 > 0:29:42participating.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45And we really, really hope that by Christmas we will have some lovely
0:29:45 > 0:29:48crafters in knitting some dog coats for dogs like Holly.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50Thank you very much.
0:29:50 > 0:29:52Thank you.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55AUDIENCE APPLAUDS
0:29:55 > 0:29:58- That's good! Yes!- Great jumper! I like that!
0:29:58 > 0:30:00And a big round of applause
0:30:00 > 0:30:04for our star of the show here, well done, thank you very much, thank you.
0:30:04 > 0:30:05Thank you.
0:30:08 > 0:30:12To enable Katie and Amy to start their craft project, they want...
0:30:17 > 0:30:20Katie, can you talk through some of the items you've got?
0:30:20 > 0:30:22Yeah, I can show you some of our dog coats here.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25So, this is kind of the smaller size.
0:30:25 > 0:30:30So, it starts from extra small, and we have a range of different designs,
0:30:30 > 0:30:33looks, materials.
0:30:33 > 0:30:35If you feel that, it's really nice and soft and squishy.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38- It does feel soft, doesn't it?- And if you've got a really large dog,
0:30:38 > 0:30:41and you think, you know, "What about my big, giant dog?"
0:30:41 > 0:30:45Then we go up to extra large, as well.
0:30:45 > 0:30:46We're going to take some questions.
0:30:46 > 0:30:49Do we have a question, please, for Katie and Amy?
0:30:49 > 0:30:50- Question there, please?- Hello.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54How many people want to sign up for your classes,
0:30:54 > 0:30:57and what would they do with their new skills?
0:30:57 > 0:30:59Well, it depends when you want to come.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02So what we're hoping to do is sort of coordinate it,
0:31:02 > 0:31:04so we'd hold different classes at different times.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06Depends what you want to learn.
0:31:06 > 0:31:08So, if you want to come in the morning, in the afternoon, of an evening,
0:31:08 > 0:31:10of a weekend, and we'll make sure
0:31:10 > 0:31:12that the shop and the space is available to
0:31:12 > 0:31:15hold things at different times so it's available for everybody.
0:31:15 > 0:31:16Thank you very much for your question.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18Another question for Katie and Amy, please?
0:31:18 > 0:31:22- Lady over there.- Are there any particular groups that you're going to be interested in targeting?
0:31:22 > 0:31:25I know there's a lot of work around mental health and charities like that
0:31:25 > 0:31:28at the moment - are there particular groups you're looking to target for
0:31:28 > 0:31:31- these classes?- We're hoping to bring more disadvantaged groups into the
0:31:31 > 0:31:33crafting sessions at the charity shop.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36So, whether that's using craft as therapy,
0:31:36 > 0:31:40or whether it's using the crafting as developing new skills which maybe
0:31:40 > 0:31:42will lead to further training or employment,
0:31:42 > 0:31:45there's lots and lots of opportunities for people to come
0:31:45 > 0:31:48alongside each other while they're learning a new skill,
0:31:48 > 0:31:49get some confidence, as well,
0:31:49 > 0:31:51and grow their life skills.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53- Great, thank you.- Thanks for your question.
0:31:53 > 0:31:55I think this is a great pitch. A round of applause, please,
0:31:55 > 0:31:58- for Katie and Amy.- Thank you.
0:31:58 > 0:32:02APPLAUSE
0:32:06 > 0:32:09Latest studies from psychology and neuroscience
0:32:09 > 0:32:11suggest that the brain has
0:32:11 > 0:32:14an astonishing ability to learn and master new skills,
0:32:14 > 0:32:15whatever your age.
0:32:15 > 0:32:21Plus, by taking up a new skill like crafting, there's other benefits, too,
0:32:21 > 0:32:24including maintaining and enhancing cognitive health.
0:32:25 > 0:32:26Well, that is it,
0:32:26 > 0:32:31you have now heard from all four of our amazing community champions,
0:32:31 > 0:32:32who have shared their dreams.
0:32:32 > 0:32:36But who do you think deserves to take the cash to get a good thing going?
0:32:36 > 0:32:37Well, let's have a recap.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40Today, we've heard from the Reverend Peter Lewis,
0:32:40 > 0:32:44who wants to help local unemployment by offering training on furniture
0:32:44 > 0:32:48renovation. The Reverend Peter! Yes!
