The Big Build - Halifax

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0:00:04 > 0:00:09This week the Big Build comes to you from God's own country.

0:00:10 > 0:00:15Isn't Yorkshire beautiful? What a place to live and for us to work!

0:00:15 > 0:00:19We're in Halifax to help a family whose life was shattered

0:00:19 > 0:00:23when their healthy baby boy was left brain-damaged.

0:00:23 > 0:00:30I suppose from that point our life changed...forever.

0:00:30 > 0:00:34My brother can't help it. I love my brother the way he is.

0:00:34 > 0:00:39They're now struggling to look after him in a home that's not fit for their needs

0:00:39 > 0:00:45and they may be forced apart. If Joshua isn't here, then he's not part of the family, is he?

0:00:45 > 0:00:48We just want Joshua with us.

0:00:48 > 0:00:53'So we're going to work to keep this family together. It's another unique build.'

0:00:53 > 0:00:58Everything you say makes sense! You'll completely lose your fan base.

0:00:58 > 0:01:01'It will push us to the limit.'

0:01:01 > 0:01:04I am really, really wet. Soaked right through.

0:01:04 > 0:01:08I'll give you my happy face. That's his happy face!

0:01:08 > 0:01:12What else can go wrong today? Why let a door not being there stop you?

0:01:12 > 0:01:17To get this done in nine days, we have a mountain to climb. Bill?

0:01:17 > 0:01:21I'm climbing a mountain. Don't be ridiculous. Stand up.

0:01:21 > 0:01:28So we're here in Halifax's Piece Hall, where trades have come together for over 200 years

0:01:28 > 0:01:35to exchange ideas and basically help each other out. We're here, but where are all those trades?

0:01:35 > 0:01:39Here they are! But what can they do?

0:01:39 > 0:01:43OWT! Which, in Yorkshire lingo, means anything at all!

0:01:43 > 0:01:47So it's looking good for DIY SOS: The Big Build!

0:01:57 > 0:01:59Meet the Hopkins family.

0:01:59 > 0:02:05Electrician Michael, Michelle, who works for a homeless charity, 12-year-old Dani

0:02:05 > 0:02:07and Joshua, who's eight.

0:02:09 > 0:02:14Just days after his first birthday, the whole family were hit with a sickness bug,

0:02:14 > 0:02:17with a devastating effect on Josh.

0:02:17 > 0:02:23The doctor took one look at him and said there's something neurological wrong.

0:02:23 > 0:02:30And then 24 hours later they came back with that he was brain-damaged. The virus had attacked his brain.

0:02:30 > 0:02:38Joshua had suffered acute striatal necrosis, a form of brain damage causing a sudden death of nerves.

0:02:38 > 0:02:42Over the space of a week while we were in hospital,

0:02:42 > 0:02:46he went from the perfectly healthy little boy that he was to...

0:02:46 > 0:02:51Coming out with a feeding tube, not being able to walk, crawl, sit up.

0:02:53 > 0:02:58Immediately after they told us, it was, "What did we do wrong?

0:02:58 > 0:03:05"Should we have got him to hospital quicker?" They always reassured us that nothing could have been done,

0:03:05 > 0:03:09but I felt like I'd let him down. I felt like I hadn't protected him.

0:03:09 > 0:03:15Any parent would ask the same questions, but there really was nothing that could be done.

0:03:15 > 0:03:22Joshua was left paralysed and totally dependent, but his home is making him an outcast.

0:03:22 > 0:03:26Joshua's bedroom is upstairs. It's a tiny little box room.

0:03:26 > 0:03:32This is the only other room. He can't even access the makeshift dining room because of the steps,

0:03:32 > 0:03:38so this is the only room that he really sees, isn't it? Mm.

0:03:38 > 0:03:42His mum and dad have no choice but to carry him around the house.

0:03:42 > 0:03:48He's very heavy. Physically carrying him, even for me, is quite a task.

0:03:48 > 0:03:52And lifting an eight-year-old is getting beyond mum Michelle.

0:03:52 > 0:03:59She's suffered from curvature of the spine and since her teens has had a steel rod in her back.

0:03:59 > 0:04:04The whole family has to help take care of Josh.

0:04:04 > 0:04:08I help him brush his teeth and clean his face.

0:04:09 > 0:04:16And I sit with him when he's not that stressed, but he strains himself so he's like a plank of wood.

0:04:16 > 0:04:19It's really hard for us to hold him.

0:04:19 > 0:04:26'She does get upset and as she's got older she can understand more and more with the operations.'

0:04:26 > 0:04:29She's very protective of her brother.

0:04:29 > 0:04:34My brother can't help it. And...I love my brother the way he is.

0:04:36 > 0:04:41He wakes up at two in the morning, you bring him downstairs and he gives you a smile.

0:04:41 > 0:04:49He comes out of, say, a nine-hour operation and he's back up on the bed and has a smile and a giggle.

0:04:49 > 0:04:55It makes a massive difference. Because he can't speak to us, his smile is everything.

0:04:55 > 0:05:01Joshua gets day care, but he needs round-the-clock attention.

0:05:01 > 0:05:07Carers would need specialist facilities this house can't provide. There isn't the space.

0:05:07 > 0:05:09This family could be torn apart.

0:05:09 > 0:05:14'Long-term, if the house doesn't get adapted, we can't keep him here.'

0:05:14 > 0:05:20At some point, he's going to be an adult. He'll be physically too big for one of us to deal with,

0:05:20 > 0:05:26so we may have to have people in, but he'll be at home, part of the family.

0:05:26 > 0:05:29With me, Michelle and Danielle.

0:05:30 > 0:05:32What's wrong with this house?

0:05:32 > 0:05:38You can see you're very houseproud, it's beautifully decorated. There's a lot right with it. Yeah.

0:05:38 > 0:05:45So what's wrong? We need extra space for Joshua, but not just for now. For the future, really.

0:05:45 > 0:05:50He's going to get bigger. We can't have carers in the home.

0:05:50 > 0:05:54We've had seven years of bad things happening.

0:05:54 > 0:06:01The last two years, he's had six operations. It's really hard on Dani. Danielle gets buffeted about

0:06:01 > 0:06:05between her auntie or your dad... Or friends. Yeah.

0:06:05 > 0:06:11'She can just get a message from the receptionist at school saying Joshua is in hospital,

0:06:11 > 0:06:14'so-and-so is picking you up.'

0:06:14 > 0:06:19So if the house gets sorted out, it's not only Josh that benefits.

0:06:19 > 0:06:23Oh, no. Danielle will massively benefit. As it is at the moment,

0:06:23 > 0:06:25Danielle's room is next to Josh's.

0:06:25 > 0:06:32And Josh wakes up if he hears a pin drop, so we're constantly telling her to be quiet,

0:06:32 > 0:06:34she can't have friends over.

0:06:34 > 0:06:39At what point does residential care for Josh become something... It doesn't.

0:06:39 > 0:06:43Not for us. No, because he's our son at the end of the day.

0:06:43 > 0:06:47If Joshua goes into residential care, the family breaks up.

0:06:47 > 0:06:51'And that's what we're here to prevent.

0:06:51 > 0:06:57'With half of Halifax's tradesmen poised like coiled springs for this Big Build.'

0:06:57 > 0:07:03So in ten days' time, come back and see how we get on. I was told the weather is like this every day!

0:07:03 > 0:07:05It's always nice up here!

0:07:05 > 0:07:09Bill, lead them on. I'll make sure they go, yeah?

0:07:09 > 0:07:13Bye. Cheers! Keep going, Bill! Yeah.

0:07:13 > 0:07:17They don't know where they're going. But you see them all the way.

0:07:24 > 0:07:31We're hitting the ground running because to make the whole house accessible will take extra space.

0:07:31 > 0:07:33We need a bit more house!

0:07:33 > 0:07:39This is our extension. Flat-packed and ready to be taken off the lorry.

0:07:39 > 0:07:45This is the crux of the whole job. It will make the house a third bigger.

0:07:47 > 0:07:52You might want to pan to all the guys getting the kitchen out.

0:07:52 > 0:07:57Our removals friends are packing everything up. Morning. All right? Yeah, fine!

0:07:57 > 0:08:02Outside, that's Brian up there. He's brought a team to knock down this conservatory.

0:08:02 > 0:08:05The energy here is incredible.

0:08:05 > 0:08:10It's great to be involved. The family deserve a helping hand.

0:08:10 > 0:08:16We want to keep these walls as tidy as we can, but, saying that, Billy hasn't been here yet.

0:08:16 > 0:08:21Good point. But to make the house wheelchair-friendly, some walls have to go.

0:08:21 > 0:08:25It's a challenge, but Gabrielle Blackman has got the solution.

0:08:25 > 0:08:29Any design has to be practical or there's just no point.

0:08:29 > 0:08:35I want them to continue with normal family life, while keeping an eye on Josh.

0:08:35 > 0:08:38Upstairs Josh will, in a way, have his own apartment.

0:08:38 > 0:08:46His lift will go up into his bedroom. He'll have a proper bathroom. We've got a lovely bath.

0:08:46 > 0:08:51Just because somebody has a disabled child, it doesn't mean their tastes suddenly change.

0:08:51 > 0:08:55They won't suddenly love primary colours and vinyl flooring.

0:08:55 > 0:09:00We're going to try to keep what Michelle and Michael dreamed of.

0:09:00 > 0:09:03So here's the plan.

0:09:03 > 0:09:09We're transforming the ground floor by knocking out a wall which connects to a timberframe extension,

0:09:09 > 0:09:14creating a huge kitchen/diner. But it's all on the same level for wheelchair access.

0:09:14 > 0:09:19Upstairs, a lift will bring Josh straight into his bedroom

0:09:19 > 0:09:22that leads into a specially-equipped en suite.

0:09:22 > 0:09:28We're also moving walls to build Dani a new big bedroom, make a proper family bathroom

0:09:28 > 0:09:32and create a comfortable new room for Michael and Michelle.

0:09:35 > 0:09:37All this in just nine days.

0:09:40 > 0:09:46It's nice. You're pushing yourself to the limits of what you can achieve so it's good fun. What's the reward?

0:09:46 > 0:09:51The reward's that you've done it. You see a family go back in.

0:09:51 > 0:09:56I stay away from the finishes because it's weepy time. A big fella like yourself?

0:09:56 > 0:10:01'Ah, he's a big softie. Not unlike our own gentle giant.'

0:10:01 > 0:10:06You're very light of touch for a big man. Oh, yes. Oh, yes.

0:10:06 > 0:10:10Light of touch... I am for a fella of the larger persuasion.

0:10:10 > 0:10:15I just changed my diet and I lost a stone and a half in two months.

0:10:15 > 0:10:21Did you? I was getting huge. You was, to be fair. I was chubbing up something rotten.

0:10:21 > 0:10:27I'd get up in the morning. I don't sleep with any clothes on. I'm not... No, I'm not. Naked.

0:10:27 > 0:10:33As God intended. As God intended. You get up in the morning and look at yourself in the mirror

0:10:33 > 0:10:39and think, "Oh, really?" Most important thing is that they shoot you in a flattering way.

0:10:39 > 0:10:45The cameraman said he won't take any shots of me that are going to accentuate my problem.

0:10:46 > 0:10:47Hey!

0:10:47 > 0:10:51'Yes, I think we've seen enough.'

0:10:51 > 0:10:57Tim's turned up. He's giving us all our skips. Nice. All our building materials, brickwork,

0:10:57 > 0:11:04blockwork, hardcore, insulation. Why have you decided to join in so much? We work in the town.

0:11:04 > 0:11:08It's a local community so we're going to give back to it.

0:11:08 > 0:11:13It's a lot of money's worth. Times are tight, economic crisis...

0:11:13 > 0:11:16When you hear a good cause like this, it's worth doing.

0:11:16 > 0:11:22'I'm not trying to talk him out of it! If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing properly.

0:11:22 > 0:11:26'So why's Billy here?' We've got two teams here today.

0:11:26 > 0:11:32One team on the floor and one team upstairs. Everything's dead, we've killed everything.

0:11:32 > 0:11:38We'll completely rewire it. We'll run new tails through and take everything from the board.

0:11:38 > 0:11:44Understand that? Brilliant. That was genuinely insightful, informative...

0:11:44 > 0:11:50It had a beginning, middle and end. And as a safety factor you can cut all the cables.

0:11:50 > 0:11:55Genius. Can I just say something? Can you? It's likely you can!

0:11:55 > 0:12:00We've had one conversation. Look at all the workforce behind you.

0:12:00 > 0:12:06They're amazed I've put a sentence together. We're amazed you dressed yourself!

0:12:07 > 0:12:12Where's the hammer?! 'I love it when the trades chip in!

0:12:14 > 0:12:20'At the back of the house, we're working against the clock to get the foundation piles in

0:12:20 > 0:12:25'that will anchor our extension. There's an air of tension out front.'

0:12:25 > 0:12:29What was all that about? He's just being very rude.

0:12:29 > 0:12:34Would you like us to take his pocket money away? Anything to stop him being so cheeky.

0:12:34 > 0:12:39Do you know what she just asked me? To stop irritating her. No.

0:12:39 > 0:12:45The extension's gone half a day behind, we've got to get the roof on and take the wall out there

0:12:45 > 0:12:52and get two lengths of steel in tomorrow morning. "Mark, Mark..." "What is it, Gabrielle?"

0:12:52 > 0:12:56It IS important. "What about the cat flap?"

0:12:56 > 0:13:01It's really important. They've got four cats.

0:13:01 > 0:13:04'For once I'm with Mark, I think.

0:13:04 > 0:13:10'Have you ever wondered who the silent minority are? I can introduce you to them.'

0:13:10 > 0:13:15We are the silent minority who keep the job ticking on.

0:13:15 > 0:13:19Plasterboarded, skimmed, all the patches picked up.

0:13:19 > 0:13:27So tomorrow the decorators will have two rooms to crack on with. We're not looking for glory. A little bit.

0:13:27 > 0:13:32'It's no mean feat to rewire the whole house, but Michael is an electrician

0:13:32 > 0:13:35'and his workmates are in.'

0:13:35 > 0:13:39Is Michael gutted he can't be here? He'll be itching.

0:13:39 > 0:13:45He'd want to do this. Is he on the phone asking what's going on? I've had texts, but not replied.

0:13:45 > 0:13:51'Leaving the enthusiastic workforce to forge ahead, I've ducked out to see Michael and find out

0:13:51 > 0:13:56'how the whole family have been coping with Josh's condition.'

0:13:56 > 0:14:01We know there's no miracle cure, but it would be nice to know what caused it

0:14:01 > 0:14:07and what the future may hold for Joshua. At the moment, it's ifs, buts and maybes.

0:14:07 > 0:14:13The doctors don't know. They don't know what could happen in the future. It is difficult.

0:14:13 > 0:14:16It's not just Joshua. It's Danielle.

0:14:16 > 0:14:20I just wonder when you go to bed at night and lay down to sleep,

0:14:20 > 0:14:23what things commonly run through your mind?

0:14:23 > 0:14:29I think what could have been. I think how our family could be if Joshua had never got ill.

0:14:29 > 0:14:33I think, you know, as daft as it is...

0:14:33 > 0:14:40I'd love to have seen Joshua and his big sister tearing chunks out of each other

0:14:40 > 0:14:45because they were arguing. Or Danielle screaming and shouting because he'd been in her bedroom.

0:14:45 > 0:14:49It would just be nice to have known what could have been.

0:14:49 > 0:14:55Do you think people value normality enough? No, I don't think people sometimes realise.

0:14:55 > 0:15:00From seeing it from my point of view now,

0:15:00 > 0:15:05I listen to some people and think, "Your kids are keeping you up,

0:15:05 > 0:15:08"but you've not quite got it that bad."

0:15:08 > 0:15:14I mean, it's hard with Joshua. I'd give my right arm for Joshua to have a miracle cure,

0:15:14 > 0:15:21but I wouldn't change him for the world. What do you make of the 40, 50, 60 tradesmen...?

0:15:21 > 0:15:24I just think it's brilliant. I really do.

0:15:24 > 0:15:29We're in a recession, work's hard, work's slowed down for us.

0:15:29 > 0:15:34I know of lots of companies in this area that have gone under.

0:15:34 > 0:15:38For any of them to give their time is just fantastic.

0:15:38 > 0:15:42Genuinely, I don't know how I'm going to thank everybody.

0:15:42 > 0:15:47I'd like to give what the trades and yourselves have given us,

0:15:47 > 0:15:52I'd like to be part of that for somebody else.

0:15:54 > 0:15:59'Back on-site, it may only be Day One, but we're already falling behind.'

0:15:59 > 0:16:04If that platform that they're building there doesn't get built,

0:16:04 > 0:16:10we can't build an extension on it. If that wall isn't down, we can't put the steel in.

0:16:10 > 0:16:15And the second storey of this extension can't be done.

0:16:15 > 0:16:19If it's not done tomorrow morning, we lose the crane and the job.

0:16:19 > 0:16:23Every day there's a deadline that has to be hit.

0:16:23 > 0:16:27We're asking a lot of these builders on the first day.

0:16:27 > 0:16:34'There's a growing sense of urgency around getting the preparations finished. Can we do it in time?

0:16:36 > 0:16:44'I'm relieved to say that a late finish means we've got the makings of a brand-new extension.'

0:16:44 > 0:16:50See this? A padstone. I told you if we didn't get those in we couldn't put the steel in today.

0:16:50 > 0:16:55There they are each side. Beautiful. Openings can be beautiful.

0:16:56 > 0:17:01'It's like a scene from The Full Monty - with more clothes!

0:17:02 > 0:17:09'Billy's wiring often leaves him in the dark, but he does seem to have the measure of presenting.'

0:17:09 > 0:17:15Just take a deep breath and don't get frustrated when you speak. That's a bit like...

0:17:17 > 0:17:23He can't get a sentence out now. It's transferring to you, Nick. Oh, my God!

0:17:23 > 0:17:27OMG! My ability to, um...to, um...

0:17:27 > 0:17:30Oh, no! Yeah.

0:17:30 > 0:17:34I used to have such a huge, er... wide, um...

0:17:34 > 0:17:36a wide, um...

0:17:36 > 0:17:38Oh, no. Types of words.

0:17:38 > 0:17:42Vocabulary? Thanks, Bill. And now...

0:17:42 > 0:17:47suddenly he's the one with the huge, wide, um... Vocabulary? Yeah!

0:17:47 > 0:17:49What's going on?

0:17:49 > 0:17:52'There is something wrong with me! I'm off to see a doctor.

0:17:52 > 0:17:57'I'm off to meet consultant paediatrician Dr Sal Uka,

0:17:57 > 0:18:01'who cares for Josh and has seen the challenges the family face.'

0:18:01 > 0:18:07Parents watching this would be terrified at the idea you can have a perfectly normal child

0:18:07 > 0:18:12and suddenly through a virus they become severely disabled.

0:18:12 > 0:18:16But this is fairly rare? Yeah. Exceptionally rare.

0:18:16 > 0:18:23To people, it will be terrifying to think that your child could one day be so well

0:18:23 > 0:18:29and full of life, running around and enjoying life as each of them should be,

0:18:29 > 0:18:32to then actually having something so devastating.

0:18:32 > 0:18:36If you have a child with the disabilities that Josh has,

0:18:36 > 0:18:39looking after him is no picnic.

0:18:39 > 0:18:45A lot of credit to Michael and Michelle. It has been tough. And I've seen it with them.

0:18:45 > 0:18:52'But it always amazes me how resilient people can be and you do what you need to do.'

0:18:52 > 0:18:57Whilst I know Mike and Michelle well, it's for the wrong reasons.

0:18:57 > 0:19:03Joshua's needs have been really difficult and I've had to see him in hospital and in clinic.

0:19:03 > 0:19:10But realistically speaking, from my point of view what we've been working towards is

0:19:10 > 0:19:17how the people that care for Joshua actually can do so more so at home, so he doesn't come into hospital.

0:19:17 > 0:19:21And if this conversion work that you and your team have done

0:19:21 > 0:19:28can go a little bit further so that he can enjoy what we'd consider a more normal home life, excellent.

0:19:28 > 0:19:32'Yes, it will and it will help this family stay together.

0:19:32 > 0:19:39'But it's only Day Two and the pressure is relentless. We've only got this crane for a day

0:19:39 > 0:19:45'and it's got a heck of a lot to do. It's our challenge to get the whole timberframe built before nightfall.'

0:19:48 > 0:19:53Hello, Sarah. So you do all these timberframe extension whatsits.

0:19:53 > 0:19:58Yes. Do you work with Nigel? With Wayne and Darren. Darren's your husband. Is he?

0:19:58 > 0:20:04He is. You don't get sick of the sight of each other? No.

0:20:04 > 0:20:07That's him. He's like a Northern Tom Cruise.

0:20:07 > 0:20:14Do you not get sick of each other? Never, mate. Why not? Just look at her, mate. Beautiful.

0:20:14 > 0:20:17Awww. Oh, that's embarrassing!

0:20:18 > 0:20:20That's nice, that is.

0:20:20 > 0:20:23'Ah, he loves her and everything.

0:20:23 > 0:20:30'Our own labour of love is taking shape slowly and surely, but Gabby's got other things on her mind.'

0:20:30 > 0:20:36That looks like a lady that's spent her budget. She's scribbling, going back on pages,

0:20:36 > 0:20:42then she's having a little pause and looking worried. She worries a lot anyway. She does.

0:20:42 > 0:20:46Can I show you my favourite bit of what you've done?

0:20:46 > 0:20:53Whilst you were waiting, you plastered the wall just in case. By the time the door lining goes in,

0:20:53 > 0:20:57yeah...? Yeah. And the architrave, it'll all be tidy.

0:20:57 > 0:21:03So why let a little issue like a door not being there stop you plastering?

0:21:03 > 0:21:05Forward and upwards, I say!

0:21:05 > 0:21:12'Chris - don't you just love him? With a long day's graft, nothing gets Jules moving faster

0:21:12 > 0:21:15'than the promise of something soft and whipped.'

0:21:15 > 0:21:17Can you take that to Wayne?

0:21:17 > 0:21:21Take it to Wayne. To the man still working.

0:21:21 > 0:21:24- Back of the queue now! - Thank you very much.

0:21:26 > 0:21:30There we go. Take that away. Thank you very much.

0:21:30 > 0:21:34Nothing left. Nothing left?! I served so many.

0:21:34 > 0:21:38I was there and you asked me to take one to Wayne! Yeah.

0:21:38 > 0:21:42Then I'd to go to the back of the queue and they've run out!

0:21:42 > 0:21:49I could do a tiny one. Just see what you can squeeze out. A tiny one?! See what you can...

0:21:49 > 0:21:56I wanted a big double one. Well, think of your health. It's not really a good idea, is it?

0:21:56 > 0:21:59He was playing with you!

0:21:59 > 0:22:01Thank you very much, young man!

0:22:01 > 0:22:03Look at that!

0:22:04 > 0:22:08Happy now? 'Look at his happy little face!

0:22:08 > 0:22:11'If only everything was so simple.'

0:22:14 > 0:22:21Money Out. What did I say? He looked at you on the grass and said, "She's gone over on the budget."

0:22:21 > 0:22:25I said to Nick... You know what's really embarrassing?

0:22:25 > 0:22:31This is the first time they've let me be in charge of my own budget. How's it gone? Not well.

0:22:32 > 0:22:37I always say, "I can do my own budget! How hard can it be?"

0:22:37 > 0:22:44'Want to see inside the mind of a designer?' No, don't... "Construction wood - ?230.

0:22:45 > 0:22:48"Construction steel - ?320.

0:22:48 > 0:22:51"Cushions - ?840." Fair.

0:22:51 > 0:22:58As an accounting technique, putting smiley faces and sad faces doesn't really justify it.

0:22:58 > 0:23:04That's disappointed face. I can see. It's got tears. It's what I'll get at the office.

0:23:04 > 0:23:08Time for a DIY SOS sandwich hug.

0:23:08 > 0:23:12Oh, God. That's really traumatising! Stop, stop, stop!

0:23:12 > 0:23:14Oh...!

0:23:14 > 0:23:20Better? That, weirdly, has made me feel better, but slightly disturbed at the same time. I've gone red.

0:23:20 > 0:23:24That was a penknife in my pocket. Oh, good. Sorry about that.

0:23:25 > 0:23:31'If anyone knows just how much this work will change the family's lives, it's Michelle's parents.

0:23:31 > 0:23:35'Mum Rosemary wrote in for our help.'

0:23:35 > 0:23:38You're responsible for all this.

0:23:38 > 0:23:44The thing was, he would have had to have gone into care if nothing could have been done in the house.

0:23:44 > 0:23:47That was the driving force behind me sort of applying.

0:23:47 > 0:23:52They can't get any help for him here to give him respite at home.

0:23:52 > 0:23:56They won't do that unless the facilities are there. It's Catch-22.

0:23:56 > 0:24:00You have to get this done before you can get a respite in the home

0:24:00 > 0:24:06because of Health and Safety. They have to have a hoist and means of getting him upstairs.

0:24:06 > 0:24:12It must be more and more of a problem for Michelle, trying to lift and carry him.

0:24:12 > 0:24:18She's got two metal rods down her back and shouldn't be lifting a complete dead weight.

0:24:18 > 0:24:24How's she going to react? I don't know. She does put a very brave face on it.

0:24:24 > 0:24:29It's... She looks almost hard when you talk to her.

0:24:29 > 0:24:35I don't mean that disrespectfully. She's built this wall, hasn't she? Yes, she has. You have to.

0:24:35 > 0:24:41It's the only way you survive. When you see your son fighting for breath and there's nothing you can do,

0:24:41 > 0:24:46when he's had pneumonia, and in two months' time he's having another operation,

0:24:46 > 0:24:52then two months later another one, you've got to harden or you'd fall apart. I can see that.

0:24:53 > 0:24:59'Michelle fully understands how much she's changed.'

0:24:59 > 0:25:03So much has happened in seven years. Our life was turned upside down.

0:25:03 > 0:25:08I've just... I've learned to put a front up

0:25:08 > 0:25:14and just deal with things and not think too much into them. And just...just do it.

0:25:15 > 0:25:19'I hide my feelings in front of people, even my close family.

0:25:19 > 0:25:25'But if I didn't, I think I'd be an absolute wreck by now.'

0:25:25 > 0:25:28What's the toughest part about it?

0:25:32 > 0:25:35It's tough when Josh is ill.

0:25:36 > 0:25:40And just... everything he's been through.

0:25:40 > 0:25:45It's hard to see him suffer the way he has done.

0:25:47 > 0:25:53And being a parent, you're meant to protect your kids and there's nothing we can do.

0:25:54 > 0:25:58You blame yourself. You blame yourself? Yeah.

0:25:58 > 0:26:05Because, you know, you're a parent. You're meant to stop your children getting ill, to make them better.

0:26:05 > 0:26:11I don't think this was in your control, was it? No, but in the time when it happened,

0:26:11 > 0:26:17it was such a whirlwind that we did blame ourselves. I don't think the anger will ever go away,

0:26:17 > 0:26:21but to help me cope and to deal with it on a daily basis,

0:26:21 > 0:26:27I...not block it out, but I choose not to think about it.

0:26:32 > 0:26:36'Our build is clearly vital for the family,

0:26:36 > 0:26:41'but as we near the end of Day Two, the extension is on borrowed time.'

0:26:41 > 0:26:47Can we have the crane tomorrow or not? No, you can't. It's booked out to another site.

0:26:47 > 0:26:51So it has to be done tonight? Yes. It's 4.30 now. It'll be midnight.

0:26:51 > 0:26:57Are the guys going to work through? Wayne, it's going to be a late one, isn't it? Very late.

0:26:57 > 0:27:03It's very nearly the longest day of the year, so they'll have light longer than any other day.

0:27:03 > 0:27:06Watching the match in the pub? Shall we?

0:27:06 > 0:27:10'Ah, if only! We've got just one goal in sight.

0:27:10 > 0:27:14'Thanks to these great trades, we are going to do it. We had to.'

0:27:22 > 0:27:25# Summertime... #

0:27:25 > 0:27:29'Yesterday's efforts may have paid off, but this is a disaster.

0:27:29 > 0:27:36'Our new extension's done, but not watertight. This is no ordinary downpour.'

0:27:36 > 0:27:40'Seven flood warnings remain in place after parts of Yorkshire...

0:27:40 > 0:27:42'From the air...

0:27:42 > 0:27:49'With more rain forecast, everyone is praying there won't be a repeat of the flash flooding.'

0:27:49 > 0:27:53'At this rate, we should be building an ark, not a flippin' house!

0:27:53 > 0:27:55'It has to ease up, doesn't it?'

0:27:55 > 0:28:00At five o'clock, 100% torrential rain. Is it getting heavier?

0:28:00 > 0:28:04At 2200 hours, when we'll be going home, torrential rain.

0:28:04 > 0:28:06It's freezing cold, raining.

0:28:06 > 0:28:09Rain, rain, rain, gentle rain.

0:28:09 > 0:28:14Normally, if it stayed like this, you wouldn't bother. You'd just wrap up and go home.

0:28:14 > 0:28:20This has obviously got to be done, so we've obviously got to work at it.

0:28:20 > 0:28:25'I forecast a low front, very much like Julian, brightening up when tea arrives,

0:28:25 > 0:28:29'but we could do without added complications.'

0:28:29 > 0:28:33We've got to get all these down. Why?! They're the wrong height.

0:28:33 > 0:28:38The wrong height? There's got to be 250 clearance. We've only got 180.

0:28:38 > 0:28:44'Gabby's not being picky. The clearance is essential to fit a hoist between bedroom and bathroom.'

0:28:46 > 0:28:50These studs, because they're floating, have no integral strength.

0:28:50 > 0:28:57So Darren's had these metal plates made up here. You think, "Not a big problem." Just drop the wall.

0:28:57 > 0:29:01But you've got to take the metal plates out, drop them, refix them,

0:29:01 > 0:29:05take the plasterboard off to get them,

0:29:05 > 0:29:07hold all the plasterers up.

0:29:07 > 0:29:10Gentlemen, sorry about this.

0:29:10 > 0:29:14I'll do my happy face. Go on. That's his happy face.

0:29:14 > 0:29:18What else can go wrong today?

0:29:18 > 0:29:21Well, you could be trying to landscape the garden.

0:29:22 > 0:29:26We'll start by taking that banking out, so we can reduce the level,

0:29:26 > 0:29:29so we can get better access for the wheelchair.

0:29:29 > 0:29:33I'm so sorry it's today and we've had this blissful weather. It's been fabulous.

0:29:36 > 0:29:39Do you know what I mostly like about plastering?

0:29:39 > 0:29:42It's indoors. Look at them poor sausages.

0:29:42 > 0:29:44Landscape gardeners?

0:29:44 > 0:29:46No, plastering for me.

0:29:46 > 0:29:52It's not just the gardeners. Spare a thought for the guys battling to seal the extension.

0:29:52 > 0:29:55This is causing us no end of problems.

0:29:55 > 0:29:58These guys here, all the stonework...

0:29:58 > 0:30:00all the slips that they're doing,

0:30:00 > 0:30:05this cement board it's on is getting wet and they can't glue the stone to the wet board.

0:30:05 > 0:30:10They'll cut those sections out and make new boards that go together like that.

0:30:10 > 0:30:14It'll be tight. If it carries on raining, then we'll be really tight.

0:30:14 > 0:30:18We'll get our bit done and if we can hold the rain off for Monday,

0:30:18 > 0:30:21get the pointers in, it'll be there or thereabouts.

0:30:21 > 0:30:23It's OK. It's wet still.

0:30:23 > 0:30:26But, you know, I might grow!

0:30:26 > 0:30:28LAUGHTER

0:30:30 > 0:30:34It drips off your coat and straight on to your waistband,

0:30:34 > 0:30:41so I can feel it actually... seeping down around my genitalia at the moment.

0:30:41 > 0:30:44Is that a PC way of putting it?

0:30:44 > 0:30:49'I'm not really sure how to put it. It's certainly not an image I want to linger on if that's all right.'

0:30:49 > 0:30:52Keep batting.

0:30:52 > 0:30:58There's no point in wearing clothes because we're just ending up getting completely soaked. It is summer!

0:30:58 > 0:31:03'That's a proper Irish body, isn't it? Look at it!' Look at that!

0:31:03 > 0:31:05'He's completely lost it.

0:31:05 > 0:31:09'In two days we've had a month of rain, but it hasn't dampened our spirits

0:31:09 > 0:31:13'because we've set our sights on sorting out this house

0:31:13 > 0:31:16'for Josh, his mum and dad and his sister Dani.'

0:31:16 > 0:31:20It's a bit hard because my mum sometimes gets a bit worn out

0:31:20 > 0:31:24because she's getting up at early hours in the morning

0:31:24 > 0:31:30and having to get him dressed, then she's also got to work, so she gets a bit tired.

0:31:30 > 0:31:37But I think they both cope really well and they look after Josh very well.

0:31:38 > 0:31:44Sometimes you don't realise, but everything you do and say, it's, "We can't because of Joshua,"

0:31:44 > 0:31:50or, "In a minute because I've got to do this for Joshua." Her whole life is dominated by Joshua.

0:31:50 > 0:31:54But she loves him to bits. He beams off his big sister. He really does.

0:31:54 > 0:31:57He loves his big sister. She's very good for him.

0:31:57 > 0:32:02'Billy's taken a break to meet up with Dani and best mate Lauren in a milk bar.

0:32:02 > 0:32:05'Well, we thought it would take him back to his youth.'

0:32:05 > 0:32:08What do you want to do in life? You're 12 now.

0:32:08 > 0:32:13I want to be a support assistant for people with special needs.

0:32:13 > 0:32:18Is this because of Josh or do you feel like you'd like to do that?

0:32:18 > 0:32:23It's sort of because of Josh and things, but I just enjoy doing it, really.

0:32:23 > 0:32:27I like having cuddles with Josh when he's a bit stressed

0:32:27 > 0:32:31and I sit him on my lap and do nursery rhymes with him.

0:32:31 > 0:32:36Sometimes if they're running late, I help him get changed and things.

0:32:36 > 0:32:39You know we're here for nine days to change your house.

0:32:39 > 0:32:42How do you think that will benefit everybody?

0:32:42 > 0:32:47We can take him upstairs easier and my mum's back won't be getting any worse.

0:32:47 > 0:32:50And I think Josh will have a better time.

0:32:50 > 0:32:54Let's be a bit selfish here. What would YOU like? Go on, be selfish.

0:32:54 > 0:32:57It would be nice to have a bigger room

0:32:57 > 0:32:59because when I have sleepovers,

0:32:59 > 0:33:05we've got to be really quiet because my brother wakes up in the night.

0:33:05 > 0:33:10If we do a bigger room for Danielle and everything, it would benefit you as well.

0:33:10 > 0:33:14If she snores, you won't be able to hear it, will you? No.

0:33:15 > 0:33:17'Aw, nice chat, Bill.

0:33:17 > 0:33:19'Just four days left and still a long way to go.

0:33:19 > 0:33:25'Despite a thorough drenching, everyone's come back for more. At least the rain's stopped.'

0:33:25 > 0:33:29What's that on your face? It's not called a smile, is it?

0:33:29 > 0:33:34You've got to be joking after yesterday! Yesterday was the hardest day's graft for a long time.

0:33:34 > 0:33:40The boys all did really well. We took that gable off. I didn't think we'd get that far.

0:33:40 > 0:33:44'But on a job like this, the devil's in the detail.'

0:33:44 > 0:33:46Great news. I've got a cat flap.

0:33:47 > 0:33:49Oh, wicked!

0:33:49 > 0:33:53Brilliant. And look how many... We've got a cat flap!

0:33:54 > 0:33:57We've got a cat flap. A cat flap? Yeah, we've got one.

0:33:57 > 0:34:00Steve, we've got a cat flap!

0:34:00 > 0:34:03'Alert NATO!'

0:34:03 > 0:34:06Blimey, big moles up here in Yorkshire!

0:34:08 > 0:34:15Today, we're here to fit the kitchen in and we're just helping out with the external work over here.

0:34:15 > 0:34:19It's a little bit delayed. We thought we'd pitch in and help out over here.

0:34:19 > 0:34:21That'll teach him to turn up early!

0:34:21 > 0:34:25'Those plasterers wanted a little glory. Well, here it is.

0:34:25 > 0:34:29'Thanks to them, the room is ready for the new kitchen to be fitted.'

0:34:29 > 0:34:35Well done, boys. They've worked through their lunch and haven't had a cup of tea. Are you happy? You're in.

0:34:35 > 0:34:39Brilliant. Thank you. You've made our life a lot easier.

0:34:46 > 0:34:49'Magnificent, isn't it?'

0:34:49 > 0:34:54I've never seen a building so busy with so many people trying to do so many things at once.

0:34:54 > 0:35:00'Not everyone is covering themselves in glory.' The kitchen fitters have got their markings wrong.

0:35:00 > 0:35:03These dodgy sparkies! Can't see the gap, can you(?)

0:35:04 > 0:35:07Mad!

0:35:09 > 0:35:14'Getting paint on the walls is always a good sign. It means we're nearing the end of a job.

0:35:14 > 0:35:17'If only we could read Gabby's mind.'

0:35:17 > 0:35:22So what's the big debate about? This is the colour for the dining room they chose.

0:35:22 > 0:35:26That's the colour for the kitchen. That is a debate, innit? Yeah.

0:35:26 > 0:35:30Isn't that going to look a bit weird, having that block of colour...

0:35:30 > 0:35:36If you've got an off-white wall and you've got one strip... It's the prism, isn't it?

0:35:36 > 0:35:40Prism? The prism of light. Prism of light!

0:35:41 > 0:35:43What's a prism of light?

0:35:43 > 0:35:48I don't know. I heard it once. I thought it sounded good. LAUGHTER

0:35:48 > 0:35:51He said, "Your paint's splashing. It doesn't look right."

0:35:51 > 0:35:55"It's the prism of light." I thought I'd use it again. Fair play.

0:35:55 > 0:35:58'Yeah, fair play. Must try that one on Gabby. Maybe later.

0:35:58 > 0:36:03'She's gone to meet Sarah, a friend of Michelle's with her own challenges.'

0:36:03 > 0:36:07How did you meet Michelle? How have you guys become so close?

0:36:07 > 0:36:10I have a little girl who has cerebral palsy.

0:36:10 > 0:36:14The way we met is there's a group of mums that became friends.

0:36:14 > 0:36:19They're all mums with children with special needs. We ended up socialising together.

0:36:19 > 0:36:25I don't know how she puts on a brave face. I couldn't cope with the things Michelle copes with.

0:36:25 > 0:36:31My little girl can't walk, but she can tell me what she wants, she can tell me when she's tired or hungry.

0:36:31 > 0:36:35Joshua can't do that. He can't tell her what he wants.

0:36:35 > 0:36:39I just think to have that all day every day, it's hard for anybody.

0:36:39 > 0:36:44She might be breaking her heart inside, but you just can't see that.

0:36:44 > 0:36:47I just think that takes... It's a lot of admiration for her.

0:36:47 > 0:36:50I couldn't do it and I know I couldn't.

0:36:50 > 0:36:54'This kind of support helps them get through the tough times

0:36:54 > 0:37:00'and the friends catch up each week while the children are in the safe hands of carers.

0:37:00 > 0:37:03'Always up for a cuppa, Jules and Chris pop in to meet them.'

0:37:03 > 0:37:07Even though it's an hour and a half, I bet it makes a massive difference.

0:37:07 > 0:37:14They're with all their friends. Some they've been with since they were six months old. It's great.

0:37:14 > 0:37:19We're all in the same situation one way or another. No apologies needed. That's it.

0:37:19 > 0:37:22We borrow things and nappies and... You know?

0:37:22 > 0:37:27It's almost your own little internal support network. Yeah, it's total support.

0:37:27 > 0:37:32You know, you don't even think about what we have together as parents. Right.

0:37:32 > 0:37:34Yeah, it's quite special, really.

0:37:34 > 0:37:37It's only parents with disabled children that...

0:37:37 > 0:37:42We just bounce off each other. We understand each other, don't we?

0:37:42 > 0:37:47'Back on site, it's an understanding that is also shared by one of our decorators.'

0:37:47 > 0:37:50My daughter had an accident eight year ago.

0:37:50 > 0:37:55She was perfectly able-bodied, but now she's in a wheelchair needing a lot of help and care.

0:37:55 > 0:38:00She can't do anything for herself, so we've had to go through it all.

0:38:00 > 0:38:03Just to have 'em in the house, it's, you know...

0:38:04 > 0:38:10It breaks your heart. Sorry. I know what it feels like, so... Yeah, just to have 'em at home.

0:38:10 > 0:38:14In these situations, sometimes you lose faith in people that are around,

0:38:14 > 0:38:19then something like this happens and they all come from everywhere. It's unbelievable.

0:38:19 > 0:38:25'Just two days to go. Better make sure our Gabby's happy. No time to change things now.'

0:38:25 > 0:38:32Are you happy about the decision we made in here? That's brilliant. Yeah? Jules has done a fabulous job.

0:38:32 > 0:38:35They carried the white into this section. Good design decision.

0:38:35 > 0:38:40So that's a good design decision. Yeah. I've got another one for you. What's that?

0:38:43 > 0:38:45You are joking?

0:38:45 > 0:38:47We sorted it for you, babe.

0:38:48 > 0:38:53There we go. Oh, my word! That is the worst thing I've ever seen.

0:38:53 > 0:38:56What are we going to do? What do you mean? We've done it.

0:38:56 > 0:38:59No, but really, what are we going to do?

0:38:59 > 0:39:04I don't think you actually get it. Really, we've done it. That's it.

0:39:04 > 0:39:07'What's her problem? Cats can climb.'

0:39:07 > 0:39:09Yeah, she loves it, lads!

0:39:09 > 0:39:12It's just the worst thing I've ever seen.

0:39:12 > 0:39:14Mark!

0:39:15 > 0:39:17SHE LAUGHS

0:39:17 > 0:39:22'Didn't her mum warn her about putting her hands in areas like that?' Ow!

0:39:22 > 0:39:24I'm here. Right here. Who's that?

0:39:24 > 0:39:26Oh, my God, it's Chris!

0:39:26 > 0:39:31I can't let go. I feel like I'm holding you from falling off a cliff.

0:39:31 > 0:39:34Please, Chris, I'll make you TWO cups of tea. I can't.

0:39:36 > 0:39:39'I promise he will let her go. The garden path has arrived.

0:39:39 > 0:39:43'Well, the concrete for it has and it's all hands to the pump.'

0:39:43 > 0:39:47See this little, short person behind me? Can you fill his right up?

0:39:50 > 0:39:56'Everybody who has helped us out on this deserves a medal. There are extraordinary people here.'

0:39:56 > 0:40:01Somebody told me you've been ill. Yes, I got diagnosed with leukaemia... I'm still ill now.

0:40:01 > 0:40:07I got diagnosed with leukaemia when I were 14, I think... 15, actually. 15. In March.

0:40:07 > 0:40:12There were some points where it were horrible cos it were like life and death.

0:40:12 > 0:40:16My family have always been there for me and helped me get through it.

0:40:16 > 0:40:20So I've never really been down. I've always put 100% in everything.

0:40:20 > 0:40:22Hey... Eh?

0:40:23 > 0:40:27Go on then. Get back to work! All right. LAUGHTER

0:40:27 > 0:40:30'What a top lad! His family must be so proud of him.

0:40:30 > 0:40:36'The last day is Gabby's day when everything comes together and the cushions come out. In theory!'

0:40:36 > 0:40:38Is upstairs ready to go pretty much?

0:40:38 > 0:40:42We're still fitting the hoist in Joshua's room, so I can't get in there.

0:40:42 > 0:40:48We've still got some electrics to finish in Danielle's room, so I can't get in there.

0:40:48 > 0:40:51In the master bedroom, we've got the carpet and wardrobes going down.

0:40:51 > 0:40:54Have we got enough cushions though?

0:40:54 > 0:40:57I'm not sure. We might need just an extra two. Really?

0:40:57 > 0:41:00'She really does love her cushions.'

0:41:04 > 0:41:09Steve...? We've just got to get the lift up out the way, so the guys can get the flooring down. Yeah.

0:41:09 > 0:41:15But we should be all up and running by tonight? Yeah. Brilliant. Thank you very much.

0:41:18 > 0:41:23I can do all that. On day one, you said, "We were collared up at the top of the road.

0:41:23 > 0:41:26"We thought we'd give you a hand." It's day nine.

0:41:26 > 0:41:30We're still here for the little lad cos we've got children.

0:41:30 > 0:41:34After day one we said we'd come back for day two, then three, four...

0:41:34 > 0:41:37Then it was eight and nine and here we are hanging pictures.

0:41:39 > 0:41:46'Do you know what? Without chaps and chapesses like these, how else would we finish our big build in the time?

0:41:52 > 0:41:55'When we arrived, we found a much loved home

0:41:55 > 0:41:59'and a family struggling to look after their severely disabled son.

0:41:59 > 0:42:04'Without having the space or facilities they desperately needed,

0:42:04 > 0:42:07'it was becoming impossible to care for Joshua at home.'

0:42:07 > 0:42:12Joshua's health has deteriorated. He chokes, he's got a suction machine, a nebuliser.

0:42:12 > 0:42:16He's developed epilepsy, so he needs to be upstairs near us.

0:42:16 > 0:42:20'With mum Michelle suffering from a serious back condition,

0:42:20 > 0:42:24'lifting and carrying her growing son was putting her health at risk.

0:42:24 > 0:42:31'Without their house being adapted, the family faced a future where they may be forced to part.'

0:42:31 > 0:42:35If he's not here, he's not part of the family.

0:42:35 > 0:42:38We just want Joshua with us. With me, Michelle and Danielle.

0:42:41 > 0:42:44'So what did we and builders from the local community do?

0:42:44 > 0:42:47'Well, we made space. We took a modest semi

0:42:47 > 0:42:53'and built a generous two-storey extension to house everything the family needs to care for Josh.

0:42:55 > 0:42:59'The kitchen/diner was a no-go area for Joshua's wheelchair.

0:42:59 > 0:43:05'It's now an open-plan space all on one level, so Josh can be part of everyday family life,

0:43:05 > 0:43:09'the kind of life we all take for granted.

0:43:10 > 0:43:15'We re-designed the lounge, so everyone can relax together.

0:43:15 > 0:43:18'This house has been opened up for Josh to join in.

0:43:18 > 0:43:22'Michael and Michelle won't have to carry Josh any more.

0:43:22 > 0:43:27'We fitted a lift and hoist system that will take the strain,

0:43:27 > 0:43:30'meaning the family can get help at home at last.

0:43:34 > 0:43:38'Josh's bedroom was a cramped room taken up by a hospital bed.

0:43:41 > 0:43:46'We've made a space where Josh can safely and easily be moved around.

0:43:48 > 0:43:50'Even into his bathroom...

0:43:51 > 0:43:58'..where a raised changing area and bath will save Michelle's back from extra strain.

0:44:00 > 0:44:04'For Danielle, we've created a room fit for a teenager,

0:44:04 > 0:44:08'so she can have her own friends to stay whenever she wants.

0:44:08 > 0:44:12'Michael and Michelle's cluttered bedroom has gone.

0:44:12 > 0:44:14'It's now a calm space to relax in.

0:44:16 > 0:44:23'And the family bathroom that they all struggle to use has been given a modern, bright facelift.

0:44:23 > 0:44:24'But we didn't stop there.

0:44:25 > 0:44:28'Outside, we've built a deck and path

0:44:28 > 0:44:33'which will make the whole garden accessible to Josh for the first time.

0:44:33 > 0:44:37'All up, this is a proper family home

0:44:37 > 0:44:40'and should see them right into the future.'

0:44:47 > 0:44:52Right, we've had to take your house apart and do a lot with it, so this is going to be a bit of a shock,

0:44:52 > 0:44:55but we hope you like it. Open your eyes.

0:44:55 > 0:44:58SHE GASPS Oh, my God!

0:45:02 > 0:45:04It's just... I didn't expect this.

0:45:05 > 0:45:08I really, really didn't expect this.

0:45:08 > 0:45:10It's completely different.

0:45:14 > 0:45:16Oh, do you... Oh!

0:45:16 > 0:45:20Wow! No, I didn't expect this at all.

0:45:20 > 0:45:22It's just completely...

0:45:22 > 0:45:28The key thing is the floor is the same throughout the ground floor. This used to be your dining room.

0:45:28 > 0:45:31Right. Oh, my... Wow!

0:45:31 > 0:45:35We thought we'd expand the kitchen whilst we're at it. Yeah?

0:45:36 > 0:45:38Have a wander round. It's your kitchen.

0:45:38 > 0:45:42Oh, I've got a dishwasher! I've never had a dishwasher before.

0:45:42 > 0:45:48Organised. Storage space. Storage space. Loads of storage space over there and over here too.

0:45:48 > 0:45:51There's a cat flap. One of the most important things(!)

0:45:51 > 0:45:55And you'll have noticed now also your new dining room.

0:45:56 > 0:45:58Wow! I just didn't...

0:45:58 > 0:46:04Oh, my word! As dreams, I didn't expect this. Josh can just be everywhere.

0:46:04 > 0:46:07Well, he can sit in with me, can't he? Yeah.

0:46:07 > 0:46:09He can be in with us all the time now.

0:46:09 > 0:46:13There's no reason why he can't be in the kitchen or the dining room.

0:46:13 > 0:46:16I'm being nosey now. Just press it.

0:46:17 > 0:46:20Wow! It's fantastic, isn't it?

0:46:21 > 0:46:27I completely forgot about the lift. It was only because I went round the corner. I completely forgot.

0:46:27 > 0:46:31The most important thing and I just forgot! But that's the great thing.

0:46:31 > 0:46:35The house has to be functional for Josh and for you to move him around,

0:46:35 > 0:46:41but we didn't want it to feel like a house that felt like it had been built around just the functionality.

0:46:41 > 0:46:46The key being that you can access all the way round, so if the family are round the table,

0:46:46 > 0:46:52it is the easiest thing in the world to wheel Josh up to be part of your mealtime.

0:46:52 > 0:46:54I can't believe like ten days ago...

0:46:54 > 0:46:59Yeah, that's it. I never imagined that it would look anything like this.

0:46:59 > 0:47:04We can just bring him in with us. He can be in with us all the time. It's fantastic, lovely.

0:47:04 > 0:47:07It's not our house!

0:47:07 > 0:47:08Oh, wow!

0:47:08 > 0:47:14If you opened that door and walked out, you'd be walking on to the roof of your garage? Yeah, falling out.

0:47:14 > 0:47:18Well, take a little stroll down and open it and see what's there.

0:47:21 > 0:47:23Oh!

0:47:23 > 0:47:26This is our little boy's room.

0:47:26 > 0:47:30He's got his own little bedroom. Look at the lights on the ceiling!

0:47:30 > 0:47:36SOBBING He's got his own little bedroom. Are you all right? It's all for him.

0:47:40 > 0:47:43He's finally got a proper bedroom.

0:47:45 > 0:47:49It's a proper bedroom with a proper area.

0:47:49 > 0:47:53You can get an extra bed in if anyone needs to sleep in with him.

0:47:53 > 0:47:58Look up at the stars! There you go. He'll love that at night. That's going to be ideal.

0:47:58 > 0:48:00It's about being relaxed.

0:48:00 > 0:48:04It's brilliant. Then how do you get him everywhere else?

0:48:04 > 0:48:07Well, this is where this whole winch system comes in,

0:48:07 > 0:48:11so you can bring it all the way to the lift if you need to.

0:48:11 > 0:48:16Once you get him, you can bring him up to here and across to the bed.

0:48:16 > 0:48:19When you need to take him out of the bed, you can pick him up.

0:48:19 > 0:48:24You might like to come through this way to see the other part of this.

0:48:26 > 0:48:28Look at that.

0:48:29 > 0:48:34Yeah, his own bathroom, so with the winch you can take him across to the bath.

0:48:34 > 0:48:37You'll notice a couple of things about the bath. It's set higher

0:48:37 > 0:48:41which makes it easier for you to look after him.

0:48:41 > 0:48:44I just didn't imagine the space being anything like this.

0:48:50 > 0:48:52It just feels massive.

0:48:54 > 0:48:59It's going to make life just so much easier. It's a proper little boy's bedroom.

0:48:59 > 0:49:02He's an eight-year-old boy who's never had this.

0:49:02 > 0:49:08He just had a tiny little room with a big hospital-looking bed in there and that was it.

0:49:08 > 0:49:15Now he's got a proper bedroom. He's got a proper little boy's bedroom, a normal bedroom, hasn't he? Yeah.

0:49:15 > 0:49:17For once, I'm actually speechless.

0:49:18 > 0:49:19Yeah.

0:49:19 > 0:49:22Shall we see what we've done for Danielle?

0:49:22 > 0:49:24Oh!

0:49:24 > 0:49:27Oh, my God! This used to be our bedroom.

0:49:27 > 0:49:31This is amazing. Oh, my God, she's going to love this!

0:49:31 > 0:49:36Oh, and the most important pictures of Harry! Oh, yeah, yeah.

0:49:36 > 0:49:43This is brilliant. It's got a proper desk as well. There's everything she wanted. That's fantastic.

0:49:45 > 0:49:51Do you think she'll be pleased with this? We always have to put Josh first and she goes along with it.

0:49:51 > 0:49:53You know, she accepts it.

0:49:53 > 0:49:58Everything was always about Joshua. Anything we did was about making life easier for Joshua.

0:49:58 > 0:50:00Now it's been done for her.

0:50:00 > 0:50:03If that's Josh's bathroom, you need to see...

0:50:03 > 0:50:07Let's do your bathroom on the way to your bedroom. How's that?

0:50:07 > 0:50:12We didn't imagine... We thought the bathroom would just be the same.

0:50:14 > 0:50:18Oh, we've got a bath! And a proper shower.

0:50:18 > 0:50:22We've got a bath again. I know. We haven't had a bath for years. No.

0:50:22 > 0:50:24We heard that. Yeah!

0:50:24 > 0:50:27I love this - sparkly. I love this.

0:50:27 > 0:50:30Bit of glamour. The tiling's brilliant. I like sparkle.

0:50:30 > 0:50:32Right, bedroom then. Come on.

0:50:33 > 0:50:35Oh, wow!

0:50:35 > 0:50:37Look at this.

0:50:37 > 0:50:40This feels so much bigger.

0:50:43 > 0:50:45A proper grown-up bed, look. Yeah.

0:50:45 > 0:50:48Does this mean I get...

0:50:48 > 0:50:52I imagine the way this will work is... My stuff in here?

0:50:52 > 0:50:55No, you won't get that because that's the hanging area.

0:50:55 > 0:51:00You won't get that because... That's my shoes. That's shoes. And handbags.

0:51:00 > 0:51:02And then, um...

0:51:02 > 0:51:06Yeah, you can have that bit. Just that bottom bit. Yeah. Not the top bit.

0:51:06 > 0:51:09That's way more than I had before!

0:51:09 > 0:51:14We just didn't expect this. We didn't expect all these rooms to be done. No.

0:51:14 > 0:51:20When we arrived here, it felt like the house that you loved was kind of fighting you... Yeah.

0:51:20 > 0:51:24What we've done with the house is just changed it around,

0:51:24 > 0:51:28so it's now working with you in everything that you do.

0:51:28 > 0:51:32It will do and not just for now. It's everything we need for the future.

0:51:32 > 0:51:35We've left out one room which is the living room.

0:51:35 > 0:51:40Shall we have a look at that, then chat about the house in general? Yeah.

0:51:43 > 0:51:45Wow!

0:51:46 > 0:51:50I've got a corner sofa. I've always wanted a corner sofa.

0:51:50 > 0:51:54Go and have a seat in it. We've even got a little table, look.

0:51:54 > 0:51:57Being all gangster, yeah, yeah.

0:51:57 > 0:52:01So it kind of doesn't feel like your house any more? No, no.

0:52:01 > 0:52:03It's like being in a show home.

0:52:04 > 0:52:08I love the curtains. I think Joshua will struggle more.

0:52:08 > 0:52:13He'll come in and it'll be very different. It's back to front, this room. But once he's used to it...

0:52:13 > 0:52:16I'm speechless. It's just amazing.

0:52:16 > 0:52:18It's like a brand-new house.

0:52:18 > 0:52:22Once we put our hands up on your behalf to ask for help,

0:52:22 > 0:52:25your whole community turned out. Yeah, yeah. It's just...

0:52:25 > 0:52:27It's just... It amazes me.

0:52:27 > 0:52:31They don't know us. They've done this and they've given up their time.

0:52:31 > 0:52:36They've done all this and they don't know us. It's so much to take in.

0:52:36 > 0:52:38I'm speechless.

0:52:38 > 0:52:42This is way over and above what we ever thought could be done.

0:52:42 > 0:52:45We never imagined anything like this.

0:52:47 > 0:52:50Oh, God! I can't wait to move back in.

0:52:50 > 0:52:53Do you want to come and see your bedroom? Yeah.

0:52:55 > 0:52:56Oh!

0:53:01 > 0:53:03I love it.

0:53:04 > 0:53:08It's really nice and it's massive.

0:53:08 > 0:53:12I know you really wanted pictures of Billy up on the walls,

0:53:12 > 0:53:18but we couldn't get any, so we found these blokes. I'm not quite sure who they are. Who is he?

0:53:18 > 0:53:22Harry Styles. That would be the person written over your T-shirt.

0:53:22 > 0:53:25Yeah. You're the future Mrs Harry Styles, are you?

0:53:25 > 0:53:29Have a little sit on the bed. Go on, try it out.

0:53:29 > 0:53:32It's really comfy.

0:53:32 > 0:53:37It was very important to us that we actually sorted out a really nice bedroom for you.

0:53:37 > 0:53:41You have to put up with a lot and you do it so well.

0:53:41 > 0:53:45You're so amazing and you put up with so much,

0:53:45 > 0:53:48we just wanted to make it special for you.

0:53:50 > 0:53:52I love you.

0:54:01 > 0:54:06Oh, wow! Remember we promised you that nowhere would be a Josh-free zone? Yeah.

0:54:06 > 0:54:11That included the garden. Despite the torrential rain over the last few days,

0:54:11 > 0:54:17some local landscapers, gardeners and garden designers and people were out here in that terrible weather,

0:54:17 > 0:54:21creating this garden and laying this path.

0:54:21 > 0:54:27Essentially, you've got full access all the way round. He's never been in his chair out into the garden.

0:54:27 > 0:54:29Look at that, all nice and level.

0:54:29 > 0:54:35Does that mean I'll have to learn what's a weed and what's a flower now? Look at that, eh?

0:54:39 > 0:54:42Where are we going?

0:54:42 > 0:54:44Look, look!

0:54:45 > 0:54:48- Josh, look! - He's got his own bath!

0:54:48 > 0:54:51Are we going to have some bubble baths?

0:54:51 > 0:54:54Are we going to have some jacuzzi bubble baths in here?

0:54:54 > 0:54:57Shall we have some jacuzzi bubble baths?

0:54:57 > 0:55:01Do you think we can both fit in there, Josh?

0:55:01 > 0:55:05Do you? Eh? Do you think we can both have a bubble bath?

0:55:05 > 0:55:10It's a lot to take in, isn't it, mister? You'll get used to it. It's good though, eh?

0:55:10 > 0:55:12Isn't it good? Eh?

0:55:12 > 0:55:14Yeah...

0:55:17 > 0:55:19Are we ready, family?

0:55:30 > 0:55:32Look at all these people.

0:55:37 > 0:55:41This is the family you've been working for all week. This is your client.

0:55:41 > 0:55:45And not everybody who's worked on it can be here. No.

0:55:45 > 0:55:51It gives you an idea of the number of people who have worked on it this week. Anything you'd like to say?

0:55:51 > 0:55:56Just a massive thank you. Thank you. We can't possibly thank all of you enough.

0:55:56 > 0:56:01You know, we're just so grateful you gave up your time to do this for us

0:56:01 > 0:56:03and for Joshua and D and...

0:56:03 > 0:56:08You know, Joshua's got a proper little bedroom now. An apartment.

0:56:08 > 0:56:11A boy's bedroom. Yeah, an apartment now.

0:56:14 > 0:56:17Are you laughing? Are you laughing?

0:56:17 > 0:56:20Is that for you, mister?

0:56:20 > 0:56:24I can't thank you enough. You don't know what this means to us.

0:56:24 > 0:56:28It's been a lot of downs, to be honest. We've not had too many ups.

0:56:28 > 0:56:34I think this will change our lives for the better now, for good. You know, it's...

0:56:34 > 0:56:38We've got a house that we don't have to worry about for the future now.

0:56:38 > 0:56:42Joshua can grow up here and there's never going to be any issues.

0:56:42 > 0:56:47We don't ever have to worry about leaving or him leaving us. It's brilliant.

0:56:47 > 0:56:51It's fantastic. I don't know how you've done it. I really don't.

0:56:57 > 0:57:01We did the kitchen. It's brilliant. I haven't seen it yet. Have you not?

0:57:01 > 0:57:04Thank you so much. It's just amazing.

0:57:04 > 0:57:07We put the cladding on top. Right, yeah. The brick cladding.

0:57:07 > 0:57:10This street has been fantastic.

0:57:10 > 0:57:15We had all our apprentices come and work here all week. We've had people here every day.

0:57:15 > 0:57:22Angela is the quickest assembler of special needs equipment I've ever seen. We were so stumped by it.

0:57:22 > 0:57:27Michael said an interesting thing to me this week. "We undervalue normal."

0:57:27 > 0:57:31Normal is sitting in front of the telly saying, "We always do this."

0:57:31 > 0:57:36Normality is the kids fighting and running round the house, causing problems.

0:57:36 > 0:57:40Normality is something that a family does together all the time.

0:57:40 > 0:57:45It's something that this family couldn't do because Josh was excluded from so much of the house.

0:57:45 > 0:57:50And the way these people have worked on this house has meant they've given him that back.

0:57:50 > 0:57:54They've given him a little bit of normality. It's really important.

0:57:54 > 0:57:57Maybe you know someone who needs your help.

0:58:00 > 0:58:05Sadly, in April this year, Joshua lost a long battle with pneumonia

0:58:05 > 0:58:08and passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family.

0:58:08 > 0:58:14The family want to say a massive, heartfelt thank you to all the trades, individuals and companies

0:58:14 > 0:58:16that helped transform their home.

0:58:16 > 0:58:22It meant the last few precious months were spent with Joshua at home where he felt safe and happy

0:58:22 > 0:58:25and that made a huge difference.

0:58:50 > 0:58:53Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd