0:00:02 > 0:00:06Most single parents rely on the support of close friends and family,
0:00:06 > 0:00:09so to move just about as far away as possible from that support
0:00:09 > 0:00:12is a huge decision.
0:00:12 > 0:00:17This is exactly the dilemma faced by Becci Sanders back in 2008.
0:00:18 > 0:00:23We gave her and her 11-year-old son Keelan the chance to test-drive life in Australia.
0:00:23 > 0:00:27Today we're meeting up with the Sanders to find out if Becci was
0:00:27 > 0:00:33brave enough to turn her and Keelan's world quite literally upside down.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59Single mum Becci Sanders and her 11-year-old son Keelan
0:00:59 > 0:01:05wanted to swap the daily grind in England for a new life in Australia.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09Keelan hoped that a move would mean more quality time with his mum.
0:01:09 > 0:01:14We'll be doing a lot more, I reckon, in Australia which we wouldn't do here.
0:01:14 > 0:01:20But the realities of moving so far from friends and family hit them hard.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24It's going to be really hard here without you.
0:01:25 > 0:01:26Do you want a hug?
0:01:28 > 0:01:33So did they have the courage to make the move? Where are they now?
0:01:37 > 0:01:41In 2008, Becci Sanders, from Northampton,
0:01:41 > 0:01:44was facing a life-changing decision,
0:01:44 > 0:01:49whether to stay in the UK or to uproot and move with her son Keelan
0:01:49 > 0:01:54thousands of miles away from her friends and family to Australia?
0:01:54 > 0:02:02We gave them a week to experience every aspect of life down under, but what happened next?
0:02:02 > 0:02:05Becci and Keelan lived with their dog Munchie in Northampton.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08Becci trained as an occupational therapist
0:02:08 > 0:02:13but was working as a mental health advocate.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17She'd hoped finding the right job in Australia would be their ticket out of the UK.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21I want to make a difference to people's lives and I would think
0:02:21 > 0:02:24that everyone who does nursing and OT and social work
0:02:24 > 0:02:26would probably say the same thing.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28I don't feel as if I'm able to
0:02:28 > 0:02:31put that into practice here because of the restraints with
0:02:31 > 0:02:36funding and budgets and stuff and I just feel that there'll be more opportunities and I'll be able to
0:02:36 > 0:02:38really make a difference to people's lives somewhere else.
0:02:38 > 0:02:43Aside from work, Becci had her own personal reasons for wanting a new life in Australia.
0:02:43 > 0:02:48For four or five months of the year, I suffer quite badly from depression.
0:02:48 > 0:02:53My life is pretty much governed by seasonal affective disorder.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57It means that during the winter months I do very little.
0:02:57 > 0:03:05I get up in the morning and sort Keelan out for school, and I go to work and I come home and sleep.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07It obviously has an effect on Keelan as well.
0:03:07 > 0:03:14Well, it affects me because even the slightest thing could make her really angry at me...
0:03:16 > 0:03:17..which I don't like.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19He has to do a lot more during the winter
0:03:19 > 0:03:22to help me out around the house. A lot more housework,
0:03:22 > 0:03:27so yeah, I do feel very, very guilty that I need to rely on him sometimes.
0:03:27 > 0:03:32I've got a very, very strong relationship with my mum.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36I look after her when she's ill and she looks after me when I'm ill.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39Becci and Keelan have a strong support network
0:03:39 > 0:03:44and moving so far away would plunge them into a life without friends or family to fall back on.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47'Is this what they really wanted?'
0:03:47 > 0:03:50'My mum will miss her best friend Heather a lot
0:03:51 > 0:03:55'because if one of them's had a bad day they'll go and see the other and cheer them up.'
0:03:55 > 0:03:59So that's what my mum will miss most. She'll miss her friends.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02There isn't a day that goes by that we don't talk to each other.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04That is going to be the weirdest thing.
0:04:04 > 0:04:10I don't think you realise how much you rely on someone until they're not around.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13I don't even want to think about it cos I'll get all upset.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19Becci had a huge decision ahead
0:04:19 > 0:04:24so to make the process a little easier,
0:04:24 > 0:04:27we arranged for her and son Keelan to try out life for one week
0:04:27 > 0:04:31in the capital of the northern territory, Darwin.
0:04:31 > 0:04:37Becci and Keelan travelled 9,000 miles to Australia, giving them plenty of time
0:04:37 > 0:04:40to consider what lay ahead and how they would cope on their own.
0:04:40 > 0:04:45They landed at Darwin Airport after a 22-hour journey.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51Slightly apprehensive cos we don't really know what will happen,
0:04:51 > 0:04:57- but we're very much looking forward to it, and prepared to throw ourselves in completely.- Yeah.- Yep.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00Their base for the week was a flat in the heart of Darwin.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02Wow.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05The size of the kitchen, I'll get lost.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09- It's a huge room.- It is, actually.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11- It's really big.- Wow.
0:05:15 > 0:05:16Oh, wow. Balcony's big.
0:05:18 > 0:05:25It was a positive start to a soul-searching week that potentially was to change their lives for ever.
0:05:28 > 0:05:33In 2008, Becci and Keelan were living in a rented two-bedroom house in Northampton.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39As a single mum, Becci's finances were limited
0:05:39 > 0:05:44so she wasn't looking to buy a house in Australia straightaway.