0:32:48 > 0:32:50CROWD CHEERS
0:32:52 > 0:32:56We also heard from Caryl Thomas from the Prichard Street Allotments Association,
0:32:56 > 0:32:58who want to welcome gardeners
0:32:58 > 0:33:01of all ages and all abilities.
0:33:01 > 0:33:02Round of applause!
0:33:02 > 0:33:05CROWD CHEERS
0:33:05 > 0:33:07We also heard from Steve Davies,
0:33:07 > 0:33:10who wants everyone to have life-saving skills.
0:33:10 > 0:33:11What a pitch that was!
0:33:11 > 0:33:14CROWD CHEERS
0:33:17 > 0:33:19And Amy and Katie,
0:33:19 > 0:33:23who want to support the local dog shelter and learn new skills in the process.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26Round of applause for Amy and Katie.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29CROWD CHEERS
0:33:32 > 0:33:34So, their hard work is done.
0:33:34 > 0:33:36Now, it's time for you to start working.
0:33:36 > 0:33:40But which project will serve the community best?
0:33:40 > 0:33:41It's time to vote!
0:33:47 > 0:33:52Everyone voting today has contributed towards a fund
0:33:52 > 0:33:54that totals £505.35.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58Amy, Katie and definitely Holly will get the vote today, I think.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00Nobody can resist that little face.
0:34:00 > 0:34:02We were rubbish, but she was really good!
0:34:02 > 0:34:05Something that they've wanted to do for a long, long time,
0:34:05 > 0:34:08and then once it's off the ground, it will really get going.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11I was really proud of Dad tonight.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13It was nice that people were understanding
0:34:13 > 0:34:14what I was talking about.
0:34:14 > 0:34:15I thought he did really well.
0:34:15 > 0:34:20I think he just said what the whole project's about,
0:34:20 > 0:34:22and communicated that really well, so we're really proud of him.
0:34:25 > 0:34:26Wow!
0:34:26 > 0:34:28Those are four very strong projects.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31You've got Reverend Peter Lewis, his restoration project,
0:34:31 > 0:34:34but also getting unemployed people to socialise.
0:34:34 > 0:34:38That's a good one. But you get Steve Davies's one about life-saving.
0:34:38 > 0:34:39I'm just glad I don't have to decide.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44I thought Mam was... She was really good, she spoke really well.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47It was a bit nerve-racking, but I think, once I got into my stride,
0:34:47 > 0:34:50- I was OK.- I don't know how Steve's going to do in the vote.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53I'm just... They're all such good causes, I'm just keeping my fingers,
0:34:53 > 0:34:56toes and everything crossed that he's done his best.
0:34:56 > 0:35:00It doesn't matter if he wins or not because he just tried his best.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02BOTH: Proud of Dad!
0:35:11 > 0:35:14Ladies and gentlemen, you have voted.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17And your votes have been counted and verified.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21Now, before we announce who you've decided to get a good thing going,
0:35:21 > 0:35:24please welcome back our amazing champions.
0:35:24 > 0:35:26Round of applause, please.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29CHEERS AND APPLAUSE
0:35:33 > 0:35:35Well done.
0:35:40 > 0:35:46Which project have you decided that the community would benefit from?
0:35:46 > 0:35:49Who is going to take home the cash, and get a good thing going?
0:35:50 > 0:35:54Well, I can now tell you that the winner...
0:35:54 > 0:35:55is...
0:36:00 > 0:36:01Steve's life-saving lessons!
0:36:06 > 0:36:11- Well done, Steve. - Well done.
0:36:11 > 0:36:12Thank you.
0:36:12 > 0:36:13Wow.
0:36:13 > 0:36:14Well done. Well done.
0:36:17 > 0:36:18I'm lost for words, really.
0:36:18 > 0:36:22- Yeah.- And it means now I can buy a defibrillator trainer for our group,
0:36:22 > 0:36:24and we can do more training, raise more awareness.
0:36:24 > 0:36:29Absolutely all very worthy causes just generally and, in my opinion,
0:36:29 > 0:36:32they all deserved the money in my case, but obviously there can only be one winner.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35Steve won because I think you can't put a price on a life.
0:36:35 > 0:36:39We're all really excited by each other's projects and about getting
0:36:39 > 0:36:42together now to kind of cross over and things.
0:36:42 > 0:36:44We're already arranging meetings and things.
0:36:44 > 0:36:46I think the best person won.
