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 > 0:00:18I want to tap into that spirit
0:00:18 > 0:00:20to make good things happen.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22CHEERING
0:00:22 > 0:00:26I'm on a mission to discover the positive effects of volunteering,
0:00:26 > 0:00:27from the volunteers themselves
0:00:27 > 0:00:31to the individuals and the communities that they help.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36Every day, people donate their time, expertise,
0:00:36 > 0:00:40imagination and elbow grease for others.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43They were in need of carpenters and volunteers
0:00:43 > 0:00:46so 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 is the lifeblood of what it is to be human.
0:00:54 > 0:00:55Yes!
0:00:55 > 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 > 0:01:18My team is exploring inspiring schemes throughout the UK...
0:01:19 > 0:01:22..and tackling projects of our own.
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 > 0:01:35This is Operation People Power.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41One, two, three.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48We're using an army of locals, willing to give their time to help
0:01:48 > 0:01:52a community centre called Baggator in the Easton area of Bristol.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56A sanctuary in the neighbourhood,
0:01:56 > 0:02:00a place where residents can come together and help one another.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06All communities need a centre and, when you're in a poor area,
0:02:06 > 0:02:08as we are here, one of the poorest in the country,
0:02:08 > 0:02:11that centre becomes more valuable and more...
0:02:11 > 0:02:12more needed.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16Already, we have made great progress.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19We created a beautiful new garden,
0:02:19 > 0:02:22demolished the old condemned structures,
0:02:22 > 0:02:25replacing them with new storage containers,
0:02:25 > 0:02:29and started repainting the outside of the building.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31But none of this would have been possible
0:02:31 > 0:02:34without the amazing hard work of the local volunteers,
0:02:34 > 0:02:40whose spirit to chip in and help others has been truly inspirational.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42MAN CHEERS
0:02:42 > 0:02:43Yes!
0:02:44 > 0:02:47Cheers, mate.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49Mark Millar, who has overseen all the work,
0:02:49 > 0:02:52is a driving force and a crucial member of my team.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05Wow, these guys haven't stopped.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08They're amazing, these guys. They're absolutely brilliant.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13Yes, guys!
0:03:13 > 0:03:15It looks amazing!
0:03:16 > 0:03:17HE LAUGHS
0:03:22 > 0:03:25It's not just Mark who's loving the work of our artists.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28The local community seem to like it, too.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32I really love all the bright colours in Bristol, and especially Easton.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36I think it sort of represents the type of community we are.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39Lots of different people from different places.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41I don't think that you could miss it, really.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47Three street artists have so far spent a week working for free
0:03:47 > 0:03:48on the front of the building.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53And out the back, local craftsman Simon,
0:03:53 > 0:03:56who originally helped to transform the far end of the garden,
0:03:56 > 0:03:59seems, well, not to have gone home. He's still here!
0:04:00 > 0:04:02Having demolished a condemned building,
0:04:02 > 0:04:04we can now make the garden bigger.
0:04:07 > 0:04:08This is all your domain.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13- Beautiful.- Well, all right, it WILL be beautiful.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18We're extending the garden
0:04:18 > 0:04:22and building a pergola with a hard base for seats and a fire pit.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25It's kind of being made up as we go along,
0:04:25 > 0:04:28everyone bringing their own ideas and energy.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33Getting on with it. Dug all our holes, just waiting for our timber
0:04:33 > 0:04:35delivery and then we can start building the pergola structure.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38We've got a rotavator coming so we can start cleaning up all this area
0:04:38 > 0:04:41around here. We're going to put some wild flower seed down and then turf
0:04:41 > 0:04:43the rest of the areas with the turf that we've been given.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46Lovely. People power, see?
0:04:46 > 0:04:49That's what it's all about - people like Simon and his team.
0:04:49 > 0:04:50Thanks, yeah.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58It's great cos right up to now everything has been very hard
0:04:58 > 0:05:01materials, but now what we're doing is we're getting some structure into
0:05:01 > 0:05:06the building and starting to see things take shape a bit.
0:05:06 > 0:05:07That's lovely.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30One of the most involved volunteers on the project is local builder Rob,
0:05:30 > 0:05:33who Mark has tasked with creating an exciting new feature
0:05:33 > 0:05:35for the local kids.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38Mark was really keen to get this wall done with ply
0:05:38 > 0:05:41so that the young people that use the youth centre
0:05:41 > 0:05:43can use it as a graffiti wall.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46So if we get enough volunteers turn up tomorrow
0:05:46 > 0:05:48we're going to put the whole wall up with ply and
0:05:48 > 0:05:51if we get that done then that's everything on our list achieved.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55So that's the goal but it all comes down to the volunteers, as always.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01But alongside the huge transformation of Baggator...
0:06:01 > 0:06:02Yes!
0:06:02 > 0:06:06..my team have been helping me with other projects in the area.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11Nicki Chapman has been a driving force,
0:06:11 > 0:06:16finding volunteers willing to give their time up to help others.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20Hello, yes. My name's Nicki Chapman. I hope you CAN help.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22We are good at that in Britain, you know?
0:06:22 > 0:06:27Nearly one in three of us, in fact, do it, one way or another.
0:06:27 > 0:06:28So far this week,
0:06:28 > 0:06:31Nicki has found us gardeners for our community garden...
0:06:33 > 0:06:35..cooks to help a singing group out...
0:06:38 > 0:06:41..and carpenters for an adventure playground build.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46They're all people willing to get stuck in and lend a hand.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52Research shows that volunteering
0:06:52 > 0:06:55can actually be good for those who do it,
0:06:55 > 0:06:57so I'm keen to do as much as we can this week.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06I've heard of another project nearby
0:07:06 > 0:07:08that would benefit from a helping hand, too.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14Cafe Connect is a fully functioning charity-run cafe open to the public.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18The profits feed into Bristol Reconnect,
0:07:18 > 0:07:22a charity designed to help those in the community with complex needs
0:07:22 > 0:07:24to fit back into society.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32I'm going to meet the man behind the project, Jonathan.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34- Jonathan.- Hello there, Dave.
