0:00:04 > 0:00:07We Brits are brilliant at volunteering.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10One in four of us regularly give up our time to help others,
0:00:10 > 0:00:13putting something back into the community.
0:00:16 > 0:00:20I want to tap into that spirit to make good things happen.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22THEY CHEER
0:00:22 > 0:00:26I'm on a mission to discover the positive effects of volunteering
0:00:26 > 0:00:28from the volunteers themselves
0:00:28 > 0:00:31to the individuals and the communities that they help.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37Every day, people donate their time, expertise,
0:00:37 > 0:00:40imagination and elbow grease for others.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43They were in need of carpenters and volunteers
0:00:43 > 0:00:45so I just grabbed my tools and came down for the afternoon.
0:00:46 > 0:00:51I never thought at the end of my life I'd be helping others.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54I think volunteering's the lifeblood of what it is to be human.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56Yes!
0:00:56 > 0:01:00It's modest ordinary people who are making such amazing difference
0:01:00 > 0:01:02to people's lives.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04The world to me is a beautiful place now.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07It's 360 degrees from where I've come from.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11I'm better than what I was.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13I couldn't do this a year ago.
0:01:14 > 0:01:19My team is exploring inspiring schemes throughout the UK
0:01:19 > 0:01:21and tackling projects of our own.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23THEY SING
0:01:23 > 0:01:26This is about communities at their best,
0:01:26 > 0:01:29people giving to help others.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33This is about the incredible things we can achieve together.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36This is...
0:01:40 > 0:01:43I'm in Easton in Bristol.
0:01:43 > 0:01:48Like most inner-city areas in the UK, it has mixed fortunes.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51It has nice shops and a strong community feel.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55But it is in one of the poorest and most deprived areas in Britain.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00Nestled at the heart of the area is a community centre that was created
0:02:00 > 0:02:02by volunteers 15 years ago.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07Its aim was to provide a save haven for local young people
0:02:07 > 0:02:11away from the difficulties they faced growing up in the area.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17Today, it has grown to become an intrinsic part of the neighbourhood,
0:02:17 > 0:02:21providing facilities for education, training and support.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26But with little funding and a reliance on volunteers,
0:02:26 > 0:02:29like many community spaces in the UK,
0:02:29 > 0:02:31it struggles to reach its full potential.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35It's a place with a big heart,
0:02:35 > 0:02:38exemplified by the chap that runs it today...
0:02:39 > 0:02:40..Bruce. Hello, I'm Dave.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42- Nice to meet you.- Nice to meet you.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44This is some place you've got here.
0:02:44 > 0:02:45Yeah, it's not bad. We do our best.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48So Baggator has been here for 15 years.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51What is its role and importance in the community?
0:02:51 > 0:02:55Basically, anything the community needs, we'll get involved.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58All communities need a centre and when you're in a poor area,
0:02:58 > 0:03:03as we are here, that centre becomes more valuable and more needed.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06People, they rely on this to get outside the house
0:03:06 > 0:03:10and create the community and be part of the community they live in.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12It's taking the weight of their everyday life
0:03:12 > 0:03:16and giving them somewhere where they can be friends with each other.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18Well, what's missing?
0:03:19 > 0:03:22- Regular volunteers...- Mm-hmm.
0:03:22 > 0:03:23..and money.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27To get the building as we need it to really serve the community,
0:03:27 > 0:03:28it's going to take us years.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32It's just a constant battle looking for what we need
0:03:32 > 0:03:33to get the best we can.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35It's all very tired, the stuff we've got now.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37I spend more time tightening up the screws on the chairs
0:03:37 > 0:03:39- than do I putting them out usually. - Mm-hmm.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41We've got a lovely space outside
0:03:41 > 0:03:43but we've got no-one to maintain it.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46- Can you show us round, Bruce? - Certainly.- Thank you.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51So, this area here, does this belong to Baggator?
0:03:51 > 0:03:54- Yeah.- It's some amount of land actually, isn't it?
0:03:54 > 0:03:55It's a lot, yeah. The kids love it,
0:03:55 > 0:03:57they play football out here, hopscotch.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00The cafe will quite often in the summer migrate to the yard.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03The potential's massive, isn't?
0:04:03 > 0:04:04If only.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06So, what happens in that building?
0:04:06 > 0:04:09It used to be our bike workshop, but it's condemned now.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12We're just trying to find some funding to get that demolished.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14So, you demolish, you've got more space?
0:04:14 > 0:04:17Hopefully build a new workshop again, if we can find the funding.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19Right.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21- Ah, you've got a garden. Well... - Yeah, a little jungle.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23Jungle! THEY LAUGH
0:04:23 > 0:04:28There'll be people who are crying out for some space to garden.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30The youngsters and the old ones could get so much pleasure
0:04:30 > 0:04:32- out of a garden like this. - Very much so.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34It's a very proud community.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38I don't think anyone here would ever ask for help.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40They deserve so much more.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43I've got a dream for this place. I'd love to see this end of the garden
0:04:43 > 0:04:46as an educational play area for the young people.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48I think there's so much potential for the place,
0:04:48 > 0:04:50but do you find it frustrating?
0:04:50 > 0:04:52Very much so. I've got to find someone who knows
0:04:52 > 0:04:55how to lay hard standing for wheelchair,
0:04:55 > 0:04:58I've got to find someone who knows what plants can be cut back when.
0:04:58 > 0:04:59- I haven't got a clue.- Yeah.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03We've got to find people that are willing to actually do the digging
0:05:03 > 0:05:05and make beds and make a play area.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08It's just a massive job and I can't do it by myself.
0:05:08 > 0:05:13No. So, say you got this garden put immaculate, perfect,
0:05:13 > 0:05:15well, then it's got to be kept, hasn't it?
0:05:15 > 0:05:17- It has.- So you almost want somebody who's going to commit
0:05:17 > 0:05:21- to taking charge of that and running the volunteers for that.- Yeah.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23There's so many facets to this project.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25With the small changes we've made so far,
0:05:25 > 0:05:29- that has actually increased the amount of people willing to volunteer.- Yeah.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32So if we could actually get it that next step,
0:05:32 > 0:05:34the amount of volunteers we'll probably get
0:05:34 > 0:05:37will go through the roof and it'll just make life so much easier.