0:36:46 > 0:36:48- Yeah.- Yeah, really good.
0:36:48 > 0:36:50But something good has come out of it, because...
0:36:50 > 0:36:54- What's that?- Two planters are going before the community council to see if they will sponsor them.
0:36:54 > 0:36:58So then all we've got to do is raise the money for the path, so it's ongoing.
0:36:58 > 0:37:00Absolutely brilliant news, isn't it?
0:37:00 > 0:37:02- Yeah, so it's going.- Delighted for Steve.
0:37:02 > 0:37:04I think that was a really good project to get going.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06- Daddy won!- Daddy won!
0:37:07 > 0:37:09Wow! Wow!
0:37:09 > 0:37:10Wow! What a fabulous day.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13Four incredible projects, four inspirational groups,
0:37:13 > 0:37:16and I'm just watching Steve, our winner there.
0:37:16 > 0:37:17Just everybody's chatting to him,
0:37:17 > 0:37:19and he's going to be taking the funds now,
0:37:19 > 0:37:22and it's going to be helping train people to save lives.
0:37:22 > 0:37:25But you know what stuck out the most for me is the support in the room.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28I think the overall winner today is the community.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42The trees are now bare, as the days get shorter.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45Four weeks later and Steve's new kit has arrived.
0:37:45 > 0:37:49Hi, guys. Are you going to come and help Dad open this?
0:37:49 > 0:37:50Come on, then! Do you know what it is, Beth?
0:37:51 > 0:37:55- Defibrillator?- Defibrillator! From the pitch, we won just over £500,
0:37:55 > 0:37:58which is amazing for the group, for our community project.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01We've now managed to buy a training mannequin and a training defibrillator,
0:38:01 > 0:38:03which means an awful lot for us.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06We're so pleased to have that, which we can now use in our community.
0:38:06 > 0:38:08- How amazing is that?- Nice.
0:38:08 > 0:38:09It's cool, isn't it?
0:38:09 > 0:38:12- Look.- It's going to be a busy year, I'm looking forward to it,
0:38:12 > 0:38:14looking forward to helping more people.
0:38:14 > 0:38:19And if the training we deliver gives one person that chance of stepping
0:38:19 > 0:38:22forward and using the equipment to save one person's life,
0:38:22 > 0:38:24it will mean a lot to us.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27His wife Marie is fully behind him.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29Since the pitch event, I'm really proud of him.
0:38:29 > 0:38:30He's done amazingly well.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32He's going to be really busy now.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35He's constantly thinking what can he do, what next event,
0:38:35 > 0:38:37how many people can he outreach?
0:38:37 > 0:38:43Steve's first session using his own equipment is in the local community hall,
0:38:43 > 0:38:44and it's a big turnout.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47Good evening, everyone, really appreciate you being here tonight for the
0:38:47 > 0:38:51defibrillator training. And I want to hopefully give you all some basic
0:38:51 > 0:38:54life-support skills and show you how easy a defibrillator is to use.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57I hope to learn tonight how to use the defib
0:38:57 > 0:38:59confidently and successfully.
0:38:59 > 0:39:03Me and Evan decided we'd like to have a go at a defib in case we ever
0:39:03 > 0:39:07- needed to use it.- I'm interested in finding out a little bit more about
0:39:07 > 0:39:09the use of a defibrillator.
0:39:09 > 0:39:13We had an incident recently in our church
0:39:13 > 0:39:17which demonstrated the need for a little bit more expertise.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20Bring yourself upright over the casualty
0:39:20 > 0:39:22and then push down five to six centimetres.
0:39:23 > 0:39:27While Danny's doing the CPR there, I'll pretend I've run off,
0:39:27 > 0:39:29I've got a defibrillator.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31So, the defibrillator's turned on there now.
0:39:31 > 0:39:35And when it says stand clear, if you deliver a shock to a person,
0:39:35 > 0:39:37the body will move.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40So just say, top, middle, bottom, clear.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43Everyone out the way. And then press the shock button, and deliver it.
0:39:43 > 0:39:45Deliver shock now.
0:39:45 > 0:39:47Press the orange button.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49- DEFIBRILLATOR: - Do not touch the patient.
0:39:49 > 0:39:51Sorry, mate!
0:39:51 > 0:39:54There you go.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56He died because I can't press the button!
0:40:00 > 0:40:01Why don't you have a go?
