0:00:01 > 0:00:03Hello and welcome to DIY SOS.
0:00:03 > 0:00:06This week, coming to you from Cirencester in Gloucestershire,
0:00:06 > 0:00:08and it's filled with the usual suspects.
0:00:11 > 0:00:16We're literally demolishing the inside of this house and re-building it.
0:00:16 > 0:00:22We have decided to take a house that's a reasonable shape and totally reconfigure
0:00:22 > 0:00:27the downstairs and upstairs and brought in about 1,000 tonnes of steel work.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30I think this is the biggest one we've done.
0:00:30 > 0:00:36We've got just nine days to complete a build that would normally take three months.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39I'm not joking. We are in so much trouble with this property.
0:00:39 > 0:00:45We're doing it to help a family on the brink of despair.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48It's not nice to see when your family's falling apart.
0:00:48 > 0:00:52It makes me kind of sad when she's crying and things
0:00:52 > 0:00:56because she's my sister and she gets upset and it isn't really nice.
0:00:56 > 0:01:01We could never do without an army of volunteers. Luckily, we've got one.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05This is DIY SOS - The Big Build, Gloucestershire style.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07Ooh-arrr!
0:01:22 > 0:01:26Yes, we're here to help a family who've suffered years of bad luck.
0:01:29 > 0:01:34Mum Maria, 11-year-old daughter Charlotte, Dad Les and 13-year-old Victoria,
0:01:34 > 0:01:38who's been too ill to go school for nearly a year.
0:01:40 > 0:01:46They live here, on an ex-council estate on the outskirts of Cirencester.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50Les has lived on this street all his life.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54I grew up here with my mother and brothers and sisters,
0:01:54 > 0:01:56all vying for space.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59Slowly, everyone then got married and moved out.
0:01:59 > 0:02:04When I met Maria, she moved in here with me. Then, when our children came along, my mother said,
0:02:04 > 0:02:07"Right, you need the space for yourself, for the children.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11"I will move out." I then bought her half of the house,
0:02:11 > 0:02:13which made this, then, our home.
0:02:13 > 0:02:18Les got himself a steady job at the Honda car factory in Swindon.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21Everything was going well, so they decided to extend
0:02:21 > 0:02:24the house he'd grown up in, into a larger family home.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28It was so exciting, knowing that
0:02:28 > 0:02:31in a few months' time, the builders would come out,
0:02:31 > 0:02:34do the extension and we thought, at the time, it'd be finished.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37It was moving along OK. Got the money from the bank,
0:02:37 > 0:02:42building work started then the recession hit.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47The wheels come off Honda.
0:02:47 > 0:02:53What next for the workers and the town as the Swindon factory closes for four months?
0:02:53 > 0:02:58It's the biggest shut-down in recent industrial history and the knock-on effects are shaking the entire town.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01The banks wouldn't lend, the wages dropped,
0:03:01 > 0:03:06so there was absolutely no chance of any more further finance coming forward to finish it.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10It was just a long, dark tunnel. We couldn't see any way out.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13It took a terrible toll on Les' health.
0:03:13 > 0:03:18At one point he was admitted to hospital with a suspected heart attack.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21That was the stress of the house.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24The worry and the stress of the house, the doctor said,
0:03:24 > 0:03:26that was causing the chest pains.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28So, it just worries me, you know.
0:03:28 > 0:03:34Living in a building site for five years has profoundly affected every member of the family.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39I can't remember what it was like before the work started.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42The first time I invited one of my friends,
0:03:42 > 0:03:45they were just looking at everything
0:03:45 > 0:03:49and it was a bit humiliating, kind of, because our house is a mess.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52We just don't want to come home to the mess
0:03:52 > 0:04:00and seeing it all over again. Just don't want to be here. I don't like being here half the time.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03Not long after we mothballed it, the depression hit my wife.
0:04:03 > 0:04:08Three-and-a-half, coming up to four years now, she's been on medication for her depression.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12That gets her very down at times.
0:04:12 > 0:04:17To make matters worse, Maria lost her mother and aunt within the space of a year-and-a-half.
0:04:17 > 0:04:24My mum's mum has died and she has depression and things and she just
0:04:24 > 0:04:29can't really cope at the moment and it's really sad to see her upset.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36The situation has affected Victoria as well.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38She was having panic attacks.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40She couldn't sleep.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43Constantly just crying and moaning to herself.
0:04:45 > 0:04:50Les and Maria took her to get help and support.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54It was hard when we sat there and they said, well, your daughter's suffering from depression.
0:04:54 > 0:05:00It makes me kind of sad when she's crying and things because
0:05:00 > 0:05:04she's my sister and she gets upset and it isn't really nice.
0:05:05 > 0:05:11Since her illness, she's just totally shut herself out from everyone.
0:05:11 > 0:05:12Her friends and everyone.
0:05:12 > 0:05:18Withdrawn into herself, Victoria doesn't like to talk to anyone but her family.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22She just spends her time indoors all the time now.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26Her confidence has just gone completely downhill.
0:05:26 > 0:05:31She's also developed a severe case of eczema and asthma.
0:05:31 > 0:05:38All the dust is getting into her throat and things and it's just affecting her
0:05:38 > 0:05:44with her asthma. I think she's getting a bit worse cos she needs her inhaler quite a lot.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48She gets really, really wheezy.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51Victoria hasn't been to school for nine months.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54Home tutored by the local authority,
0:05:54 > 0:06:00she spends her days studying, sleeping and eating in a building site.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04Just living in the house as it is,
0:06:04 > 0:06:07her depression has been worsened by it, certainly.
0:06:07 > 0:06:12Just the day-to-day living conditions,
0:06:12 > 0:06:16which has triggered on further things with her physical health.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19With her asthma and eczema, it's not easy at the moment.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24They were just like any other normal family, really, and then
0:06:24 > 0:06:27things just started to happen.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29It wasn't one thing - it was one thing that then built on
0:06:29 > 0:06:33another thing and, as an individual thing, they might seem fairly minor,
0:06:33 > 0:06:36but when you put one on top of another, on top of another,
0:06:36 > 0:06:40you get this effect that just builds up to life seems almost impossible.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42This house has become a nightmare for this family.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45It's broken and it needs fixing.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48I think it would change my family quite a lot
0:06:48 > 0:06:51because, with my mum's depression and things,
0:06:51 > 0:06:58it will just make her happier and make my sister and my dad happier, and me.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00And make them have smiles on their face.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07- So, you've got two children.- Yes.
0:07:07 > 0:07:08Charlotte, the youngest.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12She's the little strong one. She's getting by, she is 11.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15Victoria is the older one, 13.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18She's really badly affected by it now.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22She's off school at the moment. She's getting help from a CAMHS Team,
0:07:22 > 0:07:25which is Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29So she sees a nurse from there once a week, talks over her problems.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32- It's like a cloud's sat over the family for a long time now. - Yeah. Yeah.
0:07:32 > 0:07:39So, if we dare to dream, in which order of importance are the rooms?
0:07:39 > 0:07:43- Girls' bedrooms. That's got to be the priority. - So they can have their own rooms.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47They can have their own rooms back. They can go to be on their own.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49A bit of space for them.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52You see, if we do the house up,
0:07:52 > 0:07:58it doesn't make Victoria well, does it? It doesn't mend her depression.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01It doesn't put you back in employment, does it?
0:08:01 > 0:08:05So...what does it do, if we actually put the house back together?
0:08:05 > 0:08:09It turns what is a house into a family home.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12Somewhere we want to be. At the moment, you don't want to be here.
0:08:12 > 0:08:17It's just a depressing place to be. It's going to be somewhere you can come back to and want to be in.
0:08:17 > 0:08:22- Well, we'll do our best. Where you going to stay? - Were staying at my sister's in town.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24- Are you?- Yeah. Only in town, yeah.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27- No coming round and peeking. You know that?- Oh, no.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30No asking people what's going on. It's got to be a surprise.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32- Yeah.- Yeah?- Yeah, sure.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35It's a huge one, this.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38None of the house is any good, we're going to have to change everything,
0:08:38 > 0:08:43but we need to do what we can to help pull the Beasley family out of the depressing state they're in,
0:08:43 > 0:08:47and it looks like an army have turned out to help.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49- What are you here to do, guys? - Twists and sparks.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52- Ah. You're working with Billy all week.- Yeah.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55- Sorry about that.- That's good. - Where is he? He's over there.- Billy!