0:07:34 > 0:07:35Well, I've heard a lot about you.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38Oh, good. Great, thank you. Lovely to meet you.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41Crikey. So this is the cafe that's far more than a cafe, isn't it?
0:07:41 > 0:07:42It is indeed, yes.
0:07:42 > 0:07:47This is where we base ourselves and where some of our work takes place.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Jonathan, tell me about Cafe Connect.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56The main thing about what we're doing with the charity
0:07:56 > 0:07:59is to give people who've faced some really big challenges in life
0:07:59 > 0:08:01- a chance to give something back... - Right.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04..and a chance to contribute to the wider community.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09If you've gone to that whole experience of being right out
0:08:09 > 0:08:10on the edges of society,
0:08:10 > 0:08:14having that chance to make something and create something together,
0:08:14 > 0:08:17that's actually... It's really important.
0:08:17 > 0:08:18It's part of belonging again.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22It's part of reconnecting with the wider community.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26I suppose as well, it's just getting a huge, big taste of normality
0:08:26 > 0:08:28- and not being judged. - Yeah, absolutely.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32So I mean, this is like, you know, everybody's welcome here.
0:08:32 > 0:08:33A lot of people come here,
0:08:33 > 0:08:35they've been through all sorts of life experiences.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37OK, that's how it's been.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40But now what have you got to give and how can you contribute to this
0:08:40 > 0:08:43and what role can you play in this?
0:08:43 > 0:08:46Jonathan, how important are volunteers to your project?
0:08:46 > 0:08:49The volunteers make it possible.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53Almost all of the work that happens here is done by volunteers
0:08:53 > 0:08:56and that's at every level of the organisation.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00So without volunteers, there would be nothing here.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02- Right. - There would be nothing at all.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07Some of the people the charity helps
0:09:07 > 0:09:11go on to become volunteers at the cafe, too.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15Others find it a valuable place to drop into when they need help
0:09:15 > 0:09:16or someone to talk to.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22Volunteers don't just help serving food in the cafe,
0:09:22 > 0:09:24they also help to maintain the building.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29One of the helpers, Daniel,
0:09:29 > 0:09:31is decorating a room above the cafe
0:09:31 > 0:09:34that's going to be used for careers advice.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37But there's another space that's really caught my eye,
0:09:37 > 0:09:39and that's at the back of the building.
0:09:42 > 0:09:43Is this all yours?
0:09:43 > 0:09:45Yes, this is all our space, here.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47And, well, as you can see,
0:09:47 > 0:09:51there's quite a lot of work to be done with it but it's a huge space.
0:09:51 > 0:09:52I think there's a huge potential.
0:09:52 > 0:09:53Great potential, hasn't it?
0:09:53 > 0:09:56- Would you use this? - Yes, we would use this outdoor.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59And we have permission to do that,
0:09:59 > 0:10:02we've got planning permission from the council to be able to do that.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04So we can have people sat out here.
0:10:04 > 0:10:05That'd be lovely.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08Yes. And there are very, very few of these kinds of spaces
0:10:08 > 0:10:11in this area of Bristol, in Easton.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13Very few green, open spaces.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15I mean, it's not green yet.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18You could landscape it, you could make a wonderful space.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21Your kitchen is in the middle, you could service this area
0:10:21 > 0:10:23- and that area.- Exactly, yeah, yeah.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26It seems like the potential is boundless, isn't it?
0:10:26 > 0:10:28It is.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34You know, I can really see how projects like Cafe Connect and
0:10:34 > 0:10:38inspirational people like Jonathan can really make a difference.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43I want to help him and would love to transform the yard
0:10:43 > 0:10:47so that even more people can benefit from the charity.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52Mark is really up against it at Baggator,
0:10:52 > 0:10:55but he's got a good heart and a builder's appetite.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59So offer him a bacon sandwich and he'll say yes to anything.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02You seem to be full of all these ideas at the moment.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04What's going on?
0:11:04 > 0:11:05What do you think?
0:11:05 > 0:11:08- Oh, this is lovely. - It is lovely, isn't it?
0:11:08 > 0:11:10No, no, this is done all by volunteers.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13But there is more. Come on, I want to show you upstairs.
0:11:13 > 0:11:14Yeah, but what about the counter?
0:11:14 > 0:11:16Cos it's that time of day. Shouldn't we be...?
0:11:16 > 0:11:18Later, later, this is too exciting.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20I'm worried about your excitement.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25Upstairs in the cafe, Daniel is still hard at work.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31- I'd like to introduce you to Daniel. - Hello, Daniel. How are you doing?
0:11:31 > 0:11:33- All right?- He's a volunteer here.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35He's got his work cut out with this wall.
0:11:35 > 0:11:40- What's going on?- So we've had leaks and we've got a bit of a problem.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42So I've had to take it right back.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45That must be galling after all the work you've put into it already,
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- having to redo it?- Yeah, starting all over again, story of my life,
0:11:48 > 0:11:51to be honest. I've got some overalls if you want to borrow them.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53This isn't your department, this is Daniel's.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56I've got something downstairs for you.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58I'm quite happy to help Daniel in here.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00- No, you're going to love it. - So am I.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02You've got something else, have you?
0:12:02 > 0:12:05- OK.- See you later. - See you, Daniel. Bye.
0:12:07 > 0:12:08Here we go, Mark.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10- Oh, Dave.- Ta-da.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13You are an artist, and this is your palette.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16Good, solid floor, no leaks. There's a skip or two.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19There's a skip or two, yeah, you're right, yeah.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21You could put a skip the other side of that wall.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23Have we got any money to do this with?
0:12:24 > 0:12:26No. We'll be fine.
0:12:26 > 0:12:27- Volunteers.- Volunteers again.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30Volunteers. In all seriousness, Mark,
0:12:30 > 0:12:31I've had some long talks with Jonathan.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35I've met Daniel and met some other volunteers here.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37It's such a worthwhile project.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41If we can make this a viable proposition to raise money,
0:12:41 > 0:12:46if this and the front cafe can cover the rent, then all the other rooms
0:12:46 > 0:12:48upstairs can be used as meeting rooms,
0:12:48 > 0:12:52and you've got a self-sufficient charity that really could snowball.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55It's an opportunity to do so much good.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58All right, you've sold it to me, I'm with you. And...
0:12:58 > 0:13:01- Good people.- ..I'm sure we can pull this together as well.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04Any ideas, any themes?
0:13:04 > 0:13:07- Well, there seems to be a lot of sunshine, doesn't there?- Yeah.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10We could clear that area up there, get the walls painted out,
0:13:10 > 0:13:15get more light in here, some tables in here, bit of vine.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18- You see?- Yeah, cheers, Dave. - You see?
0:13:18 > 0:13:22You know, at first, he seems reticent but he always comes round.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26He's just a little kind of... He's a little hotbed of ideas.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29It's brilliant. It's like going mining for inspiration with him.
0:13:29 > 0:13:30Good lad.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35Brilliant. Mark's up for the job and full of ideas.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38But we're going to need lots of volunteers...
0:13:41 > 0:13:44..and Nicki has been deploying her powers of persuasion
0:13:44 > 0:13:46to galvanise the locals.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50If you could put that up in halls of residence or somewhere,
0:13:50 > 0:13:52- that would be fantastic.- OK.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54From putting flyers in shops...
0:13:55 > 0:13:57..going on local radio...
0:13:57 > 0:14:00My extra bonus guest is Nicki Chapman.
0:14:00 > 0:14:01Thank you for coming in, Nicki.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04Well, thank you. What a lovely warm welcome.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06..asking people in the street...
0:14:06 > 0:14:08There's a community centre, cafe,
0:14:08 > 0:14:11that really helps people in this area that need help.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13We just want as many people as possible.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15- Yeah, of course, no worries. - That's great. Thank you very much.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17No worries. Good luck.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20..and tapping into existing volunteer groups,
0:14:20 > 0:14:22Nicki has found us hundreds of people.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29But now she's turning her attention to local business.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32She may look like she's on a jolly to Bristol Zoo
0:14:32 > 0:14:34but there's a method behind her strategy.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41A growing trend in volunteering has come through corporate volunteering
0:14:41 > 0:14:45with companies recognising the health, wellbeing and productivity
0:14:45 > 0:14:50benefits it can give both to their staff and local communities.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55Like many of the country's top businesses,
0:14:55 > 0:14:59Bristol Zoo actively encourages its staff to volunteer elsewhere.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05This is the Butterfly Forest, is that right?
0:15:05 > 0:15:08Yeah, this is basically a Costa Rican and Asian exhibit
0:15:08 > 0:15:11which has about 12 species of different butterfly.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13They are so beautiful.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15Literally flying so close to us.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20Tom, I see you've got some volunteers working in here today,
0:15:20 > 0:15:23the Butterfly Forest. But do you have them throughout the zoo?
0:15:23 > 0:15:27We do. We have over 300 volunteers actually work on and off for us
0:15:27 > 0:15:29throughout the season,
0:15:29 > 0:15:31and they provide absolutely
0:15:31 > 0:15:33just invaluable sort of support to the zoo.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37The volunteers do so much for us as an organisation,
0:15:37 > 0:15:40when an opportunity comes up where we can go and help somebody else
0:15:40 > 0:15:44we'll jump on that, because we understand and appreciate
0:15:44 > 0:15:46and empathise with people's situations.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49And then we like to actually go and support people out in the community
0:15:49 > 0:15:51- as well.- You're receptive to other community projects, are you?
0:15:51 > 0:15:54- Absolutely, yeah.- Well, I'm so pleased you said that, Tom.
0:15:54 > 0:15:59We're very passionate cos we're trying to recruit as many volunteers
0:15:59 > 0:16:01as possible to help us with some of our projects.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04I think we can help you out there. Absolutely. Sounds great.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09Nicki may be getting positive responses to her volunteer drive...
0:16:11 > 0:16:13..but now we really need them to turn up.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19Mark's on his way back to our garden build at the cafe.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24I'm just worried that we do have enough volunteers and time
0:16:24 > 0:16:28to actually get it done, because we're going to clear the garden,
0:16:28 > 0:16:30we're going to...
0:16:31 > 0:16:33..paint it all out, so it's...
0:16:33 > 0:16:36Oh, I've got to go down there. I'm in the wrong street. Hang on.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41With Mark having a difficult morning and getting lost,
0:16:41 > 0:16:43there's some good news at the cafe.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47The volunteers from the zoo have arrived.
0:16:49 > 0:16:50Not only that...
0:16:51 > 0:16:53..there are more local helpers, too.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58Ah, and Mark's finally turned up.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01Oh, well, maybe he'll use the sat nav next time, eh?
0:17:02 > 0:17:06But as the volunteers arrive and the work starts...
0:17:06 > 0:17:08We'll have to get rid of you again.
0:17:08 > 0:17:09Back that way.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12..it's time to Jonathan to make himself scarce.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16Fingers crossed, next time Jonathan sees the garden,
0:17:16 > 0:17:19Mark and his helpers will have transformed it
0:17:19 > 0:17:22from a dump to a brilliant community space.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24Oh, but they're going to have their work cut out.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29I think what we need to do is get some sort of order
0:17:29 > 0:17:32and get all the sheet material into one pile,
0:17:32 > 0:17:34get all the rubbish into some sort of order
0:17:34 > 0:17:36so that when the skips arrive here
0:17:36 > 0:17:38we can stack them and maximise the space in the skips.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41So it's over to you guys, now.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43All right? Scratch your heads, see what you're going to do with it,
0:17:43 > 0:17:46get it sorted. Thank you very, very much indeed.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55You know it really gladdens my heart to see what's going on here.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58You know, to see all these people working so hard
0:17:58 > 0:18:00for the benefit of other people.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02But you know, everybody's benefiting from this.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05It's going to double Jonathan's cafe,
0:18:05 > 0:18:08the whole project of Cafe Connect. It's wonderful.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11People have got good energy, good heart, making new friends.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14This is what volunteering is about, you know?
0:18:14 > 0:18:16This really shows what you can do.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18Where there's a will, there's certainly a way.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24Like Jonathan at the cafe, all across the country,
0:18:24 > 0:18:29people are doing incredible things to keep much-needed projects afloat.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35Martyn Ashton has been visiting some of them to see what can happen when
0:18:35 > 0:18:38we give a little bit of our time.
0:18:38 > 0:18:39This feels awesome.
0:18:39 > 0:18:40HE LAUGHS
0:18:43 > 0:18:45Today he's heading north to Leeds
0:18:45 > 0:18:47to meet two truly inspiring people
0:18:47 > 0:18:50who are dedicated to helping others.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56I've heard there's some guys here doing incredible work,
0:18:56 > 0:18:59helping ex-offenders get back into society
0:18:59 > 0:19:02through getting a step on the ladder to employment -
0:19:02 > 0:19:05a crucial part of life on the straight and narrow.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07And it's all thanks to volunteers.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15Martyn is meeting up with Val and Steve,
0:19:15 > 0:19:19two ex-prison officers who set up Tempus Novo
0:19:19 > 0:19:23after seeing the same people coming back into the prison system
0:19:23 > 0:19:24time and time again.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31They realised that this was very often due to the difficulty
0:19:31 > 0:19:36of getting that all-important first leg up back into employment
0:19:36 > 0:19:39and breaking that reoffending cycle.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42Why Tempus Novo? Why did you...?
0:19:42 > 0:19:44How did you come to that idea?
0:19:44 > 0:19:50I guess the thing that really made us want to do this was the need for
0:19:50 > 0:19:52employment for offenders.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55Cos nationally it's very difficult for them to get employment.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59I went out into the community and engaged with local businesses
0:19:59 > 0:20:04and other support groups to bring them into the prison so they could
0:20:04 > 0:20:07actually see that, actually, prisoners are people,
0:20:07 > 0:20:12and the majority don't offend because they want to offend,
0:20:12 > 0:20:15they actually offend to put food on the table.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19I've said to them, "Why do you keep coming back to prison?"
0:20:19 > 0:20:21"I can't get a job, Val. I cannot get a job.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23"There's nobody who'll touch me."
0:20:23 > 0:20:26The prison service is good at helping them with education,
0:20:26 > 0:20:29getting their literacy and numeracy levels up.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32One thing that's missing is an actual job.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34So how many people did you say you've helped
0:20:34 > 0:20:36and got back into work?
0:20:36 > 0:20:39We've actually placed into work 64, is it?
0:20:39 > 0:20:42- 64.- So 64 people back in work
0:20:42 > 0:20:45and you guys do this absolutely voluntary.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47Yeah, it's total voluntary.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50We're that passionate about what we do,
0:20:50 > 0:20:52it's something that drives us on.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56And the feeling that you get from helping someone,
0:20:56 > 0:20:59I would recommend it to anybody, volunteering.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03Martyn's meeting up with Paul,
0:21:03 > 0:21:06an ex-offender who Val and Steve have successfully matched
0:21:06 > 0:21:08with a local engineering firm.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14- Hi, Paul. - Hi, Martyn. How are you?
0:21:14 > 0:21:16I'm good, man. So what's going on here?
0:21:16 > 0:21:19- What are you up to?- I'm building a coil for one of the transformers.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21It's been a big year for you.
0:21:21 > 0:21:22Coming out of prison,
0:21:22 > 0:21:25you were inside for a long time, and a big change.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27I got an 18-year sentence.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30I served half of that, nine years.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34Yeah. So what do you think about the people who've helped you get
0:21:34 > 0:21:37to this point, the volunteers that have got you here?
0:21:37 > 0:21:41Martyn, when I first came out of prison and I was
0:21:41 > 0:21:45desperate to work and desperate to get myself a job.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48When I was in prison, I did a lot of courses
0:21:48 > 0:21:51to make myself more employable when I left prison.
0:21:51 > 0:21:57I did all that and when I came out, I spent two or three weeks
0:21:57 > 0:22:00e-mailing and sending off applications for jobs
0:22:00 > 0:22:05and never got any. So I was talking to my probation officer
0:22:05 > 0:22:10and she suggested that I maybe phone up Tempus Novo
0:22:10 > 0:22:14and basically we hit it off straightaway.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17We had a great chat with them and they are two lovely guys.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22Seeing someone actually change their lives from being someone who is...
0:22:22 > 0:22:26- In the gutter.- ..in the gutter, basically, to now going out,
0:22:26 > 0:22:27he's got money in his pocket.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30Gives him self worth, respect,
0:22:30 > 0:22:32and obviously there's other things that come from this.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36There's a reduction in crime, there's a reduction in victims.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39There's a huge saving to the taxpayer.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43- Massive.- And hopefully less demand on prisoner places.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46It's so far-reaching, it's incredible.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48Thanks, guys. Been a pleasure.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50Thank you very much.
0:22:50 > 0:22:51Take care.
0:22:51 > 0:22:55I've learnt a lesson today. Steve and Val are sharing
0:22:55 > 0:22:58life experience with others so they can make a massive difference
0:22:58 > 0:22:59and we can all do that.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02We could all give some time to share some life experience.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05That's something we could maybe be doing at Baggator.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11Back at Baggator, our community centre build,
0:23:11 > 0:23:14it's not so much life experience we need, as muscle.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17And we have people from so many walks of life here
0:23:17 > 0:23:21prepared to get their hands dirty. It's amazing!
0:23:25 > 0:23:28I've been slightly worried about it, but how can I be worried?
0:23:28 > 0:23:30Look what's going on. The place is just alive with people.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32All the jobs are happening,
0:23:32 > 0:23:35all the clearing, all the planting is going to go on.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38So they've taken all my worries and shifted them,
0:23:38 > 0:23:41because the local community is just putting this one to bed
0:23:41 > 0:23:43and what a brilliant job they're doing.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46I was very worried about Baggator because of the scale of it
0:23:46 > 0:23:50and the very, very short time that we had to do it as well,
0:23:50 > 0:23:52but they've proved me wrong.
0:23:52 > 0:23:53It's brilliant.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58Have you been involved with volunteering before, have you?
0:23:58 > 0:24:01- Er, kind of, but more international work really.- Oh, right.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04I'm an architect so we try to do some development work abroad,
0:24:04 > 0:24:05but nothing like this.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07You've been doing international stuff,
0:24:07 > 0:24:09now you're doing stuff just around the corner.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11- What's your name?- Kev. - Kev, how're you doing, Kev?
0:24:11 > 0:24:13- Nice to meet you.- Yeah, you, too. - Thank you.- Cheers.- Brilliant.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17There's people from all walks of life joining in in this one.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23There is loads of skills that completely go untapped
0:24:23 > 0:24:26in local communities, but if you look around you,
0:24:26 > 0:24:28you've got people in there telling me stories
0:24:28 > 0:24:30that are just blowing my mind.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33They're just young, creative people who want to get in and join in.
0:24:33 > 0:24:37We've got an architect out the back, we've got the university guys
0:24:37 > 0:24:40shovelling soil and moving stone and filling skips.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43Others are painting walls and making this incredible graffiti
0:24:43 > 0:24:45on the outside of the building. It's not just the skills
0:24:45 > 0:24:48that we need, we need the skills, we need the positivity,
0:24:48 > 0:24:49we need the energy and the love
0:24:49 > 0:24:52that all these people are prepared to put into this building,
0:24:52 > 0:24:55and that's what's going to make Baggator brilliant.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58While Mark is making good progress
0:24:58 > 0:25:00with his army of helpers at Baggator...
0:25:02 > 0:25:07..it's worth remembering just how important community projects can be.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15Daniel, who volunteered to paint the upstairs at Cafe Connect,
0:25:15 > 0:25:20does so because the charity has helped him to deal with difficulties
0:25:20 > 0:25:22in his own life.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24Daniel, can you describe your life to us,
0:25:24 > 0:25:28what it was like before things started to go wrong?
0:25:28 > 0:25:31I mean, I would say I was one of the lucky ones really.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33I grew up in a working-class family,
0:25:33 > 0:25:35I had good morals instilled in me,
0:25:35 > 0:25:38I left school and I got a job and, you know,
0:25:38 > 0:25:41seemingly on the outside everything was going well.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43I had a nice girlfriend who worked for British Airways,
0:25:43 > 0:25:46but the inside of me was screaming.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49My life would be I'd go out on a Thursday
0:25:49 > 0:25:51and I wouldn't come home till Sunday, you know,
0:25:51 > 0:25:53and I'd just about make it to work.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56So already I was taking it too far.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59How far down that road did you go, Daniel.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02For me, it took me from, you could say, being...
0:26:02 > 0:26:06paying my taxes and being reasonably responsible to being homeless...
0:26:08 > 0:26:11..in jail and I would make all the promises.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14You know, I've been in jail and I've wrote my family letters saying,
0:26:14 > 0:26:17"I swear to you," and I meant every word, you know,
0:26:17 > 0:26:19I had tears running down my face,
0:26:19 > 0:26:21"I will never do this again,"
0:26:21 > 0:26:24and then I'd get to the prison gate and the first thing that would
0:26:24 > 0:26:27come into my mind was, "Where can I get some drugs?"
0:26:27 > 0:26:29I was powerless over drugs and alcohol.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34Now 30, Daniel's past 16 years
0:26:34 > 0:26:38have been torn apart by drugs and alcohol,
0:26:38 > 0:26:41but, through volunteering, he's started to turn his life around.
0:26:44 > 0:26:48With a record, a prison record and with that behind you,
0:26:48 > 0:26:51how do you start getting back into life again?
0:26:52 > 0:26:54You know, someone asked me,
0:26:54 > 0:26:57"What was the happiest when you were in recovery last time?"
0:26:57 > 0:27:00And the honest answer was when I was getting the bus
0:27:00 > 0:27:02to the Salvation Army to serve food to the homeless.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04That's when I was at my happiest,
0:27:04 > 0:27:05not when I had lots of money coming in...
0:27:05 > 0:27:07Was that when you started to volunteer?
0:27:07 > 0:27:08Did you volunteer at the Salvation Army?
0:27:08 > 0:27:10That's where my voluntary work started, yeah,
0:27:10 > 0:27:12at the Salvation Army.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16Jonathan and Cafe Connect
0:27:16 > 0:27:20now play a crucial role in helping Daniel on the road to recovery.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26It is so valuable in communities to have people like Jonathan
0:27:26 > 0:27:31who do this stuff, because it enabled me to realise
0:27:31 > 0:27:33that I can be a responsible person again
0:27:33 > 0:27:36and I've got something to offer, you know?
0:27:36 > 0:27:39Whether it's a kind word or just to give an hour of my time,
0:27:39 > 0:27:41it fills my heart with hope
0:27:41 > 0:27:45to know that one day I can get a job and I can do all the things
0:27:45 > 0:27:47that normal people, a lot of people take for granted,
0:27:47 > 0:27:51you know, and that's what Jonathan is giving to this community.
0:27:51 > 0:27:56It's helping people on a day-to-day basis.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01Thanks to the support from Jonathan and Cafe Connect,
0:28:01 > 0:28:04Daniel can now walk through his neighbourhood a changed man.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09So what's it like walking down the streets now,
0:28:09 > 0:28:11now things have changed you? How does it seem?
0:28:11 > 0:28:17The world to me is a beautiful place now whereas before all I would be
0:28:17 > 0:28:20doing would be walking through these streets with my head down,
0:28:20 > 0:28:24just consumed by want for a substance.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27Now I walk around and I see the beauty.
0:28:27 > 0:28:31I see kids laughing and I see the trees in bloom and the sky and
0:28:31 > 0:28:33the colours, you know?
0:28:33 > 0:28:37Walking past people who'll just give you a smile in the street
0:28:37 > 0:28:41and thinking... Simple things most people, I guess, take for granted.
0:28:41 > 0:28:42Yeah.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45That's how different it is for me, you know?
0:28:45 > 0:28:49It's 360 degrees from where I've come from
0:28:49 > 0:28:53and I think the world is full of decent people.
0:28:53 > 0:28:55More people than not are decent.
0:28:57 > 0:29:01Cafe Connect is in the very area where you used to score drugs.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03Is that...?
0:29:03 > 0:29:07Directly opposite is where I used to spend hours in cars
0:29:07 > 0:29:09waiting for the acquirement of drugs.
0:29:09 > 0:29:13Now I'm in a building opposite,
0:29:13 > 0:29:15doing voluntary work for other people.
0:29:15 > 0:29:20- That's how far I've come. - It's great, isn't it?- It's amazing.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22It's amazing, yeah.
0:29:24 > 0:29:28It's so heartening to hear from Daniel what a difference
0:29:28 > 0:29:31dedicated people like Jonathan can make to an individual
0:29:31 > 0:29:35and it feels more important than ever that we give the cafe
0:29:35 > 0:29:38the new garden it really deserves.
0:29:41 > 0:29:43And it's good news -
0:29:43 > 0:29:46Nicki's volunteer drive is making a big impact.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48There's loads of them out there!
0:29:53 > 0:29:56I tell you what, I think I've been framed.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59Oh, dear.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05It's chaos. You know, there's so much rubbish and junk here.
0:30:05 > 0:30:07That can be quite daunting, that can knock you right back,
0:30:07 > 0:30:09but it hasn't bothered this lot, has it?
0:30:09 > 0:30:12They're just getting on with it. Getting it painted.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14Getting themselves painted.
0:30:14 > 0:30:15Getting the floor painted.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17We'll get YOU painted in a minute.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19Oh, oh. I better get out of here.
0:30:19 > 0:30:21She's threatening me with paint.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30We're doing community building projects in the neighbourhood
0:30:30 > 0:30:34in Easton and we're just trying to seeing how can we bring about,
0:30:34 > 0:30:36like, a positive community atmosphere,
0:30:36 > 0:30:37really vibrant community life?
0:30:40 > 0:30:43My name's Jake. I used to be a carpenter
0:30:43 > 0:30:46working in specialist oak frame construction.
0:30:46 > 0:30:48Came down here earlier on today
0:30:48 > 0:30:51and they were in need of carpenters and volunteers,
0:30:51 > 0:30:54so I just grabbed my tools and came down for the afternoon,
0:30:54 > 0:30:57sort of chuck in as much experience as I could, I suppose.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02The volunteers are doing a brilliant job,
0:31:02 > 0:31:07but I want to understand more about the long-term benefits that Jonathan
0:31:07 > 0:31:11and the cafe bring to those who use it day-to-day,
0:31:11 > 0:31:13so I'm on my way to meet Darren.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18Darren, you've had your problems with addiction.
0:31:18 > 0:31:20How are places like the cafe
0:31:20 > 0:31:23and the work that Jonathan's doing helping?
0:31:23 > 0:31:26Me being part of the cafe gives me so much.
0:31:26 > 0:31:31It's really helped me be part of the community.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34What is it you get out of that?
0:31:34 > 0:31:36Just knowing I can go there any time
0:31:36 > 0:31:40and there's going to be that companionship.
0:31:40 > 0:31:44- You know, the people that go there, it's like a family.- Yeah.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46That was something I didn't have as a child.
0:31:46 > 0:31:50You know, that's probably part of the reason I ran out looking for
0:31:50 > 0:31:52something and found it in drugs.
0:31:52 > 0:31:57Now I've had to learn to deal with my emotions without doing that and
0:31:57 > 0:32:01Jonathan and my friends and, you know...
0:32:01 > 0:32:03Can they give you a leg up when you need it?
0:32:03 > 0:32:05Support and love, you know,
0:32:05 > 0:32:08care. Cafe Connect has been that
0:32:08 > 0:32:12- all the way through this part of my recovery.- Yes.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15Jonathan will help me in whatever way he can, even when I relapse.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17- Right.- And that's really important to me,
0:32:17 > 0:32:21that I'm not going to get rejected for behaving or doing...
0:32:21 > 0:32:23- So he's not judgmental?- No, no.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26I love the cafe, I love the people, I love the environment,
0:32:26 > 0:32:30I love being part of the community and, if I can give to that,
0:32:30 > 0:32:32- you know, I feel good.- Yeah.
0:32:34 > 0:32:38It's brilliant how much Darren gets out of the cafe,
0:32:38 > 0:32:41but the cafe isn't the only job we've got on today.
0:32:44 > 0:32:46Mark Millar is the busiest man in town
0:32:46 > 0:32:49and he and his helpers are all so hard at it
0:32:49 > 0:32:51at the community centre nearby,
0:32:51 > 0:32:54which, with the help of our volunteers,
0:32:54 > 0:32:57we're hoping to transform into a buzzing resource
0:32:57 > 0:32:59for the entire neighbourhood.
0:33:01 > 0:33:03The graffiti is almost finished...
0:33:05 > 0:33:07..and Simon has made a beautiful pergola.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11There's still loads to do, though,
0:33:11 > 0:33:13and Mark has only one day left to do it.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18It's looking like tomorrow is going to be another tough one
0:33:18 > 0:33:21for our DIY powerhouse.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24But right now Mr Millar has to get round the corner
0:33:24 > 0:33:28to our other project, Cafe Connect, and show me what's been achieved.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36Every single person has made a difference.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40You ready for this? Ready?
0:33:40 > 0:33:43- Wow!- It's good, isn't it? - Just a bit!
0:33:43 > 0:33:45Cor, you got some work and energy going on here.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48- Go on, then, in you go. - This was just, well,
0:33:48 > 0:33:52it was such an underused space, but it's fantastic.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54In one sense it was underused.
0:33:54 > 0:33:56It wasn't underused for collecting rubbish.
0:33:56 > 0:33:58No, I know, I know.
0:33:58 > 0:34:03But, you know... I can't get over it really.
0:34:03 > 0:34:07It's just cleared beautifully, it's looking bright, it's fresh.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10- Bit of a splash of colour in there. - Yeah.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17- Hello.- Hi. How are you doing?
0:34:17 > 0:34:20I'm all right. How did you get involved in volunteering for this.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22Good question. I, er... Well,
0:34:22 > 0:34:26I volunteered as of last night while my wife was checking Facebook
0:34:26 > 0:34:28and she said, "You're only decorating the house tomorrow.
0:34:28 > 0:34:30"You could do something a lot more interesting
0:34:30 > 0:34:32"and pop down and volunteer and help out."
0:34:32 > 0:34:35Well thank you very much. Thank you for doing this.
0:34:40 > 0:34:44Dave, on every job there's a superstar
0:34:44 > 0:34:45and I want you to meet my superstar.
0:34:45 > 0:34:47This is Sahar.
0:34:47 > 0:34:48Pleased to meet you, Sahar.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51Sahar has been here from day one, day and night.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53Right to the point where I was going home the other night
0:34:53 > 0:34:55and I noticed the side door of the garden was open.
0:34:55 > 0:34:57I stuck my head in and they were still painting.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00- Still painting. - Then, they finished the painting,
0:35:00 > 0:35:02took all the paint and brushes and rollers,
0:35:02 > 0:35:04took them into that little cupboard in there,
0:35:04 > 0:35:06spent another half an hour cleaning everything up
0:35:06 > 0:35:08- so we didn't throw the stuff away. - Fantastic.
0:35:08 > 0:35:10This girl has been amazing.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13I'll tell you what, you have put a lot of energy in here
0:35:13 > 0:35:16and a lot of time. Have you really enjoyed volunteering?
0:35:16 > 0:35:18- Yes, absolutely. - What's been so good about it?
0:35:18 > 0:35:21I don't know. You just get like a bit of...
0:35:22 > 0:35:25It's nice when you're doing something for someone else,
0:35:25 > 0:35:27and not really, like, your own interests at heart.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29Like, you just feel good at the end of the day.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32You feel tired but, like, you've done something with your day.
0:35:32 > 0:35:34Gosh, yeah. Thank you so much.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42So we can sit down here, have a cup of coffee,
0:35:42 > 0:35:44we can have a bit of chat.
0:35:44 > 0:35:46- And when the band starts... - Beds!- Calm down.
0:35:46 > 0:35:47Let me tell you about this bit.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50Then when the band starts, if you can't see the band playing,
0:35:50 > 0:35:53shorties like me can get up onto the second tier of the seating.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55And it's really, really strong.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58Yeah, it's lovely. This was all junk that was in the garden.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00- Is it dry? Yeah. - It's nice, isn't it?
0:36:00 > 0:36:02It's really nice.
0:36:02 > 0:36:04You don't seem to have that any shortage of volunteers here.
0:36:04 > 0:36:07This has been a ball of energy, man.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09This has been incredible. You know what?
0:36:09 > 0:36:11Every time I've come here, it's just lifted me up.
0:36:11 > 0:36:15I've had people here from day one that have just been a godsend.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18- Isn't it lovely?- It is lovely. I love the cafe
0:36:18 > 0:36:20and I love what Jonathan was doing.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23But this, it's just kind of expanding the whole thing.
0:36:23 > 0:36:25It's trebling the size of the cafe.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27Do you think he's going to like this?
0:36:27 > 0:36:29- I think it's going to blow his mind. - Do you?- Yeah.
0:36:29 > 0:36:31And I love the energy here.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34I love the vibrancy of what everybody is doing.
0:36:37 > 0:36:41There's only half an hour to go before Jonathan turns up...
0:36:42 > 0:36:45..and Mark and the volunteers are giving it a final push
0:36:45 > 0:36:48to get the garden ready for the big reveal,
0:36:48 > 0:36:50and I can't wait for him to see it.
0:36:55 > 0:36:59Over four days, Mark and the volunteers
0:36:59 > 0:37:03have transformed the back of the cafe from a rubbish tip
0:37:03 > 0:37:06to a beautiful garden oasis for the whole community.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14Over 50 volunteers have been involved,
0:37:14 > 0:37:17turning old pallets into tables,
0:37:17 > 0:37:20building seating and creating plant beds
0:37:20 > 0:37:23to bring life to the previously neglected courtyard.
0:37:24 > 0:37:29They've poured their hearts into giving Jonathan and the cafe
0:37:29 > 0:37:33a new lease of life and the opportunity to expand
0:37:33 > 0:37:36and help more people like Daniel and Darren.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40It's an amazing transformation
0:37:40 > 0:37:43and I just hope Jonathan likes it as much as I do.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48- Jonathan, this is a big moment. - It's exciting. I must say.
0:37:48 > 0:37:49It really is exciting.
0:37:49 > 0:37:50It's taken four days
0:37:50 > 0:37:54and goodness knows how many hundreds of man and woman hours
0:37:54 > 0:37:56to get this right.
0:37:56 > 0:37:57And I've been really careful
0:37:57 > 0:37:59in those four days not to go and have a look!
0:37:59 > 0:38:01So I don't know what's happened out there.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03I just hope it lives up to expectations
0:38:03 > 0:38:06and it's an asset to your project, I really do.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09Well, thank you very much. I'm sure it's going to be amazing for us.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12It'll be a great boost for us as an organisation,
0:38:12 > 0:38:16so I'm really looking forward to seeing it!
0:38:16 > 0:38:17Come on in, Jonathan.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21Oh, wow!
0:38:21 > 0:38:26This doesn't look like the yard that I left behind a few days ago.
0:38:26 > 0:38:28This is completely, completely so different.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30It's really changed a lot.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32It's great. This is really great.
0:38:32 > 0:38:34It's so big out here.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36- This is really big.- That's because it was full of rubbish before.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39- It was full of rubbish! - There was an awful lot to shift
0:38:39 > 0:38:41- once we got stuck in. - There WAS an awful lot to shift.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43But this is a huge space.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45What an amazing space, actually.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47This is absolutely incredible.
0:38:48 > 0:38:52So what will having this additional area mean to you,
0:38:52 > 0:38:54the project and the community?
0:38:54 > 0:38:57It will mean that there is a whole new space
0:38:57 > 0:38:58for people to come and meet,
0:38:58 > 0:39:02that there is a new green space here in the local community
0:39:02 > 0:39:04which doesn't exist, hasn't existed.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07And there are so few of these spaces.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09It will mean that the cafe we have got inside
0:39:09 > 0:39:11will be able to expand out here,
0:39:11 > 0:39:15and we will be able to invite more customers in to join us.
0:39:15 > 0:39:17You've got some beds there.
0:39:17 > 0:39:18We can start growing some veg for the kitchen.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21- Yeah, great.- Herbs.- Herbs and stuff.
0:39:21 > 0:39:23Lots of planters.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25- It's really good, isn't it? - People have made those.
0:39:25 > 0:39:27People from the community have made them.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30Yeah, yeah. Look, seating and benches and everything as well.
0:39:30 > 0:39:31It's incredible.
0:39:31 > 0:39:34They've all been recycled from stuff left in the garden.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36The volunteers who came in here said,
0:39:36 > 0:39:37"Don't throw that in the skip!"
0:39:37 > 0:39:40They pulled them out and they created some new tables for you,
0:39:40 > 0:39:43- and bits and pieces. - That's really in the tradition of
0:39:43 > 0:39:44Bristol Reconnect
0:39:44 > 0:39:46cos we've done everything through recycling, really.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49So it really fits in with the way that we've done the rest of this
0:39:49 > 0:39:53building here as well, cos we've recycled so materials here
0:39:53 > 0:39:55that have been donated to us.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58And that's something we want to promote also in the community,
0:39:58 > 0:40:01that we can use the resources that are already here
0:40:01 > 0:40:05- to create something new. - Even the green paint that we see.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08- Yes.- That was found underneath all the rubbish.- Yeah.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11- I wondered where that green paint had gone.- Oops.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14Great, you know, it's wonderful that it's got its use, you know.
0:40:14 > 0:40:16Cos it's brightened up the space amazingly.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18- Yeah.- Well, I don't think we could have done it
0:40:18 > 0:40:20- for a better guy, really. - No, I don't think so too.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23- That's very kind of you. - It's a privilege to meet you.
0:40:23 > 0:40:27And you, too. It's been really lovely to have you guys around
0:40:27 > 0:40:31and contribute in this way, you feel like part of the club now.
0:40:31 > 0:40:32- Thank you.- Thank you very much. Thank you.
0:40:34 > 0:40:36I'm so glad that Jonathan likes it.
0:40:36 > 0:40:41Now it's time to see what the people who depend on the cafe think
0:40:41 > 0:40:43and to give the volunteers a chance
0:40:43 > 0:40:45to enjoy the fruits of their labours.
0:40:47 > 0:40:48Come on, Darren, you lead the way.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51Oh, wow, look. This is great.
0:40:51 > 0:40:52- In you go!- Come on in!
0:40:52 > 0:40:55Come on, everybody. Well done, yous lot.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57Hello, hiya.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59- Take them all in.- How do you do?
0:40:59 > 0:41:01Hello. Good to see you.
0:41:01 > 0:41:02Hello. Head down there.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04In you go. In you go.
0:41:04 > 0:41:05So it keeps on going.
0:41:05 > 0:41:07- Well done, everybody.- Well done.
0:41:09 > 0:41:11Hello. He's not come in.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13- John.- Come on, John.
0:41:13 > 0:41:14- John.- Mind the paint.
0:41:16 > 0:41:17Great stuff.
0:41:20 > 0:41:22Well, it's amazing, everybody weighed in here
0:41:22 > 0:41:24and turned this round, you know.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27- That's what I like about it. - You happy?- Ecstatic.
0:41:35 > 0:41:37- Hey, Darren, what do you think of it?- Oh, it's great.
0:41:37 > 0:41:39What a transformation, eh?
0:41:39 > 0:41:41Yeah, well, you've known it for a long time but it was...
0:41:41 > 0:41:43it was a bit of a mess.
0:41:43 > 0:41:44It was, it looked like scrapyard.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47To this, you know, it's spacious, beautiful...
0:41:47 > 0:41:49Do you think it's going to make a difference to the project?
0:41:49 > 0:41:51I think it will make a real difference.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53There's a lot of families around here,
0:41:53 > 0:41:56there's a lot of mums and children around here and I think this is
0:41:56 > 0:41:59a really safe space for children to come and play and for
0:41:59 > 0:42:02their mothers to be able to relax and talk to each other.
0:42:02 > 0:42:06- Yeah.- It's just great to know that this has been created
0:42:06 > 0:42:07- through volunteers.- Yes.
0:42:07 > 0:42:11And, you know, through the love of the community,
0:42:11 > 0:42:14creating this for the community, I think that's...
0:42:14 > 0:42:16- it's magic.- Yeah.- It is.
0:42:21 > 0:42:23Well, it seems to be working already.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26But this is what it's all about.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28It's a bunch of people who get together to do something
0:42:28 > 0:42:31for the common good. And it's brilliant.
0:42:31 > 0:42:33Everybody benefits.
0:42:33 > 0:42:35And, look - that is a big smile.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44Next, it's the final push
0:42:44 > 0:42:48as we race to complete our rejuvenated community hub...
0:42:50 > 0:42:54..Martyn Ashton discovers the healing power of music...
0:42:54 > 0:42:57The atmosphere in here is amazing,
0:42:57 > 0:43:00and it's all thanks to the power of volunteers.
0:43:00 > 0:43:03..and we get inspiration from the work of the local youth centre,
0:43:03 > 0:43:08while we create a new space for their young people.
0:43:08 > 0:43:10THEY CHEER