Social Inclusion Operation People Power with Dave Myers

We Brits are brilliant at volunteering.

One in four of us regularly give up our time to help others,

putting something back into the community.

I want to tap into that spirit to make good things happen.

THEY CHEER

I'm on a mission to discover the positive effects of volunteering,

from the volunteers themselves

to the individuals and the communities that they help.

Every day, people donate their time, expertise,

imagination and elbow grease for others.

They're in need of carpenters and volunteers,

so I grabbed my tools and came down for the afternoon.

I never thought at the end of my life

I'd be helping others.

I think volunteering's the lifeblood of what it is to be human.

Yes!

It's modest, ordinary people

who are making such an amazing difference to people's lives.

The world, to me, is a beautiful place now -

it's 360 degrees from where I have come from.

I'm better than what I was.

I couldn't do this a year ago.

My team is exploring inspiring schemes throughout the UK...

..and tackling projects of our own.

This is about communities at their best.

People giving to help others.

This is about the incredible things we can achieve together.

This is Operation People Power.

I'm in Easton in Bristol.

Like many inner-city areas in the UK, it has mixed fortunes -

and, like towns, cities and villages around the country,

there are projects and local heroes who work tirelessly

to bring people together.

One person I've met striving to do just that is Bruce -

and, like others who share his vision,

he could do with a helping hand

to really make a difference to the local area.

All communities need a centre,

and when you're in a poor area, as we are here,

one of the poorest in the country,

that centre becomes more valuable and more needed.

Spaces where residents can come together

are being squeezed out of many neighbourhoods

due to the need for offices and housing.

These hubs are facing closure,

or are under pressure to impose costly charges

for the locals to use them.

Bruce runs a community centre called Baggator,

and he has a very different aspiration for the place.

Any improvement is always going to benefit the community.

We're coming together to show what can be done

with a bit of old-fashioned community spirit,

and unlocking the skills and goodwill

that can be found in every neighbourhood.

We made a start on Baggator's outdoor space.

It looks so different to how it looked earlier,

-and it's been really fun.

-Yeah.

It's nice to be able to give back.

The volunteers we've rustled up have worked tirelessly

to transform the area into a multifunctional garden

that will benefit all generations...

..but that garden is just the start of an incredible change in fortunes

that can be replicated anywhere with a bit of people power.

I've called in reinforcements -

some talented people who I know have got the skills

to give the project a leg up.

First up, it's Nicki Chapman.

If anyone can get residents to donate their hard graft, it's her.

Juliet Sargeant has been lending us her artistic flair -

but she is not just an award-winning garden designer - oh, no!

As a qualified psychologist,

she knows better than many

how projects such as these are so important.

Martyn Ashton has been visiting some of the many inspirational projects

that are enhancing communities and lives across the country,

and bringing that inspiration back here to Bristol.

And keeping things practical,

Mark Millar's skills and determination

are going to be critical keeping this project on track.

Having masterminded the redesign of the outdoor space,

Mark's back at Baggator to assess the scale of the task ahead.

Well, when they say first impressions are everything,

it's clear to see Baggator falls far from the mark.

We could keep the blue and white.

We've got to give them more, haven't we?

That's what we want. Yes.

Basically you've got to light the community up.

You see, Mark, you're the man. You're the man to do this.

Sometimes, it's the unglamorous jobs that will help the most -

and there's certainly plenty of those.

All right, then - take me to it, mate.

After you Mark. This is it.

Thank you very much.

-Clean your feet.

-See, it's a nice space, isn't it?

It's been a youth club for 15 years quite successfully -

but other age groups do use the facility,

they use it as a hub to the community.

The Baggator dream is to have the inside and out

in constant use by all ages in the local area.

But, when money is hard to come by, some key jobs just don't get done.

The disabled loo is tired -

but, more importantly, unfit for purpose.

The doors aren't wide enough for a wheelchair,

meaning disabled users need to use an outside toilet.

The ceiling in the cafe is damp and dilapidated.

It needs to be fully replaced in order to stand the test of time.

Pipes and electrics are on show,

and unused doors and breakable glass windows

could be an accident waiting to happen.

How long have we got?

A couple... A few days. A few days.

And we've got no money?

No. But that's the purpose - it's community,

it's all for one and one for all.

Er, but that's not all.

Aside from the newly transformed garden,

outside, the courtyard is littered with old and unpractical storage,

and a condemned building takes up usable space.

I can see all sorts of stuff happening out here.

It's a hub, it's the centre, it's a safe haven.

It's definitely a blank canvas, mate, I'll give you that.

My concern is the time and the volunteers.

If the community could help with these larger jobs,

then Bruce has the foundations to build on,

putting his own stamp on the place.

But, before we can do anything,

we need to find the willing people

who can give up their time to help...

..and so I'm deploying the charm bomb, Nicki Chapman,

to persuade the good people of Easton to lend a hand.

We're working on a couple of projects in this area,

literally just down the road.

We're looking for people to get involved in any way they can -

but, it's urgent.

Excuse me, can I be cheeky?

I'm looking for volunteers.

And she's already signed up May, who is a dab hand.

I did some volunteer work back in Brighton before I relocated here.

How long have you actually lived in Bristol?

I've been in Bristol for ten days,

so it would be a great way of meeting people in a new community

where I don't know anyone -

and it gives you a real sense of what is going on where you live.

On her rounds, she has bumped into someone who knows first-hand

how valuable the role played by Baggator is to the neighbourhood.

Baggator is really amazing.

My daughter and one of my sons, we used to go there regular.

Now he's an adult, but I try to get my other two teenagers to go.

Jennifer, why do you think Baggator is so important for the community?

If it wasn't for things like Baggator,

the kids would be on the street and there is nothing for them to do.

They would be messing around and giving trouble

and that's not good for the community and the society.

Another person who knows how vital Baggator can be is Samira.

It changed her life in more ways than one.

I first started going to Baggator when I was 15.

We were there as, like, a little family,

and then we had the friends that we knew, as well,

and even the new people that started to come,

we just made them feel at home.

A lot of people in my sister's year, and my year,

they didn't want to go - they were all into their...

just walking around on the streets,

doing drugs, drinking alcohol,

all those types of things.

I didn't do well at school, college or anything like that,

but I think if it wasn't for Baggator,

I wouldn't be here now, where I am.

I think these youth centres are not used enough.

These places actually give stuff back to the community,

so I know that my daughter will have something when she's older.

Bruce's dream is that as well as catering to the young,

Baggator will continue to attract all ages -

if they can continue with the improvements to the centre.

But social clubs aren't just for the youngsters.

MUSIC: Follow De Leader by The Soca Boys

This is the Malcolm X Elders Group in St Pauls.

-# Say I love soca

-ALL:

-I love soca

-# Say I love soca

-I love soca... #

This lively bunch certainly know how to get on their feet,

get out in the community and lift their spirits.

# Everybody scream! #

-ALL:

-Yeah!

# Follow de leader, leader, leader follow de leader... #

One of the group's activities

was the brainchild of Grenville from Golden-Oldies.

He realised that a good old singsong is the best icebreaker.

The social aspect of meeting together and singing together

and making friends, is actually more important than the singing.

That sort of knowledge about the power of...

the friendship of singing sort of got my brain working.

I thought if I could grab that atmosphere and fun,

and I could take it to people who don't have much fun,

then there might be an idea there.

# Don't worry

# About a thing

# Cos every little thing

# Is gonna be all right... #

There are so many health problems associated with getting older,

is singing good therapy?

Oh, yes. I mean, I took a session once,

and there was a couple that came,

he had Alzheimer's and she was the carer.

For him, the switch was off and, you know, people will know,

that those...who have got members of the family

that this terrible cloud that comes down.

Anyway, so, I was doing The Wonder of You, Elvis,

and we were going into Elvis, you know,

"Your kiss to me is worth a fortune,"

and, "You're always there," and he started to sing.