0:05:37 > 0:05:38I'd love to help Bruce.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44Thankfully, I know a team of people to help me revamp Baggator.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Mark Millar is a DIY powerhouse.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51Whatever projects we take on this week,
0:05:51 > 0:05:53we'll rely on his building experience.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57- Oh, thank you.- We know you can charm the birds off the trees.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59How kind of you!
0:05:59 > 0:06:00Nicki Chapman may have charm,
0:06:00 > 0:06:03but it's her grit and determination I need.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07Her job is to find us a small army of volunteers.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12Juliet Sargeant is an award-winning garden designer,
0:06:12 > 0:06:16but she's also an expert on the mental and physical benefits
0:06:16 > 0:06:17of gardening.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22And Martyn Ashdown, a champion trial biker,
0:06:22 > 0:06:25whose life was transformed when a stunt left him paralysed.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29It was the beginning of a new life.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33He's the man to find us inspiration from volunteering projects
0:06:33 > 0:06:35throughout the UK.
0:06:35 > 0:06:36It's a tall order.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38- Have we got much time?- No.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40All right, sounds like a great project!
0:06:40 > 0:06:42THEY LAUGH
0:06:42 > 0:06:46It's a strong team, but I have one more secret weapon up my sleeve.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48Good.
0:06:48 > 0:06:53Sara Venn is part of a national scheme called Incredible Edible
0:06:53 > 0:06:55and the driving force behind Edible Bristol.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01Using volunteers and plant donations,
0:07:01 > 0:07:04they transform uncared-for areas of the city centre
0:07:04 > 0:07:06into fruit and veg gardens
0:07:06 > 0:07:10supporting volunteers and communities.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12This is such a little oasis, isn't it, in the middle
0:07:12 > 0:07:15- of the city centre.- Yeah, it's glorious. It's really glorious.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19Can anybody coming home from work just stop and pick their supper?
0:07:19 > 0:07:23- Yeah. Absolutely, the food is there for people to take. - So it belongs to everybody.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26So it belongs to everybody. Our motto is if you eat, you're in.
0:07:26 > 0:07:27- You're a proper gardener, aren't you?- Yes.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30- You're Royal Horticultural thingy.- Yeah, yeah.
0:07:30 > 0:07:31When I came down here,
0:07:31 > 0:07:34I got involved with quite a lot of community projects.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37I wanted to sort of be able to say to people,
0:07:37 > 0:07:38"This is what horticulture can do for you,
0:07:38 > 0:07:41"it's not just about growing some veg,
0:07:41 > 0:07:43"it's not just about planting some trees,
0:07:43 > 0:07:46"it's about actually what it does for you as a person."
0:07:46 > 0:07:49So we got this tiny little triangle of land
0:07:49 > 0:07:53and worked with the people who live in the high-rises next-door
0:07:53 > 0:07:55and that kind of spread around that area
0:07:55 > 0:07:57so there's four or five gardens in that area now,
0:07:57 > 0:07:59all looked after by the community.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01And this was kind of the beginning of a trail of gardens
0:08:01 > 0:08:03that now goes through the city all the way Temple Meads.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06How many gardens are in the city centre, do you think?
0:08:06 > 0:08:09There's 14 in the city centre and there's 35 in all.
0:08:09 > 0:08:10- Good grief.- Yeah.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14How does it make you feel, Sara, when you walk around Bristol
0:08:14 > 0:08:16and you see people using these spaces?
0:08:16 > 0:08:20Either for the food or, you know, to work and to, you know,
0:08:20 > 0:08:22to help themselves, how does it make you feel?
0:08:22 > 0:08:25It gives you that weird warm glow in the pit of your stomach
0:08:25 > 0:08:29that makes you go, "Yes." It's amazing - it's really amazing.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31We've had parents come along who have said,
0:08:31 > 0:08:33"We've had to access food banks this week, is there any chance of?"
0:08:33 > 0:08:37- Yes.- You know, and that just makes you go, "Oh, my goodness."
0:08:37 > 0:08:39- Yeah.- You know, there's...
0:08:39 > 0:08:43"Yes. Just take it, help yourselves, do what you need to do."
0:08:44 > 0:08:47So we know that we are having an effect.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49This is a project that succeeds on so many levels.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51I mean, it's helped you. Mm-hmm.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53We know it's helping some people in a life-changing way
0:08:53 > 0:08:55that are volunteering,
0:08:55 > 0:08:59but then it benefits people who come along and pick the vegetables,
0:08:59 > 0:09:02who get free food and it also benefits the city.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05I mean, I'm sure some of the sites you've got
0:09:05 > 0:09:06would just be waste ground,
0:09:06 > 0:09:09but they're beautiful and they're productive.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11I mean, what are the challenges for the future?
0:09:12 > 0:09:15So the challenges - getting more people on board,
0:09:15 > 0:09:17finding more bits of land,
0:09:17 > 0:09:20supporting more groups to begin this on their own journey.
0:09:22 > 0:09:27I can't resist getting stuck into finishing off Millennium Gardens.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29- Set me to work, Sara. - So, come along, dear.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33OK, so, that's your seedling, OK?
0:09:33 > 0:09:34What you want to do is
0:09:34 > 0:09:37you want to make sure the soil goes up to there...
0:09:37 > 0:09:40- Oh, right.- ..because it stops it rocking in the wind.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42- Right.- OK.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45There's a real buzz in this garden and it's contagious.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50You know, Sara, looking around here, you see people, it's joyous.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54You can see it in people's faces and that must...
0:09:54 > 0:09:56Weed or kale?
0:09:56 > 0:09:57- Weed.- Thank you.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01THEY LAUGH
0:10:01 > 0:10:02You see she's great. She's here.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05You know, you're never on your own, not with Sara.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09- But, you know, you see that joy in people's faces.- Yeah,
0:10:09 > 0:10:13and it's good for your confidence and it's good just, you know,
0:10:13 > 0:10:16- just all of that stuff that people so often struggle with...- Yeah.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19..and struggle to communicate that they're struggling with.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22- Yes.- They don't need to communicate it here because we just...
0:10:22 > 0:10:24Somehow, this is just, it's therapeutic.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31And for some people, that is the whole point of a project like this.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35Yes, they're helping others,
0:10:35 > 0:10:38but it's what volunteering does for them
0:10:38 > 0:10:39that is the most amazing aspect.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48It's dawning on me that Baggator's garden has great potential
0:10:48 > 0:10:51to not just be a usable area for the centre,
0:10:51 > 0:10:55but a vital green space that the whole community can benefit from.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01I'm hoping Mark Millar will translate my good intentions
0:11:01 > 0:11:05into a vibrant garden bursting with energy and life
0:11:05 > 0:11:07in just a few days.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10- You're the man to do this. - You've got to put energy into it.