0:05:45 > 0:05:50She had a budget of up to £750 a month to spend on rent.
0:05:50 > 0:05:56Would the three properties we showed her in Darwin convince her she would get more for her money in Australia?
0:05:59 > 0:06:02The first was a two-bedroom flat in Coconut Grove
0:06:02 > 0:06:06and would cost Becci around £750 a month,
0:06:06 > 0:06:09the same as she was paying in the UK.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11Would this property meet her expectations?
0:06:15 > 0:06:17Yeah. More brick walls.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21It's too built up. There's no garden.
0:06:21 > 0:06:27It could be a property absolutely anywhere in the world and I want to feel as if I'm in Australia.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29It doesn't feel good.
0:06:29 > 0:06:30It just feels like it's anywhere.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32No, not us, is it?
0:06:32 > 0:06:34No.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37There is a garden area, look.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41- Yeah.- But obviously you'd have to share that with everybody else.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45They don't feel like it's somewhere that you could live.
0:06:45 > 0:06:50And I'm sure people do live in them and quite happily, but it's not what we're looking for.
0:06:50 > 0:06:55One of the reasons we want to get out of the UK is because everybody is living on top of everybody else
0:06:55 > 0:06:59and it feels quite claustrophobic and this has exactly the same feeling,
0:06:59 > 0:07:03although the weather's nice and the apartments are lovely,
0:07:03 > 0:07:07it still feels as though you're all scrunched into a very small space.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11- That's not really what we're looking for, is it?- No.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15Affordable property in the centre of Darwin certainly failed to hit the right buttons.
0:07:15 > 0:07:20The second property was in the suburb of Nightcliff.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24This two-bedroom house was £50 under their monthly budget.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28But would they get more for their money living in the outskirts?
0:07:29 > 0:07:31Oh, wow.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34It is gorgeous.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36That's really nice.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44Oh, wow. It's beautiful.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46Yeah, that'll do!
0:07:49 > 0:07:50So this would be your room.
0:07:50 > 0:07:56- It's nice. - Without the extra bed there'd be a lot more room.- There would, yeah.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58- I like that.- It is nice.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03This is my ideal garden with all the tropical plants.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06- It's already got the plants there. It's got all this space.- Yeah.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08Patio area.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10It's beautiful.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14The inside is possibly slightly smaller than I thought it would be
0:08:14 > 0:08:17but then the outside space is just so fantastic.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19We wouldn't spend that much time inside anyway.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23This house seemed to be more what they expected from an Australian home
0:08:23 > 0:08:26but what would they make of property three?
0:08:26 > 0:08:33This flat at Myilly Point had two bedrooms, two bathrooms and was a stone's throw from the sea.
0:08:33 > 0:08:38At just over £840 per month, it was more than Becci was hoping to spend.
0:08:38 > 0:08:44But if Becci's dreams were going to be fulfilled she needed to explore all the options.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55- Lovely.- Yeah. So much room.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02This is quite a big room. Completely different style of apartment, isn't it?
0:09:02 > 0:09:05- It's 100% different, yeah. - Really, really nice.
0:09:07 > 0:09:08That's stunning.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11- I can see the sea.- Oh, wow.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- How close is that?!- That's very close.- The sand's just there.
0:09:14 > 0:09:20I might have to cut a hole in the trees, just so you can see right through.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27- We should have brought our swimming costumes, shouldn't we?- Yeah.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29It's lovely.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34Although over budget, this flat changed their minds about apartment living.
0:09:34 > 0:09:39But was it good enough to make them decide to move halfway across the world?
0:09:39 > 0:09:45Would the Sanders vote for rental property at home in the UK or in Australia?
0:09:45 > 0:09:48So on the basis of the three properties we've seen today
0:09:48 > 0:09:52and compared to the property we've got at home, our vote has to be...
0:09:53 > 0:09:55BOTH: Australia!
0:09:59 > 0:10:05It was a thumbs up for property, but it was not the most important thing on Becci's list.
0:10:05 > 0:10:11Right at the top was the weather and the huge improvement she hoped this would make to her health.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14The SAD has a huge effect in the UK.
0:10:14 > 0:10:21There's only sort of three or four months of the year where we actually go out and do outside activities,
0:10:21 > 0:10:28and the rest of the time we're cocooned in the house and it has an effect on Keelan as well
0:10:28 > 0:10:30because we do things together.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34If I don't feel like going out, then he doesn't get to go out either.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36I can't see it being a problem out here at all.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39It's pretty much always sunny.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41I feel like a different person.
0:10:41 > 0:10:45I've only been here a few days and I feel completely different already.
0:10:47 > 0:10:51It was becoming clear how much they needed to make this move.
0:10:51 > 0:10:55Everything hinged on Becci's work prospects in Australia.
0:11:00 > 0:11:06In the UK, Becci was a mental health advocate and hoped to develop her career in Australia.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09I want to make a difference to people's lives.
0:11:09 > 0:11:14I don't feel as if I'm able to put that into practice here because of the restraints with
0:11:14 > 0:11:19funding and budgets and stuff and I just feel that there'll be more opportunities and I'll be able to
0:11:19 > 0:11:22really make a different to people's lives somewhere else.
