0:00:02 > 0:00:03Every day, all over the country,
0:00:03 > 0:00:06millions of people are struggling to find the cash they need
0:00:06 > 0:00:09to make ends meet or to realise their dreams.
0:00:09 > 0:00:1140, 60, 80.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13Withdraw £500.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16- 50, 60, five. - Thank you, Lisa.- OK?
0:00:16 > 0:00:19Many struggle to qualify for high-street borrowing,
0:00:19 > 0:00:22making them vulnerable to illegal loan sharks...
0:00:22 > 0:00:27That first £100 loan leads to another, leads to another.
0:00:27 > 0:00:30..but there are a growing number of community banks
0:00:30 > 0:00:32or credit unions that
0:00:32 > 0:00:36are offering a helping hand, whilst at the same time
0:00:36 > 0:00:38supporting the local area.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41We are looking to offer you a loan.
0:00:41 > 0:00:4420, 40, 60, 70, eight.
0:00:44 > 0:00:45We've had our ups and downs,
0:00:45 > 0:00:47like any other family would in a family business.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49They gave me the option of what I could afford.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52I could actually live again and actually save again.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55From household emergencies
0:00:55 > 0:00:57to kick-starting a new life or business.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59Organic veg boxes!
0:00:59 > 0:01:02I am a bit nervous, but I'm still excited.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04It's like I'm getting married, it's crazy!
0:01:04 > 0:01:08We're following some of these life-changing stories.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11It basically meant that something I never thought I would ever do in my
0:01:11 > 0:01:13life was actually going to happen.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15Without that help,
0:01:15 > 0:01:17the transformation to my life
0:01:17 > 0:01:19would have been impossible.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21So it's a win-win situation, really.
0:01:24 > 0:01:29Today, a loan helps a couple realise their sweet dreams...
0:01:30 > 0:01:33It's already thriving. It's standing on its own two feet within a year
0:01:33 > 0:01:36and there aren't that many businesses that can say that.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39..a young woman recovering
0:01:39 > 0:01:42after her credit card debt gets out of control...
0:01:42 > 0:01:43It's easy to get it,
0:01:43 > 0:01:46so I might as well...get it.
0:01:47 > 0:01:52..and a former teen mum gets help to start her own photography business.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54I'm going to risk all of what I've got
0:01:54 > 0:01:57and hopefully this is going to work.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01PHONE RINGS
0:02:01 > 0:02:03And you're a member of the credit union, yes?
0:02:03 > 0:02:05- PHONE RINGS - Your membership number?
0:02:06 > 0:02:09Most people rely on some sort of credit.
0:02:09 > 0:02:10Can I please apply for a loan?
0:02:10 > 0:02:12Sure.
0:02:13 > 0:02:18With unsecured debt in the UK approaching £200 billion,
0:02:18 > 0:02:20whether it's credit cards or car finance,
0:02:20 > 0:02:24buy now and pay later has become the norm for many us.
0:02:26 > 0:02:27I thought, if I can get a loan,
0:02:27 > 0:02:30that'll tide us over and then I'd get a credit card,
0:02:30 > 0:02:32that would tide us over.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36And... Yeah, I just started growing the debt.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41Those on low incomes, or who have bad credit ratings,
0:02:41 > 0:02:45can't always borrow from traditional high-street lenders.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47Instead, they are sometimes forced
0:02:47 > 0:02:52to turn to high-interest payday loans, or illegal moneylenders.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55My mum passed away and then her funeral costs
0:02:55 > 0:02:57were quite a bit of money,
0:02:57 > 0:02:59so I went to a loan shark.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02I had no idea what APR meant at the time.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05Looking back now, I realise the APR
0:03:05 > 0:03:07for that loan was nearly 800%,
0:03:07 > 0:03:09which is...
0:03:09 > 0:03:10um...
0:03:12 > 0:03:13..an awful lot of money.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16But there is an alternative.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21A growing number of responsible lenders are trying to help.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24- So, do you have your benefit coming in here?- Aye.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26- You do?- Across the country,
0:03:26 > 0:03:28there are over 400 credit unions
0:03:28 > 0:03:31offering a lifeline to their local communities.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37Started in the 1960s by immigrants who couldn't borrow from traditional
0:03:37 > 0:03:39routes, these ethical lenders
0:03:39 > 0:03:43encourage people to save, as well as borrow responsibly.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47So maybe paying a payday loan 200 a month,
0:03:47 > 0:03:51they probably could get a loan from us for 1,000 for just £50 a month,
0:03:51 > 0:03:56so they're saving some money and it can cut back on their debts.
0:03:56 > 0:04:00Nationwide, they have almost two million members
0:04:00 > 0:04:03and £1.25 billion out on loan.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07It's about getting people to learn the habit of budgeting,
0:04:07 > 0:04:09taking control of their money,
0:04:09 > 0:04:11helping them help themselves.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16London Capital is one of Britain's oldest credit unions
0:04:16 > 0:04:19and serves those who live, work,
0:04:19 > 0:04:21study or worship in North London.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27Well, you can trace its roots back to 1962, when it was operated from a
0:04:27 > 0:04:30metal tin in the back of a church in Fern Park in Hornsey.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35They have just over £12 million in savings.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39Interestingly, 90% of our members said they had no savings before they
0:04:39 > 0:04:40joined us.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43Yeah, that was from our manager.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46Do you have a pen and paper handy when you're ready?
0:04:46 > 0:04:48HE HUMS
0:04:51 > 0:04:5547-year-old Alev has been a member for four years.
0:04:55 > 0:05:00- Hello.- Today she's hoping for a loan to help her with a family emergency.
0:05:00 > 0:05:01Mum lost her brother.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04My mum's in her 70s and she can't travel alone.
0:05:04 > 0:05:09I needed a little bit of extra cash to be able to help my mum to
0:05:09 > 0:05:12travel abroad to visit her family,
0:05:12 > 0:05:16so it's to reconnect with the family and to go to a memorial service.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19I asked for £1,000,
0:05:19 > 0:05:21I needed the money to cover the cost
0:05:21 > 0:05:24of travel and the expenses, and to ensure
0:05:24 > 0:05:28that my expenses and my bills at home don't suffer.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32Cos it was an unexpected event and I just want to make sure that I
0:05:32 > 0:05:36can go comfortably without having that kind of worry and that concern
0:05:36 > 0:05:38about what's left behind.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42Whether or not Alev gets the loan she needs today
0:05:42 > 0:05:45is in the hands of manager Martin.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49Alev, would you like to come on over?
0:05:49 > 0:05:52Have a seat. How are we keeping?
0:05:52 > 0:05:54- Good, how are you? - I'm very well, thank you.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Long time no see.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01Just had a look through your loan, good record with us, obviously.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04I think I've been a member for about four years.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08Credit union actually have really helped me to learn how to save,
0:06:08 > 0:06:11so I've got considerable savings with the credit union now and
0:06:11 > 0:06:14I'm really pleased that it's the first time that I've been able
0:06:14 > 0:06:15to do that with their help.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18Was it for a holiday? You had a death in the family, wasn't it?
0:06:18 > 0:06:21Yes. It's to be able to travel to Cyprus with my mum.
0:06:21 > 0:06:25Whatever a loan is for, Martin needs to check it's affordable,
0:06:25 > 0:06:27so Alev will have a little wait.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34While credit unions mostly deal with personal finances,
0:06:34 > 0:06:37there are 55 responsible lenders
0:06:37 > 0:06:40across the UK who offer business start-up loans
0:06:40 > 0:06:43to people who would find it difficult to borrow elsewhere.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47Unlike with the traditional lenders,
0:06:47 > 0:06:49a poor credit history doesn't
0:06:49 > 0:06:51automatically exclude you from borrowing.
0:06:54 > 0:06:5737-year-old single mum Jo...
0:06:58 > 0:07:00..would have struggled to get a bank loan,
0:07:00 > 0:07:03but ethical lender Lancashire Community Finance
0:07:03 > 0:07:07helped Jo open her own professional photography company in Preston.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12When I'm setting up for a newborn shoot, I like to include...
0:07:13 > 0:07:14..what we call props.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17So here we have got like, a little romper,
0:07:17 > 0:07:19that we might put this little boy
0:07:19 > 0:07:22Lachlan in today, and a little hat.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25It's just to create obviously texture and...
0:07:26 > 0:07:28..bring in some more detail to the photograph, really.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33Jo's passion for photography began at a young age.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37I used to just run around with a camera constantly.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39I used to take pictures of the family dog
0:07:39 > 0:07:42and random other things in the house. I always take loads.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45I always take too many photographs, to be honest.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48It felt very natural and I enjoyed it, I loved it.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52So I'm just going through the final checks,
0:07:52 > 0:07:57just to make sure that everything is how it should be to hand over.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00I love doing the weddings. Um...
0:08:01 > 0:08:04It's hard work, you are on your feet
0:08:04 > 0:08:06for at least 10-12 hours a day.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09It gets me out and about. I've been to Italy.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11This one was up in Lancaster.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13I've got one up in Edinburgh soon,
0:08:13 > 0:08:15so I do get to travel around with my job as well,
0:08:15 > 0:08:17so I enjoy that part of it, too.
0:08:18 > 0:08:23Jo's successful business photographs around 20 weddings a year.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26But this morning, she's getting a visit
0:08:26 > 0:08:28from one of her younger clients.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30Twins born years apart.
0:08:31 > 0:08:36When you're working with couples and brides and grooms,
0:08:36 > 0:08:39they have got their own ideas of what they want for the day,
0:08:39 > 0:08:43and that's great cos you do kind of get the creative input
0:08:43 > 0:08:44from them as well.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47BABY CRIES
0:08:47 > 0:08:50That's the difference. They'll tell you when they're not happy!
0:08:50 > 0:08:52Some brides won't!
0:08:55 > 0:08:57I use the womb sound to relax the babies.
0:08:59 > 0:09:00Look at his little legs going!
0:09:02 > 0:09:04Are you having a little dream, there, buddy?
0:09:04 > 0:09:08Good boy. Turn my camera on, that'd help, wouldn't it?
0:09:08 > 0:09:12Like most businesses, Jo started small.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15I used to camp out at my mum's house,
0:09:15 > 0:09:19so I'd be setting up all of this stuff every day
0:09:19 > 0:09:22from my mum's, when I was working from there...
0:09:22 > 0:09:24inviting people in. And the environment was great,
0:09:24 > 0:09:27but it's not as professional as I wanted it to be.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29Oh, shhh.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31And I wanted something more welcoming
0:09:31 > 0:09:33and a specialised environment for
0:09:33 > 0:09:35what is that I was actually doing.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37There we go. All ready to go home.
0:09:48 > 0:09:49I think I just look the same.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51Hair colour's changed.
0:09:51 > 0:09:52That's about it.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55As a single mother with son Reece,
0:09:55 > 0:09:57Jo's dreams of professional photography
0:09:57 > 0:10:01were put on hold when she was a teenager.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04I became a mum shortly after my 16th birthday,
0:10:04 > 0:10:06so I was pregnant when I was 15,
0:10:06 > 0:10:09which had obviously a knock-on effect throughout my schooling.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11- Scotland.- Yes.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13Cos that was where we went last time.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17People think, "Oh, she's ruined her life. What's she going to do?"
0:10:17 > 0:10:21But when I was 18, I decided, you know, I want to get a career.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25I don't want to just be a single mother.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27- How old was I? I was like...- Nine.
0:10:27 > 0:10:32- Yeah.- So, I went to college to...better myself,
0:10:32 > 0:10:34to get myself qualifications and
0:10:34 > 0:10:37kind of prove people wrong, really,
0:10:37 > 0:10:39that being a single parent was the worst decision
0:10:39 > 0:10:41that I could have ever made.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44- Look at them. Do you remember that?- I do!
