0:00:02 > 0:00:04Last time on DIY SOS, we came to Manchester
0:00:04 > 0:00:09for our biggest ever build - creating a new community for war veterans who had served our country.
0:00:09 > 0:00:14We've had people drive up from Swansea, down from Glasgow, across from Hull, up from Kent.
0:00:14 > 0:00:18This is now a fully nationwide effort to get this street turned around for us.
0:00:18 > 0:00:22First off we turned empty houses into homes for veterans fighting
0:00:22 > 0:00:25a harrowing mental battle against post-traumatic stress.
0:00:25 > 0:00:31Nothing prepares you for seeing body parts of your mates.
0:00:31 > 0:00:36The biggest challenge is fighting your own mental state. I've got to get on with my life.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39We renovated a new home for ex-tank commander John Borge...
0:00:39 > 0:00:40It's absolutely amazing.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42..and his son Noah.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46- Is this your new room? - Yeah, for me. And there's my car!
0:00:46 > 0:00:50Veteran Jack Lamb was the first into our retraining centre
0:00:50 > 0:00:52where he and other veterans can stay whilst
0:00:52 > 0:00:56they learn new trades, enabling them to get back to work.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58I can't thank anyone enough.
0:00:58 > 0:01:03This is going to 100% give me the opportunity to make the best of myself now.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08In this episode, we have a new mission -
0:01:08 > 0:01:10to help a family man who has given so much in service.
0:01:10 > 0:01:16Without the injuries he was really tall and he liked playing football.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19He was a happy man. He was smiling all the time.
0:01:19 > 0:01:24But at times when he thinks of the injury, he becomes sad.
0:01:24 > 0:01:29Lamin suffered life-changing injuries whilst serving in Afghanistan.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33I said, "What do you mean I lose my legs?" I was devastated.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36Because I thought that I'm done, you know?
0:01:38 > 0:01:43We're going to build him and his family the new home they need.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47These two houses will be knocked into one to create a perfect home for Lamin's family.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49And we're stepping it up a gear.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51We're building a support centre
0:01:51 > 0:01:53that does exactly what it says on the tin -
0:01:53 > 0:01:56looking after veterans as they return to civilian life.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59And we're taking on the challenge of doing up the whole street.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03We're refurbishing the front on every house on this side of the street
0:02:03 > 0:02:06and on this side of the street, and resurfacing the road,
0:02:06 > 0:02:10rebuilding a community so that we can provide homes
0:02:10 > 0:02:13and job opportunities for people who have given so much to their country.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16It's an epic build that's even received the Royal seal of approval.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18Nice to see you.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21- ..with a sausage.- Sausage?! - Royal sausage.- Royal sausage? - LAUGHTER
0:02:21 > 0:02:24This is the first time you've done this, isn't it?
0:02:24 > 0:02:28- We're meant to complete this in just 12 days.- OMG.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31But the sheer scale of the project might just overwhelm us.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35This is the first time ever that we've gone over the allocated time
0:02:35 > 0:02:37in the 16 years we've been doing this.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41But it will be worth it if we can help veterans rebuild their lives.
0:02:41 > 0:02:42SOBBING
0:02:42 > 0:02:45This is DIY SOS, the biggest ever, ever, ever build!
0:02:45 > 0:02:49CHEERING
0:03:08 > 0:03:12Lamin Manneh lives in Greater Manchester with his wife, Binta.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15We've been married now for 13 years.
0:03:15 > 0:03:20Oh, I love him so much. I love him. He's everything to me.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24My love for Binta is not... I can't put a word on it.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28I can't put numbers on it. It's just there for ever.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31They have five lively children together.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33My family, to me, is everything.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36That's where you get your joy and pride.
0:03:36 > 0:03:42When they moved to Britain from the Gambia, Lamin set his heart on contributing to his new homeland.
0:03:42 > 0:03:47I've been speaking to people who fought for Queen and country.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49They are so proud, and determined,
0:03:49 > 0:03:53so that gives me the desire to join the British Army.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57He loves England, and he said, "We want to give back something."
0:03:58 > 0:04:00Lamin joined the Irish Guards.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04In October of 2010, this family man went to face the Taliban
0:04:04 > 0:04:06on the front line in Afghanistan,
0:04:06 > 0:04:09willing to lay down his life for his country.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16The day we left England, I was a bit emotional because I'm leaving,
0:04:16 > 0:04:20because you've got your family, you've got your kids - you've got to expect that.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22I didn't want to show tears in front of a lady.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25He said, "I'll see you on the 7th of February."
0:04:27 > 0:04:30But it was emotional, that night.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34And he said, "OK, I love you." I said, "I love you back."
0:04:36 > 0:04:40Just three months into his tour of duty, Lamin was clearing mines
0:04:40 > 0:04:44so his fellow soldiers could build a new lookout post in safety.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48Then there was a massive explosion.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50EXPLOSION
0:04:50 > 0:04:54When it happened, I feel that somebody is putting something in my chest.
0:04:54 > 0:04:55I can remember that moment,
0:04:55 > 0:04:58and some of my mates around me telling me,
0:04:58 > 0:05:00"You'll be all right, you'll be all right."
0:05:00 > 0:05:04In reality, it was far from all right.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08Lamin had lost not only both legs, but also an arm
0:05:08 > 0:05:11when a makeshift Taliban explosive device exploded.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15After seven days in a coma,
0:05:15 > 0:05:18it was Binta who had the awful job of breaking the news.
0:05:18 > 0:05:23That moment...is horrible.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26I have to tell him, "You've lost your legs."
0:05:26 > 0:05:31I said, "What do you mean I lose my legs? I can feel my legs under the bed. Still there."
0:05:31 > 0:05:35I said, "No, you don't have any legs. And you don't have hand."
0:05:35 > 0:05:38We have to tell him over and over.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42I was devastated.
0:05:42 > 0:05:47Tears started coming out. You know, just kept crying.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51He said, "My kids don't even recognise me."
0:05:51 > 0:05:54They're even scared to go to him.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57It was the worst day in our life.
0:05:57 > 0:06:02In my life. Because our life changed completely.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09During those dark days, Lamin struggled
0:06:09 > 0:06:14as he began to realise the impact that his loss of limbs would have on his family.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18When I saw my kids so young...
0:06:18 > 0:06:21Because I thought, "That's it.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24"I'm... I'm done", you know?
0:06:24 > 0:06:28I can't give them what they want. I can't be there for them.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31Can't give them security, can't give them protection.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34He thinks, "My life has ended."
0:06:34 > 0:06:38I said "No, we'll be there for each other, we'll help you.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40"We'll look after each other."
0:06:42 > 0:06:47Now he's left the Army and lives in Manchester, getting used to his prosthetic legs.
0:06:52 > 0:06:57He was a happy man, smiling, making jokes all the time.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00But at times when he thinks of the injury,
0:07:00 > 0:07:06he becomes sad, and that makes us as a family very sad.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08Because Lamin is not happy.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12And this house is only making things worse.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16Lamin suffers constantly from a condition known as phantom limb pain.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20He's unable to climb into the bath to relieve his discomfort.
0:07:22 > 0:07:23He can't cook on his legs,
0:07:23 > 0:07:27and this kitchen just doesn't work when you're in a wheelchair.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30And it's so hard to get upstairs, he can go months without ever
0:07:30 > 0:07:34enjoying the simple act of putting his children to bed
0:07:34 > 0:07:36and reading them stories.
0:07:36 > 0:07:41We do everything downstairs, or if they need something upstairs they have to go by themselves.
0:07:41 > 0:07:46This house is separating Lamin from his family, the family he loves so much.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50It breaks everyone's heart, including his eldest son, Mousa.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52If I had three wishes it would be
0:07:52 > 0:07:56my dad never got injured, he could walk around on his own without
0:07:56 > 0:07:58people helping him,
0:07:58 > 0:08:02and he could come to my football matches and watch me play.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07I love my dad so much that I would do anything for him.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11This hero, who has given so much to protect us,
0:08:11 > 0:08:14is becoming distanced from the family he loves so dearly.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18This after he's already had to leave his other family,
0:08:18 > 0:08:22the military, and the support network that provides.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26You've got people around who know what you've been through and they want to help you,
0:08:26 > 0:08:30as good neighbours and people from the same military background.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34Cos when people from military come to civilian life,
0:08:34 > 0:08:38maybe people don't realise what you go through.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41We can't turn back the clock for Lamin. I wish we could.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43But with a bit of luck and a lot of help,
0:08:43 > 0:08:45we might be able to build him a home -
0:08:45 > 0:08:51somewhere where he'll be surrounded by fellow veterans, the military family he misses so much.
0:08:54 > 0:09:00We want Lamin to be part of the new veterans' community that we're starting in Manchester.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02This is what it looked like four months ago -
0:09:02 > 0:09:05a rundown cul-de-sac blighted by empty homes.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08Believe it or not, the two we've earmarked to knock together
0:09:08 > 0:09:11for Lamin and his family were a cannabis factory.
0:09:13 > 0:09:18Of course, on the face of it, these don't look like places that you'd ever want to live.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21But if we rip out everything, all the walls, take the stairwells out,
0:09:21 > 0:09:23these will become nice homes again.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25They were once - people lived here proudly.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28But people do still live in the street,
0:09:28 > 0:09:31and we think the whole community should benefit.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34We thought, well, why don't we have a go at actually doing the whole street?
0:09:34 > 0:09:36Honestly, we really do appreciate it.
0:09:36 > 0:09:41- We do, yeah. Thanks very much. - All good? My pleasure. - That's great, Nick.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44Well, before we turn up, we have to change all the utilities.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48They've already gone in - water, gas, telephone, all those things.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54Now we've got just 12 days to transform this wreck for Lamin.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56And that's just the start.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59At the same time, we're also going to turn this derelict house
0:09:59 > 0:10:01into a support centre for both the residents
0:10:01 > 0:10:03and to reach out to veterans elsewhere
0:10:03 > 0:10:05who might be homeless or unemployed.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07And as if that's not enough,
0:10:07 > 0:10:10the plan is to give everyone new windows and doors
0:10:10 > 0:10:14and render the outside of the ENTIRE street, and landscape it.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18- Are we ready to go? ALL:- Yes!
0:10:18 > 0:10:20It really is our biggest ever build.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26- So, Lamin's house. This is the big one. This is the big one, the big star, the important...- Massive.
0:10:26 > 0:10:31These little houses are very lovely, but on their own, not big enough for a family of seven.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- So we're knocking two into one. - Two into one.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37But we're not off to a good start, as you'd have seen last time.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41We have less than a third of the trades we hoped for, and with the rest of the street to do,
0:10:41 > 0:10:45we just don't have the manpower to clear Lamin's house.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49- How far are we behind after 15 minutes?- Probably a week.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51- That's just ridiculous.- Yeah, I know.
0:10:51 > 0:10:56- It's crazy, isn't it? - And we've got 100 people... - Where we should have 350.- Yes.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58- That's the same number of people as we had for one house.- Exactly.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00- That's not going to work, is it? - Not really, no.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03But I'm sure we'll work it out somehow.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07Cracking start, isn't it?
0:11:07 > 0:11:10Ceilings, walls, even floors need to come out.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12There's more to do with fewer people than usual.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14So every man is vital.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18Where's Billy? Can't find him. We've got no power on the site.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21Wherever he is, you'll hear him. You'll hear him somewhere.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24Billy, where are you? We need you to get the power up and running.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26Stop messing around, wherever you are.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30BAGPIPES PLAY
0:11:31 > 0:11:37# ..go marching in I want to be... #
0:11:37 > 0:11:40Really? I mean, really?
0:11:40 > 0:11:45# Oh, when the Spurs go marching in. #
0:11:45 > 0:11:49Once a sea cadet, always a sea cadet, apparently.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54- You can actually...- That's very good. - He can do it.- Yeah, he's very good.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57Do you need another member of the band? Permanently?
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Cos we've had him for 16 years, so we don't mind if you want him.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03- We're full. We're absolutely full. - Yeah, funny, that...
0:12:03 > 0:12:07The power's back, but on a normal build this house would be cleared by now
0:12:07 > 0:12:11and ready for designer Gabrielle Blackman's vision to start taking shape.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17We're a little bit behind. Not to panic anyone.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19I've got a question for you.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22- He's going to be in here in his new extension.- Yeah.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24Are you going to paint a Muriel over there for him?
0:12:24 > 0:12:27Why would I paint a Muriel over there, darling?
0:12:27 > 0:12:29Look at the view he's got. Can you not brighten it up for him?
0:12:29 > 0:12:32- No, but we've got a wall and an amazing garden...- Yeah.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34- Paint it green, paint trees on it. - Yeah.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37It's a bit embarrassing, we're the only ones coming up with ideas.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39Designer is just sitting there saying no.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42You say you've got nothing to do, you've still got this one. Make it work.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45Look, I've got all these drawings and ideas. It's all done.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49Sand, sea, palm trees. A little hotel.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52- Please stop it, cos you're making me more annoyed. - OK.
0:12:52 > 0:12:53Let me ask you a question.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55How do you feel about the whole project?
0:12:55 > 0:12:58Cos obviously it's kind of my fault, a little bit.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00- It is ALL your fault.- A little bit?
0:13:00 > 0:13:05That is what's written on the top of my notes. "This is Nick's fault."
0:13:05 > 0:13:07'I can't understand why Gabby's a bit upset.
0:13:07 > 0:13:12'Well, really I can, cos she put a lot of work into the plans for Lamin.'
0:13:12 > 0:13:14We're taking two houses and knocking them together
0:13:14 > 0:13:16to make one spacious home.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19Downstairs there'll be a large lounge with wide doorways
0:13:19 > 0:13:21and room to move around.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23A massive extension creates a kitchen-dining room
0:13:23 > 0:13:26for the whole family with units which rise and fall
0:13:26 > 0:13:27to help Lamin join in.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32Lamin and Binta will have a sumptuous bedroom downstairs
0:13:32 > 0:13:33with ensuite bathroom
0:13:33 > 0:13:36and a soothing mobility bath, meaning he will finally be able
0:13:36 > 0:13:39to soak away those pains.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43Completing the plan is this lift to three bedrooms for the children.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46Lamin will no longer be denied the simple but vital pleasure
0:13:46 > 0:13:47of putting his kids to bed.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52But we're a long way from that as we're really lacking the manpower.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55We'll try just about anything to get on top of this.
0:13:57 > 0:13:58That's a bit tight, isn't it?
0:13:58 > 0:14:02Yeah, but they are kind of built for this very thing, aren't they?
0:14:02 > 0:14:05I mean, you've been in tighter than that, haven't you?
0:14:05 > 0:14:08- Oh, yeah. Within, like, two or three mil either side.- Yeah.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11Scraped all the edges on the way in and out, didn't you?
0:14:11 > 0:14:15- Quite envious, really, cos I should be doing that.- Should you?
0:14:15 > 0:14:17Yeah, not wide enough, mate.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20Much as we'd love to, we can't just prioritise Lamin's house.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22All over the street there are jobs that need doing
0:14:22 > 0:14:24and this community just won't work
0:14:24 > 0:14:26without the help of the support centre.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30Don't forget in the Armed Forces that there's a great infrastructure there,
0:14:30 > 0:14:35and when you belong to that system, then it's very, very supportive.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38You do difficult tasks in difficult places.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41But once you've come out of that, then you're on your own.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43So you feel like you're outside the family?
0:14:43 > 0:14:47I think if you get out and you're fine, you get on with it.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50But if you've got problems, it is hard to accept you've got problems.
0:14:50 > 0:14:55- You've no-one to talk to. - So do you think having a system here where we're building houses
0:14:55 > 0:14:58- where there will be a number of ex-military in a community... - Together.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02..with a support house for job training and counselling and all the rest of it...
0:15:02 > 0:15:04- Brilliant.- Phenomenal. Phenomenal. Phenomenal.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07If you've got mental problems, physical problems,
0:15:07 > 0:15:10you know you can knock on your neighbour and he understands
0:15:10 > 0:15:12what you're going through, what you've been through
0:15:12 > 0:15:13and it's perfect.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15That's why this is important.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18Most of the building work in Lamin's house depends on a new floor screed,
0:15:18 > 0:15:22but we can't lay that until we get this floor clear.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24Paul, what time are you turning up with that screed tomorrow?
0:15:24 > 0:15:26Six o'clock tomorrow night.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29- Are you delivering by, like, a chute and wheelbarrow or...?- No, no.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32- I've got you a concrete pump. - Have you?- Yes.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34- To the back of the...? - To get to the back.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36Aw! You lovely, lovely man!
0:15:36 > 0:15:39- Why are you joining in then, Paul? - My son-in-law is a soldier, so...
0:15:39 > 0:15:41- Is he? - Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
0:15:41 > 0:15:46Thank God he's not been injured, but... You do a brilliant job, so...
0:15:46 > 0:15:48I could kiss him! I'll get you to kiss him.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51LOUD KISSES
0:15:51 > 0:15:52Thank you!
0:15:52 > 0:15:54Yeah, all right. That's enough! He may not be...
0:15:54 > 0:15:56Get off!
0:15:57 > 0:15:59At least we can get on with the timber frame extension.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02It will make space for Lamin's bedroom with that special
0:16:02 > 0:16:05ensuite and the big kitchen-dining room which will look out
0:16:05 > 0:16:08on a garden designed by seven times Chelsea gold-medal winner,
0:16:08 > 0:16:10Adam Frost.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12He's landscaping the whole street,
0:16:12 > 0:16:15but has something special in store for Lamin.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17I've given him a little area to grow veg
0:16:17 > 0:16:21- because he said he'd quite like to grow veg.- Are they raised beds?
0:16:21 > 0:16:22Yeah, so he can literally...
0:16:22 > 0:16:26Not over-high, but the thing that I think is going to really be special
0:16:26 > 0:16:32for him, which breaks all my rules, is that I've put him in Astroturf.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35All the boys love football and Lamin can't get to the football
0:16:35 > 0:16:38so I want to create a little football pitch.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40It will be the littlest football pitch in Britain.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44Two little goals and the old man can sit there and watch them.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46How wonderful! Back on the street, the Prince of Darkness
0:16:46 > 0:16:49and his crew are still waiting to get the green light.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52There's so much demolition going on, getting Billy to get in,
0:16:52 > 0:16:55get his first fixed sparking done so the borders and the plasterers
0:16:55 > 0:16:57can follow him.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01I'm getting frustrated. Sparks not doing anything.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04But we've just sent them for a cup of tea.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06If things couldn't get any more ridiculous -
0:17:06 > 0:17:10and do feel free to laugh at us if you want to...
0:17:10 > 0:17:11This is actually quite funny...
0:17:11 > 0:17:15'We've got the digger stuck in the kitchen.'
0:17:15 > 0:17:17Eh, Adam!
0:17:17 > 0:17:20Good timing for you to be here because I've got some good news
0:17:20 > 0:17:23and bad news. The digger that you needed for the garden has turned up.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26The bad news is, we can't get it out of the house now that we got it in.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29Can you imagine walking in your front door when you get home
0:17:29 > 0:17:30from work and you've been in?
0:17:30 > 0:17:31Absolutely brilliant.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35What you can do is you dig a hole and you dig yourself further
0:17:35 > 0:17:37and further down and then when you've got it low enough,
0:17:37 > 0:17:39- we shovel it in all over the top and put a floor in.- Superb!
0:17:39 > 0:17:41Do you think everyone's talking rubbish
0:17:41 > 0:17:44- because we're in a state of panic? - Yes.- I'm absolutely fine.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46I've come up here to build five gardens
0:17:46 > 0:17:48and we've got two members of staff.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50Are you confident?
0:17:50 > 0:17:51No.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53LAUGHTER
0:17:53 > 0:17:58It's day one and we've had a third of the labour that was required.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00Yes.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02Now, that third is all going to go home and say,
0:18:02 > 0:18:05"Them boys are up against it. We need more labour."
0:18:05 > 0:18:06Let's have this conversation tomorrow
0:18:06 > 0:18:09and I bet we're all in a better place.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11As we face an uphill struggle,
0:18:11 > 0:18:13I've got a very important visitor to impress.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19As you can hear, there's a little heavy industry going on in there.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21- Yes. - Are you sure this hasn't put you off?
0:18:21 > 0:18:24- No, it hasn't put me off. It's the development stage.- Yeah.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26THEY LAUGH
0:18:26 > 0:18:29- So, essentially, it's that one and that one.- Yeah.
0:18:29 > 0:18:30So then it will become a double house
0:18:30 > 0:18:34so there'll be plenty of room for the children. Nice open areas downstairs.
0:18:34 > 0:18:35Yeah.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39And, also, we're going to make sure you've got access upstairs,
0:18:39 > 0:18:42easy access, because I know the whole thing about the kids going to bed
0:18:42 > 0:18:44and you not being able to get up in amongst them.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47- Yeah, it's difficult for me. - It's been upsetting you?
0:18:47 > 0:18:49Oh, yeah, a lot. It's just about bedtime, you know?
0:18:49 > 0:18:52Read a story, lay them on the bed, give them a cuddle,
0:18:52 > 0:18:54have a good night, give a kiss.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57Just little things make a difference.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03What really amazed me is the number of people taking time, you know?
0:19:03 > 0:19:07Putting time into this. And you people bringing them all together.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09Yes, but it's only right and proper, isn't it?
0:19:09 > 0:19:13You've gone and served your country and now... You know?
0:19:13 > 0:19:15Yeah, but sometimes when you're in a world of your own,
0:19:15 > 0:19:18you think that there is nobody there for you.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21But you come here and it's completely...different.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23Well, I promise you, in two weeks' time - or less -
0:19:23 > 0:19:26we'll have something completely different to show you.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28- Fantastic!- Somewhere I think you can genuinely feel is a home
0:19:28 > 0:19:32and you can be in a community where you feel safe
0:19:32 > 0:19:35and you can be part of a proper community, you know?
0:19:35 > 0:19:37Oh, fantastic! I can't wait!
0:19:38 > 0:19:40'Did I just promise him we'd finish on time?'
0:19:43 > 0:19:46Day two and we're still so short on trades, even the timber frame
0:19:46 > 0:19:49extension, which should be up, has ground to a halt.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52Are we waiting for brickies to turn up, is that what's going on?
0:19:52 > 0:19:56- I believe so, yeah, to get the demolition works done.- Right.
0:19:56 > 0:19:57To get these steels in the openings.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00You need that before you can get any more of this timber frame on?
0:20:00 > 0:20:03We've done most of our work in the car park over there to get
0:20:03 > 0:20:06a move on then come over here and been delayed, so...
0:20:06 > 0:20:07- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10There's a lot of frustrated people on site. Jules is happy, though.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12At least he can get on with something.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19- It won't come out. It just will not have it.- But has he met his match?
0:20:21 > 0:20:23- It's him versus the stump now. - Get out!
0:20:23 > 0:20:26It's not going to end until one of them gives way.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29HA-HA!
0:20:29 > 0:20:33Mate, give it up! Trundle away with your puny implement.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37Why don't you let the bigger one have a go and sort it out?
0:20:37 > 0:20:39I've been here an hour!
0:20:39 > 0:20:43Got to dig this out. He's going to come and steal all my glory.
0:20:43 > 0:20:44Move over. Yours is too weedy!
0:20:44 > 0:20:47I've got it to this point, all right?
0:20:47 > 0:20:50- Yeah, but it's not out. - It's like extracting a tooth.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59- Tractor wars.- See? It's not that easy, is it?
0:21:03 > 0:21:05Oh, he's got it, he's got it. It's going, it's going!
0:21:07 > 0:21:10In the end, the big one's better than the little one, isn't it?
0:21:10 > 0:21:13I'm gutted. Absolutely gutted about that, I am.
0:21:16 > 0:21:17It's a man thing!
0:21:19 > 0:21:22Billy is still going on about not being able to get into the houses.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26We've laid off a group of sparks for tomorrow, about ten sparks.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30We laid them off because we know they'll be standing about.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33If they get bored and stand about they might not come the next day.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36So we'd rather have them all here Friday, give them a break tomorrow,
0:21:36 > 0:21:38let them go and earn some money, and...
0:21:38 > 0:21:41- It's a message.- Oh, it's a record!
0:21:41 > 0:21:44# You'd better go now
0:21:44 > 0:21:45# Go now... #
0:21:45 > 0:21:48What I meant was, Bill, you sound like a broken record.
0:21:48 > 0:21:49LAUGHTER
0:21:49 > 0:21:51No, I was being positive.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54I'm laughing, but I really don't know why.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56The whole street is in trouble, honestly.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58Wiring, plumbing, plastering.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00From Lamin's house to the support centre,
0:22:00 > 0:22:03there's no good news anywhere.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05# You'd better go now... #
0:22:05 > 0:22:07The trades that are here are determined to do their best,
0:22:07 > 0:22:09but it's the end of day two, we're still clearing
0:22:09 > 0:22:12when we should be building and we're falling further and further behind.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15# ..before you see me cry... #
0:22:15 > 0:22:16You shouldn't be able to see me now.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19There should be a roof on top of this.
0:22:19 > 0:22:20We simply need more bodies.
0:22:20 > 0:22:25# Just tell me what you intend to do now. #
0:22:26 > 0:22:27Oh, my lord!
0:22:28 > 0:22:31What's going on? What's the matter?
0:22:31 > 0:22:34I am actually in the semi-fetal position
0:22:34 > 0:22:39and shrinking into my coat... ..in fear and worry and desperation.
0:22:39 > 0:22:40What's wrong?
0:22:40 > 0:22:44Because we've only got 120-odd people on site, we have only done
0:22:44 > 0:22:46about a third of the work we need to do.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48And we're trying to get hold of people
0:22:48 > 0:22:51and we just can't get hold of people. We are literally critical.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54We are already having to put back what we were going to do tomorrow
0:22:54 > 0:22:57to the next day and if that shifts on, we've had it.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00Genuinely, we've had it!
0:23:00 > 0:23:03So, I don't know what to do really.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06'Hit the phones, social media, radio, everything.'
0:23:06 > 0:23:08'BBC Radio 6 Music.'
0:23:08 > 0:23:12'Put a shout out to all trades and material suppliers
0:23:12 > 0:23:15'to help DIY SOS on our veterans' build in Manchester.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19'If you're in the trades, Nick needs you.'
0:23:19 > 0:23:21Let me be clear, the 100 people we've got here
0:23:21 > 0:23:24are working themselves to death,
0:23:24 > 0:23:26but we do desperately need more.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32Families can be torn apart by incidents on the battlefield.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35While Binta plays with the other children,
0:23:35 > 0:23:38I want to find out how Lamin's eldest, Mousa, has dealt with it all.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42- Do you remember when it happened? - Er, yeah.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45How did you feel at the time when you found out?
0:23:45 > 0:23:49Really devastating, what happened to him.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53And my mum was crying madly
0:23:53 > 0:23:55and we didn't know what to do.
0:23:55 > 0:24:00And we went to him in the hospital straightaway after we found out.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03Were you frightened when you went to see your dad?
0:24:03 > 0:24:07Yeah, really frightened cos I didn't know someone could
0:24:07 > 0:24:10actually do that to a human being.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13- How is that possible?- Yeah.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16And do you think he's changed much himself?
0:24:16 > 0:24:19Without the injuries he was really tall
0:24:19 > 0:24:22- and he liked playing football a lot...- Did he?- ..with us. Yeah.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24- It was his favourite sport, was it?- Uh-huh.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27- Does your dad come to watch you when you play football?- Sometimes he does.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31When he does it makes me feel really happy.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35When you look at your dad, what do you see?
0:24:35 > 0:24:40He's a hero to me and everyone in my family,
0:24:40 > 0:24:42that he went through all of that.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44- Amazing, really, isn't he?- Yeah.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46I always think that whenever I meet him. We always walk away...
0:24:46 > 0:24:48I think he's an amazing man, your dad.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51When your dad was injured, did you feel like there was...?
0:24:51 > 0:24:53Suddenly, like, you had to look after your mum and stuff?
0:24:53 > 0:24:56Yeah, I had to watch the kids while she was making food.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00Was that pressure for you to actually have to take over
0:25:00 > 0:25:01and help out like that?
0:25:01 > 0:25:05No, it was fine because I got to learn how it's like to
0:25:05 > 0:25:09be in the future, how to be a grown-up.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11Take all the responsibility.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13- You were all right with that, were you?- Yeah.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17'What a remarkable young man.'
0:25:17 > 0:25:20We really need to get this build done for the whole family.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26And speaking of remarkable people, look at this!
0:25:26 > 0:25:30It's the start of day three with lots and lots of lovely trades.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35And 20 construction students to boot.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41You know, we just might get this project back on track.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46I'm actually genuinely a little bit emotional today.
0:25:46 > 0:25:47Look at it.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51The fact of the matter is, they have turned up.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53Morning!
0:25:53 > 0:25:56Weirdly, despite the height, I was expecting them to sing Heigh-Ho.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59- # Heigh-ho, heigh-ho... # - Hang on, hang on! Oi!
0:25:59 > 0:26:01Yup, there goes Dopey.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03He's still Grumpy.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07Bashful's in the digger
0:26:07 > 0:26:10and this one's got to be Happy.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14You know, every person here has their own reason for wanting to help out.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16I'm a veteran myself.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18I was in the Royal Engineers for eight years
0:26:18 > 0:26:22so I know what it's like when you come out the army.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26- I was a soldier as well.- Oh, were you?- Yeah, yeah, many moons ago.
0:26:26 > 0:26:27So, I understand.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30So do you think the support that we're building into the street here
0:26:30 > 0:26:32in terms of the support house up the road and everything...?
0:26:32 > 0:26:34They need that, definitely. Definitely need that.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40This support centre is key to building a wider community.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42It's where veterans living in the street
0:26:42 > 0:26:45can find the critical assistance they need on health and job issues -
0:26:45 > 0:26:48so vital for their physical and mental wellbeing.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50The neighbours can use it too
0:26:50 > 0:26:52and there'll be outreach work to help even more veterans
0:26:52 > 0:26:56who might be homeless or in trouble with the law.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58Charity Walking With The Wounded will be running it.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01Co-founder Ed Parker is on site to see how we're getting on.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05What do you make it, 300 people a day?
0:27:05 > 0:27:09I think it shows what people think of our veterans.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13I think it shows people appreciate who they are, what they've done
0:27:13 > 0:27:17and also, do you know what, this is about being British, isn't it?
0:27:17 > 0:27:19- Yeah, kind of. Kind of is, isn't it? - Yeah, cos we help each other.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21We look after each other.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24'Kind of makes you proud, doesn't it?'
0:27:24 > 0:27:27- Can this have an impact for veterans? - It must have an impact.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29The whole principle of the sort of community
0:27:29 > 0:27:31within the community and getting people going,
0:27:31 > 0:27:37making them self-sufficient, making them independent, it's what works.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40Now, we are purveyors of man hugs and I even got one off the Royals.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43- Yes, no?- I'd love a man hug!
0:27:43 > 0:27:45'Who doesn't love a man hug?!
0:27:45 > 0:27:47'But we're still a long way off finishing.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50'We've got scaffolding to put up along the street in preparation
0:27:50 > 0:27:53'for rendering all the outsides of the houses.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58'We need to plasterboard inside the support centre throughout
0:27:58 > 0:28:01'and in Lamin's house we need to complete the structural work.
0:28:01 > 0:28:02'There's so much!'
0:28:03 > 0:28:05There's not much of the house left.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08This is why it's been such a difficult build in terms
0:28:08 > 0:28:10of getting things in the right order
0:28:10 > 0:28:13and once we get the steel in to cover that way,
0:28:13 > 0:28:15then we're finally in the position
0:28:15 > 0:28:17where we can start doing this extension.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19'With the steels in to keep the house standing,
0:28:19 > 0:28:21'we can finally knock these two houses into one
0:28:21 > 0:28:23'and get a roof on the extension
0:28:23 > 0:28:26'to create the space that Lamin's family will need.
0:28:26 > 0:28:30'And, at long last, Billy can set his sparks loose.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32'Release the electricians!'
0:28:32 > 0:28:34The guys, all electricians,
0:28:34 > 0:28:36they're just mowing through all the cabling,
0:28:36 > 0:28:40all know what they're doing and just ploughing through it.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42'Mowing, ploughing? It's not farming, Billy.
0:28:42 > 0:28:44'Bit agricultural, to be fair.'
0:28:44 > 0:28:46We're just getting the houses cleared out now
0:28:46 > 0:28:48and the last of the installation on the floor
0:28:48 > 0:28:53and the Visqueen's laid because we're on target to lay the floors.
0:28:53 > 0:28:55We've never poured so much concrete.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58This is for the builds all along the street.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01We've started with a life-changing support centre
0:29:01 > 0:29:05and finishing at the other end of the street with Lamin's house
0:29:05 > 0:29:07and these floors will give us the chance
0:29:07 > 0:29:10to finally start building things inside.
0:29:10 > 0:29:11It'll be a late finish
0:29:11 > 0:29:14so this is my chance to take Lamin up on a challenge he's given me.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17He wants to take me on at seated volleyball.
0:29:17 > 0:29:22Me - has he underestimated what an athlete I am?
0:29:22 > 0:29:23I think he has.
0:29:23 > 0:29:25- Come on, Lamin, you've got this, man.- I've got it, I've got it.
0:29:25 > 0:29:28You've got to keep an eye on his arms, all right?
0:29:28 > 0:29:30MUSIC: Eye Of The Tiger by Survivor
0:29:30 > 0:29:32That's what I'm talking about!
0:29:32 > 0:29:35His point.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37His point, it was a double rebound.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41- That's one all, Lamin.- Yeah.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44- Decider. Ready for this? - I'm ready. Let's get it.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47OK, here we go.
0:29:47 > 0:29:49That's the bit I'm not very good at.
0:29:49 > 0:29:50Come on!
0:29:51 > 0:29:53Seriously?
0:29:53 > 0:29:55It's the only sport I'm involved in,
0:29:55 > 0:29:58it gives you a sense of expressing yourself.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01I feel happy inside. Sort of feel that you've got something
0:30:01 > 0:30:04and you can demonstrate that, I can do something more.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07Yeah, and I suppose that's the thing, isn't it? Cos you're still
0:30:07 > 0:30:09a young man and you still want to be doing all those things.
0:30:09 > 0:30:11I want to do a lot, as much as I can.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14Lamin needs to keep his weight down and his core muscles strong
0:30:14 > 0:30:17if he wants to keep wearing his prosthetic legs
0:30:17 > 0:30:20so staying active is important, embarrassing me - not so much.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28But there's so much more to this than just fitness.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30The camaraderie is obviously a big thing
0:30:30 > 0:30:31and you miss that with your unit?
0:30:31 > 0:30:36Yeah. When I come here, it gives me that a little bit.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39They always say that, you know, the armed forces is like a family.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42- Yeah.- The guys that are coming back,
0:30:42 > 0:30:45helping us on the site at the moment, think of you as family.
0:30:45 > 0:30:47Yeah, you do so much for each other.
0:30:47 > 0:30:51Maybe your family's in need, you are far away, I'm there.
0:30:51 > 0:30:55I say, "You know what? Don't worry. I'll do this, I'll do this for you."
0:30:55 > 0:30:59Every time I meet this man, I find him more inspiring.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02You know, life's simple really.
0:31:02 > 0:31:04It's all about teamwork.
0:31:08 > 0:31:09Halfway through the build
0:31:09 > 0:31:13and I can return to a site that feels like it's getting somewhere.
0:31:14 > 0:31:16It's the sound of it that I love so much.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18Now, most people would found this difficult to understand that
0:31:18 > 0:31:21such a noisy site could be something lovely, but...
0:31:23 > 0:31:24..it's the noise of activity.
0:31:26 > 0:31:31And not just on the street. In the gardens, Adam is working his magic.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34We've absolutely smashed on and each garden now is starting
0:31:34 > 0:31:36to sort of take form.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38All the boys have got smiles on their faces, which is...
0:31:38 > 0:31:41They really have, haven't they, when you look round? I mean, Jules!
0:31:41 > 0:31:43Jules, for me, is like a barometer of happiness.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45Gabby on the other hand,
0:31:45 > 0:31:48maybe she'll relax now she can get into Lamin's house.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51Where's the floor? Where's the floor?
0:31:51 > 0:31:54I can't wrap it up pretty for you, they've run out of concrete.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56It was 11 o'clock at night.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59Quarry was closed, they ran out.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02- And... And we did this one last? - Yeah.- Not first.
0:32:02 > 0:32:07No, because they were still prepping as they were coming down the street.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11We've got a lift to go in, we've got to attach it to some walls.
0:32:11 > 0:32:12We've got to get the walls in today.
0:32:12 > 0:32:14So we can at least get the guys upstairs
0:32:14 > 0:32:17- and just get cracking with that floor?- Well, they are taking...
0:32:17 > 0:32:19There's still walls coming out upstairs.
0:32:19 > 0:32:20I don't want to make anyone feel bad
0:32:20 > 0:32:23because everyone is working so hard. I just...
0:32:23 > 0:32:25- Yeah, I know. I know.- Yeah.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27- Honestly, we'll get there. - Sorry, darling. OK.
0:32:27 > 0:32:29- We'll get there.- All right, my love.
0:32:29 > 0:32:32Right, come on, everybody. We need to order up some more concrete
0:32:32 > 0:32:36while we crack on with everything we CAN DO in the rest of the street.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39All my boys are in their houses
0:32:39 > 0:32:42just making sure the cable's come through in the right places.
0:32:42 > 0:32:46So, yeah, it's going to be a busy day.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48Thankfully, reinforcements are here to sort out Lamin's house -
0:32:48 > 0:32:50three generations of one family.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54So what are you guys doing on site? What are they making you do?
0:32:54 > 0:32:56- Whatever they need us to do. - Is that right?- Yeah.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59I'm ex-army, I started... I did 23 years in the army.
0:32:59 > 0:33:01I've done a couple tours of Afghanistan myself.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04Well, the reality is if you've done a couple of tours of Afghanistan
0:33:04 > 0:33:07then you could've been one of those guys, couldn't you?
0:33:07 > 0:33:08- Yeah.- And that's why I'm here.
0:33:10 > 0:33:12You're a little bit emotional thinking about it.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14They put their lives on the line so we can be what we want
0:33:14 > 0:33:19to be in England, in the UK and they deserve everything they get.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22- Whole family. What's the family name? - Walton.- We're the Waltons.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25- You're kidding me.- John Boy Walton. - You're the Waltons?
0:33:25 > 0:33:27We are the Waltons.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30That's...! You can't make that up, can you? That's fantastic.
0:33:30 > 0:33:32Yes, here it is! Yes!
0:33:32 > 0:33:33MUSIC: The Waltons Theme Song
0:33:33 > 0:33:35Gets very excited, doesn't he? But it is exciting,
0:33:35 > 0:33:37- the concrete's arrived. - This is the pump,
0:33:37 > 0:33:41it's turned up so we can get the screed poured
0:33:41 > 0:33:44from the back of the big concrete wagon
0:33:44 > 0:33:49into Lamin's house so we can have a lovely, smooth floor to play on.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53That may be true but with less than a week to go,
0:33:53 > 0:33:56everyone needs to be in three places at once.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59I've been running around five houses
0:33:59 > 0:34:01trying to keep hold of maybe 32 plasterers.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06Is it OK to have a celebration?
0:34:06 > 0:34:10I think it probably is as long as we just don't make a big deal of it.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14# Happy birthday to you
0:34:14 > 0:34:17# Happy birthday to you
0:34:17 > 0:34:20# Happy birthday dear Adam
0:34:20 > 0:34:24# Happy birthday to you. #
0:34:24 > 0:34:29- Thank you very much. Thank you. Erm...- Go on, blow your candle out.
0:34:29 > 0:34:33It looks slightly resemblant of your birthday cake from yesterday.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35'Yes, it is the remains of my birthday cake from yesterday,
0:34:35 > 0:34:38'but I'm not one to make a fuss.'
0:34:38 > 0:34:40- It's the least I could do. - Do you know what? You are right.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43It is... It is the least you could do.
0:34:45 > 0:34:47'Now we have floors and walls,
0:34:47 > 0:34:50'here's Lamin's lift to be fitted by another veteran.'
0:34:50 > 0:34:53Your dad was telling us that you got caught up in a blast yourself.
0:34:53 > 0:34:57I did, yeah. And we basically patrolled up to PB Shahzad
0:34:57 > 0:35:00and obviously I was lead truck that day and went up.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02And you seem to be in reasonably good nick.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05I was lucky to be in a Mastiff vehicle at the time
0:35:05 > 0:35:07which are built to take those kind of impacts.
0:35:07 > 0:35:11So unlike Lamin where he's very unlucky being on foot,
0:35:11 > 0:35:13- you know, I was OK. - Really lovely to meet you.
0:35:13 > 0:35:16- Thank you very much.- Cheers. - Thank you.- Thanks, Nick.
0:35:16 > 0:35:18- I'll let you get on with it. - Thank you.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20Three-quarters of the way into the build we can make good
0:35:20 > 0:35:24on our promise of new doors, windows and render for the whole street.
0:35:24 > 0:35:28- Not bothered by the disturbance? - No. It needed doing.
0:35:28 > 0:35:30You know, I'm just glad that it's happening
0:35:30 > 0:35:33- and it's all for the better.- Yeah. - It really is.
0:35:33 > 0:35:37I mean, I've not been this happy for ages, really haven't.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40This community is going to be something special.
0:35:40 > 0:35:42Gabby's learning how important that will be
0:35:42 > 0:35:44for Binta and the family.
0:35:45 > 0:35:51When he was in the army, we had a lot of friends around.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53They're just like family to us,
0:35:53 > 0:35:57they would come around, they would pick you up to go out.
0:35:57 > 0:35:59And tell me about where you're living now.
0:35:59 > 0:36:03It's totally different from where we were before. Now...
0:36:03 > 0:36:04we're alone.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08That's how I feel.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12We have some problems.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15- Kids throwing stones. - Kids threw stones at you?- Yeah.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18- Why?- I don't know.
0:36:18 > 0:36:23They threw stones until they hit my older daughter
0:36:23 > 0:36:24on the forehead.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27- It must've been so scary, Binta.- Yeah.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30But I can't do anything because I'm scared. I can't go out.
0:36:32 > 0:36:37So it is difficult for me on my own there,
0:36:37 > 0:36:39with those kids behaving like that.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43After all he's done for his country.
0:36:43 > 0:36:45You know, we have to make this family safe
0:36:45 > 0:36:48and get them into their new community as soon as possible.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53Back on site we need to face facts.
0:36:53 > 0:36:57We have made up ground but there's still so much to do.
0:36:57 > 0:37:01So, we call the trades together to take an unprecedented step.
0:37:01 > 0:37:03Delay the handover to the families.
0:37:03 > 0:37:05This is the first time ever
0:37:05 > 0:37:07that we've gone over the allocated time for us
0:37:07 > 0:37:09in the 16 years we've been doing this.
0:37:09 > 0:37:11We will be continuing to build and then we are planning
0:37:11 > 0:37:14to hand the street back to the residents
0:37:14 > 0:37:18and new resident veterans on Monday morning.
0:37:18 > 0:37:21'That gives us just three days.
0:37:21 > 0:37:25'If we're delaying the handover, what do you suppose Jules' priority is?'
0:37:27 > 0:37:30- All right, guys and girls? - Yeah, how about yourself?
0:37:30 > 0:37:32An army marches on its stomach, doesn't it?
0:37:32 > 0:37:35And we've got a small army out there that need feeding.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37So what do you think the possibility is of extending
0:37:37 > 0:37:40- the catering for three days? - Yeah, it shouldn't be a problem.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42And I get a little bit grumpy if I'm hungry.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45- Nobody wants a grumpy Jules, do they?- No, no.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48- Keep up the good work.- Cheers. Thank you very much.
0:37:48 > 0:37:49- See you at lunch time. - See you there.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51Well done, Jules. That's sorted.
0:37:51 > 0:37:53We're just going through every house now
0:37:53 > 0:37:56because there's a lot, a lot of second fixing.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58The deadline's moved. It is not going to move again.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01We've got to pull the front of these houses together,
0:38:01 > 0:38:04all the plastering out, start throwing all the design
0:38:04 > 0:38:07and furniture and everything back in. It's not going to move.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10We've got to deliver, we've got three days, we're on it.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14But our new deadline doesn't help Gabby much.
0:38:14 > 0:38:16I must be in here now decorating.
0:38:16 > 0:38:20We should have finished floors down, second fix should be in,
0:38:20 > 0:38:23you know, this should be done. We are so behind.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27As every minute counts now to try and claw back some time,
0:38:27 > 0:38:31Mark's suggested a quicker floor to lay in Lamin's bathroom.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34What our project manager Mark wants is us to forget the beautiful floor
0:38:34 > 0:38:39and put down a safety vinyl and we just can't do that, can we?
0:38:39 > 0:38:42- No, you don't want that. - I mean, it would just look awful.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47Yeah, loaded the argument there a little bit, didn't she?
0:38:48 > 0:38:50What this build is trying to achieve has been
0:38:50 > 0:38:53attracting attention from all corners.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58As you may have heard, we had two very special guests,
0:38:58 > 0:38:59Princes William and Harry.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02- Morning, Nick.- Morning, Your Royal Highnesses.
0:39:02 > 0:39:05'On their visit, they were here to meet and muck in.'
0:39:05 > 0:39:08A country fit for heroes, now we're getting houses fit for heroes.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12Houses for heroes, there it is. You heard it here first.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14'And, of course, talk to Lamin.'
0:39:14 > 0:39:16There's a real vibe going on down there, you know...
0:39:16 > 0:39:19- It's going to be complete chaos. - Oh, definitely.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21Your new neighbours who are living there already
0:39:21 > 0:39:23can't wait to welcome you all here, which is fantastic.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25Oh, we can't wait to embrace them as well.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28It's something, we want to show that this has to be something
0:39:28 > 0:39:29which has to be in every big city.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31That's it. We've been saying the same,
0:39:31 > 0:39:33all the veterans are in the same street as the families.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36- Fantastic, real good community for you.- Oh, definitely.
0:39:36 > 0:39:38- Spread it out across the whole country.- Spread it out.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40Every veteran needs this opportunity.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42Because this way, you can relate to people.
0:39:42 > 0:39:44If we can do that across the country,
0:39:44 > 0:39:46maybe the suicide rate will go down
0:39:46 > 0:39:48and all the issues which affect people.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50This project is one of the things which will definitely
0:39:50 > 0:39:52solve most of the problems, I think.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54And how have you kept such positivity,
0:39:54 > 0:39:57how have you managed to be so positive about it all?
0:39:57 > 0:40:00Because, for me, I am one of the luckiest boys in the world.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03I've got my family, I've got myself, I can do my things, I can think.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06You know, those people who are struggling, they have to
0:40:06 > 0:40:10rely on people all the time to do things, which I feel so much.
0:40:10 > 0:40:14So, for me, every day in life, I just take it as it comes.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17You see what I mean? He's so inspirational.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20And our royal visit has energised the whole site
0:40:20 > 0:40:22and helped carry us through some dark times.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24Now with just a couple of days left,
0:40:24 > 0:40:28the tiled bathroom floor Gabby insisted on is nearly done.
0:40:29 > 0:40:30Awesome.
0:40:30 > 0:40:32But it's taken most of the day.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34Hold on a minute. It's ten to three.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37We started in here at eight o'clock this morning, right?
0:40:37 > 0:40:39That a hard job in there. They've done a lovely job on it.
0:40:39 > 0:40:40If you had vinyl-ed that floor,
0:40:40 > 0:40:43they could've been on the walls at nine o'clock in the morning.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46There are some finishes that we can't compromise on,
0:40:46 > 0:40:50and this room, it's so important that it looks like an exquisite
0:40:50 > 0:40:56and elegant and beautiful bathroom and not like a hospital. It's...
0:40:56 > 0:40:59The guys have done a fantastic job. You've wasted a day on me.
0:41:01 > 0:41:05I hate the way he always gets the last word. It's so irritating.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08- Someone's going, "It is." - It is really annoying, isn't it?
0:41:08 > 0:41:10And then if you try and get the last word then he comes back
0:41:10 > 0:41:13and does it again and then it just goes on and on and on.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15Don't... Don't... Don't speak.
0:41:15 > 0:41:17LAUGHTER
0:41:17 > 0:41:22At last, these buildings are starting to look like homes.
0:41:22 > 0:41:24I've just realised I'm walking on carpet.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27I hadn't noticed that going down, but there is carpet everywhere,
0:41:27 > 0:41:29which is very exciting.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32And outside, Adam's team have quietly worked wonders.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35His design for the support centre is really...
0:41:35 > 0:41:36growing on me?
0:41:36 > 0:41:40- Look at this.- Plants and everything. - Yeah. Calming, beautiful.
0:41:40 > 0:41:45Weirdly, it's almost like you've connected up the bits that
0:41:45 > 0:41:48were already here with the new bits coming in.
0:41:48 > 0:41:50You're starting to sound like a designer.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56We've got rooms ready to be finished. I can't believe it.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59Kitchen's being fitted...
0:41:59 > 0:42:02and bathrooms awaiting their baths.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05I'm just so pleased to see this here. It is beautiful.
0:42:06 > 0:42:10So we're into the final straight of the biggest ever, ever, ever,
0:42:10 > 0:42:13build for DIY SOS. It's the biggest we've ever attempted.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15But we're not there yet.
0:42:15 > 0:42:16Mark is on street duty...
0:42:16 > 0:42:19- We've got this hole in the road... - Yeah.
0:42:19 > 0:42:20..and I think it needs looking into.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25..Chris is rallying the troops...
0:42:25 > 0:42:26Make that look pink.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29I've got a million and one jobs to do and that'll be one off the list.
0:42:29 > 0:42:30Gentlemen.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33..and Jules is...
0:42:33 > 0:42:34Where is Jules?
0:42:37 > 0:42:40Apparently Jules is playing Peepo!
0:42:40 > 0:42:42More like Where's Wally?
0:42:42 > 0:42:44Adam and his team are putting the final touches to the garden...
0:42:44 > 0:42:46I've had everything from tears to tantrums
0:42:46 > 0:42:49and everything in between really.
0:42:49 > 0:42:51..and Gabby's mucking up the measuring.
0:42:51 > 0:42:53CHEERING
0:42:53 > 0:42:55That's normally Mark's job.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58And, after 16 years, we finally get the answer to the question
0:42:58 > 0:43:01how many Billies does it take to screw in a light bulb?
0:43:01 > 0:43:03The answer is in fact one,
0:43:03 > 0:43:06but it'll only work if he didn't do the wiring.
0:43:06 > 0:43:08So now it's a mad rush for the finish line.
0:43:08 > 0:43:10Everyone's working flat out all over the street
0:43:10 > 0:43:12on this epic build into the night.
0:43:12 > 0:43:16- It's incredible, isn't it?- Yeah. - It's like a big party.- Yeah.
0:43:16 > 0:43:19- A tarmacking party.- Yeah, I love them. I've been to one before.
0:43:21 > 0:43:25And once the rest of the tarmac gets laid before daybreak,
0:43:25 > 0:43:28we might be exhausted, but we will be finished.
0:43:31 > 0:43:35In just two weeks, we've carried out the biggest build we've ever done.
0:43:35 > 0:43:37It's taken more than 600 trades,
0:43:37 > 0:43:3930,000 man-hours,
0:43:39 > 0:43:4010,000 cups of tea,
0:43:40 > 0:43:42an incredibly helpful council
0:43:42 > 0:43:45and millions of pounds in goods and services
0:43:45 > 0:43:48generously donated by firms across the country.
0:43:48 > 0:43:51Oh, yeah, and a couple of princes. We really mustn't forget about those.
0:43:51 > 0:43:54We've got the same name. Tell what our name is.
0:43:54 > 0:43:57- Prince of Darkness.- There you go.
0:43:57 > 0:43:59We transformed this whole street,
0:43:59 > 0:44:01improving life for the local community
0:44:01 > 0:44:04and the wounded servicemen who will be moving in.
0:44:04 > 0:44:09Every house on the street has a new front, new doors and new windows.
0:44:09 > 0:44:13We've built a home for PTSD sufferer John and his son, Noah,
0:44:13 > 0:44:15where they can rebuild their lives.
0:44:15 > 0:44:16Love you.
0:44:16 > 0:44:19We've built a home where veterans like Jack can live
0:44:19 > 0:44:20while they retrain in the local college
0:44:20 > 0:44:23and learn new skills to get their lives up and running.
0:44:23 > 0:44:27I would like to thank everyone for what yous done. It's an amazing job.
0:44:27 > 0:44:31You've made England proud, you've made Britain and the service proud.
0:44:36 > 0:44:39We transformed this derelict shell to create a centre for
0:44:39 > 0:44:41support and careers advice.
0:44:41 > 0:44:44It's about jobs, providing security for the guys
0:44:44 > 0:44:47and for the families and for the wider community.
0:44:47 > 0:44:48So this is fantastic.
0:44:48 > 0:44:52And the legacy continues with 17 empty properties on the street handed
0:44:52 > 0:44:56to Haig Housing to be renovated for veterans in the next year.
0:44:57 > 0:45:01Veterans like Lamin and his family.
0:45:01 > 0:45:05Five years ago, Irish Guard Lamin stepped on a bomb in Afghanistan
0:45:05 > 0:45:09and received injuries that tore his and his family's life apart.
0:45:09 > 0:45:11I was devastated.
0:45:11 > 0:45:15Any time my wife comes, I look at her and she's been crying.
0:45:15 > 0:45:17When I saw my kids so young,
0:45:17 > 0:45:18I told her, I said...
0:45:20 > 0:45:22..I'm done.
0:45:22 > 0:45:25Our life changed completely.
0:45:25 > 0:45:27Back in civilian life and without Army support,
0:45:27 > 0:45:30he found he could no longer be the father he once was.
0:45:30 > 0:45:32Trapped on the ground floor of his house,
0:45:32 > 0:45:36he can't even read his kids a bedtime story.
0:45:36 > 0:45:39I can't give them what they want. I can't be there for them.
0:45:39 > 0:45:42I can't give them security, can't give them protection.
0:45:43 > 0:45:46So we took two abandoned houses and turned them into a home
0:45:46 > 0:45:48where Lamin can rejoin his family.
0:45:50 > 0:45:53The living room is warm and inviting.
0:45:55 > 0:45:59A large extension creates space for an open-plan kitchen
0:45:59 > 0:46:02and dining room so the family can relax and eat together.
0:46:04 > 0:46:07We've created a peaceful bedroom with its own en suite,
0:46:07 > 0:46:11complete with a special bath to ease Lamin's pains.
0:46:11 > 0:46:14And, yes, Gabby's determination did pay off -
0:46:14 > 0:46:17those tiles are fit for a king.
0:46:19 > 0:46:22And now family life will be transformed by this lift,
0:46:22 > 0:46:26a lifeline that means Lamin can easily get upstairs once more
0:46:26 > 0:46:29to read those bedtime stories.
0:46:30 > 0:46:33In their new room, the girls can host tea parties.
0:46:33 > 0:46:36The younger boys have their own special place.
0:46:38 > 0:46:42While Mousa gets a room with space to study away from the family hubbub.
0:46:44 > 0:46:48Completing the upstairs is a bathroom for the children to share.
0:46:50 > 0:46:54Outside, bifold doors open into a garden where Lamin can relax.
0:46:54 > 0:46:57And Adam has created a special pitch with the children can kick
0:46:57 > 0:47:00a ball with Lamin right there beside them.
0:47:02 > 0:47:04It's been a labour, but a labour of love.
0:47:06 > 0:47:08Now it's time to see what he makes of it all.
0:47:13 > 0:47:16- How are you feeling today? - I'm feeling great.
0:47:16 > 0:47:20- Excited? Worried? - Excited. Mixed emotional in a way.
0:47:20 > 0:47:25It's just like I came there the first day and what I've seen
0:47:25 > 0:47:28and then now, it's just the final bit,
0:47:28 > 0:47:30which is a bit difficult for me at the moment.
0:47:30 > 0:47:35- It's changed a bit, hasn't it?- Yeah, it's changed so much. Oh, my God.
0:47:35 > 0:47:38- Yeah.- I've not seen you emotional. You're a man who laughs all the time.
0:47:38 > 0:47:40You hold your feelings in.
0:47:40 > 0:47:42And of course you're Army, you don't do emotions, do you?
0:47:42 > 0:47:44This is about people doing things.
0:47:44 > 0:47:47Because I like to do things for people and people feel it.
0:47:47 > 0:47:50But this one now, people are telling me, "You know what? This is yours."
0:47:50 > 0:47:54That made a difference for me. Which I don't think I have...
0:47:55 > 0:47:57I don't think I...
0:48:00 > 0:48:02- Or you just didn't believe.- Yeah.
0:48:04 > 0:48:06Yeah, that's it.
0:48:09 > 0:48:11LAMIN SOBS
0:48:19 > 0:48:21I know, man.
0:48:31 > 0:48:36Mate, this is about people saying "thank you" to you.
0:48:36 > 0:48:37This is about...
0:48:39 > 0:48:42- It's a lot to take in.- Yeah.
0:48:42 > 0:48:44It is for me doing things for people.
0:48:44 > 0:48:46Yes, and you have done things for people.
0:48:46 > 0:48:49You have done - you've gone and kept us safe.
0:48:49 > 0:48:52So that's why these people have come together to try and make you
0:48:52 > 0:48:55and your family safe. It's... You deserve this.
0:48:55 > 0:48:57People wanted to do this for you.
0:48:57 > 0:48:59We've only seen the outside of the street, mate.
0:48:59 > 0:49:02- What are you going to be like when I show you inside?- I don't know.
0:49:02 > 0:49:04- Ready?- Yeah.
0:49:04 > 0:49:06OK, so this is the entrance hall
0:49:06 > 0:49:09and we're going to start with the room to the left.
0:49:12 > 0:49:13Oh, my God.
0:49:14 > 0:49:16LAMIN CHUCKLES
0:49:16 > 0:49:18Wow.
0:49:18 > 0:49:22- So have we got the colours right of the blinds?- Of course.
0:49:22 > 0:49:26- Everything in this place is just perfect.- You?- Oh, yeah, perfect.
0:49:28 > 0:49:32- A place for your family to be together.- Oh, yeah.
0:49:32 > 0:49:33- Is it OK?- Yeah.
0:49:44 > 0:49:48- I want to thank everyone.- You don't need to, mate. You don't need to.
0:49:49 > 0:49:50Oh.
0:49:52 > 0:49:54Oh, my God.
0:49:55 > 0:49:57Wow.
0:49:57 > 0:49:59I know what you're thinking. That sink's very low.
0:49:59 > 0:50:01Yeah, I know. Definitely that's for me.
0:50:01 > 0:50:04But it also goes high, in the same way as the cooker, by the way.
0:50:04 > 0:50:07- Oh, OK.- It can either go up...
0:50:07 > 0:50:09The whole thing goes down as well.
0:50:10 > 0:50:12Central area, so for preparation of food,
0:50:12 > 0:50:14cos I know that food is very important.
0:50:14 > 0:50:17- Yeah.- Big family space, isn't it? - Yeah, definitely.
0:50:17 > 0:50:19And nice, too, cos you've got the other veterans around.
0:50:19 > 0:50:23- They can come in.- They can come. Everybody does that.
0:50:23 > 0:50:26We've got like each festival where we invite people,
0:50:26 > 0:50:28neighbours, you know?
0:50:28 > 0:50:31- Do you like the wallpaper, by the way?- Yeah, it's great.
0:50:31 > 0:50:34- For people, you get phantom limb pain.- Right?
0:50:34 > 0:50:37When you look at different colours, it distracts you.
0:50:37 > 0:50:41So any moment I've got to distract me away from it,
0:50:41 > 0:50:43colours help me to do that.
0:50:43 > 0:50:46We've got your bedroom downstairs.
0:50:47 > 0:50:48Wow.
0:50:51 > 0:50:55- Will Binta like it, do you think? - She will like it, definitely.
0:50:55 > 0:50:57It's beautiful.
0:50:57 > 0:50:59- And the door behind you...- Yeah?
0:50:59 > 0:51:04- ..is an important door, too. Go look at your new bathroom.- Oh, my God.
0:51:10 > 0:51:14- OK, important thing to show you here. It's a bath...- Yeah.
0:51:14 > 0:51:17..but it's a bath with a lift.
0:51:17 > 0:51:18- This comes up...- Yeah.
0:51:18 > 0:51:22- ..swings out, swings down. You sit on it...- And it takes you up.
0:51:22 > 0:51:24Up, around, back in.
0:51:24 > 0:51:30When I got injured, I've never taken a bath now about five years now.
0:51:30 > 0:51:32When I go in I just keep slipping
0:51:32 > 0:51:35and falling down and I don't want to break any part of my body again.
0:51:35 > 0:51:40- So this is rescuing me.- Every day you can have a bath.- Every day.
0:51:40 > 0:51:42Every five minutes.
0:51:42 > 0:51:43THEY LAUGH
0:51:46 > 0:51:49What was the other thing that was really bugging you?
0:51:49 > 0:51:52- To be able to go up and down. - Getting upstairs.- Yeah.
0:51:52 > 0:51:56I'm not able to be there like a father. That's a bit difficult.
0:51:56 > 0:51:58Yeah. Let me show you something.
0:51:58 > 0:51:59Press the button.
0:52:03 > 0:52:04Wow.
0:52:05 > 0:52:08It'll close and all you do is press one and you have to hold it down.
0:52:08 > 0:52:12- Yeah.- So have a go.- Yeah. Wow.
0:52:16 > 0:52:19This is good. I know that every night, even when I am tired,
0:52:19 > 0:52:24I can just jump on the lift, take them to bed, to be a proper father,
0:52:24 > 0:52:28- to be part of every step of the way, read books.- Show your family?
0:52:28 > 0:52:30Yeah, definitely.
0:52:30 > 0:52:35- Here we go. So, welcome to your new house.- Oh!
0:52:35 > 0:52:37- Daddy!- You all right?
0:52:40 > 0:52:43- Is it all right?- I can't believe.
0:52:45 > 0:52:47- You like it?- Chocolate biscuit!
0:52:50 > 0:52:54Amazing. New house - more interested in the chocolate biscuits.
0:52:56 > 0:52:57Thank you.
0:53:00 > 0:53:04- Mummy, look up the stairs. - Go in there.
0:53:04 > 0:53:08- This thing can go up and down. - This is a mansion.
0:53:08 > 0:53:09Oh, my.
0:53:09 > 0:53:11All for us.
0:53:15 > 0:53:17I don't know what to say.
0:53:17 > 0:53:19Thank you.
0:53:19 > 0:53:21That's my bedroom now.
0:53:21 > 0:53:23ALL: Wow!
0:53:24 > 0:53:25This is a bathroom.
0:53:28 > 0:53:30This place is so amazing.
0:53:30 > 0:53:34Take you upstairs. If you see your bedroom, you will like it.
0:53:35 > 0:53:37Can I get some tea, please?
0:53:37 > 0:53:38LAMIN LAUGHS
0:53:38 > 0:53:40Oh, thank you very much.
0:53:40 > 0:53:43You want me to read you something? Sit down.
0:53:45 > 0:53:47- Daddy.- Oh, yeah.
0:53:49 > 0:53:50Whoa!
0:53:53 > 0:53:54Oh, my.
0:53:54 > 0:53:59When a soldier is injured, it's not only the soldier that is injured,
0:53:59 > 0:54:01the family becomes injured, too.
0:54:01 > 0:54:02- Yeah.- Yes?- Mm-hm.
0:54:02 > 0:54:05- So times have been hard.- Yeah.
0:54:05 > 0:54:08We have hard times but today all is gone.
0:54:08 > 0:54:10Is it a family house for you?
0:54:10 > 0:54:12Yes. I love this house.
0:54:12 > 0:54:15I don't know how to express it.
0:54:15 > 0:54:17It's the best thing we've ever had.
0:54:17 > 0:54:20The best thing.
0:54:20 > 0:54:21Thank you.
0:54:22 > 0:54:24Whoa.
0:54:25 > 0:54:27This is amazing.
0:54:27 > 0:54:30Table football wallpaper, you know, like foosball, they call it,
0:54:30 > 0:54:31- don't they?- Yeah.- You like it?- Yeah.
0:54:31 > 0:54:34They made a mistake. They put some rubbishy football team in here...
0:54:34 > 0:54:36LAUGHTER
0:54:36 > 0:54:38- This is good.- Comfy.
0:54:38 > 0:54:41We've got a responsibility to prove that this is something which
0:54:41 > 0:54:45every part of the country needs, what veterans need
0:54:45 > 0:54:47and this is what their family needs.
0:54:47 > 0:54:49And I'm going to get better, better on my legs.
0:54:49 > 0:54:52Maybe in future you will not see a stick with me again.
0:54:54 > 0:54:57- I almost forgot. I've got one more thing to show you.- Wow.
0:54:59 > 0:55:01ALL: Wow!
0:55:01 > 0:55:03Oh, my God, a little football.
0:55:03 > 0:55:04Oh, my goodness.
0:55:04 > 0:55:06It's a good environment.
0:55:06 > 0:55:08So, Adam, who's designed the garden,
0:55:08 > 0:55:10he's done something he's never done before.
0:55:10 > 0:55:12He's put artificial grass into the garden,
0:55:12 > 0:55:13so you don't have to mow the lawn.
0:55:13 > 0:55:15- Yeah.- You want them to have a little football pitch,
0:55:15 > 0:55:18it's difficult for you to see the football sometimes.
0:55:18 > 0:55:20- Yeah, yeah.- They can show you their skills here.- Exactly.
0:55:20 > 0:55:24I can even sit down and tell them how to dribble, how to pass.
0:55:24 > 0:55:27I love the football area. It's amazing.
0:55:27 > 0:55:29We can all play and Daddy can watch us.
0:55:31 > 0:55:32It's beautiful at night, by the way.
0:55:32 > 0:55:35- There's little lights all over the place.- Yeah.- Light up the garden.
0:55:35 > 0:55:37Also, raised beds.
0:55:37 > 0:55:40Adam's planted them with beautiful plants for this year
0:55:40 > 0:55:43but he says he'll be very upset if you don't take all the plants out
0:55:43 > 0:55:46and plant them with vegetables next year.
0:55:46 > 0:55:49- Cos you said you wanted to grow vegetables.- Vegetables, yeah.
0:55:51 > 0:55:54- This is good.- It's good? - Yeah. This is...
0:55:56 > 0:55:58Yeah.
0:55:58 > 0:56:01- Do you want to meet some of the people that built it?- Definitely.
0:56:03 > 0:56:04Here we go.
0:56:04 > 0:56:07CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:56:14 > 0:56:18Somebody said something in the week to me that you have gone away
0:56:18 > 0:56:20and done what you've done to keep us safe.
0:56:20 > 0:56:24We feel that we've used our skills now to make you safe
0:56:24 > 0:56:27and it's a way of us saying thank you, and you deserve it, mate,
0:56:27 > 0:56:30and I think we all feel that, don't we?
0:56:30 > 0:56:31ALL: Yeah!
0:56:34 > 0:56:35Mousa, what do you think of the house?
0:56:35 > 0:56:37The house is amazing and I love my bedroom,
0:56:37 > 0:56:42and thank you all for your time that you've come to do our house.
0:56:42 > 0:56:44It's amazing.
0:56:47 > 0:56:51- He speaks well, your boy, doesn't he? - Yeah, he's always like that.
0:56:52 > 0:56:56Sometimes, you know, words cannot express how somebody feels.
0:56:57 > 0:57:01What you all people did there, I can't put words to it.
0:57:02 > 0:57:04Because, for me...
0:57:04 > 0:57:07it's one thing I had never thought that something would
0:57:07 > 0:57:10happen in my life, to see people coming together,
0:57:10 > 0:57:14every part of the country, and just give so much to me and my family
0:57:14 > 0:57:18that we could call a place where we will live for the rest of our life.
0:57:18 > 0:57:20I feel...
0:57:26 > 0:57:28What you all did, you don't know what this means,
0:57:28 > 0:57:33but all your efforts, your resources, your time and energy
0:57:33 > 0:57:36you put into that, to create that opportunity for me
0:57:36 > 0:57:39to be able to mingle with my family like a normal parent,
0:57:39 > 0:57:43be able to take your kids to bed, read a story to them,
0:57:43 > 0:57:45kiss them, tell them good night,
0:57:45 > 0:57:48which I've struggled to do for a while,
0:57:48 > 0:57:51so this gives me that opportunity for me to be a normal father
0:57:51 > 0:57:56and I wish you all the best in your life, whatever you dream of,
0:57:56 > 0:57:59that all you dream come true, as you make my dream come true.
0:57:59 > 0:58:01APPLAUSE
0:58:06 > 0:58:08Yeah. Good work. Yeah, man, thanks.
0:58:08 > 0:58:11You know, it's been the most extraordinary privilege to be
0:58:11 > 0:58:15part of this build, building a community for veterans.
0:58:15 > 0:58:20People have come from Glasgow, from Swansea, from Devon, from Kent
0:58:20 > 0:58:22to join in with this because they believed it was
0:58:22 > 0:58:25the right thing to do, and it will continue.
0:58:25 > 0:58:27Veterans' houses will be put all along the street, new families
0:58:27 > 0:58:30will move in and it will become a real community.
0:58:30 > 0:58:32There's no reason why it should stop here.
0:58:32 > 0:58:35This could be repeated all over the country in different cities,
0:58:35 > 0:58:39because I know there are veterans near you that need your help.
0:58:43 > 0:58:46Thank you. Yeah, thanks.
0:58:46 > 0:58:47Thank you very much.
0:58:49 > 0:58:51Thank you.
0:58:51 > 0:58:55- You're home, man. You're home. - Thank you. Yeah.
0:58:56 > 0:58:58Thank you.
0:58:58 > 0:58:59THEY SOB