0:11:10 > 0:11:11I'm just a mere conduit.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16Can you imagine coming out here on a summer's day?
0:11:16 > 0:11:20- You haven't got a garden, you've just got a back yard. - I can see where you're going, mate.
0:11:20 > 0:11:21I can see exactly where you're going.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24This could be the veritable garden of Easton.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29Well, look you've got a barbecue there, you've got the biggest fig tree I've ever seen -
0:11:29 > 0:11:30it could be beautiful,
0:11:30 > 0:11:35but just to have somewhere that's safe, a sanctuary, a haven
0:11:35 > 0:11:37in the middle of the city.
0:11:37 > 0:11:38So what are we thinking about?
0:11:38 > 0:11:41Are we thinking about, like, lawn, veg...
0:11:41 > 0:11:43Oh, I'll show you the lawn.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45You're fond of food, I know that.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47No, no, I see this as just being -
0:11:47 > 0:11:49we'll keep what's there that's good, especially the fig tree.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53- Right.- Just a nice area for people to sit, bring the old folk in.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55Is that the only thing you've recognised in here?
0:11:55 > 0:11:57Oh, no, there is a meconopsis over there.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59Oh, right.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01That's a raspberry bush.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03- Look at this, Mark.- I am, I'm looking, I'm looking.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05It's fertile.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07It's fertile, I'll give you that. It's definitely fertile.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11- Look at the size of the fig tree - course, it's fertile.- It is huge, isn't it?- It's an amazing space.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15Purple daisies, got roses, a buddleia, butterflies.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19Beautiful. Do you know what? This is actually a lot of work out here.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22- Yes. Yes.- This is a lot of work and we've got three days.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24- Yes.- I've got loads of ideas, mate.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27We're going to need at least 50 volunteers
0:12:27 > 0:12:29to help transform this garden.
0:12:29 > 0:12:34It's great Sara's on board but we need to attract more.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38Research shows volunteering is actually good for your health -
0:12:38 > 0:12:41sharing skills, time and sometimes muscle power
0:12:41 > 0:12:43for the benefit of others.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46But Nicki doesn't have much time to muster a team.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51She needs to tap into the goodwill that already exists,
0:12:51 > 0:12:56speak to existing volunteer schemes and local businesses to find people
0:12:56 > 0:12:59willing to help us to help the local community.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03Hello, yes, my name's Nicki Chapman, I hope you can help.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05I'm ringing around to see if there's people there
0:13:05 > 0:13:07that want to help volunteering.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10- Morning.- Sorry.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12Hello, how are you?
0:13:12 > 0:13:16I'm looking for a group of enthusiastic people of all ages...
0:13:16 > 0:13:18- No, not any more. - Would you be interested?
0:13:18 > 0:13:20Cos with your skills, that would be great.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22Yeah.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27Nicki has heard about a local garden centre which regularly donate plants
0:13:27 > 0:13:29to people such as Sara.
0:13:30 > 0:13:35So, using her business expertise and considerable powers of persuasion
0:13:35 > 0:13:38she's swelling the ranks of helpers.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40We just need lots of help.
0:13:40 > 0:13:41Would you be able to assist with that?
0:13:41 > 0:13:46Yes, I hope that we'll get a few volunteers along to help build it.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48To have that expert knowledge alongside people that
0:13:48 > 0:13:51perhaps it's the first time they've ever gardened,
0:13:51 > 0:13:53I think, is going to be crucial to its success, isn't it?
0:13:53 > 0:13:54Yes, it will be.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58Mark, meanwhile, is on the hunt for some skilled labour...
0:13:58 > 0:14:00How are you doing, all right?
0:14:00 > 0:14:03..willing to donate time to help with the groundworks.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08But he has got his eye on more than just muscle.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11Simon, I've literally spotted this in here.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15Have you got any reason to keep this?
0:14:15 > 0:14:19The ant's body you can take and the giant salmon you can take as well.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23Quite what we'll do with a giant wooden salmon I've no idea,
0:14:23 > 0:14:25but it'll keep Mark happy.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28I think things are going in the right direction, don't you?
0:14:29 > 0:14:32The team has done a great job so far recruiting volunteers
0:14:32 > 0:14:35and looking at ideas for the garden.
0:14:35 > 0:14:39But a big problem faced by organisations such as Baggator
0:14:39 > 0:14:42is the support from regular helpers.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44Sara, from Edible Bristol,
0:14:44 > 0:14:48has told me about one of her volunteers, Ross, who lives nearby.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54- Hello, Ross, I'm Dave. - Dave, nice to meet you.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56- I've got the right address, then. - You've got right address, yeah.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59- Do you mind if I come in?- Yeah, of course, yeah. No problem at all.
0:14:59 > 0:15:03- Good, thanks. How are you? Nice to meet you.- Yeah, lovely.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06- Welcome to my...- It's smashing, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10Ross found that volunteering with Incredible Edible helped him
0:15:10 > 0:15:13profoundly when he was overwhelmed with depression.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16Looking back now, I think, yeah, I've probably always had it.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19My parents broke up when I was very, very young
0:15:19 > 0:15:22and there was all kinds of things going on sort of...
0:15:22 > 0:15:24It sort of like seemed normal to me,
0:15:24 > 0:15:27probably did have a massive effect, to be honest,
0:15:27 > 0:15:32- but just before Christmas, last November, I lost my job.- Mm-hmm.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35Shortly after, I lost my partner, who I lived with.
0:15:35 > 0:15:36We broke up.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41So I kind of moved out, but I didn't have any money for a deposit,
0:15:41 > 0:15:45and cos I was on benefits then I had no way of saving for a deposit.
0:15:45 > 0:15:50So after a couple of weeks couch-surfing around Christmas,
0:15:50 > 0:15:51I found myself with nowhere to live.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55It was quite difficult to find somewhere to live
0:15:55 > 0:15:56because I'm not a drug user,
0:15:56 > 0:16:00I don't have any significant mental health problems.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02A single man, you're expected to sort yourself out,
0:16:02 > 0:16:04which is quite hard, really.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06But eventually got into this place.
0:16:06 > 0:16:07Actually, weirdly, being homeless,
0:16:07 > 0:16:10I didn't feel my depression at all then.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12Everything's really full-on,
0:16:12 > 0:16:14you're quite close to violence all the time.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16You're seeing people on crack pipes in the queue for the homeless
0:16:16 > 0:16:18shelters, pretty terrifying,
0:16:18 > 0:16:21but you're just surrounded by people,
0:16:21 > 0:16:24so you kind of had to be a little bit brave.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28I just didn't have time to kind of freak out.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32- If you know what I mean!- Right. - When I finally got into this place,
0:16:32 > 0:16:35a couple of days later I just had a complete breakdown.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39Everything caught up with me at once, which was quite intense.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42Mm-hmm. So how did things change when you met Sara?
0:16:42 > 0:16:45Oh, it was just nice having a bit of support.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49It's also nice having somebody that isn't part of my existing, sort of,
0:16:49 > 0:16:50- group.- It's a two-way street, isn't it?
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Cos obviously Sara is volunteering,
0:16:52 > 0:16:54but there also is a volunteering aspect from you.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56- Yeah.- You have to give as well.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00Yeah, yeah. But I think when you meet people like Sara,
0:17:00 > 0:17:01she's like a real leader.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04You actually physically want to help people.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08You know, you want to help Sara, which in turn helps you.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12Was there a moment when there was a turn around
0:17:12 > 0:17:14where the lights went on a bit and you thought, "This is all right"?
0:17:14 > 0:17:16You know, "This is doing me good."
0:17:16 > 0:17:20Yeah, there was a moment when I'd spent a good few hours digging over
0:17:20 > 0:17:25some beds and I kind of sat back on a chair, the weather was beautiful,
0:17:25 > 0:17:28I just kind of sat there and looked at the view and just went,
0:17:28 > 0:17:30"Yeah, I think I found my happy place."
0:17:30 > 0:17:32- HE LAUGHS - And it was...
0:17:32 > 0:17:34Yeah, that was a real revelation.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39I've learnt from this - we mustn't take anything for granted.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43Ross was only one step away from where most of us are.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49But, you know, with a little help, he is turning his life around,
0:17:49 > 0:17:53he is fighting his illness and...
0:17:53 > 0:17:56you know, it'd be great to help him a bit more, really.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58I mean, because what happens if he's planning gardens?
0:17:58 > 0:18:02What happens if we can give him his ambition back? A zest for life back?
0:18:02 > 0:18:05You know, who knows what doors can open?
0:18:05 > 0:18:08It's easy to take for granted the very real positive power
0:18:08 > 0:18:14of the outdoors, but is there any scientific evidence as to why?
0:18:14 > 0:18:16Juliet, we're in this wonderful community garden,
0:18:16 > 0:18:20what is it about gardening that makes you feel good?
0:18:20 > 0:18:22Gardening's such good therapy.
0:18:22 > 0:18:23It is, absolutely.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25The first thing is there's something about fresh air
0:18:25 > 0:18:29and exercise, of course. If you're digging, gardening,
0:18:29 > 0:18:32it's much more interesting than being in the gym
0:18:32 > 0:18:33sort of on a treadmill.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37We've known sort of instinctively for centuries
0:18:37 > 0:18:38that it's good to be outside.
0:18:38 > 0:18:43We tend to be naturally drawn to perhaps a walk in the woods
0:18:43 > 0:18:46if we're feeling stressed and now,
0:18:46 > 0:18:51the scientists are starting to find evidence and research to back up
0:18:51 > 0:18:54what seems to be instinctive, really,
0:18:54 > 0:18:56and they find, for example, in Japan,
0:18:56 > 0:19:01they did a study and they found that when people go for a walk or a run
0:19:01 > 0:19:06in woodland, it's more beneficial than running around concrete streets
0:19:06 > 0:19:11because actually the trees give off essences that we breathe
0:19:11 > 0:19:14and then that boosts our immune system.
0:19:14 > 0:19:19So there are all sorts of little scientific facts that are coming up
0:19:19 > 0:19:22now to back what we've always believed.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24And why is gardening such good therapy?
0:19:24 > 0:19:26You've probably had it yourself, Dave,
0:19:26 > 0:19:28- that when you start gardening... - Yeah.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31..you get so absorbed and the time flies and the next thing you know
0:19:31 > 0:19:33it's getting dark,
0:19:33 > 0:19:36and the psychologists have actually called that flow.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39Apparently when we get in this state where we forget everything,
0:19:39 > 0:19:41we forget our stresses and our worries
0:19:41 > 0:19:43and we're just totally absorbed,
0:19:43 > 0:19:46that's flow, and apparently it's really good for us.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50It destresses us and helps with depression, anxiety,
0:19:50 > 0:19:53so that's one of the things that happens when you garden.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57HE CHUCKLES And Mark sure is in full flow.
0:19:57 > 0:19:58Morning. How you doing?
0:19:58 > 0:20:01Er... We're at Baggator this morning. We're starting off here
0:20:01 > 0:20:04and some of the groundworkers have just turned up.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06There isn't a lot of time and we don't seem to...
0:20:06 > 0:20:08We have all the volunteers.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10Thank you, Nicky, we've got loads of volunteers,
0:20:10 > 0:20:14but for some reason we don't seem to have the materials or the tools.
0:20:16 > 0:20:17Big diggers, big trucks.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19# Big diggers and trucks Big diggers and trucks
0:20:19 > 0:20:21# Big diggers, diggers, diggers and trucks. #
0:20:26 > 0:20:29I'm off to one of the local builders merchants up here to see if we can
0:20:29 > 0:20:31round up some materials for Baggator.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35Cos we need a few bits and bobs in there cos there is a load of
0:20:35 > 0:20:36volunteers turning up this afternoon.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42I've been thinking about the long-term needs of the garden
0:20:42 > 0:20:46and I know the perfect person to help.
0:20:46 > 0:20:47It's going all right, mate.
0:20:47 > 0:20:48Yeah, there is a lot to do.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51Oh, I know, I know. How far away do you live, Ross?
0:20:51 > 0:20:54- Five minutes, literally.- Really? - Yeah.- I mean, the problem they've had before is
0:20:54 > 0:20:57Bruce, who runs Baggator, he has got his hands full.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00- Yeah.- He's going to need some help and I think if we can get the garden
0:21:00 > 0:21:02- right, that's only half the problem. - Yeah, yeah.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04The other half the problem is sustaining it.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07Sure, just maintaining it, keeping it up-to-date.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11Yeah, trying to get involved with sort of trying to get other volunteers up, sort of spread
0:21:11 > 0:21:14- the word.- Would you be up for that? - Yeah, more than happy, yeah. Yeah.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17That'd be brilliant. That would be brilliant.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20With the materials on-site,
0:21:20 > 0:21:22it's all hands on deck sorting the garden.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31The guys have got round here, they've got their hardcore in
0:21:31 > 0:21:34for the paths and they have even started slabbing.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37- How you doing? - It's taking shape, isn't it?
0:21:37 > 0:21:40- Just about, yeah.- You're going to need a few more slabs then,
0:21:40 > 0:21:42- aren't you? - Definitely, yeah, yeah, yeah.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45Really positive first day, everyone's worked really hard
0:21:45 > 0:21:47and, as you can see, we've got absolutely loads done.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49So, it's fantastic.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54So, tomorrow there'll be quite a lot of planting.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57They'll be tidying up. We've got turfing to do.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00We've got to fill the raised beds and get them planted up
0:22:00 > 0:22:02and then just a massive tidy up,
0:22:02 > 0:22:05which is always the bit that takes far longer than you expect.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12Whilst most of our efforts have been focused on the Baggator garden,
0:22:12 > 0:22:16Martyn Ashton has been exploring other volunteer projects
0:22:16 > 0:22:18that have nature at their heart.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22I've been to this place where they're using a thing called HenPower.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25- HenPower?- HenPower.- Like chickens?
0:22:25 > 0:22:28Chickens. And it is quite an experience
0:22:28 > 0:22:32because I've never seen hens have such an amazing effect on people.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36So bear with me. So I went into this room where there's some
0:22:36 > 0:22:41older people who are doing an arts and crafts class.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43- Yes.- And then they added in hens.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47- You like them?- Yes.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51Hi, Joss.
0:22:51 > 0:22:52What is going on?
0:22:52 > 0:22:54Well, I've got a few chickens,
0:22:54 > 0:22:56a few older people and a bit of creativity going on.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59We've got an artist, Clare, and an artist, Betty, in working today
0:22:59 > 0:23:02and they're doing some feather prints and all the artwork
0:23:02 > 0:23:05that's made by the residents will go up in the care home.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08Wow, well, I mean, my first question is why chickens?
0:23:08 > 0:23:10So I would say back to you, why not?
0:23:10 > 0:23:13Good answer. I need a little bit more.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16OK. So we were working in a care home in Gateshead, Shadon House,
0:23:16 > 0:23:19and there was an older gentleman who kept repeating female names
0:23:19 > 0:23:21over and over again. The guy had dementia,
0:23:21 > 0:23:23he was quite restless, quite unsettled
0:23:23 > 0:23:26and he kept making a run for the door at specific times of the day
0:23:26 > 0:23:30and the manager there worked quite closely with him and realised
0:23:30 > 0:23:31that the names he kept repeating
0:23:31 > 0:23:34were the names of hens that he'd kept when he was younger.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37So she asked could we get some hens and try it out and see how it works?
0:23:37 > 0:23:38We trialled it at Shadon House.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42We ran creative activities in conjunction with hen keeping
0:23:42 > 0:23:45and it just went down a storm. People loved it.
0:23:45 > 0:23:46We work all over the country now
0:23:46 > 0:23:50- kind of hen-ergising older people's lives.- Hen-ergising!
0:23:50 > 0:23:52I love it. That is genius.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56People who have dementia, creativity is the last thing to go.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58They might not remember what they had for their breakfast.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00They might not remember their son or daughter's name,
0:24:00 > 0:24:03but they can contribute to the here and now by being creative
0:24:03 > 0:24:05and that creativity can kind of ripple through the care home,
0:24:05 > 0:24:08bounce off the walls, hang in the windows, that kind of thing.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10Great energy, cos it's buzzing in here.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13Well, it's just a little bit of a different approach having chickens.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15So today you've got volunteers helping you.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18I mean, volunteering must be a big part of HenPower.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21Volunteering's a key part of HenPower, to making it successful.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23So we've got Pat over here.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26Pat's from Wood Green, one of our pensioners, and Doreen up here.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29And then we have all the lovely relatives who come in and
0:24:29 > 0:24:30support their residents as well.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37Wow. Pat, it's great fun in there.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40- Oh, yes.- You do this all free of charge.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42- Oh, yes.- You volunteer your time.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44- Yes.- And...- It's good for us.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47- It is, it's very good for us. - Why is that?
0:24:47 > 0:24:48Otherwise, you know,
0:24:48 > 0:24:51you've got to be very careful when you end up alone.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54My husband passed away three years ago.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58I had nothing and you could just go into yourself
0:24:58 > 0:25:00and just perhaps go on a message, come back
0:25:00 > 0:25:02and sit and watch television.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06But it was Lynn who asked me would I like to go up to the lounge,
0:25:06 > 0:25:10the little chicks were coming out and that's what started me getting
0:25:10 > 0:25:12interested in HenPower.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15I'm 79. I'll be 80 in another month
0:25:15 > 0:25:19and I never thought at the end of my life I'd be helping others.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23Do you think it's something that other people should be thinking about...
0:25:23 > 0:25:26- Oh, yes.- ..because you seem to get so much from it?
0:25:26 > 0:25:27I think it's a lifeline at times.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34It's not just older people who benefit from a bit of HenPower.
0:25:35 > 0:25:36It's amazing, isn't it?
0:25:36 > 0:25:38Yes. We love it, don't we, Doreen?
0:25:38 > 0:25:41- We love what we do here.- Oh, yes.
0:25:41 > 0:25:46The hen-sioners also take their beloved chickens into schools.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49Is this something you think you'd ever do when you're older?