0:10:46 > 0:10:49When Reece left home for university,
0:10:49 > 0:10:52Jo was finally free to follow her dream.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56Financially, he wasn't reliant upon me any more.
0:10:56 > 0:10:57He had his own money,
0:10:57 > 0:11:00which then freed up some money for me to be able to be able to kind of
0:11:00 > 0:11:03say, "Yeah, that's what I'm going to do.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06"I'm going to risk all of what I've got and, hopefully,
0:11:06 > 0:11:08"this is going to work."
0:11:09 > 0:11:12To start up the photography business,
0:11:12 > 0:11:14Jo needed more than just a studio.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17You don't just have one camera, you have to have a backup camera.
0:11:17 > 0:11:23You have to have the best computers that you can find to edit well.
0:11:23 > 0:11:24It's very expensive.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26It's not a cheap hobby,
0:11:26 > 0:11:29so a lot of people will be an amateur photographer,
0:11:29 > 0:11:32but then transitioning over to a professional role
0:11:32 > 0:11:35is a lot harder if you don't have the finances.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42Money issues in her past meant Jo had a poor credit rating,
0:11:42 > 0:11:46so she was advised to seek help from a local responsible lender.
0:11:47 > 0:11:53She approached Lancashire Community Finance for a loan of £2,500.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57Elaine Rimmer is the charity's Chief Executive.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Joanne had no adverse credit,
0:12:00 > 0:12:03however she had something called a debt management plan.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07This is a plan where your circumstances may change
0:12:07 > 0:12:08and you have to look at
0:12:08 > 0:12:11agreeing a low amount of repayment
0:12:11 > 0:12:12with all your creditors.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15That would normally exclude her from one of our loan products.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18However, she had tenacity,
0:12:18 > 0:12:21she had resilience and some of the issues
0:12:21 > 0:12:23in starting up a business that
0:12:23 > 0:12:25you will have day-to-day,
0:12:25 > 0:12:28she had the personality that would be able to overcome any of these
0:12:28 > 0:12:33- challenges.- The Lancashire Community Finance sat down with me and looked
0:12:33 > 0:12:36at how much I'd earned and forecast for how much I would be earning
0:12:36 > 0:12:40the year after and for the year after that as well.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44So somebody was sat there helping me to do this,
0:12:44 > 0:12:46looking at how much I could afford
0:12:46 > 0:12:49to repay and whether it was, again, viable.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54The business of photography, it can be challenging.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57There are photographers
0:12:57 > 0:12:59in every town and city.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02However, with Joanne, in particular,
0:13:02 > 0:13:05we felt she knew a market.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07She had been trading part-time,
0:13:07 > 0:13:10so she had some evidence of what she'd done,
0:13:10 > 0:13:14who her client base were, all of these point to her
0:13:14 > 0:13:17being able to run and deliver a successful business.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24The feeling when I got the money into my account, it was great
0:13:24 > 0:13:27because somebody's actually looked at my business and gone, "Yes,
0:13:27 > 0:13:32"there's potential." You can move forward, you can build the business,
0:13:32 > 0:13:34get more clients and make more money,
0:13:34 > 0:13:37which is what I'm obviously here to do.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40So the couple are going to come and pick up their box tonight and on the
0:13:40 > 0:13:43USB are all their photographs for their album.
0:13:43 > 0:13:48And I've picked a selection of 6x4 prints to put into the box because I
0:13:48 > 0:13:54always feel it's nice for the couple to actually open the box as if they
0:13:54 > 0:13:56were opening a present, so that they
0:13:56 > 0:13:58can kind of relive their wedding day.
0:13:58 > 0:13:59At times in our lives,
0:13:59 > 0:14:01we all have bumpy periods and
0:14:01 > 0:14:04it's not about that bumpy period,
0:14:04 > 0:14:07it's about how we react to those
0:14:07 > 0:14:09and how we manage that situation.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13We try to look at the individual and where they are now.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15We are a responsible lender.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18We wouldn't increase the level of debt with somebody
0:14:18 > 0:14:21if it was clearly unaffordable.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23However, we think it's really important
0:14:23 > 0:14:26that everybody is given a choice
0:14:26 > 0:14:28and a chance to move forward.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32I borrowed £2,500 over four years
0:14:32 > 0:14:38from them and I paid for things like a new lens for my camera,
0:14:38 > 0:14:43some marketing equipment, and I also paid for a gentleman to help my
0:14:43 > 0:14:45presence upon the internet
0:14:45 > 0:14:47so that people could find me a lot more easily.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53- Hi!- These are for you.- Oh, thank you!- Thank you for everything.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55You do feel like you're part of the family afterwards
0:14:55 > 0:14:57because you've spent their wedding day,
0:14:57 > 0:14:59which is the best day of their life,
0:14:59 > 0:15:01through to them having a child,
0:15:01 > 0:15:06which is possibly a better day than they ever imagined it to be.
0:15:06 > 0:15:07Don't cry!
0:15:11 > 0:15:12It's a really nice job.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15I do actually have the best job in the world, I think.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20Although Jo's photography business is thriving,
0:15:20 > 0:15:23she's got a side-line in mind, too.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27Within the next few years, I would like to get into more mentoring,
0:15:27 > 0:15:31training. A lot of people like the newborn photography
0:15:31 > 0:15:35and if I can pass on my tips when I feel that I'm at a good level,
0:15:35 > 0:15:37to be able to train people,
0:15:37 > 0:15:41then hopefully I'll be able to offer that as another service,
0:15:41 > 0:15:43as an add-on to what I'm doing now.
0:15:43 > 0:15:48So training, teaching, weddings and newborns, really.
0:15:50 > 0:15:51It's amazing!
0:15:51 > 0:15:54Jo had to be patient in order to achieve her dreams,
0:15:54 > 0:15:57but now she's been inspired to help others.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01It's not a natural thing to be confident all the time
0:16:01 > 0:16:03and believe in what you can do,
0:16:03 > 0:16:06but if you do have an idea, just believe in yourself,
0:16:06 > 0:16:09ask for help, find out what's available to you
0:16:09 > 0:16:11and take that idea forward.
0:16:13 > 0:16:14Thank you! See you soon.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16- Thank you.- Bye!
0:16:26 > 0:16:28In Islington, north London...
0:16:28 > 0:16:31Can you confirm your address, please?
0:16:32 > 0:16:36OK, then. So if you just bear with me a moment.
0:16:36 > 0:16:37Thanks for calling. Bye.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40..Alev is awaiting a decision
0:16:40 > 0:16:43on a loan she urgently needs to pay for her to
0:16:43 > 0:16:46accompany her mother to a family funeral in Cyprus.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49I asked to borrow £1,000.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52If I don't get the loan, it may mean that I can't travel with her.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54This would be a really great help
0:16:54 > 0:16:58and ease my mind, and allow me to support my mum at this time.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02It's now up to Martin to decide
0:17:02 > 0:17:06if Alev gets the money to go to Cyprus or not.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12- Is that when most of your family are out there, now?- Yeah.- Very nice.
0:17:12 > 0:17:13But it's going to be hot!
0:17:13 > 0:17:16I know, I've heard it's in the 40s this week.
0:17:19 > 0:17:20The loan's been approved, anyway.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22- That's great.- So we'll get the...
0:17:22 > 0:17:24We've got all the documentation ready for you.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26If you're happy with that, sign and date there, please.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29Any problems with money, just come and talk to us.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31- Thank you.- As I say, that payment will come out.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34The money will go direct to your bank account and should be in your
0:17:34 > 0:17:36- account later today. - Thanks again, Martin.
0:17:36 > 0:17:37Take care. Don't forget this.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39Ooh, gosh. Sorry!
0:17:39 > 0:17:42- There you go, my darling. Bye-bye. - Thank you!
0:17:45 > 0:17:47They offered me the loan that I asked for...
0:17:48 > 0:17:52..and I'm really pleased cos it means now I can support my mum.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55I feel great. I feel good. I feel relieved, actually.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58That's probably, yes, probably the best way to describe how I feel.
0:17:58 > 0:17:59I feel relieved.
0:18:04 > 0:18:05Still to come...
0:18:05 > 0:18:09a Cornish couple with a sweet idea to expand their business.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11This is probably bigger than the
0:18:11 > 0:18:15first day we sat in Cornwall with all of our ideas, so this is huge.
0:18:15 > 0:18:20- This is massive.- And the woman deep in debt who turned her life around.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23I would get quite agitated by it, but then I would think,
0:18:23 > 0:18:27"Well, it's my own fault for getting into this state,
0:18:27 > 0:18:29"so you need to sort it out."
0:18:31 > 0:18:35Most credit unions and responsible lenders offer loans to people from a
0:18:35 > 0:18:37specific geographical area...
0:18:38 > 0:18:40..but that's not always the case.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43- £75.- What it does mean is that I
0:18:43 > 0:18:46- can actually tell you you've been agreed...- OK.- ..your loan.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48- OK.- I wanted to give you a nice surprise!
0:18:48 > 0:18:51So, that's a very good one!
0:18:53 > 0:18:55Some credit unions take their membership
0:18:55 > 0:18:57from a particular profession,
0:18:57 > 0:19:02like London taxi drivers, the Open University or the NHS.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05To be able to apply for the credit union,
0:19:05 > 0:19:07it obviously goes hand-in-hand with your job.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09You can speak to people and ask them
0:19:09 > 0:19:12advice and they've always just been very, very helpful.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14There is also an ethical lender
0:19:14 > 0:19:17specifically for former members of the Armed Forces
0:19:17 > 0:19:20looking to start up or expand their own business.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25In Penzance, in Cornwall...
0:19:25 > 0:19:29That's 116 grams, in old money, that's a quarter.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32So, there we go.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34Have you got aniseed sticks?
0:19:34 > 0:19:37Former soldier Phil and his wife Angela
0:19:37 > 0:19:40used all their savings to open a sweet shop.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43We've been here just over a year
0:19:43 > 0:19:47and it's been absolutely fantastic.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50- Look at that - bang on 116 grams! - Thank you very much.
0:19:52 > 0:19:53It's already succeeding.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55It's already thriving.
0:19:55 > 0:19:56It's standing on its own two feet within a year
0:19:56 > 0:19:59and there aren't that many businesses that can say that.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04It's doing so well that the couple have decided it's time to expand
0:20:04 > 0:20:10and need a £29,000 loan to fund the lease and stock for a new premises.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15What we haven't got here is the coffee shop
0:20:15 > 0:20:19and that was the main premise of Ma Larkin's, right from the off.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24The coffee shop is where we can do everything that Ma Larkin's is all
0:20:24 > 0:20:27about, which is the cakes, the bakes
0:20:27 > 0:20:31and all of the coffee and the tea and the Cornish goods that we've
0:20:31 > 0:20:35- always wanted.- It's to have a place where people can come and sit
0:20:35 > 0:20:37and enjoy and chill.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40You know, we can't think of better...
0:20:40 > 0:20:42Better place to do it, can we?
0:20:42 > 0:20:44Really? A little coffee shop by the sea.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46Yeah.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50These are two business owners who have a passion for their products.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52This is... These are more of an intense one.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55Do you want to try one of them, look?
0:20:55 > 0:20:57I always remember the trips to the sweet shop.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00I used to love it. I think it was on a Friday evening I used to get our
0:21:00 > 0:21:02penny and we were able to go there and so, yeah,
0:21:02 > 0:21:06I am a big kid in a sweet shop, to be fair!
0:21:06 > 0:21:08You like that now, you've got it now.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10It starts off really sort of like a mild...
0:21:10 > 0:21:12and then it comes through quite strong.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16Getting to where they are today has taken a lot of hard work.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21All that was here, basically, was just that one counter.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23So everything else, we've had to do.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27So we built the shelving, we've got these centrepieces in.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29So we've got dispensing from the jars there,
0:21:29 > 0:21:32we've got lots of old-fashioned sweets.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34There you are, look. The original liquorice stick.
0:21:34 > 0:21:38Years ago, your grandad probably used to talk to you about these.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41You used to chew those, that's the actual stick itself.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44Everybody... They can't believe
0:21:44 > 0:21:47you can actually still get that, but we can.
0:21:47 > 0:21:48We've got butter Brazils, butter Brazils,
0:21:48 > 0:21:50you can't buy them any more, so we make them now.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57Opening the sweet shop a year ago
0:21:57 > 0:22:00marked a turning point in the couple's lives.
0:22:03 > 0:22:08In December 2005, I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia...
0:22:09 > 0:22:15..and then spent the next eight months in hospital.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20At the time, the boys were very young -
0:22:20 > 0:22:24Max was 18 months and Ben was ten weeks -
0:22:24 > 0:22:27which was very, very difficult, very hard.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29And after four bouts of chemotherapy,
0:22:29 > 0:22:32came out and then was quite ill for a few years.
0:22:32 > 0:22:37I've lost my hearing, but part and parcel of that,
0:22:37 > 0:22:40I never believed I could have any more children,
0:22:40 > 0:22:45which was quite a difficult one to sort of get my head round.
0:22:45 > 0:22:50I'd missed quite a lot of their major development,
0:22:50 > 0:22:53so things like Max taking his first steps...
0:22:56 > 0:22:58Ben's first words, things like that.
0:23:00 > 0:23:05Before he met Angela, Phil's life had not been plain sailing either.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08I was 19 years old when I joined the Army.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11I got married at 19, my wife was 18 years old.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13I was married for 24 years
0:23:13 > 0:23:15and I had four lovely children.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20Sally died of cancer nine years ago, now.
0:23:21 > 0:23:22Yeah.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26I met Phil in 2012 and we got together properly
0:23:26 > 0:23:29in July of 2013.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32And lo and behold, in January 2014,
0:23:32 > 0:23:35I found out I'd fell pregnant with Teagan.
0:23:38 > 0:23:39She was born early.
0:23:39 > 0:23:44Apart from being diddy, she's absolutely perfect in every way.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46And very much we regard her as...
0:23:46 > 0:23:48She is our little miracle.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50THE GIRLS GIGGLE
0:23:52 > 0:23:54Together, the couple have gone from strength to strength.
0:23:56 > 0:24:00Now with the sweet shop established, they're ready for a new challenge.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05Ah, look how scrummy that is!
0:24:05 > 0:24:09Look, it's even got... It's even got the springiness you're looking for.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12Nice, crusty top...
0:24:13 > 0:24:16Raising the funds to open the tea shop hasn't been easy.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20We've had people turn round and say no
0:24:20 > 0:24:22when we've been looking for funding.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25Because all of our capital went into the shop in Penzance,
0:24:25 > 0:24:28we have something that now is freestanding and operating
0:24:28 > 0:24:31and paying its way and a little bit more now.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35But... But we didn't have the capital to be able to kind of grow
0:24:35 > 0:24:39Ma Larkin's and, you know, we had banks saying no.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42These doors kept closing and closing and closing.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46And then this day, we just picked up, didn't we...?
0:24:47 > 0:24:50The couple's luck changed when they were introduced to a responsible
0:24:50 > 0:24:55lender who specialises in helping people from the Armed Forces
0:24:55 > 0:24:56start up in business.
0:24:57 > 0:25:03Anthony took on Phil and Angela's application for a loan of £29,000.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06Obviously, when they leave the Armed Forces,
0:25:06 > 0:25:08they're very regimented in how they do things.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11And by actually helping them with their business plan,
0:25:11 > 0:25:13the financials, that gives them structure,
0:25:13 > 0:25:16so that they can transfer that structure to their business.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20We spoke to Anthony from ex-forces and he got the ball rolling,
0:25:20 > 0:25:23took the business plan, we showed him the model,
0:25:23 > 0:25:26we showed him the site and, within weeks, we were approved.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28I mean, it was amazing, really.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31The couple received the loan money, but the input from their
0:25:31 > 0:25:34- lender didn't stop there. - Every business I support,
0:25:34 > 0:25:37I always follow them on social media and also try,
0:25:37 > 0:25:39if I can, to buy some of their products as well.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41On the back of that as well,
0:25:41 > 0:25:44we do give them a lot of mentoring and support
0:25:44 > 0:25:46and also further training if needed.
0:25:46 > 0:25:50It's that personal service I remember from banking years ago
0:25:50 > 0:25:52has all but disappeared now.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59With the finance in place and the plan of action ready to go,
0:25:59 > 0:26:01all that's left for Angela and Phil to do
0:26:01 > 0:26:04is sign the lease and pick up the keys.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08The bit that worries me is trying to put it all together in one go,
0:26:08 > 0:26:09like cooking a dinner,
0:26:09 > 0:26:12are you going to get everything on the plate at one time
0:26:12 > 0:26:14and it's all going to be warm enough?
0:26:14 > 0:26:17This is probably bigger than the first day we sat in Cornwall
0:26:17 > 0:26:19with all of our ideas, so this is huge.
0:26:19 > 0:26:24This is massive. If the phone call comes through tomorrow with the key,
0:26:24 > 0:26:26that's all we're waiting on now.
0:26:26 > 0:26:30And the minute we get the key, it's all hands to the deck.
0:26:30 > 0:26:34All Phil and Angela can do is wait for the phone to ring.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42With spending on credit cards in the UK at a record high,
0:26:42 > 0:26:45it's clear that many of us are used to borrowing on plastic.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50Young people aged 16 to 24
0:26:50 > 0:26:54have the highest level of debt compared to their income.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58And while much of the older generation still prefer not to take on credit,
0:26:58 > 0:27:02increases in the cost of living mean this is changing.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05I don't have credit cards.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09I wouldn't pay any interest on credit cards whatsoever.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11No, never. Never in my life.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14I think I'm of the generation that thinks that...
0:27:15 > 0:27:18..having credit is not the done thing.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22I think there's an economic pressure in their life.
0:27:22 > 0:27:23I think there's a social pressure
0:27:23 > 0:27:26for people to have things they probably can't afford
0:27:26 > 0:27:29and they kind of think it's on the never-never.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34For many people, the concept of buying now and paying later
0:27:34 > 0:27:36is a part of daily life.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40Buying something now and getting that instant gratification,
0:27:40 > 0:27:43but not having to worry about paying for it is really
0:27:43 > 0:27:44what everybody wants.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47The really important thing is when you are buying something now
0:27:47 > 0:27:49with the intention of paying for it later,
0:27:49 > 0:27:52start squirrelling away that money that you are going to need to pay
0:27:52 > 0:27:54off that debt, otherwise it's going to come to the day when you do need
0:27:54 > 0:27:56to pay and you are going to struggle.
0:27:58 > 0:27:59Right.
0:27:59 > 0:28:00CAT MEOWS
0:28:01 > 0:28:06One 29-year-old knows only too well the cost of a buy-now-pay-later
0:28:06 > 0:28:10attitude. She's willing to tell her story,
0:28:10 > 0:28:13but prefers we don't use her name.
0:28:13 > 0:28:14We haven't had a lot of money
0:28:14 > 0:28:18when I was growing up, but my mam always made sure
0:28:18 > 0:28:21that there was love within the family,
0:28:21 > 0:28:24and that we were provided for and we got everything that we needed.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27We never really wanted for anything, to be honest.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29Do you want some more?
0:28:30 > 0:28:35Despite this, she took out her first loan when she was just 19.
0:28:36 > 0:28:40I was working at McDonald's at the time and I was studying.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42I was training to be a car mechanic.
0:28:43 > 0:28:47And I just thought, "Oh, well, I'll see if I can get a loan."
0:28:47 > 0:28:53I think it was for about 1,100.
0:28:53 > 0:28:54I got it to buy a laptop.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59I had a wage coming in, I could have saved up for what I needed...
0:28:59 > 0:29:01or what I wanted.
0:29:02 > 0:29:05Just thought, "Well, I can get it, so it's easy to get it,
0:29:05 > 0:29:08"so...I might as well...get it."
0:29:09 > 0:29:11Whilst living at home,
0:29:11 > 0:29:14she was earning enough to cover the repayments.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17But things changed when she moved in with a friend.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20I think I was about 22 when I moved out.
0:29:20 > 0:29:24I think I managed to pay the first loan back quite...
0:29:25 > 0:29:29..well, but then I got another loan, then I got a credit card.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35It was a full-time wage, but it wasn't enough to cover...
0:29:36 > 0:29:39..living costs. So, you know, I just...
0:29:39 > 0:29:42I just got a credit card and got a
0:29:42 > 0:29:46loan to try and cover us for day-to-day living.
0:29:48 > 0:29:49I knew what I was walking into.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52I knew what I was getting myself into.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55And I thought at that age,
0:29:55 > 0:29:59when I look back, I thought that I knew it all
0:29:59 > 0:30:01and that I could pay it back and...
0:30:02 > 0:30:05You know, I could have the nice things for like my home,
0:30:05 > 0:30:08and stuff like that, and I could do it.
0:30:10 > 0:30:15Within months, she was juggling credit cards to try and manage the debt that had built up.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20I thought, if I get a credit card, I can pay my other credit card off.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22Get the balance transfers.
0:30:22 > 0:30:24If I get a loan, I can pay that loan off.
0:30:24 > 0:30:26But then...
0:30:26 > 0:30:29I got other loans and stuff like that,
0:30:29 > 0:30:31so it just had a knock-on effect.
0:30:33 > 0:30:35Though the debts were racking up,
0:30:35 > 0:30:39there was little to show for all the spending
0:30:39 > 0:30:41and no items of value she could sell.
0:30:41 > 0:30:45I didn't have a car at the time, so I couldn't drive.
0:30:45 > 0:30:49It was nothing to do with getting a loan to buy a car, or...
0:30:49 > 0:30:52anything like that. So...
0:30:52 > 0:30:54I don't really know, to be honest.
0:30:54 > 0:30:58I don't know if I've blocked it out of my mind because obviously I did
0:30:58 > 0:31:01feel ashamed or I just genuinely can't remember.
0:31:03 > 0:31:08Despite the growing debt, she decided to get a flat on her own.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12It was lovely for the first six months.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15I was working full-time. I'd changed my job at this point
0:31:15 > 0:31:18and it was really, really good money.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21But then obviously, with the cost of bills and everything,
0:31:21 > 0:31:25I just couldn't afford to live by myself.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28When things became really difficult,
0:31:28 > 0:31:33because I'd ignored the letters that came through at first,
0:31:33 > 0:31:37I did ignore them, was thinking, "I'll deal with those later."
0:31:37 > 0:31:39And then obviously, when I lived by myself,
0:31:39 > 0:31:41everything just started catching up with us.
0:31:43 > 0:31:48By her mid-20s, she had racked up over £4,000 of debt.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53I think it's when I was starting getting these letters to the door
0:31:53 > 0:31:54from different companies...
0:31:55 > 0:31:59..that I realised that it was completely out of control.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03They were piling up and mounting up and I just thought,
0:32:03 > 0:32:05"I need to do something here."
0:32:07 > 0:32:10I would panic, thinking, "Oh, goodness, they're coming to take things away from us"
0:32:10 > 0:32:12or, "they want this money by this time,"
0:32:12 > 0:32:16and you know, "I don't know how I'm going to be able to afford to pay it."
0:32:16 > 0:32:19Some of them would be quite abrupt
0:32:19 > 0:32:21on the phone and that used to get my
0:32:21 > 0:32:25back up thinking, "They're there, they're meant to try and help us,
0:32:25 > 0:32:26"but they're not."
0:32:26 > 0:32:30So then, obviously, I would get quite...
0:32:31 > 0:32:37..agitated by it and, yeah, sometimes I would get upset by it.
0:32:37 > 0:32:42But then I would think, "Well, it's my own fault for getting into this state, so you need to sort it out."
0:32:46 > 0:32:50I would worry that the bailiffs were going to come and take things away
0:32:50 > 0:32:52because I didn't really have a lot.
0:32:53 > 0:32:57Eventually, her debts reached £5,000.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00Knowing now something had to change, she turned to her mum for help.
0:33:02 > 0:33:06She couldn't understand how I'd gotten into the financial state I was in...
0:33:07 > 0:33:10..but she helped us quite a lot.
0:33:10 > 0:33:11Fred? Bella?
0:33:12 > 0:33:16After coming clean, she contacted a debt management company,
0:33:16 > 0:33:19who helped put her on the right track.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23They just said that they could consolidate all of my debts
0:33:23 > 0:33:25and could just sort it out for us, really.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28And they contacted all the creditors on my behalf...
0:33:29 > 0:33:31..to discuss what would be best to be paid
0:33:31 > 0:33:36and then they come up with an amount every month that they wanted.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39I think, at first, I was paying £100 a month,
0:33:39 > 0:33:41which was more than manageable.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46Every time I rang up and spoke to somebody,
0:33:46 > 0:33:50they were absolutely lovely on the phone and that put me at ease.
0:33:50 > 0:33:52That made me feel good. They would explain things.
0:33:52 > 0:33:56If I didn't understand anything, like, on my statement or whatever,
0:33:56 > 0:33:59they would explain it to us.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04To help with managing her finances, she moved back in with her parents.
0:34:04 > 0:34:08The £100 would go off my debt every month.
0:34:08 > 0:34:12It was coming down, I could see it on bank statements,
0:34:12 > 0:34:16on the statements from them, that it was coming down quite considerably.
0:34:17 > 0:34:18So it just...
0:34:18 > 0:34:20It worked. It was really good.
0:34:20 > 0:34:25In February 2017, she made her final repayment.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28I started getting letters through saying,
0:34:28 > 0:34:30"Congratulations, you are now debt-free."
0:34:33 > 0:34:36Now, I can go and get the things I want.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38I can go for a mortgage.
0:34:38 > 0:34:41Yes, it's going to be a bit of a longer slog,
0:34:41 > 0:34:43but it'll give us time to save up.
0:34:45 > 0:34:47If I could go back and talk to myself at 19,
0:34:47 > 0:34:51I would be like, "Absolutely not, don't do it, don't be stupid.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53"You'll get yourself into so much...
0:34:54 > 0:34:56"So many problems.
0:34:56 > 0:34:58"You will get out of it in the end, but just don't do it!"
0:35:05 > 0:35:07This story is only too common,
0:35:07 > 0:35:12as more and more people go in search of help when debt gets out of hand.
0:35:14 > 0:35:18Experts like Hannah Maundrell from money.co.uk
0:35:18 > 0:35:20say, when you borrow money,
0:35:20 > 0:35:23it's critical to know exactly what you're letting yourself in for.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27Buy-now-pay-later deals can be a good option
0:35:27 > 0:35:29if you're not going to be charged any interest on them.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32You simply just need to do a sense check to make sure that whatever
0:35:32 > 0:35:34you're buying is going to be affordable
0:35:34 > 0:35:36once you need to pay it back.
0:35:36 > 0:35:37Do think about when you are going
0:35:37 > 0:35:39to have to start making those repayments, as well?
0:35:39 > 0:35:42Because it's possible that your situation may have changed by then,
0:35:42 > 0:35:45so you need to consider whether it's going to be affordable and
0:35:45 > 0:35:47whether you have got a bit of wiggle room
0:35:47 > 0:35:49in case your situation does change.
0:35:51 > 0:35:55In Cornwall, with their £29,000 loan secured,
0:35:55 > 0:35:59sweet shop owners Phil and Angela's dreams of expanding their business
0:35:59 > 0:36:00are now on hold...
0:36:01 > 0:36:05..as they anxiously wait to find out if they've secured the lease
0:36:05 > 0:36:08on their new premises.
0:36:08 > 0:36:09PHONE RINGS
0:36:14 > 0:36:15Hello, there.
0:36:16 > 0:36:17Yeah, yeah.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21Oh, have we got green lights, have we?
0:36:22 > 0:36:26Right, OK. Time frames for keys, please?
0:36:26 > 0:36:28Thanks, bye then, bye-bye.
0:36:30 > 0:36:32Yahey!
0:36:32 > 0:36:35With plans for the new shop approved,
0:36:35 > 0:36:37it's all hands on deck to be ready
0:36:37 > 0:36:40in time for the busy bank holiday weekend in Falmouth.
0:36:42 > 0:36:44Right, this is the shop.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47This is what all the heartache's been about.
0:36:47 > 0:36:49The coffee machine is going to be sat there,
0:36:49 > 0:36:53and we've got different types of cakes, which we're going to sell,
0:36:53 > 0:36:55and different sundries.
0:36:55 > 0:36:57In here will be the freezers,
0:36:57 > 0:37:00coming around the back and then, coming along here,
0:37:00 > 0:37:02we'll have ice cream machines,
0:37:02 > 0:37:04a fudge counter...
0:37:04 > 0:37:06coming a bit further along.
0:37:06 > 0:37:10Then along the side of here, again, there will be more display units.
0:37:10 > 0:37:15A £29,000 loan has helped get the new business this far.
0:37:21 > 0:37:25Now the pressure is on the Larkins and their team to get the shop open.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29Every day that it's closed is costing Phil and Angela money.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34Just putting together the last few bits of construction that we're
0:37:34 > 0:37:37building, so shelving, units,
0:37:37 > 0:37:40waiting for some deliveries to come in.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42We've got fridges coming in today
0:37:42 > 0:37:46and hopefully the coffee machine, but that's not guaranteed.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48Waiting for our plumber to come to plumb in the sink.
0:37:48 > 0:37:53There's still hours of work left in here to go,
0:37:53 > 0:37:55so I'd better crack on with this one!
0:37:56 > 0:37:58With only one day left before their
0:37:58 > 0:38:01advertised opening and local interest stirring,
0:38:01 > 0:38:05Phil and Angela are concentrating all their efforts on being
0:38:05 > 0:38:07- ready on time.- All of this.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09We'll clear all that out now.
0:38:09 > 0:38:10Lots of late nights.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14And then I need to pick up the sign for the front of the shop as well.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17- That's it.- And lots of worrying
0:38:17 > 0:38:21about how we were going to juggle things financially,
0:38:21 > 0:38:24how we were going to do things practically.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27We're going to have to sort something out with that.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29Just leave it unplugged for a minute.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31Yeah, I want the slightly longer ones.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33It will be done. Yeah.
0:38:33 > 0:38:34The team are coming together.
0:38:34 > 0:38:37Tomorrow's the day. Tomorrow's the day.
0:38:37 > 0:38:39That's a good sign.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44It was a struggle, but we did it.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52With their deadline achieved,
0:38:52 > 0:38:57Ma Larkin's Falmouth Cafe has opened just in time for business.
0:38:57 > 0:38:59Yay! It's going really well.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01We're getting lots of local support.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04It's really good and it's lovely to see it
0:39:04 > 0:39:07finally come to fruition and the business
0:39:07 > 0:39:08is kind of up and running,
0:39:08 > 0:39:12and we're just getting ready for our really busy summer season.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14So...we're really excited!
0:39:14 > 0:39:16Really excited.
0:39:17 > 0:39:18Smells so nice!
0:39:19 > 0:39:22Phil and Angela's dream is coming true,
0:39:22 > 0:39:25thanks to their hard work and a lender who believed in them enough
0:39:25 > 0:39:27to give them the money they needed.
0:39:27 > 0:39:32The loan has paid for obviously the lease, the...
0:39:33 > 0:39:37With the lease came a deposit and a very sizeable deposit,
0:39:37 > 0:39:39may I add...
0:39:39 > 0:39:42on that. It's paid for...
0:39:44 > 0:39:47..pretty much most that you can see.
0:39:47 > 0:39:51So everything down from the sweet jars to the fudge cabinet,
0:39:51 > 0:39:54to the till registers that we've got,
0:39:54 > 0:39:57scales, our old-fashioned weighing scales.
0:39:57 > 0:40:01It paid some way to the deposit on the lease on the coffee machine.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05It's incredible. I kind of pinch myself. I walk in and I go, "Wow!
0:40:05 > 0:40:07"We've done that!" But it's being
0:40:07 > 0:40:10able to turn what's a figure in your bank account
0:40:10 > 0:40:12into something that's actually tangible
0:40:12 > 0:40:15and something that's going to help build the business,
0:40:15 > 0:40:20build Ma Larkin's and build the brand and you know, help us,
0:40:20 > 0:40:22give us a way of life, really.
0:40:22 > 0:40:27At last, the couple can stand back and admire what they've achieved.
0:40:27 > 0:40:31What you see in Falmouth is what we've done, so blood,
0:40:31 > 0:40:34sweat and tears has got us to where we are.
0:40:34 > 0:40:36But there's no looking back.
0:40:36 > 0:40:38We just won't go down.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40The only way that we can go is up.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43I do believe it. Sweets do make people happy!
0:40:43 > 0:40:45THEY LAUGH
0:40:49 > 0:40:52Every day, credit unions and responsible lenders
0:40:52 > 0:40:55are changing the lives of millions of people.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58The average size loan we do is 11,500.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01Nationally, 50,000 of these loans have been approved.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06That's created probably about 100,000 jobs.
0:41:06 > 0:41:09We've had queues out the door and down the street.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13This series, we've met people who have received
0:41:13 > 0:41:15well over a quarter of a million pounds...
0:41:15 > 0:41:17Hurray!
0:41:17 > 0:41:20..money that saved the day...
0:41:20 > 0:41:22We are going to offer you a loan.
0:41:22 > 0:41:24- OK.- OK?
0:41:24 > 0:41:26The credit union were there for us
0:41:26 > 0:41:29at a really difficult time in our lives.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31..helped people achieve their dreams...
0:41:31 > 0:41:34I'm so thankful for the loan we had,
0:41:34 > 0:41:37because it was enough to start an idea
0:41:37 > 0:41:40and, without it, we couldn't be here today.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42It's always good to put a smile on people's faces.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45- Hi!- Guess what, I got it!
0:41:45 > 0:41:47Yay!
0:41:47 > 0:41:50It will just be the beginning of very exciting things.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52He was so chuffed, I think he even came in here to say,
0:41:52 > 0:41:54- "So pleased I've got the loan." - Somebody saying yes,
0:41:54 > 0:41:56that's a very good feeling.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59From sandwich bars...
0:41:59 > 0:42:00Cheers!
0:42:01 > 0:42:03..to dog spas.
0:42:05 > 0:42:06From ice cream...
0:42:08 > 0:42:10Is that the wickedest?
0:42:10 > 0:42:11..to keeping warm.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13Without that help,
0:42:13 > 0:42:17the transformation to my life would have been impossible.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20From £100...
0:42:21 > 0:42:23..to 29,000...
0:42:26 > 0:42:29..they're all grateful that someone believed in them.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31Without the credit union's help,
0:42:31 > 0:42:35I can't even say where I would be without them, really.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37- It's brilliant.- I'm elated.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39Good day, good decision,
0:42:39 > 0:42:41- and I'm quite excited. - I'm pleased to tell you
0:42:41 > 0:42:42your loan has been approved.
0:42:42 > 0:42:44Portugal, here we come!
0:42:44 > 0:42:47You know what? I'd love to think it is the start of an empire.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50It's been worth it. Absolutely worth it.
0:42:50 > 0:42:52So, bye-bye and thanks again.
0:42:52 > 0:42:53- Bye-bye.- See you.
0:42:53 > 0:42:54Bye-bye. See you.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57- How are you feeling? - I'm feeling good!
0:42:57 > 0:43:00I can boogie. I can boogie down!
0:43:00 > 0:43:02Whoa! Look at that!