0:11:22 > 0:11:28It was her qualifications in occupational therapy which would get her a visa to live in Australia.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31But would spending a day at Darwin private hospital
0:11:31 > 0:11:35persuade her that working down under was right for her?
0:11:37 > 0:11:43So, I gather you're out here to find out a little bit about the occupational therapy opportunities?
0:11:43 > 0:11:45Yeah, definitely.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49It's amazing the sorts of things that people will do to their hands,
0:11:49 > 0:11:53unfortunately, sometimes in the line of work,
0:11:53 > 0:11:58and sometimes sporting accidents, motor vehicle accidents.
0:11:58 > 0:12:03We've even had injuries from crocodile bites, which aren't
0:12:03 > 0:12:08very nice injuries because of the risk of infection. Things like dingo bites as well.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11- Not something we get in the UK. - Yeah. Yeah!
0:12:11 > 0:12:15The chances for Becci for finding employment are pretty good,
0:12:15 > 0:12:19though I would say she would have to be prepared to probably go to more remote areas of Australia,
0:12:19 > 0:12:22certainly in the Northern Territory,
0:12:22 > 0:12:26Alice Springs and Katherine are always looking for OTs.
0:12:26 > 0:12:32So I'm sure Becci would find work if she chose to come out here, yeah.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36The only work opportunities might be in the more remote parts of Australia
0:12:36 > 0:12:41so would Becci still think the move was worthwhile?
0:12:41 > 0:12:46Having spent some time with Katrina today and getting a better idea of what OTs do in Australia,
0:12:46 > 0:12:50and although I'm aware there isn't a specific job available at the moment,
0:12:50 > 0:12:55I am prepared to walk the streets and find something,
0:12:55 > 0:12:59and compared to the type of OT work in the UK,
0:12:59 > 0:13:01I think my vote would have to be...
0:13:03 > 0:13:05..Australia.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08Becci seems sure about her decision,
0:13:08 > 0:13:13but if she couldn't find a job, the move to Australia would be impossible.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20In the UK, Becci and Keelan didn't spend enough quality together,
0:13:20 > 0:13:22but they hoped Australia would change this.
0:13:22 > 0:13:27We'd do a lot more in Australia, which we wouldn't do here.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29My mum will take me swimming far more
0:13:29 > 0:13:33and probably cinema less because it's hot outside!
0:13:34 > 0:13:37They took the opportunity to do just that and spent the day
0:13:37 > 0:13:42at a crocodile park and wildlife centre to meet some of the locals.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51- There's one, there's one, look. - Look, there, there.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54I like crocodiles.
0:13:54 > 0:13:59I like pretty much anything that's got big sharp teeth, that's my sort of animal interest, really.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02On the surface, they were having a good time,
0:14:02 > 0:14:03but Becci wrestled with
0:14:03 > 0:14:07the life-changing decision she would have to make at the end of the week.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10The drive out here this morning was actually quite emotional.
0:14:10 > 0:14:17Every day I'm seeing things that make me want to go home less and less
0:14:17 > 0:14:22and the realisation that we are actually going to have to go home has really hit me and I don't want to.
0:14:22 > 0:14:26For Becci, the trip was all about trying new things and this was
0:14:26 > 0:14:30definitely something she wouldn't get a chance to do at home.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33Yeah, go on, Mum!
0:14:35 > 0:14:40Hold it steady. Hold it up. They're really fast.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46You ready? Hold it up...
0:14:55 > 0:14:58Well done. He didn't bite!
0:14:58 > 0:15:02Well done. Well done!
0:15:04 > 0:15:09'I wouldn't have believed in a million years that I would ever have fed a humungous crocodile.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12'It was just incredible.'
0:15:12 > 0:15:14- Thank you. That was great. - Cheers, mate.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18It has also made me realise that we both need to learn about the dangers,
0:15:18 > 0:15:21and not just the crocodiles but other wildlife as well.
0:15:21 > 0:15:27A new life in Australia would have been so different to their life in the UK so Becci was determined that
0:15:27 > 0:15:30Keelan should get the most out of their week to help him decide.
0:15:30 > 0:15:36Park curator Dyon was keen to introduce Keelan to one of his friends.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38I hear you want to meet some locals.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42- Oh, yeah, that'd be great.- All right. I hope you're not scared of snakes.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45This is a local carpet python. It's an albino.
0:15:45 > 0:15:46Cute, or what?
0:15:49 > 0:15:52She's a lovely snake.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54They're very muscular and he's very quiet
0:15:54 > 0:15:58and if you sort of put your hands round like this
0:15:58 > 0:16:05and just support her a little bit, and she'll tend to climb and become comfortable.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08Not venomous at all. They kill their prey by constricting.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10It's definitely wrapping you up there!
0:16:11 > 0:16:15It really pays not to pick snakes up unless you know what you're looking at.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19- Yeah.- Any snake could be a venomous snake so it's best to leave it.
0:16:19 > 0:16:25So if you've got some Brits over here that knew nothing whatsoever about poisonous snakes,
0:16:25 > 0:16:30we could come here and you could teach us what to look out for and what to do if we did get bitten.
0:16:30 > 0:16:35- Yeah.- And there's people you can call to come and get rid of them. - Snake busters.- Yeah!
0:16:35 > 0:16:41Becci and Keelan had a great day together but would their vote for lifestyle reflect
0:16:41 > 0:16:45the positive effect Australia could have on their relationship?