0:40:01 > 0:40:03There you go, look.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06Being visually impaired doesn't mean you can't use a defibrillator and
0:40:06 > 0:40:08help save a life.
0:40:08 > 0:40:12If I just help you form a fist there, so you've got your left hand,
0:40:12 > 0:40:16and then clench those and interlock your fingers of that hand...
0:40:16 > 0:40:19I just wanted to have a go.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21I thought it was exciting,
0:40:21 > 0:40:26and never having looked at one as I would do before,
0:40:26 > 0:40:28it was a new experience.
0:40:30 > 0:40:31- There you go.- Is that right?
0:40:31 > 0:40:33That's brilliant.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35So, hopefully you've all benefited from tonight,
0:40:35 > 0:40:38and I really do appreciate you turning up and being part of the training.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40So, thanks very much.
0:40:40 > 0:40:42APPLAUSE
0:40:43 > 0:40:47Caryl Thomas was in the audience with her husband Rhys.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50Well, we came tonight one, to support Steve, but two,
0:40:50 > 0:40:52just to see how the new defibrillators work,
0:40:52 > 0:40:54because we didn't know.
0:40:54 > 0:40:55And to see them in action, really.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59Steve's friend Darren only recently learned how to use a defibrillator,
0:40:59 > 0:41:03and only a few weeks later was in a situation where one was needed.
0:41:03 > 0:41:08At first, a little bit scary, because it was actual real life.
0:41:08 > 0:41:09But the machine kicked in,
0:41:09 > 0:41:12talked me right through everything that we had to do,
0:41:12 > 0:41:15and without the training, I wouldn't have been able to do it.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19What about the runners-up and their projects?
0:41:19 > 0:41:23Peter Lewis wanted to set up a furniture restoration project
0:41:23 > 0:41:26to help people in the RCT who are unemployed.
0:41:26 > 0:41:27Since the pitch event,
0:41:27 > 0:41:31we've decided that this is something which we definitely want to take
0:41:31 > 0:41:34forward, and we've sat down as a group,
0:41:34 > 0:41:37we've got some new people involved in the community who've got to hear
0:41:37 > 0:41:41about it, and we're going forward in a way that is going to help us be
0:41:41 > 0:41:43really sustainable, ready to start in the New Year.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48We had a good time together at the pitch.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51And afterwards, we realised that there are ways that we can overlap.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54So, with the dog charity, we're meeting up,
0:41:54 > 0:41:57they're having a carol service in one of our church buildings.
0:41:57 > 0:42:02And we're going to be having defibrillation training for all our volunteers.
0:42:02 > 0:42:06Caryl wanted disabled access and planters at her allotment for
0:42:06 > 0:42:08those with limited mobility.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11A local councillor approached us on the night because he was in the
0:42:11 > 0:42:15audience, and he is hoping to source some railway sleepers for us to build the thing,
0:42:15 > 0:42:18so we're not going to have to pay out for that,
0:42:18 > 0:42:21so that will be good. And really, it's stimulated more interest -
0:42:21 > 0:42:24more of the boys on the allotment are getting more involved,
0:42:24 > 0:42:26and they all think it's a pretty good idea.
0:42:27 > 0:42:31Katie and Amy wanted to set up community craft classes above
0:42:31 > 0:42:33the animal rescue charity shop.
0:42:33 > 0:42:36So, even though we didn't win on the night, we kind of won in other ways.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39We didn't get the money, but the friendships that we formed and the
0:42:39 > 0:42:42collaboration we formed with the other contestants has been priceless.
0:42:42 > 0:42:44So, we're working with Peter,
0:42:44 > 0:42:46we're going to supply him with some furniture.
0:42:46 > 0:42:50We're going to help Caryl with her project with some volunteers,
0:42:50 > 0:42:54and then Steve's going to come and use this space we've got upstairs for our craft classes
0:42:54 > 0:42:55to do a defib course,
0:42:55 > 0:42:58so it's all really come together nicely for us.
0:42:58 > 0:43:01So, if you've got an idea on how to improve your community,
0:43:01 > 0:43:03what are you waiting for?
0:43:03 > 0:43:07This idea which I set up was something I thought was going to be small.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10It has grown and grown and grown, the popularity.
0:43:10 > 0:43:13The community spirit and everyone involved in it has been amazing.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16So, if you've got a small, small idea, have a go at it.