The switch came on...

and he started to sing.

And she's holding his hand

and all the people in the room are looking across.

I couldn't look, because I was starting to go,

-because it doesn't take a lot to get me going!

-Yeah.

They were singing to each other.

They were singing to each other.

-This song - and he was alive again.

-Yes.

You know? He was alive! It's the only way you can describe it.

-VOICE BREAKS:

-And at the end of the song... Sorry...

At the end of the song,

The Wonder of You, she threw her arms around him and they kissed.

I mean, they had a snog. And then...

-The switch went off.

-Yeah, but for her...

The song brought him alive.

-Yes.

-That song brought him back to life, Dave.

-Yeah.

-And everyone in the room was in tears...

-and he passed away not long after.

-Oh...

But that proves how music can reach out.

Music crosses all boundaries,

songs can trigger memories,

and people with Alzheimer's, with dementia -

and you know it's not long, you don't get long.

So, what would you need to get another session going?

I would need, in any part of the UK, any part, however remote,

-two or three people to say, "This is special..."

-Mm-hm.

"..we've got older folk who live in our community,

"who are lonely, and we think it would be brilliant

"if they could come together and have a singsong

"in the Goldies style" -

we could have sessions across the whole of the country.

So what I want is people to volunteer

and say, "How can we help?"

We could be everywhere.

We're a helpful bunch, as it happens.

An estimated one in three people in the UK

volunteered at least once in the last year...

but, without the consistent donation of time from volunteers,

many groups that provide a lifeline to certain members of the community

can't survive -

and that is a problem the Malcolm X Elders know all too well.

Volunteers are very important.

We haven't got the money to pay anyone -

and as a group, we come here to help each other.

Otherwise we'd all be sitting in our little homes...

vegetating.

One has to put the effort out.

You can't just sit there and say, "I can't."

You see all these things here,

it is not something that I like to be lifting,

but there is nobody here.

We used to have a man who used to come but now he is in hospital.

Hazel?

It is a struggle.

You see?

You are here seeing what we are going through.

It is a struggle.

But what else can we do?

I am drained already.

Never mind when I reach home and my pains start on me now.

I can just sit in the chair and groan.

We all have our different ailments, everybody in here is a sick person.

It gets too much.

We need volunteers to help in the kitchen, to cook,

washer-up, help to tidy up the kitchen

and other things that are here.

We need help, helping one another.

That's what the club needs -

and because, as I said, we have no money to pay anyone,

it's got to be volunteers.

I'm a volunteer.

She's a volunteer.

We're are all volunteers.

We come together as a group to help each other.

We already have an army of people working at Baggator,

but this needs a different kind of volunteer.

People willing to help out on a regular basis.

Well, this to me seems quite straightforward.

It's not about building structures, it's just about volunteers,

you know, giving time - just a little time,

but enough to make a difference.

It looks like Nicki has found some of the answers.

She has brought her volunteers,

including Jennifer, who she met earlier.

It turns out she's a cook

and is keen to try and relieve the pressure on Cherry.

I didn't think there was a kitchen.

We need more volunteers brisk like Jennifer.

We need somebody swift like how she's moving.

Well, we appreciate this now,

that somebody else come that livens me up in the kitchen.

These ladies are amazing.

I'm out of breath - they've been dancing for way over half an hour.

Such rhythm, such style.

Totally put me in the shade.

Hello, ladies.

I'm hovering. I'm hovering with a cup of tea.

What an amazing place that you have here.

Monday is, like, a day for me

where I come and sit beside all these old funkies here!

Old funkies, I like that.

That's our friends!

We're all friends.

-You're like the Three Musketeers you girls, aren't you?

-Yeah. Yeah.

-Yeah!

-We follow each other.

I suppose it's not just about meeting up, is it?

It's the venue...

-And the social life.

-Yeah, the facilities, being on your doorstep.

And do lots of people have jobs here, or...?

I mean, there was one lady I was talking to

and she's a buddy for another lady that's got dementia,

and she's been looking after her.

-Are you speaking Joyce?

-Yes, Joyce.

And then you've got people like Helen who've come in -

not only helping, but also sitting around and chatting.

-That's always lovely, isn't it?

-Yeah, yeah.

-Have you enjoyed yourself today?

-Yeah, it's been really good.

It's lovely to meet ladies who've still got that spark, you know,

even if they're a little bit older.

It's something I always think is incredible.

It's really inspirational, Bernice,

because they think so many people sort of say,

-"Ooh, I'm too old for this," or they sit at home.

-Yeah.

A lot of people think they're too old.

That's the common theme here, you know?

People get out every week and they do this.

-So many people...

-You're never too old.

-Yeah, exactly.

-Never too old!

Come on, put it there.

-I think all of us, the three of us, never too old.

-No!

That's Ena. Just shout Ena.

On your left.

It looks and smells absolutely delicious.

The girls are still hard at it in the kitchen.

Nearly everybody, now, has had their meal -

and it's interesting because there's a real sense of pride,

of ownership, you know?

And the Elders have said they do need youngers to help them

create what they've got here.

You can see our volunteers are doing a sterling job -

because I was worried - are we going to integrate?

Are we going to get it right, this balance,

this friendship that they have here?

But I have to say, the early signs are good, aren't they?

Now, Cherry, what do you think

of our lovely volunteer here, both of them?

-Have they done a good job?

-Yeah.

-Yeah?

-You need people like that.

-Very brisk.

But at the end of the day, Cherry, I think we know who's in charge.

Not me!

THEY LAUGH

So, Jennifer, your first experience, how's it been?

-I have to say, you got completely stuck in straightaway.

-Amazing!

-Amazing.

-Yeah?

-Amazing.

Cos, like, as soon as I met Mum, I just find my way.

That was it. She just gave me the OK.

Is this going to be a regular thing on a Monday?

You can't get me away now.

It was great we were able to help out at the centre,

but it isn't about one day, is it?

That volunteering work has to continue,

so I'm delighted - thrilled, in fact -

that not only did Jennifer really love that whole experience,

but she's committed to doing it all over again in the future.

I'm convinced if we can help to make Baggator a more inviting space,

we can recreate the same kind of energy -

and there's definitely a need for more local groups like Malcolm X.

Bristol born and bred Eunice lives up the road from Baggator.

Eunice met the love of her life Dennis in 1952.

We met when we were 17.

That was it, there was nobody else.

And then we got married in '57.

We had a wonderful life.

We spent every minute of every day together.

All sorts of different things we would do.

Water was an adventure for Dennis.

Whatever happened, we always went on water.

We had boats, travelled everywhere.

Germany, France,

Switzerland, Austria,

Belgium.

All was wonderful until Dennis was diagnosed with a heart condition.

One day early this year,

Dennis very suddenly passed away at home while Eunice was with him.

After 60 years sharing their lives,

Eunice has had to get used to some big changes.

You know, Eunice, I can't imagine what it's like after all these years

of having a partner to share all these things with.

How difficult is it,

sort of getting back into the game now you're effectively on your own?

I keep going, but I don't get that fun out of life.

It is a big loss.

There is just no other person there.

I will wander from here into the kitchen

to make myself a cup of tea,

come back fully expecting to find him sat in the chair, still.

-It's like losing half of yourself, really.

-Mm.

One half goes on, and the other half...

isn't doing anything.

When I do go out, I really do have to make an effort to talk to people.

-Mm-hm.

-Um...

but it's something you have to get over really, day by day.

I haven't got the circle of friends that we used to have before,

that we could go out to maybe have a drink or a meal.

All that side of it is gone.

-It's lonely from the start of the day, really.

-Mm-hm.

You get up to an empty house.

There's no-one around...

and you sometimes wonder where life is really going.

You're just totally isolated

-for roughly 60 parts of the day for me, really.

-Right.

There must be so many people in the same position, as well.

Yeah, I think there must be

and if there were places around, you know,

we could probably meet up together and go to these things.

-Yes.

-If there was a musical group around,

I would enjoy that sort of thing.

To make life more fun,

if we could find something to fill that 60 parts,

would you be interested in giving stuff a go if it appealed to you?

Oh, yeah, I'd try anything once.

That's good enough for me.

If we can find a few people,

Grenville will help to set up a group at Baggator...

..but as I know, in order to do anything like this,

we need a community hub that is up to scratch,

and the people that are willing to give up a little bit of time

in order to make it happen.

-Hello, could I stop you for a couple of minutes?

-Yeah, no worries.

Have you ever volunteered for anything?

We need people to get involved.

We need people who can do all sorts of things.

I can paint a fence really well.

-Can you?

-Yeah.

-Yeah?

-I like that.

We'll use that one.

Success!

Three more enthusiastic volunteers.

Nicki's joined us to talk about a brand-new programme

that she's working on at the moment called People Power.

We're looking for volunteers over the next few days,

the next few weeks.

We've got different projects

and hopefully we're going to make a huge, huge difference.

Now, I'm looking for Rob.

-Hello!

-Over here.

-In the hat.

-Thank you. Hard at work.

-Rob.

-Hi, how are you doing?

-I've heard all about you.

Apparently, you're the man with all the contacts.

I know all the volunteers.

So, what's going on here? Tell me more.

This is going to be our new community hub,

and the idea of the community hub

is a central point for our volunteer network,

and our volunteer network started from taking aid out to France

for the refugees,

and gradually we've expanded that into volunteering in Bristol.

So, how long - when did you start volunteering

and getting this extraordinary group of people together?

This group, as we are now, are a year old this week.

In France the situation out there was really bad.

A few of us were sat at home

watching what was unfolding on the telly

and thought, "We've got to do something."

And we just got a group of builders together,

we went out there and we started building stuff.

Building kitchens, communal areas, things like that.

All the guys here all do the same thing.

They're all working, they're all giving their time voluntary.

They've all got jobs, they've all got lives

that they take the time out to do,

and whether that's in the evenings or weekends

or just a half day here and a half day there,

or somebody like Finn, who's working over here,

he took months out.

Went out to France and devoted his life for a period of time

-to just working there.

-That's extraordinary.

I mean, you're doing it so successfully with such enthusiasm,

but what does volunteering mean to you?

To be honest, when I started it,

I probably did it for a bit of self gratification,

but once we got to France

and we saw what life's like for people in genuine need,

that all just goes out the window and you just forget about that,

and then you're just doing it because you can't not do it.

You have got the most amazing collection of people together -

but we are looking for volunteers.

-Yeah.

-I'm hoping you're going to be to help.

One of the projects that we're having to work on is Baggator,

which is this fantastic community Centre in Easton

which is already existing, it's up and running -

however it needs work, it needs people to help

to really do it over, and then we can extend it

so it's not just the young people that already go there,

but we can offer it to the wider community of Easton as well.

-Yeah. Yeah, we can help.

-I'm looking at you longingly, aren't I?!

-Yeah - no, we can help, definitely.

-Yeah?

-Yeah. We can definitely help.

So, we need people to paint, overhaul the garden,

to really get involved.

We've got the people here.

This project's a six-week project.

We've got plenty of time. We can take some people off of this,

give you a hand, bring them back next week or the week after,

-or however long you need.

-That is music to my ears.

You are the right person to help!

-No problem.

-I'm going to be listening to everything you say.

-No problem. We can do this.

-Great.

-Right, I will see you later.

-Brilliant.

-Best of luck, guys.

Thank you very much. Cheers.

What a result!

Good job, Nicki.

So we've got the reinforcements we need -

but leaving Baggator with a lasting legacy

will take a bit more than a lick of paint.

It's keeping the momentum of volunteering

that will keep this place going.

Paint it. Yeah.

It's as simple as that!

It's time to bring in the heavy metal.

Don't you just love a big digger?!

I love them!

It's quite weird for us to try and get our head around

sort of the layout of it all

while the buildings are still up, you know?

Because we've got stuff that - new cabins to go in there,

Portakabins, ground works to be done.

So it's good to be really interesting at the end of this,

we'll be able to get an actual picture

of how we're going to do this.

It's a nice place to work with, as well.

You know, it's a decent size.

Unfortunately, the way the buildings are,

-they've just been put in the wrong place.

-Exactly.

Not maximising the space.

It won't take long to come down.

Do you ever think of going into the world of design?

-No!

-Not just demolition, but that's brilliant.

Demolition is design.

A design to bring it down.

This is going to transform the courtyard space.

We've taken out the eyesore that was the condemned building,

the old container and the dilapidated garage.

It's all opening the space up and this is just what this place needed.

You know what's lovely about this here?

We've given a bit of life back to it.

It's just brilliant, you know, that this will not finish.

It's remarkable, but it's also quite scary

because we actually can't turn back now.

We've just got to keep moving.

Oops. I hope we haven't knocked this down and can't finish it.

Well, we all know you can't make an omelette

without demolishing some eggs. Keep the faith, Mark.

Onward and upward.

Alongside the projects we've been involved with in Bristol,

Martyn Ashton has been travelling far and wide

meeting other inspiring volunteers and projects around the country.

Today, he's in Newcastle.

Nothing brings people together like music.

Well, maybe food - but luckily enough, in here they do both.

Let's check it out.

He's come to visit a charity

which regularly put on a food sharing event

called Culture Kitchen.

Well, the vibe in here is amazing.

Culture Kitchen is all about meeting new people,

so that's what I'm going to go and do.

The local hero here is Nick.

He understands the importance

of getting people out in their community

and integrating with other cultures.

-Hiya, Nick.

-Hi, Martyn.

-How are you doing?

Pleased to meet you. How's it going?

Something smells good.

So tell me all about it.

We're a charity to work with people who are seeking asylum,

people who are refugees, to help them become volunteers,

and the main volunteering role they do

is through this programme called Culture Kitchen

where we're bringing people together from all over the world to cook food

and to share it with the local communities.

Before I started this I don't think I ever met anyone who was a refugee

and that's really important to actually do that,

to actually go out and meet the people in your community

and learn from them - and if we can do that through food,

which is something we all share,

then that's a really simple way of bringing people together.

And organising this - it's all voluntary on your behalf?

-Yeah, absolutely.

-This isn't your day job, to do this?

No, no, not at all. Everyone involved is a volunteer.

-Everybody?

-Everyone. We don't have any paid staff.

I'm really conscious of the fabulous smell that's coming from the kitchen

and, as you said, there's some volunteers in the kitchen tonight

that have gone to all the trouble of making this food.

Yeah, it's all cooked with quite a lot of love.

Well, I'd love to try some and get in and meet some of your guys.

I don't know if there's any left, Martyn,

but we'll go and have a look.

-Let's find out.

-Yeah, OK!

Hi, Sara, how's it going?

What's on the menu?

-On the menu we have today pakora...

-Yeah.

..chana chaat, pizza and pakora...

Can I have all of it?

You can, certainly, yes.

Sara came to the UK five years ago from Pakistan

and felt the pressure settling into a new country.

What got you into it at first?

Why did you want to come here?

First of all, I'm an asylum seeker,

so I was told I'm not allowed to work.

That was the main thing.

I have done a Masters in business administration,

and suddenly being told that you're not allowed to work,

what do you do?

Volunteering means I was able to spend my time somewhere positive.

I had something to look forward to.

You learn a lot through meeting other people

and, you know, it just boosts your confidence,

as well, and self-esteem.

And tonight, this is somewhere where, obviously,

you're coming across different cultures immediately.

-That's the whole point.

-Yes. When you come here,

you see first thing - no religion, no race, no gender.

Humanity comes first.

-Just food.

-Yeah, just food!

Building up the confidence

to integrate into a new country is vital -

but can be very difficult.

It's the first steps that make all the difference -

as Yasir knows only too well.

Everyone at Culture Kitchen has been a big support to you.

How have they helped you?

The people here, they are really helpful.

A few years ago when I wanted to apply for university

they helped me, like, what to do.

They gave me, basically, direction about it.

So you've got a degree now?

Yes. Now I'm starting to do a Masters course.

-You're doing your Masters?

-Yeah, yeah, in microbiology.

-In microbiology.

-Yeah.

-That's amazing. Congratulations.

Thank you very much.

My name's Aya and I'm 12 years old.

I used to live in Syria.

We've been here for two years.

I'm learning how I can eat spicy things

or try different food and I really enjoyed it.

I thought the food was great. It's lovely, delicious.

It's a good opportunity to talk to people from countries

that are having lots of trouble.

We're are all from other communities, aren't we?

I think it breaks down barriers.

I think it shows people that we may eat different food,

but different food is fantastic

and we all have something to share with each other,

and to contribute to each other and we can gain so much.

Everyone loves food, as well,

-so it's the best way to bring people together.

-It's the best way.

It's about bringing people together

from all ages and backgrounds to have fun.

The vibe in this place is amazing.

The band's just kicking off,

I've had some lovely food in the dining room,

met some great people.

There's so much going for this place.

We can really replicate some of it -

and, Dave, I'm bringing you back a recipe book.

You'll be able to use this.

You know, I've been thinking about Eunice

and the countless others like her -

she just wants fun, someone to share time with -

but can being around others really make a difference?

I've called in an academic.

Juliet's not just an award-winning designer,

but her background in the mental health benefits of gardening

have been inspirational as we tackle this project in Easton.

As humans, how important is it for us to have relationships

with other people?

Well, I think human beings are hard-wired to be social animals.

We really are built to be in relationships with each other

and so if, through no fault of your own,

you're unable to build and sustain the relationships that you need,

it makes it more difficult to have a sense of who you are

in relationship to other people -

and perhaps that might start to erode your sense of value.

How you are valued within the group, within the community.

And do you think isolation can affect your health?

I think often people can lose the motivation, really,

-to look after themselves.

-Yes.

I think people who are isolated sometimes find it difficult

to get the oomph to cook a meal,

to go out and get some exercise and can become withdrawn,

possibly depressed, and start to neglect themselves.

It is possible, yes.

Nicki has done it again,

and found enough volunteers to run a trial social group

at Baggator before we start work on the inside.

If it's a success and we can find enough people willing to help

with travel, cakes, a singsong and a dance,

Grenville will make it a regular occasion.

We just thought it would be nice to get everybody together,

make it social.

Hopefully a little bit of fun.

We can do this.

-Yeah, that's it! You see?

-Yeah, that's it!

There we go.

Right, do you want a ringside seat, or do you want to be near the back?

-I don't mind.

-Let's have you at the front.

Where's the front?

Is there a party animal inside you, Susan?

I suppose there is, yeah.

Look at that cheeky smile!

Tap, tap, elbow, turn...

Eunice, how are you finding it?

-Very good.

-Have you enjoyed it?

-Yeah.

-Cos sometimes it's that first step, isn't it?

-Yes.

-And it's awkward and sometimes it's a lack of confidence.

You don't want to make that first step,

-but once you do and you open the door, you're in.

-Yeah, yeah.

You've got to push yourself.

Everyone else has to be welcoming

because even if you push yourself and no-one comes and says hello...

-No, that's right.

-It's difficult.

-It feels awful.

-Yes.

-There was no problem here today.

-There wasn't, was there?

-No.

What did we like most - the singing or the dancing...or the cake?

Or the company?!

-Or the company!

-The company really.

-Yeah?

-It got you out?

-Yeah.

-Got you dancing and jigging?

Yeah, jigging, that's right, yeah.

I'm just wondering, you know,

if anyone was looking at us now and thinking, "Should I go or not?"

What would you say to them?

-Ooh, yes.

-Would you?

-Yeah.

-Make the effort and go?

-Make the effort and go.

Yes, make the effort to go, yeah.

I don't go out a lot, you know, and it was good for me.

-Was it?

-Yeah.

-You feel it was worth it?

-Yes, I think it was worth it.

-I'm so pleased.

-That's brilliant.

-We've been chatting all afternoon, haven't we?

-I saw!

-Yeah!

-Firm friends, the three of you. You haven't stopped.

-No!

-At least we were together, you know.

-That's right.

Do you know, it's so lovely looking at Eunice making new friends.

All of them, they instantly seemed to get on.

There's a common ground, a common feeling,

and it's so nice to see her relaxed, enjoying it...

really being involved.

And we all know there's nothing better

than a good old Christmas singsong

to get us in good spirits.

# Rockin' around the Christmas tree

# At the Christmas party hop

# Mistletoe hung where you can see

# Every couple tries to stop,

# Rockin' around the Christmas tree

# Let the Christmas spirit ring

# Later we'll have some pumpkin pie

# And we'll do some carolling

# You will get a sentimental feeling when you hear

# Voices singing, "Let's be jolly

# Deck the halls with boughs of holly"

# Rockin' around... #

This afternoon hasn't needed a lot of people,

but it's put the light on in a lot of lives,

and that's good enough for me.

# Everyone dancin' merrily

# In the new old-fashioned way. #

Yay! We did well, didn't we?

We forget that our older population

deserve, are capable and need some fun.

Having seen how lonely and isolated Eunice has become

and yet knowing how much fun and zest for life she has,

I'm now more determined than ever

to get the inside of Baggator improved -

and excited to meet up with Grenville and Eunice again

to see if it will become a regular date in the calendar.

It's lovely to see you again, Eunice, and Grenville.

How did you get on at Baggator?

It was a brilliant afternoon.

-Very good.

-Really?

Really enjoyed it, yes, yes.

And what was it that you liked about it?

-Company, mainly.

-Mm-hm.

-It was nice to have people around that you could chatter to.

-Yeah.

You know, I've been on my own for some months now,

and it was nice to have people of my own age around for the afternoon.

Find out what they enjoy doing and whether I could help them at all.

-Yes.

-And the table that I was on, you know,

we were quite a chatty little table most of the afternoon.

Is it something you'd like to see happen on a more permanent basis?

Yes, yes.

Cos I think you could strike up a permanent friendship,

then, with people.

I think no matter what your age,

you can end up having lots of acquaintances

-and not that many friends, can't you?

-That's right.

You get to know people as you're walking along the street

-and give them a wave, but they're not people that you know.

-No.

You need to be talking to them over a cup of tea,

or a cup of coffee, or something like that.

Did you find you were meeting people in a similar position to yourself?

Yes, yes.

Several of them on the table were in the same position as me, yes.

-That was useful conversations, you know?

-Yeah.

That was a good way round.

And there's always strength in solidarity, isn't it? And...

There is, yes, and they were very friendly people.

-They were very friendly people.

-Oh, good, good.

So, Grenville, if we could get the volunteers,

is this something you could see

that we could do on a more permanent basis at Baggator?

Oh, yeah, without question - and singing's fun as well, isn't it?

Just to join together and have a good old singsong, so yes.

If we can get the volunteers, we could be singing regularly.

-That's right, yes.

-And singing your favourite songs.

Singing my favourite songs!

Most of which I can never remember the names of,

-but I know the tunes when they come up, yes.

-Yes.

You can't be miserable when you're singing, can you?

No, you can't. No, no.

So we'll start a session at Baggator.

-Oh, good.

-Yeah.

-I shall be there.

-Good.

Right, we'd better get some more volunteers then.

Nicki! What was the catering like?

Next time, Mark gets hands-on as we start rebuilding our community hub.

This is an absolutely brilliant country that we live in.

People will just help.

When you need it, they're there.

Martyn Ashton experiences the life enhancing work volunteers do...

This feels awesome!

HE LAUGHS

-Wow!

-Yes!

..and we give a vital community playground a new lease of life.