0:16:47 > 0:16:48It's been very educational.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51I've learnt that we need to do more research.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54If we were to move out here I would definitely want to know
0:16:54 > 0:16:57what type of snake I've got in my garage or my laundry.
0:16:57 > 0:17:04I was looking forward to seeing crocodiles and other sort of wildlife. I enjoyed it.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08It's one of the best things that I've ever done and I definitely
0:17:08 > 0:17:12prefer the animals here to England and of course, you get a lot more.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16I think our vote would have to be...
0:17:16 > 0:17:18Australia!
0:17:25 > 0:17:32Keelan was enjoying Australia, but Becci worried about him fitting in at a new school and making friends.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36She hoped a day with children his own age would focus his mind.
0:17:36 > 0:17:42'I think Keelan was a bit worried about going to school and spending time there.'
0:17:42 > 0:17:45I've been surprised at how much he's thrown himself into it.
0:17:45 > 0:17:50I am a little bit worried about taking him away from his friends and stuff in the UK,
0:17:50 > 0:17:54but he can fit in pretty much anywhere and make new friends.
0:17:54 > 0:18:00Becci wanted to make sure Keelan really thought hard about the move and its implications.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04If he couldn't see himself becoming a young Aussie, then her dream would be over.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07Whoa!
0:18:10 > 0:18:12Careful of his leg.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14All right, by now,
0:18:14 > 0:18:19you should have your first ten words down and you should now be handling the animal.
0:18:19 > 0:18:26Put words down that relate to what you feel, what you see when you're up close to him, OK?
0:18:26 > 0:18:30- Spiky? Scaly?- Scaly, I'd say.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32He's the longest living dinosaur.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35'Everyone seems really friendly,
0:18:35 > 0:18:39'whereas in England, if you met someone they might'
0:18:39 > 0:18:41seem a little bit hostile at first
0:18:41 > 0:18:46and it would take a while for them to start being friendly to you.
0:18:46 > 0:18:52Keelan loved the science lesson, but deep down how did he feel about starting at a new school
0:18:52 > 0:18:55thousands of miles away from his friends at home?
0:18:55 > 0:18:56I had a good day at school.
0:18:56 > 0:19:02I made a lot of friends and work is a lot easier than it is in England. Australia.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05THEY CHEER
0:19:07 > 0:19:13Well, he loved school here, but helping his mum out at home during her winter depression
0:19:13 > 0:19:17meant Keelan didn't always have this much time to be a child.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21Keelan's happiness was always at the forefront of Becci's thoughts.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23If we don't manage to come out here,
0:19:23 > 0:19:27I guess we'll just go back to the routine that we were in before
0:19:27 > 0:19:31where he has to be more helpful to me during the winter months
0:19:31 > 0:19:36and we go back to sort of just the usual routine back in the UK,
0:19:36 > 0:19:41me being on medication, him doing the things that he has to do.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44Becci realised if they were to stay in the UK, their future would be tough.
0:19:44 > 0:19:50She had a massive decision to make if she was to turn her and Keelan's lives around.
0:19:50 > 0:19:57However positive they both felt about Australia, a new life would have a massive emotional cost.
0:20:00 > 0:20:06In 2008, before making their difficult decision, we showed Becci and Keelan
0:20:06 > 0:20:11some heartfelt messages from their nearest and dearest back home.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20Hey, Becci, hey, Kee, how are you?
0:20:20 > 0:20:22Hope everything's going really well out there.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26I'd just like to say that I'm going to miss you very much,
0:20:26 > 0:20:30especially when you used to come round for your dinners on Sundays.
0:20:30 > 0:20:35Generally, she's usually thinking about other people and obviously,
0:20:35 > 0:20:41Keelan and her really get on really well and they've got quite a good relationship.
0:20:41 > 0:20:46and it spills over onto other people, really.
0:20:46 > 0:20:51You can't imagine one without the other, if you know what I mean.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54It's just a nice relationship.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56It's nice to see them together.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00It's, like, funny, I'm sure it will all be fine,
0:21:00 > 0:21:03but at the moment it's like,
0:21:03 > 0:21:08feeling quite sad, sort of thing.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10For a lad of his age he's, you know, he's really clever
0:21:10 > 0:21:15and I think he's got the maturity and the responsibility
0:21:15 > 0:21:17to really make something out of this experience.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19I know that Becci and Keelan are together
0:21:19 > 0:21:24and they'll always have each other but you can still be lonely for
0:21:24 > 0:21:30your sister who's just around the corner and the rest of the family who aren't too far away,
0:21:30 > 0:21:32and I know that from my point of view I would
0:21:32 > 0:21:37probably feel a bit lonely from time to time, and that's a scary thought.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41I'm almost angry at her for leaving
0:21:41 > 0:21:43but at the same time you can't be
0:21:43 > 0:21:47because it's achieving the main thing she's ever wanted.
0:21:47 > 0:21:54She deserves a better life and I won't hold her back although I will be sad and I shall miss her.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57I can't wait to see you when you come back from the trip
0:21:57 > 0:22:01and I'll have some chicken tatoes waiting for you when you come round.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05I'm going to miss you guys so much.
0:22:05 > 0:22:10You have been absolutely fabulous to me since the day I met you.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14Kee, I'm so proud of everything you've done.