0:08:55 > 0:09:00Come through. Don't stand in the queue. Come and say hello.
0:09:00 > 0:09:05- Who are you?- Gary. - Carpenter.- Bricklayer.
0:09:05 > 0:09:06Get in there!
0:09:06 > 0:09:09Hello, plumbers.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15- Kelly. Broom technician. - Broom technician?!
0:09:15 > 0:09:17Look at this, look!
0:09:17 > 0:09:19It's like a proper little crowd of people.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22Gentlemen, it's not like a normal site.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24It'll be slightly chaotic.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26There's all the trades here at the same time,
0:09:26 > 0:09:30all jumping all over this. Have as much fun as possible, please.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33Enjoy yourself. Let's see if we can get this family back into a decent house.
0:09:33 > 0:09:38And here to help us is architectural designer Charlie Luxton.
0:09:38 > 0:09:43His passion for healthy, sustainable homes makes him the perfect man for this build.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47So, what's the plan then? Nice to have you back, by the way.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49- Really? Is it?- Well, I thought so.
0:09:49 > 0:09:50Tell us what's going on.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53Go on, Charlie, what have you dreamt up for us this time?
0:09:53 > 0:09:56They've obviously built a lot, so they started the project
0:09:56 > 0:09:58and got to a point where they've stalled.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01We're picking up with what we've been left.
0:10:01 > 0:10:06There's not a huge amount of changes we can make to their design, because they've got so far.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09One of the issues they've got is health-related issues -
0:10:09 > 0:10:12allergy, depression, they've got asthma.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15What I'm trying to think about is rather than it being about
0:10:15 > 0:10:18environment as in the world, the planet,
0:10:18 > 0:10:21it's about internal air quality, environment with a little e.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24It's about reducing the chemicals we're putting in,
0:10:24 > 0:10:27getting rid of the carpets, reduce allergy, dust issues.
0:10:27 > 0:10:33Put in a mechanical ventilation heat recovery, make sure they've fresh, clean air all the time.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37Are you saying the environment we live in in our houses today may be responsible
0:10:37 > 0:10:40for some of the illnesses that our children are suffering?
0:10:40 > 0:10:43There's research that suggests that and that suggests...
0:10:43 > 0:10:46You think you live in a city and being outside, it's polluted,
0:10:46 > 0:10:51we're finding that houses are worse for us than being outside, even in a city.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58Before we can make this a healthy house, we need an empty house.
0:10:59 > 0:11:05Here, sweetheart... My boys. Water for the boys.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09Make no mistake, this is a huge construction job.
0:11:11 > 0:11:17We're completely re-configuring the inside of this house.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20Downstairs, we're knocking out the central supporting wall
0:11:20 > 0:11:22and moving the staircase
0:11:22 > 0:11:25to the far side of the house by the new front door.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28This will open up the living room, creating a much bigger space
0:11:28 > 0:11:32leading into an open-plan dining and kitchen area.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37Upstairs, we're changing the layout too.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40As well as a bedroom for Les and Maria,
0:11:40 > 0:11:43the two girls will finally each get a room of their own.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45But first, we've got some demolition to do.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48There are five holes to make in this house, either for doors,
0:11:48 > 0:11:50or to open up the rooms.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53Mark's got a plan.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56He's setting up a challenge between Chris, Jules and Mat.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58First opening's going to be here,
0:11:58 > 0:12:01which is going to be the new opening to the new staircase.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04- Who's on that? - Chris, take that one?- Yep.
0:12:04 > 0:12:05We've got another opening here.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08- Happy with that one? - I'll do that one.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12- Jules, on the back, we've got to get this opened up. - Right you are, Paddy.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15Upstairs, we've got to make an opening here
0:12:15 > 0:12:19and then from bathroom, there's another one to go in here.
0:12:19 > 0:12:24That's number five. We need all of these today.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26So what are you going to be doing then, Charles?
0:12:26 > 0:12:30I've got quite a lot of tea-drinking to do. I've got some walking around...
0:12:30 > 0:12:32He's got to save the planet.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36That's easy.
0:12:36 > 0:12:41Let the contest begin. He who makes the most holes wins.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44Each of our boys has got a team to help them.
0:12:44 > 0:12:49There's nothing like a bit of competition to get everyone working flat out.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53All right, my baby?
0:12:53 > 0:12:55When I say flat out...
0:12:55 > 0:12:58I'll take that for you, don't you worry.
0:12:58 > 0:13:02- Taking his time.- I'll take that for you, don't worry about me.
0:13:02 > 0:13:08With four people doing the work for you, don't over do it there, Jules.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11It's not as if we're up against it or anything.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17On Chris's team is Gary, a local carpenter and Derek, a general builder,
0:13:17 > 0:13:20both in it for the long haul.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24- Do you guys have kids?- Just one.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26This house, when you walked in,
0:13:26 > 0:13:29it's how they've been living for the last few years.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32- Nightmare, absolute nightmare. - It's weird, isn't it?
0:13:32 > 0:13:39Yes, to get so far and not be able to complete the thing must be crazy for them.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43To be honest, in the nicest way, you could be somewhere else earning money, couldn't you?
0:13:43 > 0:13:46- Yes.- Why aren't you out there earning money?
0:13:46 > 0:13:50People say, times are too tight, you haven't got time to do stuff like this.
0:13:50 > 0:13:55It could be me one day, it could be me next week, next month.
0:13:55 > 0:14:00If you can give a bit and help a little bit, hopefully one day, if I'm in dire straits,
0:14:00 > 0:14:01someone will help me out.
0:14:01 > 0:14:07Quite right. We've got 30 volunteers on site here today, helping to get this family back on track.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09So why's Christopher struggling with his hole?
0:14:09 > 0:14:11I've got a question for you.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14- See that hole that needed to be done out of the front with Julian?- Yes.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18- Ready for the patio windows? What can you tell about that? - It's been done.
0:14:18 > 0:14:24See this hole here, which is Mat's hole, it's about halfway through.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26That's your hole over there in the corner.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29I know what you're building up to.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31Just about to stitch through it, got told to stop
0:14:31 > 0:14:37because we got a wet cutter that'll go straight through, inside cavity to outside.
0:14:37 > 0:14:44Just getting a transformer, I've been told to stop and it'll go straight through and cut the doorway.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47Who done that then, because Julian's in there?
0:14:47 > 0:14:49By the time Julian went out to get some blocks,
0:14:49 > 0:14:52by the time he got back, the lads had already had it out.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54Can you send them lads in here then?
0:14:56 > 0:14:59Julian's hole's been done, Mat's hole's been done,
0:14:59 > 0:15:00my hole's stopped.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04- I explained I was waiting for a transformer. - Not stopped, hasn't started.
0:15:04 > 0:15:09- It has started, that's the start. - That's it, is it?
0:15:09 > 0:15:13Do you feel you've been somehow allocated to the wrong team captain?
0:15:13 > 0:15:18Like in the playground. Pick me, pick me, Nigel, pick me.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21In a minute, when I get my transformer,
0:15:21 > 0:15:25- we'll have this out quicker than you can say, transformer. - The fastest hole in the West.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28LAUGHTER
0:15:28 > 0:15:31I'm not sure Chris is all together on top of his hole.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34Jules has already started on his second upstairs.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36Nick, come with me!
0:15:38 > 0:15:42This is part of the problem we're trying to get rid of. Look at that.
0:15:42 > 0:15:49- What is that?- Condensation build up. - It's like mould, like fungus.
0:15:49 > 0:15:54Yeah. It's really, really bad for you, that stuff.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57What we're doing is here, we're dropping down a new air supply.
0:15:57 > 0:15:58That'll be fresh air.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01This room would've been fine when it had a leaky casement
0:16:01 > 0:16:04and a nice bit of air coming in and moving it around.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08But that sealed it up and it started to condensate up here
0:16:08 > 0:16:11and the mould's getting into it, fungal spores get out into the atmosphere.
0:16:11 > 0:16:16Really bad for your health. Kids have got asthma, kids have got eczema.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19This is linked to health issues. It's a really big problem.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23Isn't the big problem that we've been trying to save heat and seal the place up.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27That keeps warmth in, double glaze everything, thermally wrap it.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30It keeps everything in but it also means there's no airflow.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32You need to get the next step.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35This is the next step, the super thinking these days.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37This kind of ventilation here.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43This is a little bit complicated but makes sense and it's worth listening to.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45To give Victoria the cleanest air we can,
0:16:45 > 0:16:48we're installing this air ventilation system throughout the house.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51The really clever thing is that it extracts the dampness
0:16:51 > 0:16:55and pollutants inside the house and uses this warm air
0:16:55 > 0:16:59to heat up the fresh air being brought in from outside.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02It's like having your windows open without losing all the heat.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08How much more difficult is this going to make the build?
0:17:08 > 0:17:10It's going to be a headache for us.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14It's not an easy system to install, no question about that.
0:17:14 > 0:17:19Unless your house is highly insulated and well sealed, it's not about enormous energy savings,
0:17:19 > 0:17:21it's about healthy.
0:17:21 > 0:17:22Quality of life?
0:17:22 > 0:17:25People get obsessed with, what's my payback on installing this?
0:17:25 > 0:17:28Actually, if it means you're better and not off work as much
0:17:28 > 0:17:32and your quality of life is much higher, you can't buy that really.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34Apparently you can.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41It's all feeling very professional and efficient up here.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44I wonder if Christopher and his team are on top of it downstairs?
0:17:44 > 0:17:47- All right, mate?- Yep, very well. How you getting on?
0:17:47 > 0:17:52We're getting on very well, thank you, we don't need any audience.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55I just wanted to check because what hole are you on?
0:17:55 > 0:17:57Third.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59On to hole three now.
0:17:59 > 0:18:04The boys upstairs, Julian's team, said they didn't want to start
0:18:04 > 0:18:09because their next hole's directly above you and they didn't want to wake you up.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13It's all going well. You carry on with your business.
0:18:13 > 0:18:18We've taken doors off, we haven't just been set here waiting.
0:18:18 > 0:18:23- I can see the difference you've made here already.- Immense.- All right!
0:18:24 > 0:18:29Thankfully, the boys upstairs are more than making up for Christopher's lack of progress.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39We're at the end of day one and with all the help we've got,
0:18:39 > 0:18:43I can't believe we're still pulling the place apart when we need to
0:18:43 > 0:18:46start putting it back together tomorrow.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49Blimey, everyone's worked really hard today.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52It's been a story of three holes, hasn't it?
0:18:52 > 0:18:56Four holes, five holes - three holes by the team upstairs with Julian.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00I think he won on the most holes with the least work.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04Chris's hole became something of a problem, didn't it?
0:19:04 > 0:19:06Matt, how's your hole now?
0:19:06 > 0:19:11Very good, just about to crank the lintels up on acros,
0:19:11 > 0:19:14- bed them in, leave them overnight. Job's a good 'un.- Lovely.
0:19:18 > 0:19:23Day two and even the local milkman's chipping in and helping out.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31Morning. All right? Is it going to be a fantastic day?
0:19:31 > 0:19:34- Yeah, yeah.- Cheer up then, you miserable old so-and-so.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36Don't need that attitude on site today.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38Today, we've got more help.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42The local football team are going to pitch in, shoot around the site.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45Their goal is to... Forget it, I'll stop!
0:19:45 > 0:19:51Hang on a minute, 24 hours after we started, there's some activity coming from Christopher's direction.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55We've got a breakthrough.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59In the end, Chris and his team demolished the wall the hard way,
0:19:59 > 0:20:01with a sledgehammer. Better late than never, Chris.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09- Everything all right?- Yes, we've got plasterers turned up to plaster.
0:20:09 > 0:20:14- Hello.- How are you? - Very good, thank you. - This is Eddie.- Eddie? Hello, Eddie.
0:20:14 > 0:20:19Does a bit of plastering, bit of ski-jumping, this, that and the other, you know?
0:20:19 > 0:20:24- You're Eddie the Eagle?- Yes. - Oh my God.- It's Eddie the Eagle.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26Are you all right, Eddie? Nice to meet you.
0:20:26 > 0:20:27Eddie lives round the corner.
0:20:27 > 0:20:32You might remember him as Great Britain's ski-jumping entry for the 1988 Winter Olympics.
0:20:32 > 0:20:37He was rubbish, to be fair, but, as they say, it's the taking part that counts.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41- Are you building here, are you? - Always have been a plasterer and builder.
0:20:41 > 0:20:42- Is that right?- Yes.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46I need to ask you, is it true that you once ski-jumped, broke your jaw
0:20:46 > 0:20:49and then tied your head up with a scarf and ski-jumped again?
0:20:49 > 0:20:51- You actually did that?- I did, yes. - Where was that?
0:20:51 > 0:20:56- Switzerland. San Moritz. '86, '87. - That's bloody fantastic.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59It's all coming down behind us.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02I'll chat to you later. Nice to have you on board, Eddie.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06That's what I like, a controlled indoor earthquake
0:21:06 > 0:21:08is what we're trying to achieve here.
0:21:22 > 0:21:27How are you going to now attach that ceiling to this wall? That needs to be extended over,
0:21:27 > 0:21:32when you get rid of those stairs and that floor's going to stand up, how are you going to attach it?
0:21:32 > 0:21:38There's steel going in, up into that end, right the way along here,
0:21:38 > 0:21:43which will come up at this level. The steel will go in over the joists.
0:21:43 > 0:21:50Then we'll do the same again this side, floor joists away and infill this hole.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54- Proper job, isn't it? - It's a fair old change.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58- Structurally, a massive change. - Definitely, a lot of work.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05Removing these stairs and installing a new set at the far end of the house
0:22:05 > 0:22:09frees up this area, giving the family a much bigger living room.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12Down it comes. Right a bit, right a bit, right a bit.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18We're boarding with Eddie the Eagle, look.
0:22:18 > 0:22:19Boarding of skiing?
0:22:19 > 0:22:23- Boarding at the moment.- Skiing with him later.- Skiing this afternoon.
0:22:23 > 0:22:24Lovely jubbly!
0:22:29 > 0:22:31- Here goes. - MUSIC: "Ski Sunday Theme Tune"
0:22:31 > 0:22:34- And he's off!- Whoa!
0:22:34 > 0:22:39How far did he get? How far did he go?
0:22:39 > 0:22:43- 1.2 metres. Thank you. - Chris is going for the jump.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45This is for the last, final jump.
0:22:48 > 0:22:54- Don't tell him how it landed. - He beat Eddie the Eagle by 200 mm.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58- I am not worthy. - It's all in the arms.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01Any chance you can get the ceiling up?
0:23:03 > 0:23:04Very impressive.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07Apart from Chris, who now thinks he's an Olympic ski-jumper,
0:23:07 > 0:23:11everyone seems really focused on why we're here.
0:23:11 > 0:23:15I've always had family and friends around me, so, when I've needed help,
0:23:15 > 0:23:19I've been ill in the past, they've been there to help me.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24I've got three kids of my own and if there's such a thing as karma,
0:23:24 > 0:23:28if ever I was in a situation that the family are here,
0:23:28 > 0:23:34I'd hope or pray that someone was willing to give a hand.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38You just want to help the kids, give them a decent start in life.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42And Charlie's design for a healthy home is at the heart of all this.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45You've got a girl about to go into her teenage years,
0:23:45 > 0:23:51who a lot of her, um, problems with self-consciousness comes from
0:23:51 > 0:23:56health-related issues which you as a designer can actually change.
0:23:57 > 0:23:58That's an extraordinary thing.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02You might make a difference to this girl which will make her go into adult life
0:24:02 > 0:24:05with a different view completely. That's extraordinary.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07It is extraordinary, it's a huge opportunity.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11We don't know whether what we're doing here will solve it completely.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13It'll make it a lot better.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17It can only help. If it's that bit of help that we can give the family
0:24:17 > 0:24:20that makes her life kick off again,
0:24:20 > 0:24:23that is amazing, life-changing.
0:24:23 > 0:24:29That's as rewarding as being able to build an entire new house and go, doesn't that look fantastic?
0:24:29 > 0:24:34To change somebody's life on the way through, it's huge.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43Before money got tight, the family went on regular family outings.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50I caught up with Les at the local golf club where the Beasley's used to come for lessons.
0:24:50 > 0:24:55And Charlotte's come along to get a master class from our very own Tiger Woods.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01I think she's actually beating Billy out there.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03Showing him how to do it.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06A nice, straight shot.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09Come up here, darling. We'll take a second shot.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15Has it come as a shock to you how suddenly life can change?
0:25:16 > 0:25:22Yes, it has, especially with Victoria, with her illness. It was so sudden.
0:25:22 > 0:25:28One minute she's her normal, happy self, the next minute, the depression hits.
0:25:28 > 0:25:29She's only young.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33She should be happy little girl enjoying herself with friends.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36To see her how she is now, it's heartbreaking.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39I get the impression from you that you blame yourself.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43- I do blame myself, yes. - But people do build extensions.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45It's a perfectly normal thing to go for.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48- Yeah.- You can't blame yourself.
0:25:48 > 0:25:55- Losing the work is not your fault. - No, but, you still blame yourself, no matter what.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58To see the effect it's had on the family,
0:25:58 > 0:26:00you still think it's your fault.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04Do you think that once the house is sorted out,
0:26:04 > 0:26:08you will be able to move on and start moving upward?
0:26:08 > 0:26:14- Yes.- Start doing family stuff where the house isn't at the centre of the universe.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16- Yes.- It becomes the place you want to go back to,
0:26:16 > 0:26:18rather than a place you dread to go back to.
0:26:18 > 0:26:24Yes, that's a big thing. We go out and want to go back. At the moment, we don't.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26- You want to go out and stay out! - Yes.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29Right, swing straight through.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34Nice. Nice.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36If she hit it too hard, it will hit Billy.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39It would be nice if she hit it really hard!
0:26:39 > 0:26:41THEY LAUGH
0:26:43 > 0:26:47- How's that?- That's lovely. That's lovely. That's a good girl.
0:26:47 > 0:26:48How's your putting?
0:26:48 > 0:26:52- Show him what we do. Go further back. - I want to see a proper one.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54Let me see this one over here.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56Do what we do. Go on.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01That's perfect.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04Oh-ho! >
0:27:04 > 0:27:07Was Billy any good at teaching you putting?
0:27:07 > 0:27:10Kind of.
0:27:11 > 0:27:15- That's very kind of you to say. He's a bit funny, isn't he? - Yeah, he is.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19LIVELY GUITAR MUSIC
0:27:23 > 0:27:25'Dance along at home if you feel like it!
0:27:26 > 0:27:31'It's day three and I'm sure we should be building something by now.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34'What we are doing with this house is huge.
0:27:34 > 0:27:39'I think it's finally hit Charlie how much we have managed to take on.'
0:27:39 > 0:27:44- As you can see, we are slightly up against it on time.- That's...
0:27:44 > 0:27:47I don't think... I wouldn't blame yourself.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51- I think the fact that... - Who's blaming me?!
0:27:52 > 0:27:55Why are you blaming me?!
0:27:55 > 0:27:59We have decided to take a house that's a reasonable shape
0:27:59 > 0:28:03and totally reconfigure the downstairs and upstairs
0:28:03 > 0:28:06and brought in about 1,000 tonnes of steelwork.
0:28:06 > 0:28:12There are very few walls that are going to be in the place they started out at.
0:28:12 > 0:28:13Yep.
0:28:13 > 0:28:18We're still really, in places, taking it apart on day three
0:28:18 > 0:28:22when we like to take it apart on the first day and start rebuilding.
0:28:24 > 0:28:28'Just when we thought we might be able to start building upstairs,
0:28:28 > 0:28:30'there's confusion over the original floor plans.'
0:28:31 > 0:28:36Here's what is wrong with this room. That room should be like that.
0:28:36 > 0:28:41- Sorry, like that. It's not. It's actually like that.- Yeah.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44Which means you've got a massive pinch point here so whenever you...
0:28:44 > 0:28:47We can't fit a bed across there. It's so tight.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50Come on, you can do it.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53- Come on! - I can't do it!
0:28:53 > 0:28:55You're known for your conceptualisation.
0:28:55 > 0:29:00I think we enter here and squeeze a single bed in here.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03At least that makes that the shape of the room usable.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06You put storage there, a single bed in there and you end up
0:29:06 > 0:29:09with a rational shape in the middle of the room.
0:29:09 > 0:29:13That's the size of the room I grew up in, the study, smaller than that, actually.
0:29:13 > 0:29:14SENTIMENTAL MUSIC
0:29:14 > 0:29:17- I grew up in a tiny room. - That was in the back streets of Calcutta(!)
0:29:17 > 0:29:20In the hard days!
0:29:20 > 0:29:22My brothers had big rooms, and I had the box room.
0:29:22 > 0:29:25- You're hanging on to that.- Well... - Years later.
0:29:25 > 0:29:28The thing about it was it was at the end of the house...
0:29:28 > 0:29:32- Did they nick the TV remote from you?- I remember waking with ice on the inside of the window.
0:29:32 > 0:29:37- Their rooms were warmer because they were inside the house. - Your parents weren't fond of you!
0:29:37 > 0:29:41- Hm. They said they were, but... - You've got to wonder, haven't you?!
0:29:41 > 0:29:45- Do your parents like you?- Grubs up. My parents, do they like me?
0:29:45 > 0:29:49- Yeah.- They love me.- Do they? - Of course they do. - How do they show that they love you?
0:29:51 > 0:29:53Erm... Well, they tell me.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55- Have they? - Do they cuddle you?
0:29:55 > 0:29:57Do you still hug your dad?
0:29:57 > 0:30:02- Erm, not really. - No? I still hug my dad. It's nice.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04The only reason I don't hug my dad any more
0:30:04 > 0:30:07is I can't physically get my arms around him.
0:30:07 > 0:30:08- He's a big lad. - He is a big lad.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10- He's the runt of the litter.- Is he?
0:30:10 > 0:30:12He's tiny by comparison to the rest of the family.
0:30:14 > 0:30:18It's not exactly a hug, but we're wrapping has building up, as well -
0:30:18 > 0:30:19with squirty render.
0:30:19 > 0:30:22How come it sticks to the wall, then?
0:30:22 > 0:30:25Because it's so clever.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27If you can imagine, you're putting a breathable -
0:30:27 > 0:30:29remember the word breathable,
0:30:29 > 0:30:33because you don't want to seal it, you want a building to breathe
0:30:33 > 0:30:35otherwise it'll sweat and condensate -
0:30:35 > 0:30:37so you put a waterproof jacket
0:30:37 > 0:30:39all the way around this building to 18 mm,
0:30:39 > 0:30:43then you've got a finish on this house and it will look lovely, all way around it, all the same.
0:30:43 > 0:30:44And it's quick.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46It is clever, isn't it?
0:30:47 > 0:30:51And it's not just the outside that needs covering.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53Given the number of walls we have put up in this house,
0:30:53 > 0:30:56there are hundreds of metres of plasterboard to go up.
0:30:56 > 0:31:00Which all need plastering. Which needs plasterers.
0:31:00 > 0:31:01But where are they?
0:31:01 > 0:31:03Chris, where are they?
0:31:03 > 0:31:05Supposed to have an army of spreads, 15.
0:31:05 > 0:31:08- Got nine up the stairs. - There isn't nine upstairs.
0:31:08 > 0:31:09- Is there not?- No.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12What I'm saying is, we can't do it by ourselves.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15With empty boarded rooms but no plasterers,
0:31:15 > 0:31:18the build has ground to a halt.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21Basically, Phil's turned up and taken on
0:31:21 > 0:31:24the whole outside of this house off his own back,
0:31:24 > 0:31:27he's turned round and said he will do it for us, which is fantastic,
0:31:27 > 0:31:29but now I've got a bit of a problem,
0:31:29 > 0:31:32because we had a team of seven spreads to turn in today
0:31:32 > 0:31:34and they haven't been able to turn in.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38Can you conjure up some of your blokes to try and get us skimming?
0:31:38 > 0:31:39I can do my best.
0:31:39 > 0:31:43You've done well already, you've turned this house out for us.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45But we are in the poo, big time.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47- Yes, I'll make some calls. - Can you do that for us?
0:31:47 > 0:31:49Yeah, I'll try my best.
0:31:50 > 0:31:52Sorry about the toilet reference, but he's right.
0:31:52 > 0:31:56There's so much plastering to do on this job
0:31:56 > 0:31:59it would take one plasterer three weeks to plaster this house -
0:31:59 > 0:32:01and we've got just one day.
0:32:01 > 0:32:03I'm working for the BBC on DIY SOS,
0:32:03 > 0:32:07and they're looking for plasterers to help out this weekend...
0:32:07 > 0:32:11Unless we get some help, we're never going to get it done.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15Hopefully by tomorrow we can please, please,
0:32:15 > 0:32:18start to plaster this house, because if we don't,
0:32:18 > 0:32:21I'm not joking, we are in so much trouble with this property.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24I don't think anyone is thinking bigger than...
0:32:24 > 0:32:27- The plastering.- Once plastering's out of the way.
0:32:27 > 0:32:29That's not the only issue we have,
0:32:29 > 0:32:30we've got painting, right?
0:32:30 > 0:32:34So, the drying time on the plaster, if we're still plastering until Tuesday,
0:32:34 > 0:32:35you haven't decorated nothing.
0:32:35 > 0:32:39Second fix electrics, second fix plumbing.
0:32:39 > 0:32:41And the kitchen fit. And the bathroom to fit.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44And there's only one way up and down the stairs.
0:32:44 > 0:32:48- It is an absolute monstrous job, isn't it?- It is.
0:32:48 > 0:32:52- It's absolutely monstrous. - There's a lot to do yet, my sweet.
0:32:52 > 0:32:55I have a feeling that Mark is lying to us these days.
0:32:55 > 0:32:59I mean, we started out with him saying it was quite a big job.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02Now it's turned, somehow, into an enormous job.
0:33:02 > 0:33:06And yet we're not doing anything more than he originally planned to do.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10I think we're doing too much.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13I really think we're doing too much, but...
0:33:13 > 0:33:14Are we downcast?
0:33:14 > 0:33:15Will we be beaten?
0:33:17 > 0:33:19Yeah, I think we might, actually.
0:33:24 > 0:33:25Morning.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27What a beautiful day.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31Lovely day for building, and there's a lot of it to do today.
0:33:31 > 0:33:35MUSIC: "Little Green Bag" by The George Baker Selection
0:33:35 > 0:33:37See? All those phone calls paid off.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40It's the plasterers!
0:33:40 > 0:33:44Got my boys then, look at them, little army!
0:33:49 > 0:33:53The house is absolutely stuffed with plasterers.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55A bit like...
0:33:55 > 0:33:58There we go, we've still got a little boarding to do upstairs
0:33:58 > 0:34:01finish the rooms off by lunchtime,
0:34:01 > 0:34:03and we might actually be getting somewhere.
0:34:05 > 0:34:07How's the tiling going, Julian?
0:34:07 > 0:34:08It's going very well.
0:34:08 > 0:34:10It wouldn't have gone very well
0:34:10 > 0:34:12if I didn't have my mate there to give me a hand.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14Lee?
0:34:14 > 0:34:15Yes.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17You have been a rock, mate.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19That's right, somebody's got to carry him.
0:34:19 > 0:34:23Yes? Well, you'd have to be your size to do it, to be honest.
0:34:23 > 0:34:27The both of you in here - we picked the two widest people to put in the smallest room.
0:34:27 > 0:34:31- We was both in the cubicle. - We were both in the shower together last night.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35It's very nice of you, you've been here all week, haven't you?
0:34:35 > 0:34:37Every day.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40Somebody said to me that you've actually had a while off work.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42- Nine months.- Off work? - Off work.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44With being not so well?
0:34:44 > 0:34:46Yeah, crushed a nerve in my forearm.
0:34:46 > 0:34:49Lost the use of my arm for quite a long time,
0:34:49 > 0:34:52I had a lot of reduced grip, as well, so...
0:34:52 > 0:34:54When you had that time off, how was it for you?
0:34:54 > 0:34:56Really hard.
0:34:56 > 0:35:00I ended up with depression, relying on friends and family.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03Without them I just literally wouldn't have gone through
0:35:03 > 0:35:05what I've gone through.
0:35:05 > 0:35:09- So, is that part of the reason why you're helping us out then?- Yeah.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11I can relate to what's happened here.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14I was in the same boat last year.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16It comes as a shock when you lose your job
0:35:16 > 0:35:19and money's not coming in, life gets very difficult, doesn't it?
0:35:19 > 0:35:20It sure does.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23So how did you pick yourself up in the end and get started?
0:35:23 > 0:35:25Just gradually coming back to work.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28Found something, I went back to work, found a job,
0:35:28 > 0:35:31and I've literally just picked myself back up now.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33So, if you're in that position,
0:35:33 > 0:35:35where you're out of work or have depression,
0:35:35 > 0:35:39start with a small amount of work, just a couple of hours a week...
0:35:39 > 0:35:41- Anything, do anything. - Just to get you started.
0:35:41 > 0:35:43Just keep your hand in.
0:35:44 > 0:35:45Amazing.
0:35:45 > 0:35:49The generosity of people helping this family is unbelievable.
0:35:49 > 0:35:51One of the plumbers here, Ben, has put us in touch
0:35:51 > 0:35:54with his daughter, Jess, who works with horses.
0:35:54 > 0:35:58She has given Victoria, Charlotte and their friends the chance to go riding.
0:35:58 > 0:36:021, 2, 3. Good, go on.
0:36:02 > 0:36:04There you go.
0:36:07 > 0:36:11- How are you getting on up there? Yeah?- Yeah.
0:36:12 > 0:36:16Just about the right size for the horse, that, isn't it?
0:36:16 > 0:36:21Victoria hasn't left the house to be with her friends for over a year.
0:36:21 > 0:36:25She'd lost all self-confidence and had become withdrawn from the world,
0:36:25 > 0:36:32so for her to be out with her friends and happy to speak to me is a huge step.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34- Are you looking forward to getting back in?- Mmm-hmm.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37- I expect you want to see the bedroom most, don't you?- Yeah.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39And how would you like it to be?
0:36:39 > 0:36:43Um, just like grown up, and...yeah.
0:36:43 > 0:36:48What's the best thing going to be about having the house all done?
0:36:48 > 0:36:49Like, having a home, probably.
0:36:49 > 0:36:54- Did it not feel like a home before? - No, not really.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57So, having a home's going to be cool.
0:36:57 > 0:37:01And what are you looking forward to most, do you think?
0:37:01 > 0:37:03Um...
0:37:03 > 0:37:07- Everything, really.- Everything. - Yeah.
0:37:08 > 0:37:12Over the past two years, Charlotte has lost her best friend
0:37:12 > 0:37:15and the big sister she always used to look up to.
0:37:15 > 0:37:19So, today, how it was it seeing her out with her friends again?
0:37:19 > 0:37:22I think it's made her really happy.
0:37:22 > 0:37:23- You think?- Yeah.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28- And you're really happy because she's really happy.- Yeah.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31- I was already really happy, but now I'm even happier.- Cool.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35It really feels like things are on the up for the Beasleys.
0:37:35 > 0:37:39Let's hope a new home will get Victoria back on track.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42It's going to completely transform her life.
0:37:42 > 0:37:44It's going to make all the difference to her in the world
0:37:44 > 0:37:46to the way she is, to her health
0:37:46 > 0:37:48and to her mental outlook in life, I'm sure.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57Look at that, look.
0:37:58 > 0:38:00- Isn't that genius? - It's good, isn't it?
0:38:00 > 0:38:02Are they edible? The toppy bits?
0:38:02 > 0:38:04Yep, everything.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07Can we let our cake specialist try one?
0:38:07 > 0:38:09They're fresh this afternoon, as well.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11I shouldn't really, I'm...
0:38:11 > 0:38:12Eh?
0:38:12 > 0:38:13What about half?
0:38:13 > 0:38:17Well, if you think about it, it's to do with work.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20- Oh, well that's it then. - Yeah, it's like losing calories.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23- You know when you go to work you lose calories?- Yeah.
0:38:23 > 0:38:28That's what you're doing. If you're eating a DIY SOS cake, it can only be...
0:38:29 > 0:38:33To be fair, there's almost no-one in the country
0:38:33 > 0:38:36who knows cakes like my friend here.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47That's very nice indeed, isn't it?
0:38:47 > 0:38:52We have 5, 10, 15 litres for Victoria's room...
0:38:52 > 0:38:54Mmm...
0:38:54 > 0:38:56Sorry about that, just finishing off my cake.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59People often bake for us and we don't like to be rude,
0:38:59 > 0:39:01which is why we're all overweight.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04Now that everything's plastered, there's a big push to get the entire place painted.
0:39:04 > 0:39:08Fortunately, we've still got new trades coming onto the job,
0:39:08 > 0:39:10like painter-decorator Debbie.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12So, where do you think you can get now?
0:39:12 > 0:39:14We're going up to Victoria's bedroom,
0:39:14 > 0:39:16which I've been trying to tackle all day.
0:39:16 > 0:39:18and haven't really had a chance to.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21I can't imagine how it must have been for them,
0:39:21 > 0:39:24every single day having a house half done.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26It's the kids, more than anything,
0:39:26 > 0:39:30because of the state of the house it's been not very good air quality,
0:39:30 > 0:39:32she suffers from eczema and asthma.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35- but I think it's just the self-confidence that comes...- Yeah,
0:39:35 > 0:39:38with depression comes a complete lack of self-confidence,
0:39:38 > 0:39:40- and I know about that. - Really?
0:39:40 > 0:39:43Yeah, I've kind of been there first-hand. It's not much fun.
0:39:43 > 0:39:45What, recently, as an adult?
0:39:45 > 0:39:48No, it was more through school years and then towards the end,
0:39:48 > 0:39:51it was probably about a year-and-a-half, two years ago
0:39:51 > 0:39:55I sorted myself out and got to grips with things, but it was tough going.
0:39:55 > 0:39:59So, what managed to pick you up out of it when you were younger?
0:39:59 > 0:40:01I had a good talking to myself.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04I literally sat myself down and said, "I've had enough of this,
0:40:04 > 0:40:08"I cannot do this any more, from now on I'll take it as it comes."
0:40:08 > 0:40:11Is there anything you can say to her
0:40:11 > 0:40:14that will make her see light at the end of the tunnel?
0:40:14 > 0:40:20I would just say that it won't always be like this.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22It won't always be this difficult.
0:40:22 > 0:40:27And it will get to a point where she will feel that it'll be easier
0:40:27 > 0:40:30to manage, and hopefully, she'll come out of the other side of it,
0:40:30 > 0:40:33and it will make her a stronger person, I can guarantee her that.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35- Can you?- Yeah.
0:40:35 > 0:40:36Without a shadow of a doubt,
0:40:36 > 0:40:39when you go from being as low as you possibly can be,
0:40:39 > 0:40:41and you gradually pick yourself up,
0:40:41 > 0:40:43when you get back to the top again, you feel great.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45Thanks very much for talking about it,
0:40:45 > 0:40:48and talking about your depression when you were her age,
0:40:48 > 0:40:50because that should help her an enormous amount.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54The other way you can help her now is to get in her bedroom and paint it!
0:40:56 > 0:40:59'I know things looked a bit bleak in the middle of the week,
0:40:59 > 0:41:03'but with the help of all the trades, things are looking up.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06'Even Charlie's air ventilation system is being tested -
0:41:06 > 0:41:08'and it works!
0:41:08 > 0:41:11'You know, we might just make it.
0:41:13 > 0:41:18'Having said that, none of the lights upstairs seem to be working, and for once, it's not Billy.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21'This time it's down to our energy-saving light bulb
0:41:21 > 0:41:25'environmental warrior, architect, designer and beardy person,
0:41:25 > 0:41:28'Mr Luxton, who appears to be somewhat stressed.'
0:41:29 > 0:41:32Hello, anyone home?
0:41:32 > 0:41:36That's answered that question. That's a no, then.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38- It's a no.- You're still stressed?
0:41:38 > 0:41:41Erm, I've just found it really hard to find light fittings.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43- You need to do it in advance, mate.- Well...
0:41:43 > 0:41:46On the last day's probably not the best way to do it.
0:41:46 > 0:41:47We've been looking for days.
0:41:47 > 0:41:51We thought we'd sorted it, and there's been a few little miscommunications.
0:41:51 > 0:41:55Apart from this, it's so interesting, talking to sparks
0:41:55 > 0:41:57and they're saying that, with the recession,
0:41:57 > 0:42:00- no one's carrying stock any more. - Ooooh! >
0:42:00 > 0:42:02That is what he's saying! He was saying that.
0:42:02 > 0:42:06I thought you was quoting yourself.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09No, he just said, the sparks are saying to me...
0:42:09 > 0:42:10That's what we're saying.
0:42:10 > 0:42:14That's what he just said you were saying. He said you were saying.
0:42:14 > 0:42:15Yeah, I agree with him.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17He was agreeing with you!
0:42:17 > 0:42:21Yeah, I agree with him, agreeing with me, because I'm mostly right.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24Seriously, though. So you haven't got...
0:42:24 > 0:42:26We haven't got any tubes which is the problem.
0:42:26 > 0:42:31The other thing we haven't got, is a 125 ventilation T.
0:42:31 > 0:42:35- What?- Ventilation duct T.- What's that for?- Equal T. In the roof.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39We've still got to drop one hole into one of the bedrooms.
0:42:39 > 0:42:40- For the ventilation system?- Yeah.
0:42:40 > 0:42:44- This new-fangled system isn't going to work, is it? - It is going to work.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47Were just missing a very simple piece, a plastic piece,
0:42:47 > 0:42:51which was here, and has somehow gone in the skip and has now gone.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54Because that's what happens if you build a house in nine days!
0:42:54 > 0:42:57Hold on, mate. Look at all this here.
0:42:57 > 0:43:01We've rendered the outside of the house, created three new bedrooms.
0:43:01 > 0:43:03Taken out a wall downstairs and upstairs,
0:43:03 > 0:43:06taken out individual doorways, and windows, put in patio doors.
0:43:06 > 0:43:07New steels.
0:43:07 > 0:43:09Patio out the back, we've done the garden out the back.
0:43:09 > 0:43:14New kitchen, new bathroom, new toilet downstairs, new plumbing system, new electrics throughout.
0:43:14 > 0:43:16And you're worrying about your light bulbs.
0:43:18 > 0:43:23'There's no pleasing some people, is there?
0:43:23 > 0:43:25'Over the last nine days,
0:43:25 > 0:43:29'we've attempted one of the most labour-intensive big builds ever.
0:43:29 > 0:43:32'We've removed staircases, taken out almost every wall
0:43:32 > 0:43:34'and put the whole place back together again.
0:43:34 > 0:43:37'It's a transformation that should have taken us months.'
0:43:37 > 0:43:41It's going to make a big difference. We can live as a family again.
0:43:41 > 0:43:44The whole atmosphere's going to change within the house.
0:43:44 > 0:43:47Yeah, it's going to be a big step forward for us.
0:43:47 > 0:43:52'It was only possible with the army of local trades
0:43:52 > 0:43:54'who pulled out all the stops to get this job done.
0:43:54 > 0:43:57'As if the structural work wasn't enough,
0:43:57 > 0:44:00'our designer Charlie Luxton ambitiously set out
0:44:00 > 0:44:06'to make this into the healthiest house we've ever seen on DIY SOS.'
0:44:06 > 0:44:08Rather than it being about the environment
0:44:08 > 0:44:12as in the world, the planet, it's more about internal air quality,
0:44:12 > 0:44:14the environment we live within.
0:44:14 > 0:44:16'It was a huge one, this,
0:44:16 > 0:44:20'and at one point we thought we genuinely weren't going to make it.
0:44:20 > 0:44:21'But we have.
0:44:23 > 0:44:26'We've transformed this derelict house
0:44:26 > 0:44:29'that was such a depressing place to be in,
0:44:29 > 0:44:31'into a modern, healthy family home.
0:44:35 > 0:44:38'The old kitchen was dark and uninviting.
0:44:38 > 0:44:41'For a family who love cooking, we've created
0:44:41 > 0:44:45'an open, clean space, using the kitchen Les bought five years ago.
0:44:48 > 0:44:54'Charlie's clever lighting design has given it a much brighter, daylight feel.
0:44:54 > 0:44:57'The long-awaited dining area means the family can,
0:44:57 > 0:45:00'at last, eat together around a table.'
0:45:02 > 0:45:05I'd really like a dining table because then we can sit down
0:45:05 > 0:45:09at all the special occasions and things, and every day.
0:45:09 > 0:45:12And it'll be a really big change if we had a dining-table.
0:45:12 > 0:45:16- It would be nicer. - And now they've got it.
0:45:16 > 0:45:20We've given them an extra set of patio doors, bringing the outside in.
0:45:20 > 0:45:24Key to Charlie's design for a healthy home.
0:45:26 > 0:45:29The old living room was dark and narrow.
0:45:29 > 0:45:32For five years, it was dusty and open to the elements.
0:45:34 > 0:45:37We've created a spacious and open living room
0:45:37 > 0:45:41by moving the original staircase.
0:45:41 > 0:45:45To help Victoria's asthma, the old carpet has been replaced
0:45:45 > 0:45:48with a beautiful, dust-free wooden floor,
0:45:48 > 0:45:51making this a room the whole family can enjoy.
0:45:56 > 0:46:00You said before it that you dreaded coming back to this house. What was wrong with it?
0:46:00 > 0:46:05- It was just a building site, it was just a right mess.- Depressing.
0:46:05 > 0:46:07To come back at night, it was so depressing.
0:46:07 > 0:46:11We hope we've got it right for you. Open your eyes.
0:46:15 > 0:46:16Oh, God.
0:46:16 > 0:46:19- Oh, it's lovely.- The pictures.
0:46:19 > 0:46:21It's wonderful. I love it.
0:46:23 > 0:46:27- It doesn't look like our house, does it?- You all right?
0:46:27 > 0:46:31- Yeah. It's overwhelming, isn't it? - Yeah.
0:46:31 > 0:46:33It's lovely.
0:46:33 > 0:46:35- You like the colours? - I love the colours.
0:46:35 > 0:46:38It's really lovely. Bright, innit?
0:46:38 > 0:46:43- That's exactly right. Bright, calming, warm.- Absolutely wonderful.
0:46:43 > 0:46:48- Want to see the dining room? - Yes, please.- Here we go. Have a little stroll through.
0:46:50 > 0:46:53- Oh, yes.- I love the colour.- You do? - Oh, yes.
0:46:53 > 0:46:57I love the colour and the pictures.
0:46:57 > 0:46:59It's wonderful.
0:46:59 > 0:47:02We can sit down here and have our meals now, together.
0:47:02 > 0:47:03The kids'll love that.
0:47:09 > 0:47:10Wow.
0:47:13 > 0:47:15I can't believe this is the same house.
0:47:15 > 0:47:17I love it.
0:47:18 > 0:47:21- Do you like cooking?- I love cooking. You do too, don't you?
0:47:21 > 0:47:24- Yeah, I do quite a bit of the cooking.- I love cooking.
0:47:24 > 0:47:26How have we done on the downstairs
0:47:26 > 0:47:29in terms of the house that you wanted?
0:47:29 > 0:47:31- It's wonderful, it's massive. - It's more than we expected.
0:47:31 > 0:47:35It's more than we were expecting.
0:47:35 > 0:47:37- You look slightly shell-shocked. - I am, I am.
0:47:37 > 0:47:39I can call it my home now.
0:47:43 > 0:47:47Upstairs, the old, dark, damp bathroom is gone forever.
0:47:47 > 0:47:52We've given the family a luxurious walk-in shower and separate bath,
0:47:52 > 0:47:56a far cry from what they were used to.
0:47:56 > 0:47:59The mould-infested master bedroom
0:47:59 > 0:48:05is now somewhere Les and Maria can escape the stresses of the day.
0:48:05 > 0:48:09We've kept the original period feel with a vintage 1930s mirror
0:48:09 > 0:48:13and incorporated Maria's favourite colours.
0:48:18 > 0:48:21I've dreamt of it like this, but look at it.
0:48:21 > 0:48:23It's wonderful, isn't it?
0:48:23 > 0:48:25Let's start with the room that's right next to you.
0:48:25 > 0:48:28Open the door and have a look, see what you think.
0:48:29 > 0:48:32Oh, my God.
0:48:35 > 0:48:37Lovely family bathroom, isn't it?
0:48:37 > 0:48:42- It is.- OK. Pop back out again.- I can't believe it.- Squeeze it all in.
0:48:42 > 0:48:44In you go.
0:48:44 > 0:48:46Wow. Oh my God. I love it.
0:48:46 > 0:48:48That's wonderful.
0:48:50 > 0:48:54- So you love all of it? - Yeah, sorry. I like it all.
0:48:54 > 0:48:57- It's life-changing.- It totally is.
0:48:57 > 0:49:00I can't believe you've done all this in nine days.
0:49:00 > 0:49:06It's changed from a depressing house into a family home.
0:49:06 > 0:49:10It's warm, welcoming, it's somewhere you want to be.
0:49:10 > 0:49:13Is that how you genuinely feel, this is the start...?
0:49:13 > 0:49:18Oh, yeah. This is the start now, the girls can enjoy the house
0:49:18 > 0:49:22and their bedrooms and have friends around. It's going to be great.
0:49:27 > 0:49:32Victoria and Charlotte have shared a cramped, unfinished bedroom for five years now.
0:49:32 > 0:49:36Victoria didn't have anywhere she could escape to
0:49:36 > 0:49:39when she needed to be alone.
0:49:39 > 0:49:42Now heading into their teens, both girls need their own space.
0:49:42 > 0:49:44And that's just what we've given them.
0:49:49 > 0:49:51Charlotte has a comfortable,
0:49:51 > 0:49:55light bedroom where she can get on with her school work and relax.
0:49:55 > 0:50:00But most of all, a room where she can have her friends to stay.
0:50:00 > 0:50:02And what about Victoria?
0:50:02 > 0:50:08Well, for Victoria, we've created a tranquil grown-up space.
0:50:08 > 0:50:10The wooden floors will help her asthma
0:50:10 > 0:50:14by not collecting dust in the way a carpet would.
0:50:14 > 0:50:17And the air ventilation system will pump fresh air
0:50:17 > 0:50:21into Victoria's room and throughout the entire house.
0:50:21 > 0:50:25And I'm pleased to say Victoria's decided she feels happy enough
0:50:25 > 0:50:28to come and see their new bedrooms and chat to me,
0:50:28 > 0:50:31as long as her sister comes with her.
0:50:39 > 0:50:42- What do you think?- Really nice.
0:50:42 > 0:50:43- Is it cool?- Yeah.
0:50:43 > 0:50:46- Colours all right?- Yeah. - You like green?- Yeah.
0:50:53 > 0:50:56- It's really nice.- You like it?- Yeah.
0:51:00 > 0:51:03- Marks out of 10?- 10. - That many, really? 10 out of 10?
0:51:03 > 0:51:06- Yeah.- What do you think? Do you like it?- Yeah.
0:51:06 > 0:51:08- Would you be happy with this bedroom?- Yeah.
0:51:08 > 0:51:10But we're going to need to find a bedroom for you.
0:51:10 > 0:51:14We could get another bed in here. You guys could share, couldn't you?
0:51:14 > 0:51:19- Would that be all right?- Maybe.
0:51:19 > 0:51:23No, I think what we need to do is actually get you an extra bedroom, don't you think?
0:51:23 > 0:51:26So you've got one bedroom each.
0:51:26 > 0:51:27In you go.
0:51:33 > 0:51:36- What do you think?- It's really nice. - You like it?- Yeah.
0:51:40 > 0:51:42What's your favourite thing? Have a look round.
0:51:44 > 0:51:47- Um, the desk or the bed, I don't know.- The desk or the bed?- Yeah.
0:51:52 > 0:51:55- Excited about it?- Yeah.
0:51:55 > 0:51:57Are you guys going to miss each other now,
0:51:57 > 0:52:01because you've been in the same room together all that time?
0:52:01 > 0:52:04- You're going to have to go to sleep in separate rooms now. - I think it'll be OK.
0:52:04 > 0:52:06- You think you'll manage?- Yeah. - Yeah!
0:52:06 > 0:52:09I haven't asked you yet. Marks out of 10?
0:52:09 > 0:52:12- Um, 11.- 11 out of 10?!
0:52:12 > 0:52:15You guys haven't had sleepovers for a long time with your friends.
0:52:15 > 0:52:17How are things going to change now?
0:52:17 > 0:52:21Well, I'm going to have sleepovers
0:52:21 > 0:52:26and I'm going to have more friends round and I'm going to enjoy it.
0:52:26 > 0:52:31- What about you? - I'm the same, yeah.- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:52:31 > 0:52:34I know that the last year and a bit,
0:52:34 > 0:52:38I know that there were difficulties with your grandparents and all that,
0:52:38 > 0:52:41and illnesses and then Dad with his job.
0:52:41 > 0:52:43It's been a really tough time, hasn't it,
0:52:43 > 0:52:46the last year-and-a-half, especially for your mum and dad?
0:52:46 > 0:52:50So, do you think now, cos they're downstairs, wait till you see them
0:52:50 > 0:52:53they've got the biggest smiles I've ever seen on anybody.
0:52:53 > 0:52:55They're just sitting there with enormous grins.
0:52:55 > 0:53:00If they grin any wider, the top of their heads will fall off.
0:53:00 > 0:53:04- So, do you think that things are going to get better now?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:53:04 > 0:53:06How are they going to get better, do you think?
0:53:06 > 0:53:10Well, it's going to be more happy
0:53:10 > 0:53:14and we're going to enjoy everything that we have
0:53:14 > 0:53:16and we're going to appreciate it.
0:53:16 > 0:53:20Yeah, everything's going to be a lot happier, I think.
0:53:20 > 0:53:22You all seem to be smiling a lot more now.
0:53:22 > 0:53:26- You think that's going to keep going, do you?- Yeah. - Who's got the best bedroom?
0:53:26 > 0:53:27- Me.- Me.
0:53:29 > 0:53:31In you go.
0:53:35 > 0:53:37- It's awesome.- What do you think?
0:53:37 > 0:53:41- It's really nice.- It's really nice. - Really nice?- Yeah.- OK.
0:53:41 > 0:53:43- Is your mum a good cook? - My dad's probably better.
0:53:43 > 0:53:46- Yeah, he's better. - Don't worry, she can't hear you.
0:53:46 > 0:53:49- So it'll be Dad mostly doing the cooking over here?- Yeah.
0:53:49 > 0:53:52What's his best dish? What does he make that's best?
0:53:52 > 0:53:54There's two that I like.
0:53:54 > 0:53:58- There's Chinese and a roast dinner. - He does a roast dinner?
0:53:58 > 0:54:02I love roast dinners.
0:54:05 > 0:54:09- What about your bedrooms? - Do you love it?- Yeah.- Do you?- Yeah.
0:54:09 > 0:54:11You know the nicest thing of all,
0:54:11 > 0:54:14after coming to see you the first time, looking at you now,
0:54:14 > 0:54:17you're all sat there with big cheesy grins on your faces.
0:54:17 > 0:54:21- It's the coolest thing in the world. It's lovely. - I can't believe it.
0:54:21 > 0:54:24There's lots of people out there that wanted to give you
0:54:24 > 0:54:27- a really nice place to live. Have they succeeded?- Yeah.- Good.
0:54:27 > 0:54:30- And is it the best house in the world?- Yes.
0:54:30 > 0:54:32- And is it a really cool place to bring your friends?- Yeah.
0:54:32 > 0:54:36- And are you going to have them round here?- Yes.- Cool.
0:54:38 > 0:54:40There you go. Over that way, ladies.
0:54:40 > 0:54:43APPLAUSE
0:54:52 > 0:54:55We can't thank you enough.
0:54:55 > 0:54:58You've done an amazing job in there, absolutely amazing.
0:54:58 > 0:55:01It's turned our lives around.
0:55:01 > 0:55:03We can't thank you enough.
0:55:03 > 0:55:07You've turned it from a horrible, depressing old house
0:55:07 > 0:55:10into a lovely family home again.
0:55:10 > 0:55:14- Charlotte, marks out of 10 for the house?- 100.
0:55:14 > 0:55:16LAUGHTER
0:55:16 > 0:55:21And Victoria, marks out of 10 for the bedrooms?
0:55:21 > 0:55:23- 11.- 11.
0:55:23 > 0:55:25CHEERING
0:55:28 > 0:55:33You will be pleased to know, though, that both Victoria and Charlotte
0:55:33 > 0:55:37believe they have the best room, which has worked out perfectly.
0:55:37 > 0:55:41It will help us a lot and it'll just help us, thank you.
0:55:41 > 0:55:45I'm very proud of the fact that you guys have all come out and helped us
0:55:45 > 0:55:48and you've been fantastic. That's a huge thing you've done
0:55:48 > 0:55:50so we, my team, would like to say to all of you,
0:55:50 > 0:55:53thank you very much. We really appreciate it.
0:55:56 > 0:55:59- Thank you.- Electrician!
0:55:59 > 0:56:02You all right, Charlotte?
0:56:02 > 0:56:08- Victoria, are you all right, Princess? Do you love it?- I love it.
0:56:08 > 0:56:10Brilliant job.
0:56:10 > 0:56:15- Lovely.- Girls, hello, can I have a hug?
0:56:15 > 0:56:16Brilliant.
0:56:16 > 0:56:20- Do you like it?- Yes.- Can I have a hug with you? Thank you very much.
0:56:20 > 0:56:23- And you both think you've got the best room?- Yeah.
0:56:23 > 0:56:26That's good. We got that right, didn't we? Fantastic.
0:56:26 > 0:56:30- Enjoy it.- Thank you, thanks.
0:56:30 > 0:56:33So you like your room? Good. I'm so glad.
0:56:33 > 0:56:37It's lovely to meet you. I'm so glad you like it.
0:56:37 > 0:56:40I've been painting all the nice colours.
0:56:40 > 0:56:43And it's been great fun, hasn't it?
0:56:43 > 0:56:46We've had everybody doing everything all at the same time.
0:56:46 > 0:56:49And I was explaining earlier, you remember I said to you
0:56:49 > 0:56:52there was a girl who was very shy when she was little
0:56:52 > 0:56:56and didn't go out for a long time? This is her.
0:56:56 > 0:56:59And you were saying that having your own bedroom...
0:56:59 > 0:57:02Having your own space that you really enjoy being in,
0:57:02 > 0:57:04having somewhere where you can just be peaceful
0:57:04 > 0:57:07and be yourself is really, really helpful.
0:57:07 > 0:57:10And one thing I will say to you, sweet pea,
0:57:10 > 0:57:12it won't last forever.
0:57:12 > 0:57:15Things will get better. Things always get better.
0:57:15 > 0:57:17Give us a squeeze.
0:57:17 > 0:57:20I'm so glad we've helped. Enjoy your new room.
0:57:28 > 0:57:31When you come to a place like Cirencester
0:57:31 > 0:57:34with its beautiful stone cottages,
0:57:34 > 0:57:37and bearing in mind it's in Gloucestershire, home of the royals,
0:57:37 > 0:57:41you think, there can't be children living in the kind of conditions
0:57:41 > 0:57:44that they were here, but of course there's always families
0:57:44 > 0:57:46and children who fall through the net.
0:57:46 > 0:57:50And people say, "Well, something should be done."
0:57:50 > 0:57:54Or you can be the kind of person that actually does something, like all these people.
0:57:54 > 0:57:57They've given up their own time to come out and make a change.
0:57:57 > 0:57:59And, boy, have they made a change for this family.
0:57:59 > 0:58:04Those two girls now have a completely different future because of what they did.
0:58:04 > 0:58:07Maybe someone in your area needs some help.
0:58:09 > 0:58:11Two weeks after we finished the build,
0:58:11 > 0:58:15Victoria was happy enough to go back to school full-time.
0:58:15 > 0:58:19And things have started to get back on track.
0:58:19 > 0:58:22Since we moved back into the house, everyone's a lot happier.
0:58:22 > 0:58:27I'm glad that everything's back to normal.
0:58:27 > 0:58:29I feel happy.
0:58:29 > 0:58:32MUSIC: "The Universal" by Blur
0:58:50 > 0:58:55Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd