0:00:02 > 0:00:04Everyday, all over the country, millions of people are struggling
0:00:04 > 0:00:07to find the cash they need to make ends
0:00:07 > 0:00:09meet or to realise their dreams.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11Applying to get a top-up on my loan.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14- 50, 60, 5. - Thank you.- OK.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17We are looking to offer you a loan.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20Many struggle to qualify for high-street borrowing,
0:00:20 > 0:00:23making them vulnerable to illegal loan sharks.
0:00:23 > 0:00:27Looking back now, I realised the APR for that loan was nearly 800%,
0:00:27 > 0:00:29which is...
0:00:29 > 0:00:33But there are a growing number of community banks or credit unions
0:00:33 > 0:00:36that are offering a helping hand,
0:00:36 > 0:00:39whilst at the same time supporting the local area.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41The confidence and the support
0:00:41 > 0:00:45I received empowered me to think bigger.
0:00:45 > 0:00:50From household emergencies to kick-starting a new life or business.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52She started from zero and she became a hero.
0:00:52 > 0:00:57It's such an amazing story, very crazy, but here we are.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00We are following some of these life-changing stories.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03We wouldn't have been able to set it up like this if we didn't have that loan.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07It basically meant that something I never thought I'd ever do in my
0:01:07 > 0:01:09life was actually going to happen.
0:01:09 > 0:01:14Dreams can come true, with a bit of hard work and financial assistance.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17If I didn't get that done, then this wouldn't have been possible.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19So it's a win-win situation, really.
0:01:23 > 0:01:28Today, a loan gives an animal lover a new career.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30What do I love most in the world?
0:01:30 > 0:01:35Dogs. How amazing would it be to spend every day with dogs?
0:01:35 > 0:01:38A personal trainer struggling with the weight of her debts.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40Oh, God, I'll never forget that day
0:01:40 > 0:01:43I had to come clean and tell everybody,
0:01:43 > 0:01:45it was the worst day of my life.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48And a musician hoping to borrow to make it big.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51# Redemption songs. #
0:01:51 > 0:01:54- That's all you're getting for now. - Yay!
0:01:58 > 0:02:01Most of us rely on some sort of credit.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05With unsecured debt in the UK approaching £200 billion,
0:02:05 > 0:02:08it's clear we are not shy of spending -
0:02:08 > 0:02:10even if it is borrowed.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14I ran up debts of about £15,000.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17It was very easy to run up that kind of money.
0:02:17 > 0:02:18But not everyone can access credit
0:02:18 > 0:02:21from traditional high-street lenders.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25Those on low incomes or with bad credit ratings are sometimes forced
0:02:25 > 0:02:30to turn to payday loans or illegal moneylenders.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34I didn't read between the lines, because you may be borrowing £100
0:02:34 > 0:02:39but you're going to be paying back 300, so it just doubles and triples
0:02:39 > 0:02:42in price and that is when things started to get hairy.
0:02:42 > 0:02:47A small loan with high interest can easily end up escalating
0:02:47 > 0:02:48into unmanageable debt.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53But there are alternatives.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56A growing number of responsible lenders are trying to help.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59Good morning, can I help you?
0:02:59 > 0:03:01I've come to pick up my loan.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04Credit unions have been helping people borrow responsibly
0:03:04 > 0:03:08and encouraging them to save for over 50 years.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10That's how much is available.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13- 50, 60, 80. - Thank you.
0:03:13 > 0:03:18Together, these non-profit-making community banks boast almost
0:03:18 > 0:03:19two million members...
0:03:19 > 0:03:21- Can I please apply for a loan?- Sure.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24..and currently have £1.25 billion
0:03:24 > 0:03:25out on loan.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27Thank you.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31London Capital is one of the oldest credit unions in Britain.
0:03:31 > 0:03:36They have been helping local people since the 1960s.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40London Capital Credit Union, how can I help you?
0:03:40 > 0:03:42Martin is a manager here.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45I can trace this route back to 1962
0:03:45 > 0:03:50when it was operated from a metal tin in the back of a church in Hornsey.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54We have just over 15,000 adult members and we are growing at about
0:03:54 > 0:03:55200 to 300 a month.
0:03:55 > 0:04:00We have just over £12 million in savings and, interestingly,
0:04:00 > 0:04:0490% of our members had no savings before they joined us,
0:04:04 > 0:04:07so that means there is over £10 million of savings
0:04:07 > 0:04:10that ordinary people across London have managed to save
0:04:10 > 0:04:13with us that they wouldn't have had access to previously.
0:04:13 > 0:04:18One member hoping for a small loan today is singer-songwriter Dan.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23- Good afternoon, how can I help you? - I've come for a loan, basically.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26- OK. My name is Patricia, nice to meet you.- Nice to meet you.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28What sort of loan are you looking for?
0:04:28 > 0:04:32- How much are you looking to borrow? - Around about 500.- 500.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34What is the purpose of the loan?
0:04:34 > 0:04:38It's basically for a trip to America. I'm a singer-songwriter.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41- OK.- And a record label is interested in meeting me.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45- OK.- And they have said just get over here to discuss releasing my album.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49The record label is run by Makeda Marley,
0:04:49 > 0:04:51- Bob Marley's daughter.- OK.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54Marley set the label up when he was alive for emerging artists,
0:04:54 > 0:04:58so this trip is quite important.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01And very important to you to get there as well, yeah.
0:05:01 > 0:05:06- It sounds like reggae to me.- It is reggae.- Oh, OK, it sounds very good.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09MUSIC PLAYS
0:05:12 > 0:05:1535-year-old singer-songwriter Dan
0:05:15 > 0:05:19takes his inspiration from the music of legendary Jamaican reggae artist
0:05:19 > 0:05:21Bob Marley.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24INDISTINCT SINGING
0:05:24 > 0:05:29My mother is to blame, actually, for my insatiable love of reggae music,
0:05:29 > 0:05:32because that's all she played in the house.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35The young Dan not only loved the music,
0:05:35 > 0:05:39but found it had an extraordinary impact on his life.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41As a child, I couldn't really speak very well,
0:05:41 > 0:05:44I couldn't even string a sentence together, it was a real struggle.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49Mum used to say that it was quite sad to watch a child struggling
0:05:49 > 0:05:51to get a word out.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56I found that when I sung I didn't stammer.
0:05:58 > 0:06:04Dan's discovery set him on a path to becoming a successful singer.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07I started recording about 12, 13,
0:06:07 > 0:06:10then about 16, joined a band.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13Did vocals in a band called the Dub Pistols for about two years,
0:06:13 > 0:06:16played Glastonbury and festivals around the country,
0:06:16 > 0:06:19Europe, had a blast, signing autographs, album signings,
0:06:19 > 0:06:23playing to 80,000 people in Poland, 2012,
0:06:23 > 0:06:25televised to 2.8 million people.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28Just talking about it is exhausting.
0:06:28 > 0:06:33As quickly as Dan's career had taken off,
0:06:33 > 0:06:37it came crashing down around him, taking Dan with it.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39It has been quite testing,
0:06:39 > 0:06:42quite trying over the past sort of few years.
0:06:42 > 0:06:47At one period, about two years ago, I was homeless.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53My ego took a real beating, because you've got nowhere to live,
0:06:53 > 0:06:56you're sleeping on people's sofas, you're just hustling,
0:06:56 > 0:07:00you're walking around on the streets for hours until you can
0:07:00 > 0:07:03find someone else's couch to sleep on, stuff like that.
0:07:03 > 0:07:08So, your mind's all over the place, but what anchored me was my dream.
0:07:08 > 0:07:13Now Dan is putting his life back together and he's performing and
0:07:13 > 0:07:17recording music again, with his friend George.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20But his biggest break has come through meeting and befriending
0:07:20 > 0:07:24Bob Marley's daughter Makeda via social media.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27We just got to talking and we clicked and she said,
0:07:27 > 0:07:30"I run a record label that my father set up called Tough Love.
0:07:30 > 0:07:35"I've seen some of your music online and I'd like to actually meet you,"
0:07:35 > 0:07:40and discuss releasing my album. This is totally crunch time for me.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45Dan has got some money saved towards meeting Makeda in Philadelphia,
0:07:45 > 0:07:48but it's nowhere near enough to pay for the entire trip.
0:07:48 > 0:07:55I need roughly about £800 and I haven't got that kind of money,
0:07:55 > 0:07:58so I'm banking on Credit Union.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01I've been a member of Credit Union for about five years now
0:08:01 > 0:08:05and this is my first loan I'm going for.
0:08:05 > 0:08:09What better reason than trying to get to America to meet Bob Marley's daughter?
0:08:09 > 0:08:12Dan will have to wait to see if he is able to borrow the money
0:08:12 > 0:08:14to live his dreams.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23Helping the community is at the heart of ethical lending.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26And to become a member of most credit unions,
0:08:26 > 0:08:29you usually have to live or work in the local area.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33Credit Union, can I help you?
0:08:33 > 0:08:36- 40, 50, 60, 5. - Thank you, Lisa.- OK.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38All right. Thank you.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41We are a community bank, so we're all neighbours,
0:08:41 > 0:08:44we all live and work within our catchment area
0:08:44 > 0:08:48and that is our common bond. So if we do need work,
0:08:48 > 0:08:53we try wherever we can to use members of our community.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55Handyman Robert has been a member
0:08:55 > 0:08:57of his credit union for over seven years.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01Robert is one of the very early members, he has his own
0:09:01 > 0:09:05small business. Robert is a very good workman. Actually,
0:09:05 > 0:09:08he came in and fixed my desk.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12Hello, Pat, can I put £20 into shares one, please,
0:09:12 > 0:09:14and pay £20 off my loan?
0:09:14 > 0:09:19I use the account to manage my everyday banking needs and also to
0:09:19 > 0:09:22borrow money at a very low interest
0:09:22 > 0:09:26to fund tools and equipment that I use for my handyman business.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29- How are you today? - Yeah, bit busy, Pat.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35I found that the credit union over the years has been extraordinarily
0:09:35 > 0:09:37supportive. Thank you.
0:09:39 > 0:09:44It's nice to be able to spread that community thing.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48If you can help to bring up other members of your community,
0:09:48 > 0:09:51it can only benefit the whole community.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53Thanks, see you soon. Bye.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59As well as personal finance,
0:09:59 > 0:10:04responsible lenders regularly help to kick-start small businesses.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06Right, dude. What can I get for you, pal?
0:10:06 > 0:10:09I had enough working for somebody else.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11I needed to do my own thing.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14As the numbers increased, we regularly recruited staff.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18I couldn't imagine doing anything else, ever.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20We've had our ups and downs,
0:10:20 > 0:10:22just like any other family would in a family business.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25But you just move on from it and you just get on because,
0:10:25 > 0:10:28at the end of the day, we've got a business to run.
0:10:28 > 0:10:33I feel so proud and so lucky to have been able to do this.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36It all started with that first loan.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38Having a bright idea is one thing,
0:10:38 > 0:10:40but many would-be business owners
0:10:40 > 0:10:43struggle to borrow money from traditional sources.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45That's where the credit unions
0:10:45 > 0:10:48and responsible lenders come into their own.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52I knew there was absolutely no chance of any of the high street
0:10:52 > 0:10:55banks giving me any money whatsoever.
0:10:55 > 0:10:56If I had never had that loan,
0:10:56 > 0:11:00I probably would never have fulfilled my dream.
0:11:00 > 0:11:05The thing that makes all the difference is to be taken seriously
0:11:05 > 0:11:08and be looked at as an individual.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11If it wasn't for the money they've given us, we wouldn't have been able
0:11:11 > 0:11:16to complete and we wouldn't have been able to have the equipment that we have.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24Vicky is one person who turned to a non-for-profit lender to help her
0:11:24 > 0:11:28get her business idea to be a dog minder off the ground.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32I adore dogs to the point if it was only dogs that was in my life,
0:11:32 > 0:11:35I wouldn't be too fussed about it, to be honest.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38Vicky has been in business for six years
0:11:38 > 0:11:41and the local canine population of Blantyre, near Glasgow,
0:11:41 > 0:11:45can't wait for her to show up at their front door.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48I'm just going to stop in this estate down here for Elvis.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51He's a really great character, really loving dog.
0:11:51 > 0:11:52Goes nuts. Every day he sees us,
0:11:52 > 0:11:56it's like he's never seen us for weeks at a time. But he's great.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00He usually sits at his window here. There, he's there.
0:12:00 > 0:12:01Sits waiting on us.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06Come on, baby. Right, my darling.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11Vicky's love of dogs started at an early age.
0:12:11 > 0:12:16When I was younger, we had a dog called Sheba.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18Never left my side as a kid.
0:12:19 > 0:12:24She was just an absolute darling.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28And it just made me realise, wow, dogs are amazing.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33Vicky trained as a physiotherapist,
0:12:33 > 0:12:36but she pined for a very different career.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39I decided, what do I love most in the world?
0:12:39 > 0:12:44Dogs. How amazing would it be just to spend every day with dogs?
0:12:44 > 0:12:48So about 2009, I started working, dog walking.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50I did that for a couple of years
0:12:50 > 0:12:54and then I decided that I wanted to do my own business.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57I thought, well, I have my own business,
0:12:57 > 0:13:02I can work with the dogs exactly the way I want to work with the dogs.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05Although Vicky had some savings, it quickly became clear she was
0:13:05 > 0:13:08going to need an awful lot more money.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12The key things I needed to start the business would be a vehicle to
0:13:12 > 0:13:15transport the dogs, collect them, take them away,
0:13:15 > 0:13:17and all the equipment for inside the vehicle.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21And also you would need to have your dog insurance,
0:13:21 > 0:13:23your liability insurance.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26You need your sign writing on your van.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32Reluctant to take on a traditional bank loan,
0:13:32 > 0:13:36Vicky started to explore other options.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39I didn't want the business to start off with debt, basically,
0:13:39 > 0:13:40as a new business.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42Come on, then!
0:13:42 > 0:13:45So my partner,
0:13:45 > 0:13:48he had always saved in the credit union and he had said to me,
0:13:48 > 0:13:51"How much would you need for a vehicle to start with?"
0:13:51 > 0:13:53And they were coming up about £2,000, £2,500.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56He said, "I can get that out the credit union."
0:13:56 > 0:13:59I think that within that week I had the vehicle to start.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02With just five dogs on her books,
0:14:02 > 0:14:06the £2,500 loan seemed a big investment.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09But it quickly started to pay off.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13I think because I was so happy in what I was doing with the dogs,
0:14:13 > 0:14:15I think it showed.
0:14:15 > 0:14:16And I think
0:14:16 > 0:14:21that's why the customers I had then spoke so well of me.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23Come here!
0:14:23 > 0:14:25Come here the noo. Come here till I see you.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27Come here so I see you.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30Within a couple of weeks, I would say that I had doubled.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33And then within about three months I was at full capacity.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40Vicky's next investment was renting a seven-acre patch of land for the
0:14:40 > 0:14:43dogs to run about on.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46She's convinced it is the secret to her success.
0:14:46 > 0:14:51It is amazing to have this up here to be able to allow the dogs to be dogs.
0:14:51 > 0:14:52Come on, let's go.
0:14:52 > 0:14:57They get to actually really stretch what they're doing, exercise-wise,
0:14:57 > 0:15:00without, you know, interrupting anybody,
0:15:00 > 0:15:03interrupting any of the public.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07With happy dogs come happy customers.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11Sky just adores Vicky, wants to be with her all the time.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15I sometimes think she would rather live with Vicky than myself.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17They love it. They are out with Vicky for a good couple of hours,
0:15:17 > 0:15:20they come home, straight to bed. That's them all night.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22If I could send them out every single day,
0:15:22 > 0:15:25I would send them out every day with her. Yeah, she's great.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32Vicky's business was going from strength to strength.
0:15:32 > 0:15:37But in 2016, she returned from a weekend away with her husband
0:15:37 > 0:15:40to find her vehicles had been vandalised.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45This was the first van that was ever a Healthy Hounds van
0:15:45 > 0:15:46that we first owned.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49And every wheel had been slashed.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54All the tyres were down and the other three business vehicles,
0:15:54 > 0:15:56scrapes on them also.
0:15:58 > 0:16:03And one had acid thrown over the roof and the bonnet of the vehicle.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06Everything had been going so well for the business.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09You know, I had four vehicles on the road.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13All my girls were trained, they were doing great.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17Came home to see that somebody had actually, you know,
0:16:17 > 0:16:20took time out of their time
0:16:20 > 0:16:23to vandalise, not just one of the vehicles,
0:16:23 > 0:16:27but every single one of them. It was absolutely devastating, yeah.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34With all the vehicles off the road,
0:16:34 > 0:16:37Vicky had to move quickly to protect her business.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41The one thing about this business is I do not like letting my customers
0:16:41 > 0:16:43down and the dogs not getting out on their walks.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47Because everybody is at work, that's why we do the service we do.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49It's not like when that happened to the vehicles
0:16:49 > 0:16:51I could call up a rental place and be like,
0:16:51 > 0:16:55"Can I rent four vans today?" because they are not kitted out.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59It takes a lot to kit out - your proper cages so they don't move
0:16:59 > 0:17:02when you're driving, so the dogs are secure in them.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06So straightaway it was like I have to get these vehicles
0:17:06 > 0:17:08back on the road as soon as possible.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16By now, Vicky was a member of the Lanarkshire Credit Union herself,
0:17:16 > 0:17:19so she turned to them for help.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22There she met loan manager Myra Dolan.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24She was really, really upset.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27She was in floods of tears, panic about, "What are we going to do?
0:17:27 > 0:17:30"I'm going to let all these people down."
0:17:30 > 0:17:32So I sat her down, had a cup of tea.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34"Right, come on, let's see what we can do here."
0:17:34 > 0:17:36Had a look at her account,
0:17:36 > 0:17:39realised, yes, she could borrow without any problem.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41Her savings was up to date.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44Any previous loans had been cleared.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47From start to finish, coming in and going out,
0:17:47 > 0:17:50probably about half an hour.
0:17:50 > 0:17:55I took out...I think it was 2,500 against my savings.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58And that got all the tyres fixed, all the vans,
0:17:58 > 0:18:00all the vans were back on the road by the end of the day.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03The credit union had the money in my account by lunchtime that day,
0:18:03 > 0:18:05which was just fantastic.
0:18:05 > 0:18:10And also it left money left over, which we then invested in CCTV
0:18:10 > 0:18:12so it can never happen again.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15It was a couple of weeks later,
0:18:15 > 0:18:20she actually came down and we were at the car park, the van was all
0:18:20 > 0:18:23prepared, the Healthy Hounds were back on the road and things,
0:18:23 > 0:18:26so that was really, really good. Really good.
0:18:26 > 0:18:32I just couldn't believe how nice the credit union were.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35The way they were with me was just fantastic.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37From as soon as I walked in that door
0:18:37 > 0:18:41they just wanted to do anything they could to help me.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45And it took away the total negative factor of what had happened
0:18:45 > 0:18:47that morning.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52My business still ran that day without it being affected,
0:18:52 > 0:18:55thanks to the credit union.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57And thanks to...
0:18:57 > 0:18:58great people.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04At London Capital Credit Union,
0:19:04 > 0:19:08singer-songwriter Dan is hoping to get a loan.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13If you have got your back statements handy while you're completing the
0:19:13 > 0:19:16form, I'll have a look through your bank statements for you.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19- I've got them handy, yes. - OK, thank you.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21- These are the most recent ones. - Yeah.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25He needs to borrow £500 to fly to the States for a meeting that
0:19:25 > 0:19:27could change his life.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31I notice on your bank statement that there is a debt management...
0:19:31 > 0:19:33- Yeah, that's right. Yeah, yeah. - For £15?
0:19:33 > 0:19:35That's been paid off now, though, yes.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38He is hoping to meet with Bob Marley's daughter Makeda
0:19:38 > 0:19:42and secure a record deal on the Marley family label.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45So, when you complete the form on the back,
0:19:45 > 0:19:48- you need to list that DWP being paid off.- Sure.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51- Because it is showing on your bank statement.- OK.
0:19:51 > 0:19:56Dan has been with us for a little while, but he's never saved with us.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59We look at is paperwork and look at
0:19:59 > 0:20:02his situation and then see what we can do for him.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07By looking at what you have shown me here on your bank statements,
0:20:07 > 0:20:10it seems as if you are managing your money OK. And this is showing that
0:20:10 > 0:20:13- you are able to afford the loan that we are going to offer you. - So far, so good.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16Yes. I'll approve your loan for you for the £500.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19- OK.- All right? So if you would like to...- Approved already?- Yes.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22- Excellent.- So you can get to America and make your records.- Excellent!
0:20:22 > 0:20:25We're going to need £20 deposit.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29I'm also going to need you to set up a standing order.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32I've also printed you out a schedule.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36You can see, as you pay, the interest goes down and down.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38- Yeah, sure.- OK. OK. So if you are happy with that,
0:20:38 > 0:20:41if you wouldn't mind signing once you've done that.
0:20:41 > 0:20:45And we will send the money today. Allow up to three working days.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47- It could get there today, we can't guarantee it.- Fantastic.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50- Amazing. Thank you so much. - I'm glad we could help you.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52- Appreciate it.- And see a smile on your face.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56So that you can actually follow your dreams, you know, to sing.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59It's my life. Yes, it's my life.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01I'd like to hear you sing in the natural...
0:21:01 > 0:21:04OK, let me think of a song which is appropriate for you.
0:21:06 > 0:21:11# We forward in this generation
0:21:11 > 0:21:14# Triumphantly
0:21:14 > 0:21:17# So won't you help to sing
0:21:17 > 0:21:20# These songs of freedom
0:21:20 > 0:21:23# Cos all I ever have
0:21:23 > 0:21:26# Redemption songs. #
0:21:26 > 0:21:28That's all you're getting for now.
0:21:28 > 0:21:29Yay!
0:21:29 > 0:21:32That's one of my favourite songs of Bob Marley.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34Played to the crowd, but there you go.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36- You have done very well.- Thank you.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39- You have done very well. - What a smile, though!
0:21:39 > 0:21:44- Bless you.- Nice to meet you. Have a good afternoon.- You too.- Thank you.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46- Bye!- Bye.- Take care.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50I loved his music. He sounded just like Bob Marley!
0:21:50 > 0:21:51And I love reggae music.
0:21:51 > 0:21:56So it makes me feel good that I can help him make that trip.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59I didn't expect it to be so easy, to be fair. I thought it would be
0:21:59 > 0:22:02at least a couple of days before I get some sort of, you know, answer.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05In a month from now I will be in Philadelphia
0:22:05 > 0:22:07meeting Marley's daughter.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09Just really, really, really big.
0:22:11 > 0:22:16Still to come: a woman seeks a loan after her best friend emigrates
0:22:16 > 0:22:18to the other side of the world.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21It was a bit of a shock at the time to find out that's what their plans
0:22:21 > 0:22:23were. But, actually, now it's really positive.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27A personal trainer dealing with the mistakes of her past.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31When you are backed into a corner, and you have nowhere else to go,
0:22:31 > 0:22:33like, what do you do?
0:22:33 > 0:22:38And find out if Dan's trip to the USA is music to his ears.
0:22:38 > 0:22:44It's just very inspiring. That realisation that dreams can happen.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50Over the course of our lifetimes,
0:22:50 > 0:22:54we enter into all kinds of financial contracts and agreements.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57Rent, for starters. My phone bill. My gym membership.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01Electric bill, gas bill. Water bill, yeah.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05I have a phone contract, motorcycle finance.
0:23:05 > 0:23:10I have one credit card and I only use it for buying special things and
0:23:10 > 0:23:12gifts for my wife.
0:23:12 > 0:23:17Yes, I have two credit cards of my own and I also have one
0:23:17 > 0:23:20with my wife, a joint one.
0:23:20 > 0:23:24Entering a contract on your own means you have sole responsibility.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28But it's a different matter when you do things jointly.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32Being in a relationship with someone is more than just all dreamy flowers
0:23:32 > 0:23:35and having a lovely time. You need to think about the practical
0:23:35 > 0:23:37managing your money part, too,
0:23:37 > 0:23:40because that will make your day-to-day so much easier.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43It is really important that, as a couple, you are on the same page,
0:23:43 > 0:23:46and that means being completely open and honest about how good you are
0:23:46 > 0:23:48with money, what you have spent in the past,
0:23:48 > 0:23:50if you are struggling with debts,
0:23:50 > 0:23:52what you're going to spend together in the future.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55And if you are planning to mix your finances,
0:23:55 > 0:23:57really looking at the best way to do that.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04Somebody who knows all too well about the dangers of joint borrowing
0:24:04 > 0:24:07is 33-year-old Kerry.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10In her 20s, Kerry was in a relationship,
0:24:10 > 0:24:14looking to the future and thinking about settling down.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19I just thought that that time was the right time to get somewhere,
0:24:19 > 0:24:21like, build a life.
0:24:21 > 0:24:26I thought it would be a good idea to have a joint account
0:24:26 > 0:24:32where we'd both contribute into this account and all the bills that are
0:24:32 > 0:24:34generated, like gas, electric, mortgage, you know,
0:24:34 > 0:24:36things like that, would all come out of this one account.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39Because, to me, that seemed quite fair.
0:24:39 > 0:24:44However, Kerry says things didn't work out as she had hoped.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47Only one of us was contributing for a long period of time.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50When you care about someone and they say,
0:24:50 > 0:24:54"Oh, I can't put in this month. I'm getting the money from here and here,"
0:24:54 > 0:24:56it's like, "OK, that's cool."
0:24:56 > 0:25:01You know, you try and, you know, you support your partner. You know?
0:25:01 > 0:25:07I was paying for everything - mortgage, bills, the council tax,
0:25:07 > 0:25:09shopping.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13Everything. Everything that you would pay for as a couple,
0:25:13 > 0:25:15I was doing by myself.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17I just had to stay in. I stayed at home a lot of the time,
0:25:17 > 0:25:20pushed my friends away because I couldn't afford to go out with them.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24You know, I couldn't do... I couldn't do anything.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28I couldn't live my life cos I had no money to do anything.
0:25:28 > 0:25:33Eventually, Kerry decided to move out.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35I decided I had to leave
0:25:35 > 0:25:41and I gathered as much of my things as I possibly could.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45Which was literally a couple of bags of stuff.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49And I left. I moved in with my sister.
0:25:52 > 0:25:56Even though the relationship was over, Kerry found her financial ties
0:25:56 > 0:25:59to her ex-partner were far harder to break.
0:25:59 > 0:26:03As it was a joint account that they had both signed up to,
0:26:03 > 0:26:07and had equal access, Kerry was jointly liable for any spending.
0:26:09 > 0:26:14The monetary value, I think it got to over £15,000.
0:26:14 > 0:26:20Emotionally and mentally, it just became so much and so overwhelming.
0:26:22 > 0:26:23Debt collectors...
0:26:26 > 0:26:28..hounding me all the time.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33Every day. On my phone, at work.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40Letters, constantly, all the time.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43It's hard to tell people this is going on in your life.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45It's hard to tell people.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48It's like your whole world is falling apart.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50Oh, God. I'll never forget that day
0:26:50 > 0:26:52I had to come clean and tell everybody.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54It was the worst day of my life.
0:26:56 > 0:27:02Reaching out for help was the first step for Kerry to try and sort out the situation.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04I went to Citizens Advice.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06They were really helpful.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08They told me
0:27:08 > 0:27:11bankruptcy was an option.
0:27:12 > 0:27:16I don't like talking about it because people judge you.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21It was not an easy decision.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25You know, it was my life.
0:27:28 > 0:27:33But when you're... When you're backed into a corner
0:27:33 > 0:27:36and you've got nowhere else to go, like, what do you do?
0:27:38 > 0:27:40I ended up losing everything I had.
0:27:42 > 0:27:43My home.
0:27:45 > 0:27:46Everything I had.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52Kerry was desperate to make a fresh start.
0:27:52 > 0:27:53I had a little bit of money,
0:27:53 > 0:27:57you know, in my account that I had saved. And I was like,
0:27:57 > 0:28:00OK, first thing, I know I need to get myself a job.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04It was just like, it was like completely starting from scratch.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07But not only just trying to find a job,
0:28:07 > 0:28:10it was like I needed to work on my self-confidence, my self-worth,
0:28:10 > 0:28:15my self-esteem. Also my weight was important to me as well.
0:28:17 > 0:28:21I was around about five stone heavier than I am today.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24And sitting around about a size 18-20.
0:28:25 > 0:28:30I joined a gym and I started to build myself back up again,
0:28:30 > 0:28:31piece by piece.
0:28:32 > 0:28:37It has been a painful process, but Kerry has turned her life around.
0:28:37 > 0:28:41The debts are now gone and she's even launched her own business.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44I have lost a substantial amount of weight
0:28:44 > 0:28:47and from that I set up my company.
0:28:47 > 0:28:51And, you know, I started small.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54I mean, it's not something that happens overnight,
0:28:54 > 0:28:57but my business is growing and I have grown with it, you know,
0:28:57 > 0:28:58from strength to strength.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01Declaring herself bankrupt was a difficult decision
0:29:01 > 0:29:04but it has allowed her to start again.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06Changing your life is one thing,
0:29:06 > 0:29:09and then changing your body and then changing your mind-set is totally
0:29:09 > 0:29:12something different as well. And I've done that.
0:29:12 > 0:29:16I'm living proof that I've done that. And I just want to be that
0:29:16 > 0:29:20anchor to other people that you can change your
0:29:20 > 0:29:23life and there is always someone you can go to.
0:29:23 > 0:29:27And I think that is why my business has become amazing,
0:29:27 > 0:29:30because I genuinely know what it feels like.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32I genuinely know what that's like.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42Kerry learned the hard way. But if you are thinking about joining
0:29:42 > 0:29:47your finances with a partner, it pays to do your homework first.
0:29:47 > 0:29:51Before you open a joint account with your loved one,
0:29:51 > 0:29:54the key thing is having an honest conversation about how you both
0:29:54 > 0:29:58manage money and also about both of your credit histories.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02Doing a simple credit check together is worthwhile because you will
0:30:02 > 0:30:05understand if one of you has got a much better credit history than the
0:30:05 > 0:30:07other, actually, it might be best to keep them separate for now,
0:30:07 > 0:30:09because if they do then need to borrow,
0:30:09 > 0:30:12it is likely they will be able to borrow for less.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15Whereas by linking your finances together, then you will be
0:30:15 > 0:30:19financially associated and lenders will look at you as well as them
0:30:19 > 0:30:21when they start to apply to borrow.
0:30:21 > 0:30:25Maybe you've just moved in with each other and you're starting to think
0:30:25 > 0:30:27about joining finances,
0:30:27 > 0:30:31maybe with a joint bank account to cover those joint expenses,
0:30:31 > 0:30:33then tread carefully.
0:30:33 > 0:30:37It's really important that you understand how you both will be
0:30:37 > 0:30:40spending the money. Both of you might have slightly different
0:30:40 > 0:30:44financial habits and therefore it's important to have that conversation.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47No matter what your situation,
0:30:47 > 0:30:51being fully informed could end up saving you time and money.
0:30:51 > 0:30:5360, 80, 3.
0:30:53 > 0:30:57Anyone in the local community can save through a credit union.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59Have a nice day. Take it easy.
0:30:59 > 0:31:03Whether they are experienced at managing their finances...
0:31:03 > 0:31:05£10 into my savings account, please.
0:31:05 > 0:31:08..or just starting out.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10- And you've got £2 as well. - Yeah.- Thank you.
0:31:10 > 0:31:14I've come with my daughter, who is another member as well.
0:31:14 > 0:31:18Thank you very much. Thanks.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21She's one. She will be two in July.
0:31:21 > 0:31:23She will be. Yay.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26And right now she's got her savings in there.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29It's not touched, you know. I can trust the credit union.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32I've never had a problem with them, ever.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35So why not get my daughter involved as well?
0:31:35 > 0:31:37I'd say she gets more money than me!
0:31:37 > 0:31:41- I just need you to fill in one of those forms there.- Thank you.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44Believe it or not, we've got nearly a quarter of a million pounds
0:31:44 > 0:31:48in savings with our 1,500 juniors.
0:31:48 > 0:31:50Oh, look at the baby!
0:31:52 > 0:31:56These responsible lenders try to help people who struggle to borrow
0:31:56 > 0:31:58through traditional roots.
0:31:58 > 0:32:02This credit union has been going for 25 years, since 1992.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05We have about 12,000 active members.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09We have £5 million worth of assets in savings in this credit union.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13They have well over £4 million of those assets and savings by saving a
0:32:13 > 0:32:17small amount of money. That has created a pool of money which we can
0:32:17 > 0:32:19then lend to other people.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21What's your membership number, please?
0:32:21 > 0:32:24Because they look into all aspects of an applicant's history
0:32:24 > 0:32:29and situation, a poor credit rating, low income or being on benefits
0:32:29 > 0:32:32doesn't automatically mean they can't borrow.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35110. OK?
0:32:35 > 0:32:38- All right?- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:32:38 > 0:32:42One such member hoping to get some help from her local credit union
0:32:42 > 0:32:45in Lewisham, South London, is Karen.
0:32:45 > 0:32:49I'm at the credit union today to get a top-up loan to do some home
0:32:49 > 0:32:51improvements, just some painting,
0:32:51 > 0:32:54some carpets for my daughter's and my son's bedroom.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57I'm going to go for about 500.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00Hi, can I help you?
0:33:00 > 0:33:02OK, no worries. I'll do that for you.
0:33:02 > 0:33:06Karen already has a loan with the credit union and she's applying
0:33:06 > 0:33:08to increase it to fund her home improvements.
0:33:08 > 0:33:12- Hello.- Hello! I'm applying to get a top-up on my loan.
0:33:12 > 0:33:16- Right, what are you wanting, an instant top-up?- If I can, yes.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19- VOICEOVER:- I've had a few loans before and I've been a member
0:33:19 > 0:33:22for about six years. I like it. It helps you out when you're...
0:33:22 > 0:33:26When you need a bit more money and you haven't got it,
0:33:26 > 0:33:28it helps you out and you can also save at the same time.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31On a personal loan, I can do a maximum of 500.
0:33:31 > 0:33:33- Yup.- OK?- That's fine, yeah. - OK, sweetheart.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36Do you have your proofs of address?
0:33:36 > 0:33:42- Yup, here.- Right, they're no more than three months old, no?- No.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45- Perfect.- I've also got my account card as well.
0:33:45 > 0:33:49No, that's perfect. No, that's perfect. These two will be fine.
0:33:49 > 0:33:50Right, thank you.
0:33:50 > 0:33:52And they don't charge too much interest as well
0:33:52 > 0:33:56for paying them back. Like, if you was to go to, like, a normal bank,
0:33:56 > 0:33:59they would probably pay you, like, more interest to pay them back.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01So that's why I come here.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04Although Karen already passed the lending checks and requirements for
0:34:04 > 0:34:08her initial loan, the team now need to make sure she'll be able
0:34:08 > 0:34:11to afford the repayments on the top-up, too.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13If Karen doesn't pass the checks,
0:34:13 > 0:34:16she will be going home without the money.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18- Hi, can I help you? - I've come for...
0:34:18 > 0:34:22- You've come for a top-up loan? - Yup.- OK. Let's have a look.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24It's fine for 500.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27- OK.- OK. So we just need to do an agreement.
0:34:27 > 0:34:31- Yeah?- Yeah.- And the payments will stay exactly the same, yeah?
0:34:31 > 0:34:36- Yeah.- £19 a week. OK.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38So, it's a top-up of 500.
0:34:38 > 0:34:41Yes? Is it going to go into your Engage card this afternoon?
0:34:41 > 0:34:44- It is, yes.- It is. OK.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47The interest stays the same at 2% per month and you can pay it early
0:34:47 > 0:34:50if you want to and if you have got any problems,
0:34:50 > 0:34:52- you need to keep in touch. Yeah?- Yeah, will do.- OK.
0:34:52 > 0:34:54You've had plenty of loans before.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59One you, and one for me, yeah?
0:34:59 > 0:35:02- Yeah, OK. Thank you. - No problem.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05I've got it. It means I can do what I want to do for the kids.
0:35:05 > 0:35:09There's an added benefit for Karen of borrowing here, too.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12It's really good if you are ever short of money and if you need to
0:35:12 > 0:35:17get something and you can just come here and they help you out.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21I am saving with them as well, so I can actually go into my savings if
0:35:21 > 0:35:25I need to. Because what you do is, if you get a loan and you pay it back,
0:35:25 > 0:35:28you put some money into an account,
0:35:28 > 0:35:31but you can't touch it until your loan is actually paid up.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35So I'm kind of saving and borrowing at the same time.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38People borrow from credit unions
0:35:38 > 0:35:42and other responsible lenders for all manner of things.
0:35:43 > 0:35:47I'm here at the credit union to get a loan to have a nice holiday for me
0:35:47 > 0:35:50and my three boys and my husband.
0:35:50 > 0:35:54I'm here to get a top-up loan to get a new tumble dryer.
0:35:54 > 0:36:00I want to do a bit more with my flat because I'm just trying to do it up.
0:36:00 > 0:36:04Basically, my car has been off the road for a little while and I need
0:36:04 > 0:36:06a loan to kind of fix it up a bit.
0:36:06 > 0:36:10Credit unions encourage people to borrow responsibly,
0:36:10 > 0:36:14as well as building up savings for when things don't go to plan.
0:36:14 > 0:36:19People save for different reasons, for holidays or finer things.
0:36:19 > 0:36:21Can I help you?
0:36:21 > 0:36:24Knowing that you can access credit when you need a helping hand
0:36:24 > 0:36:28can help open the door to all sorts of exciting possibilities.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34- Hiya! - Hello! Lovely to see you.
0:36:34 > 0:36:36- Come in, come in.- Thank you.
0:36:36 > 0:36:40- Right, I'm just about to order a takeaway.- Awesome!
0:36:40 > 0:36:43For 40-year-old Valerie from Milton Keynes,
0:36:43 > 0:36:46a £1,000 loan helped reunite a group of school friends.
0:36:46 > 0:36:50That is a great picture. That really brings it back to me.
0:36:50 > 0:36:54Friendship is really important to me and being able to stay in touch with
0:36:54 > 0:36:55my childhood friends throughout
0:36:55 > 0:36:58all these years has really made a difference to my life.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01Do you remember this, when we had our fortunes taken?
0:37:01 > 0:37:03- What did we have to do?- Ah!
0:37:03 > 0:37:06Valerie and Nicky, along with Jaspal and Emma,
0:37:06 > 0:37:08have been best mates since school.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11- We met 27 years ago. - So we were 13.
0:37:11 > 0:37:15- OK.- Yeah.- And we met in maths?
0:37:15 > 0:37:18Yeah, we were in the same set for maths.
0:37:18 > 0:37:23And, yeah, we just bonded over a love of music,
0:37:23 > 0:37:27playing musical instruments and a great sense of humour.
0:37:27 > 0:37:31Having a really strong group of friends at the age of 13
0:37:31 > 0:37:33I think is one of the times you most need one.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36And it was fantastic. You know, people were so funny.
0:37:36 > 0:37:40We had so much in common. We laughed all the time.
0:37:40 > 0:37:45But when Emma decided to emigrate to New Zealand, and Jaspal to Canada,
0:37:45 > 0:37:47all the friends' lives changed.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50It was a bit of a shock at the time to find out that's what their plans
0:37:50 > 0:37:53were, but actually now it's really positive because it means that,
0:37:53 > 0:37:55you know, different members of the friendship group,
0:37:55 > 0:37:57we can go and visit them.
0:37:57 > 0:38:01The friends kept up with each other on Skype.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03- Hello!- Hello!
0:38:03 > 0:38:05Bonjour.
0:38:06 > 0:38:11- Kia ora.- That's right, that's what I meant to say.
0:38:11 > 0:38:15But as it's not quite the same as meeting face-to-face,
0:38:15 > 0:38:18they planned a reunion in New Zealand.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21I decided to go and visit Emma because I wanted to see how she was
0:38:21 > 0:38:25getting on in her new life and also I really wanted to visit exotic
0:38:25 > 0:38:28places and I'd never really had the chance.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31We always wanted an excuse, didn't we, to get to New Zealand?
0:38:31 > 0:38:34- And I think Emma provided us with that.- And we both really like
0:38:34 > 0:38:36travelling, but we have never travelled together.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39- No.- So that was really fun, actually.- Yeah.
0:38:39 > 0:38:44Valerie already had some savings to put towards her reunion trip,
0:38:44 > 0:38:48as she had been a member of her local credit union since 2012.
0:38:48 > 0:38:52My mum made me join up with a credit union because she used to volunteer
0:38:52 > 0:38:56with them, and she had volunteered with them over several years.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59And I just saved £20 a month until I had 500 quid.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01I hardly noticed the money going out of the account,
0:39:01 > 0:39:05and it felt really good to have that pot of money building up slowly
0:39:05 > 0:39:06and sitting there.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12£500 wasn't going to get her to the other side of the world,
0:39:12 > 0:39:15so Valerie applied to her credit union in Milton Keynes
0:39:15 > 0:39:17for a £1,000 loan.
0:39:17 > 0:39:21Her adviser was Graham Tomlin.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24Many of our members use their credit union savings and loans
0:39:24 > 0:39:26to go abroad, to take holidays abroad,
0:39:26 > 0:39:31to visit friends and family and to go for other emergencies abroad.
0:39:31 > 0:39:34And it's a great way to just keep up with people they might not have seen
0:39:34 > 0:39:39for some time. So people see that as an essential, not just a luxury.
0:39:39 > 0:39:43With her finances sorted, Valerie travelled with Nicky
0:39:43 > 0:39:45on their three-week New Zealand adventure.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50Valerie has since paid back her loan
0:39:50 > 0:39:54and is now planning another long-distance friendship reunion.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57Since that New Zealand trip, I've continued to save.
0:39:57 > 0:40:01And we have another project that we might go out to Canada and see the
0:40:01 > 0:40:04other friend who emigrated and started a family.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06But who knows?
0:40:15 > 0:40:20Earlier, we met singer-songwriter Dan, who took a credit union loan
0:40:20 > 0:40:25to fly to the States in the hope of getting a recording contract.
0:40:25 > 0:40:29My trip to Philadelphia was spellbinding, actually.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31# Raindrops falling
0:40:31 > 0:40:34# Into the ocean... #
0:40:34 > 0:40:38Unfortunately, Dan didn't get his contract.
0:40:38 > 0:40:42But his trip to Philadelphia was life-changing all the same.
0:40:42 > 0:40:46The family and friends couldn't have been any more nicer to me,
0:40:46 > 0:40:48they were so hospitable.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51Just telling me stories about Marley and, you know, the family
0:40:51 > 0:40:55and just getting to know that side of the Marleys,
0:40:55 > 0:40:58that stuff that I've read about, heard about.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01I can proudly say that Makeda Marley
0:41:01 > 0:41:06is my friend and she's just lifted my spirits.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10This picture is a picture of me and the lady herself, Makeda Marley.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12This one is me and Makeda again.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14This is one of my favourites, actually.
0:41:16 > 0:41:18This really blows my mind.
0:41:18 > 0:41:20This is one of my favourites.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23Just looking at it, I'm transported back there,
0:41:23 > 0:41:27just outside of One Love Park.
0:41:27 > 0:41:28Delaware.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30Isn't that a beautiful thing?
0:41:32 > 0:41:35Without the loan from the credit union,
0:41:35 > 0:41:38this would never have happened. I'm very grateful that the credit union
0:41:38 > 0:41:42actually gave me the loan so I could get out there.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45Because it's priceless. The experience, spiritually,
0:41:45 > 0:41:50mentally, emotionally, it is second to none, actually.
0:41:50 > 0:41:54What a life-changing experience I had. Meeting Bob Marley's daughter
0:41:54 > 0:41:58made me realise even more so that what love
0:41:58 > 0:42:01I have for her father and how much he has inspired me.
0:42:01 > 0:42:07All that inspiration is working its way into Dan's new songs.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09# Makeda
0:42:09 > 0:42:13# And her brethren... #
0:42:13 > 0:42:16The music, since I have come back, has just transformed.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18I gained lifelong experience there
0:42:18 > 0:42:21that will make me smile for the rest of my life.
0:42:21 > 0:42:26That realisation that dreams can happen,
0:42:26 > 0:42:28it's just very inspiring,
0:42:28 > 0:42:30that, just maybe,
0:42:30 > 0:42:33I'm on the right path and just maybe things might start to shape up
0:42:33 > 0:42:37musically for me. Which I feel that they are.
0:42:43 > 0:42:47Since our filming, Valerie has been planning a trip to Canada.
0:42:49 > 0:42:53And Vicky's dog walking business is fully booked and she's recently
0:42:53 > 0:42:55taken out another credit union loan
0:42:55 > 0:42:58for new training equipment for the dogs.