0:22:14 > 0:22:22You've worked so hard to help your mum and support her and make her proud every single day.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26And just cos you're going to Australia, don't think that has to stop.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28And Becci,
0:22:28 > 0:22:32it's going to be really hard here without you
0:22:32 > 0:22:36but I know that every time I come to see you
0:22:36 > 0:22:39you're going to be happier every time.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41And you deserve it.
0:22:41 > 0:22:46Look after each other and we will see you real soon.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56- That was hard, watching that, wasn't it?- Yeah.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59Yeah, that was really hard.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03Um...I knew that I'd get emotional with Heather's bit.
0:23:06 > 0:23:11- Yeah. It was almost as if she was in the room with us.- Yeah.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16It doesn't change our potential plans, no.
0:23:16 > 0:23:21Erm, I think what it does do is makes me realise that we need to be
0:23:21 > 0:23:26- somewhere that friends and family can come out and visit us and stay.- Yeah.
0:23:26 > 0:23:32And that we need to keep lines of communication open, definitely,
0:23:32 > 0:23:35whether that be phone or internet or whatever.
0:23:36 > 0:23:37OK?
0:23:54 > 0:24:00It had been a challenging week for the Sanders, with a lot to consider and a heart-wrenching choice ahead.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04'I didn't think it'd be that bad, I didn't think I'd get emotional or anything,'
0:24:04 > 0:24:08I thought I'd just...keep cool, but...
0:24:08 > 0:24:10mm...I struggled a little bit.
0:24:10 > 0:24:16If I thought that he was going to be horribly miserable out here
0:24:16 > 0:24:21then I would have to think again about what we were doing and why.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24'Seeing Heather, it was very emotional.'
0:24:24 > 0:24:30It's almost going to be like losing a limb and probably we'll never have a friendship like that again.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34So it was crunch time. Becci and Keelan had to make their final vote.
0:24:34 > 0:24:39Would they choose a life in Australia with potentially better health for Becci
0:24:39 > 0:24:45but without their friends and family for support, or would they decide to stay in the UK?
0:24:47 > 0:24:52After what seems like a very long week here, erm...
0:24:52 > 0:24:55I've decided that I really like it here.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59I've enjoyed everything that I've done so far
0:24:59 > 0:25:05and, even though the friends and family bit was sad, they still want to be happy for us.
0:25:05 > 0:25:10Having spent the week here, I think it's made me realise
0:25:10 > 0:25:14that there's more to moving to Australia than I originally thought.
0:25:14 > 0:25:16Darwin has really got under my skin
0:25:16 > 0:25:20and I think we've both fallen in love with Darwin completely.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24If we had to choose between the UK and Australia, it would have to be...
0:25:27 > 0:25:30- BOTH:- Australia.
0:25:37 > 0:25:42In 2008, the Sanders voted to move to Australia,
0:25:42 > 0:25:44but, when we met them again two years on,
0:25:44 > 0:25:48had they been brave to make the biggest decision of their lives?
0:25:48 > 0:25:53It would be a huge emotional wrench and leaving behind loved ones
0:25:53 > 0:25:57that single mum Becci relied on so much would take a lot of courage.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00So, where are they now?
0:26:00 > 0:26:03The Sanders are in Australia.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06Becci and son Keelan made the move and are living
0:26:06 > 0:26:10in rented accommodation in Varsity Lakes on the Gold Coast.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14They loved their trial week in Darwin but it was Becci's job that led them here.
0:26:14 > 0:26:18So has Australia lived up to their dream?
0:26:20 > 0:26:24Hi. Come on in. Let me show you the house.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27This is the living room, and, as you can see, it's a work in progress.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31We haven't got much furniture yet, but it's only been a couple of months
0:26:31 > 0:26:34and we're waiting for our boxes to come over from the UK,
0:26:34 > 0:26:37so when they get here we'll have a lot more junk to spread around.
0:26:37 > 0:26:42This is Stevie. He is three. We got him from the pound.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46That's Ozzy. He's five months old.
0:26:46 > 0:26:51We got the cat the day before we actually moved into the house and he's settled in very well.
0:26:53 > 0:26:57So this is the kitchen. It's bigger than the kitchen in the UK.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59Still not huge but it's big enough.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01We've got the dining room over there.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04Still waiting for some furniture for that.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08So this is my room. It's a bit smaller than the one in the UK
0:27:08 > 0:27:11but I'm still adding some furniture.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13Got a nice TV, games consoles
0:27:13 > 0:27:17and other things to make up for it not being as big.
0:27:17 > 0:27:21It's definitely starting to feel like my room.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24This is a spare room.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27As you can see, there's nothing in here at the moment, no furniture,
0:27:27 > 0:27:32but we are expecting our first guests in a couple of months and there will be at least a bed in here by then.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35This room is slightly smaller than my room in the UK.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38However, I've got a huge built-in wardrobe and I've got
0:27:38 > 0:27:40a lovely little en-suite bathroom
0:27:40 > 0:27:43with a shower and a sink and a toilet.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47Never thought I'd have an en-suite in my life, so that's fantastic,
0:27:47 > 0:27:52and not having to fight for the bathroom with Keelan in the mornings is brilliant. It's great.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55Having only been in Australia for a few months, it already looks
0:27:55 > 0:27:58as though they have started to make a home for themselves.
0:27:58 > 0:28:03But what prompted them to finally take the plunge?
0:28:03 > 0:28:05The move over here happened very, very quickly.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09I was offered a job and within a couple of months we were here.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12It was fairly straightforward for us because we were renting in the UK
0:28:12 > 0:28:17so it was just a case of giving four weeks' notice, packing the boxes up and jumping on a plane.
0:28:17 > 0:28:22The move happened very quickly but was it straightforward?
0:28:22 > 0:28:25It's quite expensive to do.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29Whatever you think you're going to need, triple it.
0:28:29 > 0:28:34'We came out here just before Christmas, didn't bring any Christmas presents so had to buy them here.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38'We were staying in a resort for the first four weeks and that was very expensive,
0:28:38 > 0:28:42'buying Keelan's school uniform, his books and his stationery for school,
0:28:42 > 0:28:45'which is a cost that I wasn't expecting to incur.
0:28:45 > 0:28:50'Also Scouts, I've had to pay for him to join Scouts and a new uniform for that as well.
0:28:50 > 0:28:52'So, yeah, the costs are mounting up.
0:28:52 > 0:28:56'But, settling in, we were so ready to come that it's been quite easy.'
0:28:56 > 0:28:59'There's no one best thing about Australia.
0:28:59 > 0:29:03'There's a lot of things. The weather's obviously always great,'
0:29:03 > 0:29:08the people are nice and friendly and...I don't know, there's no one thing that you can choose.
0:29:08 > 0:29:15I think the only downside really is not having my old friends and family here.
0:29:15 > 0:29:22I think the hardest things have been obviously missing friends and family,
0:29:22 > 0:29:27the desire to share this experience with someone who's close to you is quite strong,
0:29:27 > 0:29:29so, yeah, that has been difficult,
0:29:29 > 0:29:33and coming home in the evenings and wanting to chat with Heather, for example, or Mum,
0:29:33 > 0:29:39just say, "This is what we've done today and this is what we've seen and it's all fantastic and exciting."
0:29:39 > 0:29:41So, yeah, that's been quite tough.
0:29:41 > 0:29:45Becci and Keelan are clearly missing the closeness of friends and family
0:29:45 > 0:29:47but are forging a new life for themselves.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50There is no room for second thoughts.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54I'm not planning on moving back to the UK.
0:29:54 > 0:29:58Keelan seems sure they have made the right decision.
0:30:02 > 0:30:06In the UK, Becci was working as a mental-health advocate
0:30:06 > 0:30:09but wanted her job to be more fulfilling.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12I want to make a difference to people's lives
0:30:12 > 0:30:17and I would think everyone that does nursing and OT and social work would probably say the same thing.
0:30:17 > 0:30:21I don't feel as if I'm able to put that into practice here
0:30:21 > 0:30:24because of the restraints with funding and budgets and stuff.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27And I just feel that there'll be more opportunities and I'll be able to
0:30:27 > 0:30:30really make a difference to people's lives somewhere else.
0:30:30 > 0:30:34In Queensland, she's gone back to her original training
0:30:34 > 0:30:38and has a position as an occupational therapist.
0:30:38 > 0:30:44I've got my own caseload so I case-manage the client group.
0:30:46 > 0:30:51The team try to give me clients who would benefit from OT input.
0:30:51 > 0:30:57I also work with some of my colleagues' clients as well, providing specific OT assessments.
0:30:57 > 0:31:01It's quite different to the job I was doing in the UK but there is an overlap as well.
0:31:01 > 0:31:08I interviewed for this job in January 2009 and somebody else actually got the job
0:31:08 > 0:31:14and then towards the end of 2009 I actually got an e-mail saying that that person had left
0:31:14 > 0:31:15and was I still interested?
0:31:15 > 0:31:20To which I said yes, very much so, and it all sort of went from there really.
0:31:20 > 0:31:25All that hard work that I put in in the UK has come to fruition and we're here.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28Changing jobs is hard enough but moving to a new job
0:31:28 > 0:31:32in a new country with no friends is a massive undertaking.
0:31:32 > 0:31:38'The team are just fantastic. They've been so welcoming and friendly and helpful.
0:31:38 > 0:31:45'We've been going out for meals, meeting up after work as well, so, yeah, the team are just brilliant.'
0:31:45 > 0:31:49I'm still settling in. I mean, I've been in this job for a couple of months now
0:31:49 > 0:31:53and I think it will probably take me a good year to settle in properly.
0:31:53 > 0:31:59There are a lot of things that I still don't know and, speaking to colleagues who have come from
0:31:59 > 0:32:03various parts of the world, there are still things they don't know as well.
0:32:03 > 0:32:08'So I think that's an ongoing process and it's something that just comes with time.'
0:32:08 > 0:32:13My future, I intend to stay within the team for quite some time
0:32:13 > 0:32:16and learn as much as I possibly can,
0:32:16 > 0:32:23and then, I don't know, maybe four or five years' time, move on somewhere else and learn some more stuff.
0:32:27 > 0:32:34When Keelan visited an Aussie school during his trial week, he found it easy to make friends.
0:32:34 > 0:32:41Everyone seems really friendly, whereas in England, if you met someone, they might
0:32:41 > 0:32:48seem a little bit hostile at first and it would take a while for them to start being friendly to you.