0:25:49 > 0:25:53- Yeah.- I'd probably have my own chickens and bring them into school.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55- You think you would?- Mm-hmm.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57Now, I don't think with what we've got planned
0:25:57 > 0:25:58for the garden at Baggator
0:25:58 > 0:26:01we'll be able to fit in chickens,
0:26:01 > 0:26:03which is a shame,
0:26:03 > 0:26:05but what I've got from this project is this -
0:26:05 > 0:26:09looking after a living thing, whether it's an animal or a garden
0:26:09 > 0:26:11is just so positive. Physically,
0:26:11 > 0:26:13emotionally, mentally.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17It's just got so many benefits and for all ages, whether you're young,
0:26:17 > 0:26:18or just young at heart.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24It seems to me that if you can encourage or invite and allow people
0:26:24 > 0:26:30to connect with nature, be it gardening or growing their own food
0:26:30 > 0:26:33or indeed having a pet or indeed hens, you know,
0:26:33 > 0:26:38it can open doors and it can... it can be very therapeutic, really.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41Yeah, absolutely. It really did make a huge difference.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47I'm realising just how fundamental nature is to our lives
0:26:47 > 0:26:49and for some people, so crucial.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53It's not just about feeling good, it's about staying alive.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00From the outside, it would seem like Delyth from Bristol has it all.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03A husband, four loving children and a beautiful home.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09But for the past 20 years, she has been battling inner struggles.
0:27:11 > 0:27:15Postnatal depression after the birth of her first child was the beginning
0:27:15 > 0:27:18of a spiral of illness that has dominated much of her life since.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23Did you have postnatal depression after the second child?
0:27:23 > 0:27:27I did, and after each of my children,
0:27:27 > 0:27:29I have four altogether,
0:27:29 > 0:27:35and I just assumed it was postnatal depression, I would be medicated,
0:27:35 > 0:27:38the medication would kick in, life would go back to normal,
0:27:38 > 0:27:42I could look after the children, I could function properly...
0:27:43 > 0:27:45..and then over the years,
0:27:45 > 0:27:49it became clear that things weren't right
0:27:49 > 0:27:51- and things weren't normal.- Yes.
0:27:51 > 0:27:56This past winter has been particularly difficult because
0:27:56 > 0:28:01the preceding summer had been very good and I had plenty of energy.
0:28:01 > 0:28:06I was interested in life and I truly believed that depression wouldn't
0:28:06 > 0:28:08knock on my door again.
0:28:08 > 0:28:13And unfortunately, as we turned into winter,
0:28:13 > 0:28:17and the days close in and the nights draw in,
0:28:17 > 0:28:20I felt that spiral beginning again.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22In this particular episode,
0:28:22 > 0:28:26it was anxiety, which I had never experienced before.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28What actually happened?
0:28:28 > 0:28:34I would be... My comfort zone was this sofa, was here.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38So most of my days in the winter were spent lying on the sofa
0:28:38 > 0:28:42watching daytime television day after day.
0:28:42 > 0:28:46When the anxiety began to kick in, I would be lying on the sofa,
0:28:46 > 0:28:49there was nothing going on around me and I would...
0:28:49 > 0:28:54this horrible feeling would overcome me, starting in my stomach,
0:28:54 > 0:28:57which was, you know like when you're on a rollercoaster ride
0:28:57 > 0:28:59- and you're just going over the edge.- The butterflies.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02And you've got the butterflies in your stomach
0:29:02 > 0:29:06and I would have that for quite some time.
0:29:06 > 0:29:10Even getting up to make a cup of tea was scary,
0:29:10 > 0:29:13but I can't tell you what I thought was going it happen.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16I have a good roof over my head.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18We have food in the fridge.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21I have four lovely children who were supportive,
0:29:21 > 0:29:23my husband has been incredibly supportive.
0:29:23 > 0:29:27There were no issues in my life that would make me feel
0:29:27 > 0:29:31the way that I was feeling, yet that is how I felt.
0:29:31 > 0:29:33- And it's a spiral.- And it spirals.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36The thought process then became,
0:29:36 > 0:29:39"Why are you here? What are you doing here?"
0:29:39 > 0:29:42"You know, you're not even safe on your sofa.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44"You don't deserve to be here."
0:29:46 > 0:29:49And that's the point it got to
0:29:49 > 0:29:53where I began to think, "I don't have a place here,
0:29:53 > 0:29:58"my family would be better off without me than me being here
0:29:58 > 0:30:01"a useless lump on the sofa."
0:30:02 > 0:30:05And I did contemplate suicide
0:30:05 > 0:30:09and I did think about the tablets that I had in my cupboard -
0:30:09 > 0:30:13"How many of them would I need to take? Would it be OK?
0:30:13 > 0:30:16"Where would I do it? What would I do?"
0:30:16 > 0:30:19And fortunately, fortunately,
0:30:19 > 0:30:23- I realised I also had a choice.- Yes.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25That was one route I could take.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28The other was to reach out and ask for some help.
0:30:29 > 0:30:34When she heard about Edible Bristol, her life changed.
0:30:34 > 0:30:36It was the planting of the strawberries
0:30:36 > 0:30:38that really nailed it for me.
0:30:38 > 0:30:44Because as soon as I got my hands in the earth, it was almost,
0:30:44 > 0:30:46it was almost like electricity
0:30:46 > 0:30:49coming up through my arms into my body,
0:30:49 > 0:30:54going, "This is where you need to be. This will make you better."
0:30:54 > 0:30:57And every work party I've been to since has been the same.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00Do you think it's a day that's changed your life?
0:31:00 > 0:31:02I would say so, definitely.
0:31:02 > 0:31:04Definitely.
0:31:06 > 0:31:11It's just beginning to dawn on me as to how important volunteering is.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14You know, the scheme that Sara is working,
0:31:14 > 0:31:17potentially it saved Delyth's life.
0:31:17 > 0:31:21It does make me think about how many people behind the curtains
0:31:21 > 0:31:24and the closed doors are suffering in silence
0:31:24 > 0:31:26and I wish we could draw people out
0:31:26 > 0:31:30into these schemes because, who knows, it may change their lives.
0:31:33 > 0:31:37A space that the whole community can get involved with is vital.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40Mark and the volunteers have their work cut out.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42Oh, this is looking more like it.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47We've got trucks with trailers, we've got wheelbarrows,
0:31:47 > 0:31:48we've got groundworkers.
0:31:48 > 0:31:50Blooming marvellous.
0:31:51 > 0:31:52DRILL WHIRS
0:31:54 > 0:31:55That's more like it.
0:31:57 > 0:32:00Let's see if we can get something started here, shall we?
0:32:00 > 0:32:02First things first -
0:32:02 > 0:32:06a wooden wigwam with climbing plants will make a great den for the kids.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09THEY TALK INDISTINCTLY
0:32:09 > 0:32:10They're all so smiley!
0:32:13 > 0:32:15It's all happening.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17Path going in. Look, path going in.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19This is great. This is all happening.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22Clearing the beds over here and getting ready for planting.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27Getting all these beds topped up out here so all the raised beds are
0:32:27 > 0:32:30getting sorted out. Clearing this area at the back here
0:32:30 > 0:32:32for all the plants to go in.
0:32:32 > 0:32:34This is all happening. How's it going in your corner?
0:32:34 > 0:32:35- Good.- Brilliant.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38Good, good. We're going in the right direction,
0:32:38 > 0:32:39but the old clock is ticking.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42I keep saying it, but it doesn't stop ticking!
0:32:46 > 0:32:49- Are we getting close to planting? - Nowhere near. Nowhere near.
0:32:49 > 0:32:51- Oh, my God!- Don't even go there.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53Planting will be the last ten seconds.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56- When are we planting?- Sorry, Mark! - When are we planting?
0:32:56 > 0:32:58When? When?
0:32:59 > 0:33:03Nicki and Juliet have come to get stuck in for the last big effort.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06There's been loads going on.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08We've had loads of clearance taking place.
0:33:08 > 0:33:10We've had a bit of construction going on.
0:33:10 > 0:33:14The thing that I'm most excited about is Simon's salmon!
0:33:14 > 0:33:16SHE LAUGHS
0:33:16 > 0:33:18- Look at this!- I thought you were going to cross the Channel.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20- No, no, no.- It's beautiful.
0:33:20 > 0:33:24I want to take it in and lay it down on the edge by the fig tree there
0:33:24 > 0:33:27and Incredible Edible want to plant strawberries and stuff in it.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29- Oh, lovely. - So it will be planted out.
0:33:29 > 0:33:30One, two, three...
0:33:32 > 0:33:35Ooh, look at that.
0:33:35 > 0:33:36I love the salmon.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40- Everyone got your hands out?- Yeah.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47That's amazing. He's incredible.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50Unless there's this many volunteers again, he's not going to be moving,
0:33:50 > 0:33:53- is he?- When you rounded all these volunteers up for us,
0:33:53 > 0:33:56- did you realise they were actually going to turn up?- No.
0:33:56 > 0:33:58I'm gobsmacked. I walked in
0:33:58 > 0:34:00and to see everybody here, just getting on down,
0:34:00 > 0:34:03just really enjoying themselves by getting involved,
0:34:03 > 0:34:06it's going to be just the most fantastic place for people to come,
0:34:06 > 0:34:07isn't it?
0:34:07 > 0:34:10And just in the nick of time...
0:34:13 > 0:34:15- Are all these edible?- Oh!
0:34:15 > 0:34:17OK, so...
0:34:17 > 0:34:19- Marjoram?- Marjoram, yeah.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21- Thyme.- Yes.
0:34:21 > 0:34:23It's really easy when there's labels.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26If you could just smell the back of this van, it's just really lovely.
0:34:26 > 0:34:28So we've got these lovely trees.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31- Wow.- I've got three of those little babies and they're dwarf,
0:34:31 > 0:34:33but I've got something else.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36More. More.
0:34:36 > 0:34:37Oh, it's so nice, isn't it?
0:34:37 > 0:34:40I can't believe that everyone's jumped on board and done this.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42How about these?
0:34:42 > 0:34:43Wahey! Now we're talking!
0:34:54 > 0:34:55Wow.
0:35:01 > 0:35:05On your marks, get set...
0:35:05 > 0:35:06go!
0:35:06 > 0:35:07And they're off.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10Twist and bend.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14- Now this is good.- 50 seconds!
0:35:14 > 0:35:15Come on, let's go!
0:35:17 > 0:35:19Well done, everybody. Now, we've got to get it laid.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21HE CHEERS
0:35:21 > 0:35:22Yeah!
0:35:32 > 0:35:34Martyn has come to test the new path.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38Hold on just in case, wait for me!
0:35:38 > 0:35:40So you're happy with that?
0:35:40 > 0:35:42Yeah. Really great.
0:35:42 > 0:35:44Well, thanks, mate. I was worried.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47- I thought to myself... - I had no worries.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49I thought you had this in hand.
0:35:49 > 0:35:51I suspected it.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53Oh, great. Cos we...
0:35:53 > 0:35:55Basically what happened was we had a load of slabs arrive
0:35:55 > 0:35:58and the volunteers were only here for a couple of days
0:35:58 > 0:36:00so they were only able to slab the top area for us, which was fantastic
0:36:00 > 0:36:03so we were like, "Oh, my God, what are we going to do now?
0:36:03 > 0:36:07"Because we've got to get the path down here because it has to be wheelchair-friendly."
0:36:07 > 0:36:08And it is.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10HE LAUGHS
0:36:10 > 0:36:11All working.
0:36:12 > 0:36:16I think volunteering's the lifeblood of what it is to be human
0:36:16 > 0:36:19and if we don't give, we're no better than animals
0:36:19 > 0:36:23and so volunteering is just an embodiment of that giving mentality.
0:36:23 > 0:36:24It's critical.
0:36:24 > 0:36:29It's very, very rewarding to see the garden so different to
0:36:29 > 0:36:33what it was when we arrived at 9am this morning and just really,
0:36:33 > 0:36:35really happy that it's going to be
0:36:35 > 0:36:38a special place for people to come and enjoy.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40There's just such a sense of achievement, I think,
0:36:40 > 0:36:44- when you see this.- It looks so different to how it looked earlier
0:36:44 > 0:36:49- and it's been really fun as well. - It's nice to be able to give back.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52- Yeah.- Give back to the community.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54Ecstatic. It's been amazing.
0:36:54 > 0:36:58Proud to be part of it and proud to do the whole thing well,
0:36:58 > 0:37:03proud to help out and help out a local community.
0:37:03 > 0:37:05I feel very inspired. I think we all should.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08Anyone that's been involved today will go away feeling better.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11It's community, isn't it?
0:37:11 > 0:37:13Definitely, stop, drop and volunteer!
0:37:38 > 0:37:42The community has really come together and worked tirelessly.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45Even the gaffer!
0:37:45 > 0:37:47Oh, I've been nonstop, I have.
0:37:47 > 0:37:48Absolutely exhausted.
0:37:50 > 0:37:51Right. We're ready.
0:37:57 > 0:38:02Once an unloved, unused, overgrown, inner city wasteland
0:38:02 > 0:38:05with no-one able to maintain it,
0:38:05 > 0:38:08this garden is more than just a patch of ground.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11It could be just what the community needs.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17Well, we're so nearly there, Sara,
0:38:17 > 0:38:20and I think Bruce is just around the corner.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22This is the man who struggled to keep the garden
0:38:22 > 0:38:26and then he run out of time and funds and everything.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29I'm going to be able to give them and the community...
0:38:29 > 0:38:30It's a garden to be proud of.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33I'm absolutely amazed and actually, you know,
0:38:33 > 0:38:34without all of these guys behind us,
0:38:34 > 0:38:36we would never have got to this point.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38So, you know, it's just, yeah, what a brilliant day.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40They've been quite an amazing team, haven't they?
0:38:40 > 0:38:44They've been an incredible team. They've been enthusiastic,
0:38:44 > 0:38:46they've wanted to find out what to do and how to do stuff
0:38:46 > 0:38:48and they've just got on with it, which is brilliant.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51The great thing is, Mark, some of the members,
0:38:51 > 0:38:55Ross in particular said they're going to undertake to maintain the garden
0:38:55 > 0:38:59so it's great for them, it's great for the community
0:38:59 > 0:39:01and it's just a gift for everybody.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03So, they're going to come in and just manage it for the future?
0:39:03 > 0:39:05Yes, like the other projects in Bristol
0:39:05 > 0:39:06that Sara's been involved with.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08So this garden is going to have life.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11- That's brilliant. - And we'll make sure, you know,
0:39:11 > 0:39:14that it has the support it needs to carry on and flourish.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17- A garden is life.- For life. - Not just for a fortnight.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19- Yes.- You're quite magical, aren't you?- She is.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21You're quite a magical lady.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24- Thank you.- With your great big team of magical people.- Yes!
0:39:26 > 0:39:28With help from people like Sara and Ross,
0:39:28 > 0:39:31ongoing, it could become a lifeline.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35Being close to nature and getting outdoors
0:39:35 > 0:39:37is a vital part of who we are.
0:39:37 > 0:39:41Bruce, I think you'd better have a look at your new garden.
0:39:43 > 0:39:45HE LAUGHS
0:39:47 > 0:39:48Wow.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50It's brilliant.
0:39:51 > 0:39:53They're going to love it.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55I can't believe...
0:39:55 > 0:39:57- Got in a right mess!- Such a lot you can do with it.
0:39:57 > 0:39:59HE LAUGHS
0:39:59 > 0:40:00I love it.
0:40:01 > 0:40:03Thank you so...
0:40:03 > 0:40:04Thanks.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08We couldn't have done it for anybody better, you know.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10- It's going to be great.- Yeah.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12Oh, wow...
0:40:12 > 0:40:14I don't know what to say.
0:40:14 > 0:40:16How did you do it so quickly?
0:40:16 > 0:40:20- Volunteers, mate.- We've been trying to get this done for years.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22- It looks brilliant. - Do you want to have a look?
0:40:22 > 0:40:24Yeah, please.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26There you are. That's a bit of you, Bruce.
0:40:26 > 0:40:28It's the 12-foot salmon planter.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32- We got it donated.- Yeah?
0:40:32 > 0:40:34You kept the fig tree.
0:40:34 > 0:40:36Well, it's proper now.
0:40:36 > 0:40:37Yeah, that's going to be lovely.
0:40:37 > 0:40:41I think you've got raspberries there and there's strawberries there
0:40:41 > 0:40:45so people can come and pick the berries.
0:40:45 > 0:40:46I don't know what to say.
0:40:46 > 0:40:48I think there's something here,
0:40:48 > 0:40:51it will encourage more people to come in and there's something for
0:40:51 > 0:40:54- everybody in the community.- Exactly. Families can have big events here
0:40:54 > 0:40:56when they can't fit in their own small houses.
0:40:56 > 0:40:57It's going to be lovely.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59You can have garden parties.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02- Oh, we will.- So Bruce, would you like to meet the volunteers,
0:41:02 > 0:41:03the people who made all this possible?
0:41:03 > 0:41:06- I'd love to.- There's quite a few.
0:41:06 > 0:41:07- This is Sara.- Hello.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10- This is Bruce.- Thank you so much.- You're so welcome.
0:41:10 > 0:41:11- Ross.- Lovely to meet you.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14- Thanks a lot.- Ross might be doing a bit in the future.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17It's Simon's salmon and all the wood.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20I don't know what to say. You've done a wonderful job.
0:41:20 > 0:41:22You've obviously done a lot of hard work.
0:41:22 > 0:41:26To be honest, I don't know how you've done it, but it's brilliant.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29Thank you so much from me and everyone who uses the place.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32Everyone's going to really enjoy this.
0:41:32 > 0:41:33Well done.
0:41:33 > 0:41:34CHEERING
0:41:41 > 0:41:43Well, I think being here has put a smile on everybody's face
0:41:43 > 0:41:46and I think there's a lot more smiles to come, Bruce.
0:41:46 > 0:41:47Yeah, my face has started hurting.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49Good on you! Good on you.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52Thank you so much. Thank you.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54Thanks a lot.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58See you again soon. Thanks a lot.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04- It is good.- Amazing. Wow.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07THEY LAUGH
0:42:07 > 0:42:11Working on this project has been truly inspirational.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14You know, we've taken this wasteland and turned it into something truly
0:42:14 > 0:42:18beautiful and that's the power of volunteering, and you know,
0:42:18 > 0:42:21all the young volunteers here, along with everybody else,
0:42:21 > 0:42:25has achieved something truly remarkable and truly memorable
0:42:25 > 0:42:27and thank you to you.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29Yeah, and thank you.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31Oh, I just make the tea!
0:42:34 > 0:42:40Next, our community hub project gets serious as we demolish the condemned
0:42:40 > 0:42:44structures and Mark Millar is rather excited.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47Don't you just love a big digger?
0:42:47 > 0:42:51Nicki hits the airwaves in her quest for more helpers.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54We're looking for volunteers over the next few days.
0:42:54 > 0:42:58And we create a brand-new social group for the older generation in the area.
0:43:00 > 0:43:02All done through people power.