0:32:48 > 0:32:52Visiting a school for a day is entirely different to a permanent move.
0:32:52 > 0:32:56For a positive future in Australia, it's vital Keelan fits in.
0:32:56 > 0:33:00Keelan seems to be settling in brilliantly. I couldn't have asked for a better reaction.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02He's made loads of friends at school.
0:33:02 > 0:33:08He's making friends through Scouts as well. And, yeah, he's doing absolutely fantastic.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11I get on with Keelan really well. We're really good friends.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13The best thing about Keelan is probably his character.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15He's just really funny.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18It's been really easy to make friends here.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20Everyone's helpful.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23I don't know if it's because of my strange accent to them
0:33:23 > 0:33:28or something like that but at school, mostly, I've made a lot of new friends.
0:33:28 > 0:33:32Everyone wants to become friends with him. He's got so many at school.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34Keelan will settle really well into Australian life
0:33:34 > 0:33:40and he's just going to make friends so fast and I can already tell that he likes it here.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43I'm really happy that we moved over here.
0:33:43 > 0:33:47The only thing I miss from England is my friends and family.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50For Becci, leaving her best friend Heather behind
0:33:50 > 0:33:53was one of the hardest decisions she ever had to make.
0:33:53 > 0:33:57There certainly isn't a day that goes by when we don't talk to each other in some way.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00That is going to be the weirdest thing.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04I don't think you realise how much you rely on someone until they're not around
0:34:04 > 0:34:07so, yeah, I don't even want to think about it cos I'll get all upset.
0:34:07 > 0:34:12It's early days, but already Becci is forming some close friendships.
0:34:12 > 0:34:16People here are so friendly. They'll do anything to help you.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18I met Becci through work.
0:34:18 > 0:34:23We both work for Queensland Health and our supervisor introduced us to one another cos she thought
0:34:23 > 0:34:27it might be nice that we both know each other, both coming from England
0:34:27 > 0:34:31and both having to do the same registration process to get our OT registration in Australia.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34'She's very friendly and she'll do anything for you,
0:34:34 > 0:34:39'if you need, you know...even just an ear to have a bit of a whinge to, which we all do sometimes!
0:34:39 > 0:34:44'I think Becci loves it here. I can't see her going back to the UK. She's settled in really well.'
0:34:44 > 0:34:50She's making some friends and, yeah, she just loves the whole way of life here so I can't see her going home.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53It's the people, the weather, the lifestyle.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56I can't say one thing that's the best.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59It's just the best decision I've ever made.
0:35:03 > 0:35:08Back in the UK, Becci suffered from seasonal affective disorder.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11During the winter months, I do very little.
0:35:11 > 0:35:19I get up in the morning and sort Keelan out for school and I go to work and I come home and sleep.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22Obviously has an effect on Keelan as well.
0:35:22 > 0:35:28It affects me because even the slightest thing could make her really angry at me...
0:35:30 > 0:35:32..which I don't like.
0:35:32 > 0:35:37This was the main reason Becci wanted to emigrate, hoping that sunnier climes
0:35:37 > 0:35:43would mean a radical improvement in her health and more opportunities to spend quality time with Keelan.
0:35:43 > 0:35:49We are spending more time together, definitely, although I'm working more hours here than I was in the UK.
0:35:49 > 0:35:54The weekends, you go out and do things, you don't just sit in the house because of the bad weather.
0:35:54 > 0:35:59There's just a lot more things to do, out and about, and we're going off and doing them together.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02We've been able to go out a lot more, go to the Currumbin rock pools
0:36:02 > 0:36:07or to the beach, and do a lot more family activities.
0:36:07 > 0:36:11Spending more time with her, it's great. You know, I feel,
0:36:11 > 0:36:15I don't know...I can't explain it.
0:36:15 > 0:36:19Keelan's doing fantastically. He seems really happy and relaxed. We're working as a team.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22We've always worked as a team anyway but we're still very much
0:36:22 > 0:36:26working as a team and I think it's strengthened our relationship.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29So they're definitely spending more time together.
0:36:29 > 0:36:33Does this mean the move to Australia has had the life-changing impact
0:36:33 > 0:36:37Becci hoped for and that she's at last getting better?
0:36:37 > 0:36:43The seasonal affective disorder, it was quite disabling actually in the UK and was getting worse each year,
0:36:43 > 0:36:46was having a huge effect on Keelan, to the point where
0:36:46 > 0:36:50he was having to care for me, almost, during the winter months.
0:36:50 > 0:36:54Here it just doesn't seem to be an issue at all.
0:36:54 > 0:36:56My mum's done really well.
0:36:56 > 0:37:02She hasn't got stressed and she's found a job which is even better than the one in England.
0:37:02 > 0:37:04She's found a house, which is great.
0:37:04 > 0:37:09I really think that she's settling in well to this new life.
0:37:09 > 0:37:13I feel that I've wasted some time, spending time in the UK when I could have been here.
0:37:13 > 0:37:17I've had a couple of wobbly days here but I think that's to be expected.
0:37:17 > 0:37:21When you move halfway round the world and leave friends and family behind
0:37:21 > 0:37:23you're bound to have a couple of days like that.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27She's definitely happy with the decision to move over here.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29I think I'm like a different person.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32I think I've got more life, more spirit,
0:37:32 > 0:37:34more energy.
0:37:34 > 0:37:36I think I'm easier to get along with for Keelan.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39He doesn't have to do so much looking after me.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42Erm...yeah.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45The move to Australia has turned Becci's life around
0:37:45 > 0:37:49and has had a massive positive effect on both her and Keelan
0:37:49 > 0:37:53but how will they react seeing poignant messages from home?
0:37:55 > 0:37:57Hi, Becci, Keelan.
0:37:57 > 0:37:58Hi, Becci. Hi, Keelan.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01Hey, Becs. Hey, Kee.
0:38:01 > 0:38:06When I first met Becci at university, it was when I was having a really hard time when I was there
0:38:06 > 0:38:12and the first thing she did was run up to me and gave me a big hug when I was having just the most awful day.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15Whenever I needed a hug, whenever I needed somebody to be there,
0:38:15 > 0:38:19she's always the one that comes round and always has been.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22I miss Keelan a lot,
0:38:22 > 0:38:27cos he used to tease me about being small, cos he's quite tall,
0:38:27 > 0:38:30and cos I've got little feet he used to call me Little Feet.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33When we spent time together, what we'd normally do is...
0:38:35 > 0:38:41..we'd normally just sit and drink tea and put the world to rights, and...
0:38:41 > 0:38:44Keelan would normally take the mickey out of me.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47Everybody's picking on me now!
0:38:47 > 0:38:55We knew for a long time that Becci's always wanted to go abroad to the sun because of her SAD,
0:38:55 > 0:39:01because she really did get depressed in the winter and it was quite bad,
0:39:01 > 0:39:04it was quite upsetting for her and for Kee,
0:39:04 > 0:39:12and for us really, but we always knew that she wanted to go to the sun so it wasn't a shock really.
0:39:12 > 0:39:19She's proved that with a... so much effort you can get there and be so happy.
0:39:19 > 0:39:24I was really happy for her to go because I knew that's what she wanted to do
0:39:24 > 0:39:31but, for me, I knew that I would be sort of missing her,
0:39:31 > 0:39:34and that was quite hard,
0:39:34 > 0:39:40and...but I just sort of thought to myself, "Well, it's what she wants,
0:39:40 > 0:39:48"and I can't stand in the way for my feelings," so I just supported her as much as I possibly could.
0:39:48 > 0:39:52I think going out there's definitely everything that she dreamed of.
0:39:52 > 0:39:56I really don't think there's a single thing that she'd change,
0:39:56 > 0:40:00apart from to attach a lead to us all and bring us all over there with her.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03I think that's the only thing that would complete the picture for her.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06She doesn't come for dinner any more. I find that quite hard
0:40:06 > 0:40:10and I'm sort of looking round and thinking, "She'll be here..."
0:40:10 > 0:40:15When I forget, I think, "She'll be here soon, I'll put the dinner on and they'll be arriving,"
0:40:15 > 0:40:17but obviously she doesn't.
0:40:17 > 0:40:23But I think that's the hard bit, because it was always a regular thing.
0:40:23 > 0:40:27Most days when I'm at work I'll check to see what the local time is
0:40:27 > 0:40:32and see if I can phone them or think about what they might be up to at that particular time of day.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37Yeah, it's definitely hit home that they've gone.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40Just want to let you know that I'm still thinking about you every day
0:40:40 > 0:40:45and I'm so proud of you for making the move, and I know that you're really enjoying yourselves out there
0:40:45 > 0:40:50and obviously we miss you and we love you, so big hug.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54I've missed you both so much.
0:40:54 > 0:40:59It's so hard when I want to be able to see you and you're not there.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02Please, you two, just keep looking after each other.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04Keep loving each other.
0:41:04 > 0:41:08I'm so happy for you and I love you both very much.
0:41:10 > 0:41:16I really, really miss you but I'm really glad everything's going really well for you.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19I miss you really, really loads and loads and loads
0:41:19 > 0:41:24and when I get out to you we're going to have a really big hug,
0:41:24 > 0:41:26so have a lovely life and goodbye.
0:41:32 > 0:41:36That last little bit, where Nana just like...
0:41:38 > 0:41:41It's easier than the first one.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44- Yeah, possibly.- I don't get why.- No.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47Thought it would be harder because...
0:41:47 > 0:41:51last time we knew we were going to see them again.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54I think I maybe found it harder this time,
0:41:54 > 0:41:57watching that.
0:41:57 > 0:42:02Although Keelan took that well, for Becci, seeing her loved ones was very difficult.
0:42:02 > 0:42:06Now they're in Australia, have they definitely made the right decision?
0:42:06 > 0:42:09It's time for one last vote.
0:42:09 > 0:42:13So this has been the best thing we've ever done, it's a huge adventure,
0:42:13 > 0:42:16so based on that our vote is going to be...
0:42:16 > 0:42:19- BOTH:- Australia.
0:42:21 > 0:42:26Although it's clearly been a heart-wrenching decision for Becci and Keelan
0:42:26 > 0:42:32to pack up their lives and move halfway around the world, it looks as though it was the right choice
0:42:32 > 0:42:36and the sun is now definitely shining for both of them.
0:42:36 > 0:42:43Join us again, when we catch up with another family on Wanted Down Under Revisited.
0:42:59 > 0:43:01Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd