0:00:02 > 0:00:05From rubbish and recycling...
0:00:05 > 0:00:07to potholes and pavements...
0:00:07 > 0:00:10Another street down, another street to go.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12..educating our children...
0:00:12 > 0:00:13Fantastic.
0:00:13 > 0:00:18- ..and caring for the elderly... - It does make a difference
0:00:18 > 0:00:21when you see what can be achieved.
0:00:21 > 0:00:25..we rely on our local councils to provide a huge range of services.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28You may kiss the bride.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:00:30 > 0:00:32In this series, we follow front-line staff
0:00:32 > 0:00:36working for Wigan Council in Greater Manchester.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38- LOUD THUD - Oh! Sorry.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40Like council offices across the country,
0:00:40 > 0:00:44- they're protecting us from hidden dangers...- Oh, dear.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47..stepping in when there's an emergency...
0:00:47 > 0:00:49You never know what you're turning up to.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52- ..and responding to residents... - Thanks for everything.
0:00:52 > 0:00:53- Good job done.- ..when they...
0:00:53 > 0:00:56PHONE RINGS ..call the council.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07Coming up, council officers get tough
0:01:07 > 0:01:11when residents complain about dumped rubbish...
0:01:11 > 0:01:14No, it needs to go.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17- Have you got bins? - Who do we need a plate for?
0:01:17 > 0:01:21..provide a lifeline to people living with dementia...
0:01:21 > 0:01:24I want the community to know about the disease
0:01:24 > 0:01:28and to be able to help and support people within their community.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31..and help the senior citizens sleep easier at night.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34I'm glad they've come because I feel much safer now.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36Try opening it and seeing if it's easier for you.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49The Local Government Act of 1888 created the councils we know today.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53We rely on them for vital services, like emptying our bins,
0:01:53 > 0:01:57providing residential housing and taking care of those in need.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00- I've been a bit better. - Yeah, exactly.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04There are now 433 local authorities across the UK,
0:02:04 > 0:02:09employing over two million people. One of those is Wigan Council.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13Its metropolitan borough covers 77 square miles,
0:02:13 > 0:02:18and it's home to over 22,000 residential council properties.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22Keeping them in tiptop condition is a never-ending job.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28Wigan Council employee Scott Howarth and his apprentice,
0:02:28 > 0:02:32Jake Green, are part of a team who make sure that...
0:02:32 > 0:02:35every window...
0:02:35 > 0:02:37door...
0:02:37 > 0:02:40and kitchen cupboard is functioning properly.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45I've worked for the council probably coming on ten years now.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47I wouldn't leave a job that I wouldn't expect to have
0:02:47 > 0:02:52done in my own house, so I have got quite decent standards.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59All right, Scott, what you after?
0:02:59 > 0:03:02The council's maintenance team are given the option to volunteer
0:03:02 > 0:03:06- to be on-call for 24 hours on top of their normal duties.- See you later.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10This week, it's Scott's turn.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14You do your normal 37-hour week, and then once you get home,
0:03:14 > 0:03:16basically, I'm sat at home, I have my telephone
0:03:16 > 0:03:20and I just wait for jobs to come in, but they can come in any time.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24You might get ten jobs throughout the week,
0:03:24 > 0:03:27you could end up with six jobs in a night. Gets me out of house,
0:03:27 > 0:03:29saves me watching telly in the house all the time.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33Two screaming kids at home, so it is easier to go to work.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39It's not high-octane excitement all of the time.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42Until an emergency call comes in, Scott
0:03:42 > 0:03:45and apprentice Jake have some run-of-the-mill repairs.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48Every day is different, which - that's what makes it enjoyable,
0:03:48 > 0:03:51I suppose. I wouldn't like thinking I was doing the same job every day.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53You're always out and about.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58An emergency call could come at any moment.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02Right, we'll start in t'kitchen.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05We've got other jobs what we need to keep going round.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09Obviously, we take the emergencies, but, with an emergency, it is
0:04:09 > 0:04:11just a case of a waiting game, obviously.
0:04:11 > 0:04:12An emergency is an emergency,
0:04:12 > 0:04:15and you don't know when they're going to come in.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19When an emergency call does come, Scott has to drop everything.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21PHONE RINGS
0:04:21 > 0:04:24Hello.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26Just changing a window at Walsh House.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32How quick do you want us to get there?
0:04:32 > 0:04:33Yeah, no worries, mate.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35All right, mate, see you in a bit.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41A car has gone through a temporary fence around a building site.
0:04:41 > 0:04:46It is the old Wigan nightclub, the old Wigan Pier.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50The broken fence could be a risk to motorists and pedestrians,
0:04:50 > 0:04:55- so Scott and Jake hit the road to Wigan Pier.- It is on the highway.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59It's part of a tripping hazard in the area, the floor is uneven.
0:04:59 > 0:05:04So, yeah, it has been put to t'front of t'queue, so...
0:05:04 > 0:05:08The way traffic is at this moment, I'll be there in about 20 minutes.
0:05:09 > 0:05:14We're nearly like a fourth emergency service. Well, not yet.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16It'd be really good if we did have a blue light,
0:05:16 > 0:05:18though, the amount of traffic you sit in.
0:05:21 > 0:05:27Immortalised by Georges Orwell and Formby, Wigan Pier now stands empty.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30There are plans to redevelop the site as a cultural quarter
0:05:30 > 0:05:32over the next ten years, but, for now,
0:05:32 > 0:05:36employees like Scott manage the site and keep it safe.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41The fence has been pushed off the wall,
0:05:41 > 0:05:44whether it has been with kids or by a vehicle.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46Obviously, anybody walking down a bit...
0:05:46 > 0:05:50short-sighted or anything could end up down the embankment.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53So we need to put the fence panels back onto the footpath,
0:05:53 > 0:05:57and obviously this bit here has been snapped -
0:05:57 > 0:06:00whether it has been by a car - plus there's a foot missing.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02So what we'll do, there is
0:06:02 > 0:06:05a hire shop just round the corner what sell these panels.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08So we'll go there and get a new panel.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10And get this back up and running.
0:06:18 > 0:06:19Obviously it won't fit in our van.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22These lads, their delivery wagons are already out,
0:06:22 > 0:06:26so instead of us waiting, it is literally a five-minute walk,
0:06:26 > 0:06:28so we might as well walk, otherwise it'll take us longer to
0:06:28 > 0:06:32wait for the delivery when it come back, so these two can carry it.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35One lad were volunteered, and obviously - apprentice.
0:06:35 > 0:06:40I've got the heavy stuff, I've got the clips, let's go. It's all right.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44You've got one thing, I've got four. Come on, I've drove over.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46There's nothing there, is there?
0:06:46 > 0:06:48When you have an apprentice, would you be carrying it,
0:06:48 > 0:06:51or would the apprentice be carrying it?
0:06:54 > 0:06:56Scott and Jake get to work fixing
0:06:56 > 0:07:00and replacing the fencing and making the site safe.
0:07:00 > 0:07:01Yeah?
0:07:04 > 0:07:07The cars could obviously not realise where the kerb is
0:07:07 > 0:07:11and end up down, but I think it is more for pedestrians, really.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14What, two foot of a drop?
0:07:14 > 0:07:17Obviously, somebody walking down, it is a bit of a bad bend,
0:07:17 > 0:07:21as you can see. The vehicles coming past at 40, 50mph.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25Once the traffic builds up, and there's people getting their kids coming out of
0:07:25 > 0:07:29colleges, people coming out of t'town centre, it is like Brands Hatch.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35Time for the last section of fence, and the moment of truth.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38This is where it could all go wrong now, because if that doesn't reach that,
0:07:38 > 0:07:41we're going to have to move all that up here.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46Like that, there you go. We need a bigger panel.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51We've now got a two-foot gap, so we're going to have to try
0:07:51 > 0:07:55and drag it all this way a little bit. Just wait until all the cars have stopped,
0:07:55 > 0:07:58just in case it falls over. Go on.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04OK. To you.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10OK.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17Couldn't do that first time again, could you? Not bad for first guess.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26OK, job done, let's go home, mate.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36Still to come, Scott is called into action again...
0:08:36 > 0:08:39We're going in, but they're going to check the door first.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43..joining forces with the emergency services in the middle of the night.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57There are around 4,000 public libraries across the UK.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59In England alone,
0:08:59 > 0:09:04councils have invested over £750 million annually into this service.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09In Wigan, the council's customer services manager for libraries
0:09:09 > 0:09:11is Alison Eaton.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15She works closely with events programming officer Rita Devlin.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18I care passionately about everything that we deliver in libraries.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20We've worked together and worked in the library service
0:09:20 > 0:09:25- in Wigan Council for 38 years. - And very proudly.- And very proudly.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28And I love saying, "Yes, I'm a librarian."
0:09:28 > 0:09:31Your job title might not have that in. But that's what I do.
0:09:33 > 0:09:38In this day and age, libraries are no longer just about borrowing books.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41The libraries deliver on so much and so many agendas.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43We're the hub of the community.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48Council officers like Alison and Rita play a vital role
0:09:48 > 0:09:50supporting the community they serve.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57- Are you winning, Doris?- No, I'm deliberately helping her to win.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00Oh. That's what I like to hear.
0:10:00 > 0:10:01SHE LAUGHS
0:10:01 > 0:10:04Magical Memories is their latest initiative.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07Inspired by charity The Alzheimer's Society,
0:10:07 > 0:10:10the sessions focus on people living with dementia.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13- That looks good, doesn't it? - It looks really good.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16It's really eye-catching. She's done a fantastic job.
0:10:16 > 0:10:17With the dementia group we run,
0:10:17 > 0:10:21a big part of people who are living with dementia feel as
0:10:21 > 0:10:24though they're not part of a community, they feel very lonely.
0:10:24 > 0:10:25They feel as though they're a burden.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28We're helping address that and getting everyone together,
0:10:28 > 0:10:31and the social element is just as important as the reminiscence.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33Very much so.
0:10:34 > 0:10:39There are 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK.
0:10:39 > 0:10:44Caring for them costs the UK economy over £26 billion a year.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48In Wigan, one route open to dementia patients and their carers is
0:10:48 > 0:10:52to take part in monthly sessions run by Alison and Rita.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54I've got the link to all the photographs
0:10:54 > 0:10:56taken from the last session.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59So we can refresh those, put those up, and let people see themselves.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01Let's have a look, that's great.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05We have a full programme of different activities,
0:11:05 > 0:11:09whether it is music, whether it is objects,
0:11:09 > 0:11:11film, pictures,
0:11:11 > 0:11:14lots and lots of ideas, to stimulate the mind.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16And to stir those memories up a bit.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23One couple benefiting from Magical Memories are Vince
0:11:23 > 0:11:27and Mary Mather, who have been married for 59 years.
0:11:27 > 0:11:32We're going to have a look at our wedding album. Do you remember this?
0:11:32 > 0:11:36- You remember this book? You wrote all this out, didn't you?- Yes.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42In April 2011, Mary was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47Do you not remember this? Do you not?
0:11:47 > 0:11:50- No.- You see?
0:11:50 > 0:11:54This is Mary Ellesmere, that's you. Isn't it? Or it was.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58- What have you put that for?- You put that down, that's your writing.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02- I didn't.- Yes, you did.- Did I heck. - Oh, you did a long time ago.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05- I did not.- You did.
0:12:05 > 0:12:10The council sessions like the one we have at the library are good
0:12:10 > 0:12:13because she loves watching other people.
0:12:13 > 0:12:18You can see her smile, laughing at other people. It relaxes her.
0:12:18 > 0:12:23Now, who's that? 'She can't really take part in the bingos.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25'She'll do a little bit of singing.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29'I mean, she knows the words to a hell of a lot of songs.'
0:12:29 > 0:12:31I don't know why, but she does remember them all.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34You know, from the 1950s and '60s and that.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36Now, there you are, see?
0:12:37 > 0:12:39Lovely girl.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44You don't deserve what you've got, sweetheart. You don't, honestly.
0:12:45 > 0:12:50'Unless you're going through it, or have actually gone through it,'
0:12:50 > 0:12:53to look after someone like that with dementia,
0:12:53 > 0:12:58there's nobody can tell you what it's like. Nobody can describe it.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01It is indescribable. Basically.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06Alison and Rita know first hand what caring for someone with
0:13:06 > 0:13:08dementia is like.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12If we put this out, I think, because it has got the issues.
0:13:12 > 0:13:17Rita and I have personal experience of dementia, in that our parents...
0:13:19 > 0:13:23My dad is 92 and was diagnosed with Alzheimer's
0:13:23 > 0:13:27probably about, er, three, four years ago.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31So I'm very, very passionate about it.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34I get a lot of satisfaction out of my job, but this is that
0:13:34 > 0:13:38little bit more special to me because of where I'm coming from.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44Still to come, Mary and Vince take a musical trip down memory lane.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49MUSIC PLAYS
0:13:49 > 0:13:51SHE LAUGHS
0:13:51 > 0:13:53Did everybody get that one?
0:14:03 > 0:14:07Around 28 million tonnes of household waste is thrown
0:14:07 > 0:14:10away in the UK every single year.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14Disposing of this waste affects each and everyone of us, so it's
0:14:14 > 0:14:17no surprise the Great British public have a lot to say on the issue.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23We've got recycling, we've got food bins, we've got glass bins,
0:14:23 > 0:14:28as well, and, to be honest, it has been running smoothly at the moment.
0:14:28 > 0:14:29This cul-de-sac I live in,
0:14:29 > 0:14:33we've just changed over to wheelie bins, and the people up here
0:14:33 > 0:14:37did not know what was supposed to be put out this week.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40If you've got a computer, you can go in and have a look,
0:14:40 > 0:14:42but if you haven't, you have to rely on neighbours.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45We've had an issue with the bins, the council have sorted that out.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48They came down straightaway, sorted it out, that was quite good to see.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52Because I've heard they can be a bit, well, a bit slow in a way,
0:14:52 > 0:14:55in some aspects. But that was quite good how they acted straight on.
0:14:55 > 0:15:01I still haven't got my head around the fortnightly bin collection.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03That's still a little bit difficult and in, you know,
0:15:03 > 0:15:09certain areas, um, that's causing a lot of fly tipping.
0:15:11 > 0:15:17Wigan Council receives over 35,000 calls a year about waste.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21And environmental enforcement officer Alex Kay's job is to
0:15:21 > 0:15:22make sure that the streets
0:15:22 > 0:15:25and alleyways of the borough are free from unwanted waste.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31People have a right to live in a clean environment.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35We provide the necessary bins to get rid of the waste,
0:15:35 > 0:15:38household waste, and not everybody does that.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41People end up having to live next door to people who maybe
0:15:41 > 0:15:44don't deal with their waste properly, and accumulate waste.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47Today, he's responding to a resident who has called the council about
0:15:47 > 0:15:51rubbish building up in back alleys and gardens close to their home.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54I think I've already been here once before and asked our team to pick
0:15:54 > 0:15:57the waste up because we couldn't establish where it had come from.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00But then we've had another complaint about the same thing,
0:16:00 > 0:16:03so either they've not picked the original waste up, or...
0:16:04 > 0:16:08..there's more stuff being dumped, so we'll go have a look.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11Alex has been with the council for 12 years
0:16:11 > 0:16:14and is well versed in the laws about property,
0:16:14 > 0:16:17residents and their responsibilities.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21Under the Environmental Protection Act, and also the new Antisocial Behaviour Act,
0:16:21 > 0:16:25we do have powers to, if we believe there's a nuisance being caused,
0:16:25 > 0:16:29then obviously we can enter people's back gardens and the like.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32But, you know, we can't just willy-nilly go be walking into people's back gardens,
0:16:32 > 0:16:35but we, you know,
0:16:35 > 0:16:39use your common sense and deal with it that way.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46Rotten refuse isn't just smelly and an eyesore, it attracts vermin like
0:16:46 > 0:16:50flies and, more worryingly, rats, which can spread Weil's disease.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55So, as you can see on this street, there's quite
0:16:55 > 0:16:57a lot of properties to let.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00So there's a lot of turnover of tenants.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03And, you know, that causes a lot of problems because...
0:17:03 > 0:17:06with it being a high turnover, a lot of tenants are just in and out
0:17:06 > 0:17:08and they leave waste in the back.
0:17:08 > 0:17:13Alex has the power to serve a nuisance abatement notice to persistent offenders.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15If they don't clean up their act, and their rubbish,
0:17:15 > 0:17:19the council will do it for them, billing them for the cost.
0:17:19 > 0:17:24There is some waste in the alley up and down, little bits, it is...
0:17:24 > 0:17:27This is the same stuff that was here last time.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30But one thing, just looking at that gate there, that gate is wide open.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33We put alley gates on to stop antisocial behaviour
0:17:33 > 0:17:37and to stop people from being able to get into alleys to fly-tip.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41If the residents just leave them open, we're fighting a bit of losing battle. But...
0:17:41 > 0:17:45There's no shortage of rubbish building up in the far from private back alleys,
0:17:45 > 0:17:49but Alex has been called out about one house in particular.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53So, this is what has been reported to us, as well.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57Alex heads round the front of the house to speak to the resident.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00If he can clear up the situation on the ground now,
0:18:00 > 0:18:03it will save a lot of time and money in the long run.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06Hi, love, I'm from Wigan Council waste services.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08Just about all the stuff in the alleyway at the back.
0:18:08 > 0:18:14- There's a mattress and some black bags.- But there's a hitch.- This?- No.
0:18:14 > 0:18:19- In the back alley, at the back. - None of the residents speak English.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22Hi, are you all right? It's just about the waste in the back
0:18:22 > 0:18:25alley way. You know, in the back?
0:18:25 > 0:18:30- I don't speak English. - Right. Should I show you? This.
0:18:30 > 0:18:35- Alex is an experienced negotiator. - I need that to go.
0:18:35 > 0:18:40- But he doesn't speak Romanian. - Who's your landlord?
0:18:40 > 0:18:43- I don't speak.- Oh, right. All right.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47- It's OK?- No, it needs to go.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51Have you got bins? Have you not got bins?
0:18:51 > 0:18:56It is about this here. Can't stay there.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00The residents have one green bin for garden and food waste, but they should
0:19:00 > 0:19:04also have three more for general waste, paper, glass and plastics.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08Have you got bins? Is that yours? No.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11- Have you got a blue one and a brown one?- No speak.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15Yeah, it's all right. I'll find out who your landlord is, I'll contact your landlord.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18- All right.- All right.- OK. - Thank you.- Bye.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25Increasingly diverse populations mean that many councils
0:19:25 > 0:19:29employ teams of translators to make sure all residents can
0:19:29 > 0:19:31access their services.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35But today, it's up to Alex to try and cross the cultural divide.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40Language is a problem quite often with us now.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42You get families who move into properties,
0:19:42 > 0:19:45and nobody really explains them what they've got to do.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47With regards to the waste, you know, they don't know
0:19:47 > 0:19:50when the binmen come, they don't know what waste goes in which
0:19:50 > 0:19:52bin, so we end up with contaminated bins or end up with waste
0:19:52 > 0:19:55accumulations like we've got now.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59It's a rubbish situation for Alex, but in what appears to be
0:19:59 > 0:20:02the residents' eagerness to resolve the situation, they've
0:20:02 > 0:20:06called in an English-speaking friend to translate.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09I need this... Basically, they are going to have to get rid of this.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12- So, how are we doing? - Well, you can take it to the tip.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15- Have you got a car?- Er...
0:20:15 > 0:20:20They have a car, but... Where are we to bring it?
0:20:20 > 0:20:23To the waste recycling centre. It is only a couple of miles away.
0:20:23 > 0:20:29- If I give you the address.- Yes, but we can do it now.- Whenever.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33- So long as you do it by the beginning of next week.- Yeah.
0:20:33 > 0:20:34Is that all right?
0:20:34 > 0:20:39And then what I'll do is, I'll drop them off a green, a brown and a blue bin.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42- OK.- And with a notice telling them exactly what goes in what bin.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44Is that all right? And then hopefully you should have
0:20:44 > 0:20:48enough room in here then, just for the rest of the waste.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52- Is that all right? I'll leave that with you.- Thank you.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54Things are looking more promising.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58It looks like Alex's firm but fair approach might pay off.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02It is about using a bit of common sense and working together for the best resolution.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05And making sure they know what they're doing going forward,
0:21:05 > 0:21:07and then that should, hopefully, stop the problem.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11Alex will be back on Monday.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15But will the mattress and the rest of the rubbish still be here?
0:21:30 > 0:21:31All right, Scott, what you after?
0:21:31 > 0:21:35This week, council joiner Scott Howarth is on call.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38In addition to his regular duties, for the next 24 hours he's
0:21:38 > 0:21:43required to respond when the public call the council with an emergency.
0:21:43 > 0:21:44See you later.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48He's ten hours into a shift which has already seen him
0:21:48 > 0:21:50fix a dangerous fence.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58Couldn't do that first time again, could you? Not a bad for a first guess.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02Right, job done, let's go home, mate.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09Having secured it, Scott stays on call, ready to respond to any
0:22:09 > 0:22:13- emergencies while coaching his son's football team.- Nice.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15Oh, three, Blues.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21Phone in pocket, still on, nothing at the moment.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24I'm expecting to get there as soon as, depending on what the job
0:22:24 > 0:22:28is, but they don't expect you just sitting there and doing nothing.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34Still on call. No rest for the wicked.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41- Hello.- A tenant has called the council with an emergency.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45- Luckily enough, Scott has still got his eye on the ball.- Right, there you go.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49A lady's locked out, basically. Sat outside the property.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51With a young child.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54I'll go home and get changed, put my work clothes back on.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56- And go back to work. - Can I go get a drink?
0:22:56 > 0:22:59Right, yeah, go in, all get a drink.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01A quick trip home to collect his van,
0:23:01 > 0:23:04and Scott's soon back out on council business.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08But there's fresh information about the job he's duty-bound to attend.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10Somehow they've managed to lock themselves in the house,
0:23:10 > 0:23:12and they've not got a key to get out the house.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14So it's classed as an emergency
0:23:14 > 0:23:17because obviously they can't get out through the front door.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19Just in case there was a fire.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23Obviously they need their access to get out the property.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26I got it about 25 minutes ago.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29They want us to respond within a two-hour window.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38At the caller's house, Scott is beckoned to the back door.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41- It's this way?- Which is open.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45- It's the front door that he's been asked to fix.- What have you done?
0:23:45 > 0:23:50- Have you just lost your keys?- Lost them.- Right, no worries, it's fine.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53Obviously, if it's lost keys, I'll take the lock out, put you a new lock in.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55All right?
0:23:57 > 0:24:01- How did you even open the door? - Because I'm magic.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06- This key here, I hope this weren't the key.- No.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08SHE LAUGHS
0:24:09 > 0:24:12It takes Scott less than two minutes to change the lock.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16Right, keys are in the back of the door. All right.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19- That was quick.- Oh, I don't mess about at this time.
0:24:19 > 0:24:20All right, see you again, love.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23See you later, bye.
0:24:23 > 0:24:24All right.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27The council is obliged to carry out certain emergency
0:24:27 > 0:24:29- work for their tenants. - See you later.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32But they will charge for the service.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35That's easy, that's what you want when it's call-ins.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Don't want me hanging about, don't want big jobs.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40Just want nice little jobs.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44But on a 24-hour callout, Scott never knows what's coming next.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48Every now and again, you get the bigger jobs.
0:24:48 > 0:24:53You get stolen cars into properties, unsafe buildings,
0:24:53 > 0:24:57fire damage. I've had drink drivers,
0:24:57 > 0:25:01on occasions, into properties.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04So their property then becomes unsafe.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06Hello?
0:25:06 > 0:25:09Sure enough, someone else has called the council.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11It's another lock-related job.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14Right, no worries, mate. Cheers. See you later, mate. Bye.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19The lady can't secure the property.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22It's 9:20 now.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25By the time I get home, it will probably be about 10:30.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29Which, as I was out last night at 2:30, 5:30, you know,
0:25:29 > 0:25:34I'm getting ready for going home. I want a bit of tea, to be honest.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37I'll definitely have done the hours today. All right, love.
0:25:37 > 0:25:38Problem with your door?
0:25:39 > 0:25:42I'll have a look. The door may just need adjusting.
0:25:42 > 0:25:46- I'll have a look and make sure you can do it.- I was locking up.
0:25:46 > 0:25:51And I put my key in the door. And I couldn't get it out.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55So I had to send for the council.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59Yeah, we come all throughout the night, we make sure we get here.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02The barrel is just a bit worn - wear and tear.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05It has probably been... There might have been an incident when the door
0:26:05 > 0:26:08was fitted, which, looking at it, it's probably at least six,
0:26:08 > 0:26:10seven year old.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13The weather has got to it, seized a little bit,
0:26:13 > 0:26:17and it is just causing a bit of problems. And the lady can't open it, so...
0:26:17 > 0:26:19I'm going to put a new lock in it for you.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21Just to be on the safe side. And I'll oil it up,
0:26:21 > 0:26:24- make sure it is all right.- Right. You'll come again to do that?
0:26:24 > 0:26:27- No, I'm going to do it now. - Oh, good.- All right?
0:26:27 > 0:26:29Yes, of course it is.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36- Say that again.- I don't want you see me with my teeth out.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39She doesn't want me to see her with her teeth out.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41You'll be all right, don't worry.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47Once again, within minutes, Scott's got the job done.
0:26:47 > 0:26:51Right, love, do want to just try it, see if it is all right for you?
0:26:51 > 0:26:53I'm a little bit more heavy-handed.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56Try locking it and see if it's easier for you.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59- Yeah? Is that all right for you? - Yes.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01- All right.- Very good.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04Easy. Easy.
0:27:06 > 0:27:11I'm glad they came, because I wasn't looking forward to tonight...
0:27:11 > 0:27:15in case, you know, that door wasn't fastening properly
0:27:15 > 0:27:17with the key.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20I feel much safer now.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22And it's all thanks to Scott.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25All right, see you again, love. Good night.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28The man on call for the council.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36Scott is getting some much-needed rest in front of the telly
0:27:36 > 0:27:38with his wife, Charlene.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41But the callout phone is never far from Scott's side.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43I like going helping people.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45You know, you get job satisfaction.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47I mean, you've made somebody's day.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49Under his T-shirt he's got a tattoo.
0:27:49 > 0:27:50That's Superman.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52He thinks he is Superman.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54I am Superman.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56So much for a quiet night in.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59Wigan's very own man of steel is back out,
0:27:59 > 0:28:02responding to the latest call for help.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05And this one sounds like it could be serious.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09The police have asked for the assistance to get into a property.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11I come to this property a few week ago.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15And the guy had been on some sort of medication.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17He was hanging out the bedroom window.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20So the police and the paramedics were there.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23I gained access for 'em then.
0:28:24 > 0:28:262.30am.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29Scott arrives to find the police are already on the scene
0:28:29 > 0:28:30of the disturbance.
0:28:30 > 0:28:34He's on standby to open the door to the property if required.
0:28:34 > 0:28:36But the situation is changing rapidly.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42They're going in, but they're going to check the door first.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45They were threatened by six of them with the vest
0:28:45 > 0:28:47and the helmets on, so...
0:28:47 > 0:28:49We'll have a look.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52Scott knows his skills could be called on at any moment.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54Other than that, he's in the dark.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03To be honest, it seems like they've just put the door in.
0:29:03 > 0:29:07In an unexpected turn of events, the police abandon the softly,
0:29:07 > 0:29:09softly approach.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12It looks like Scott's locksmith skills won't be required.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15The police have put the door in, so there's no point me going just
0:29:15 > 0:29:17yet, because if they take him away
0:29:17 > 0:29:19then the front door will need securing. So...
0:29:19 > 0:29:21I'll see what happens.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26There's little Scott can do now but stick around on standby and wait.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28They're in there wrestling with him at the moment.
0:29:28 > 0:29:32But, obviously, the front door's open.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34We was here if they needed us.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37The resident causing the disturbance is
0:29:37 > 0:29:39treated in the back of the ambulance.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41It's very late and it's very dark,
0:29:41 > 0:29:44but Scott is ready to step in and help.
0:29:44 > 0:29:46It's all right, no worries.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48They had no electric on in there,
0:29:48 > 0:29:52so as they entered they struggled a bit so they wanted a light.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54So...
0:29:54 > 0:29:57If 'owt, a light come in use.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59Wigan Council saves the day, eh?
0:29:59 > 0:30:02- All right, cheers, I'll see you later.- Good night.
0:30:05 > 0:30:07It's three in the morning,
0:30:07 > 0:30:10but finally peace is restored to this Wigan street.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16The police have all gone, the paramedics have gone.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19We're still here, though, making sure everything's safe.
0:30:19 > 0:30:22Erm, the property's safe.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25The light's away now, but when I get home, I'll put that light on charge.
0:30:27 > 0:30:29Onwards and upwards, eh?
0:30:31 > 0:30:34Back home, unless the phone rings.
0:30:47 > 0:30:50Environmental enforcement officer Alex has been responding to
0:30:50 > 0:30:52complaints that rubbish is constantly being
0:30:52 > 0:30:55dumped in a back alley.
0:30:55 > 0:30:56It's about this, here.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59It can't stay there.
0:31:00 > 0:31:02Who's your landlord?
0:31:02 > 0:31:04Most people.
0:31:05 > 0:31:08After trying to explain waste management to the tenants who
0:31:08 > 0:31:10spoke virtually no English,
0:31:10 > 0:31:14a brand-new set of recycling bins has been delivered.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17Now Alex is back to see if they're being put to good use.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21In the meantime, since we last came, I've spoke to the owner
0:31:21 > 0:31:25of the property, who's then put me in touch with the letting agent
0:31:25 > 0:31:28and I've asked the letting agent to try and contact the tenants just to
0:31:28 > 0:31:30maybe speak to them and explain to them
0:31:30 > 0:31:33about what they need to do with regards to the waste.
0:31:33 > 0:31:34So we're back today to see
0:31:34 > 0:31:36whether they've cleared up the mess they've left
0:31:36 > 0:31:39and whether they're getting to grips with the recycling
0:31:39 > 0:31:41and to see what state the bins are in, basically.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45The rubbish that was previously dumped here has gone,
0:31:45 > 0:31:47but it's been replaced by another load.
0:31:47 > 0:31:50Making matters worse, the new recycling bins
0:31:50 > 0:31:52are not being used properly.
0:31:53 > 0:31:57So the blue bin's contaminated because it's got plastic bags in it,
0:31:57 > 0:32:00which are a no-no, which is just general household waste.
0:32:00 > 0:32:02As you can see, the stickers tell people what they can
0:32:02 > 0:32:04and can't put in. There's not really any excuse -
0:32:04 > 0:32:07there's plenty of information about what you can
0:32:07 > 0:32:10and can't put in and what you should and shouldn't be doing,
0:32:10 > 0:32:12but it's just a bit of an ongoing issue.
0:32:16 > 0:32:18There's our recycling leaflet
0:32:18 > 0:32:22which has been given all the attention it needs.
0:32:23 > 0:32:25I'm sure it goes in the blue bin.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30Alex laid down the law on his previous visit,
0:32:30 > 0:32:33but it seems this has been lost in translation.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36The mattress from a week ago may have gone, but a bed base
0:32:36 > 0:32:39and a microwave have taken its place.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42Another neighbour claims to know where it's all coming from.
0:32:43 > 0:32:45- All that rubbish there...- Yeah.
0:32:45 > 0:32:46- ..comes off them bins there.- Right.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49- I've been on to the council because we had two rats in last week.- Yeah.
0:32:49 > 0:32:51Running up and down.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53There's food there, there's food waste.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56- There's food and everything. The cats are always here, as well.- Yeah.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59- Leave it with me, I'll get it sorted out. All right.- Cheers, buddy.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03There's no evidence that this new rubbish has been dumped by
0:33:03 > 0:33:05the tenants Alex has been dealing with,
0:33:05 > 0:33:07but he'll get it cleared up.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10We have a service where you can pay and we'll come and pick that up.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13They've just thrown it out thinking it's going to get taken away.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15I don't know whether it's because they don't know or
0:33:15 > 0:33:18whether they do know and they're just chancing their arm.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22You can't throw your waste out and expect the council to come and pick it up.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25It's becoming a bit of a problem that we're going to have to deal with.
0:33:25 > 0:33:29The residents whose rubbish he can identify have had plenty of warning.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32Their landlord has promised to help his tenants manage the waste,
0:33:32 > 0:33:36but now the time for a quiet talking to, in whatever language, is over.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39It is frustrating because obviously somebody moves into a property and
0:33:39 > 0:33:42we're making sure that they've got clean and empty bins
0:33:42 > 0:33:44and giving them all the options to recycle, educating them,
0:33:44 > 0:33:46telling them what goes in where.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48Erm, and it just doesn't happen.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50We're just going to take the recycling bins away
0:33:50 > 0:33:53and don't give them the option then to contaminate the bins,
0:33:53 > 0:33:55just leave them with one black bin.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58Then just move it on and put the onus on the owner of the property now to make
0:33:58 > 0:34:00sure his tenants are doing what they're supposed to be doing
0:34:00 > 0:34:02when it comes to the waste.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05The dumped rubbish will now be cleared by the council
0:34:05 > 0:34:10and the residents will be left with just one black bin for all of their household waste.
0:34:10 > 0:34:12This drastic solution makes
0:34:12 > 0:34:15is simply more cost effective for the council.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18If an element of recyclable waste is going to landfill,
0:34:18 > 0:34:21when you weigh that against the cost of constantly sending
0:34:21 > 0:34:24officers down trying to re-educate, it's easier for us
0:34:24 > 0:34:27to ask them to take it to the waste recycling centre.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39Across the borough, at Tyldsley library, the council has been
0:34:39 > 0:34:43running Magical Memories, a monthly session for people living with dementia.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46People who are living with dementia feel as
0:34:46 > 0:34:48though they're not part of the community.
0:34:48 > 0:34:50We're helping address that, in getting everyone together.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53Two people benefiting from the sessions are Vince Mather
0:34:53 > 0:34:59and his wife Mary, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2011.
0:34:59 > 0:35:01She loves watching other people
0:35:01 > 0:35:05and you can see her smile, laughing at other people.
0:35:10 > 0:35:14It's Wednesday morning and council librarians Sandra Ashcroft
0:35:14 > 0:35:17and Marlene Chadwick are hard at work.
0:35:19 > 0:35:2120, 22, 24, 26...
0:35:21 > 0:35:2430. How many have we got?
0:35:24 > 0:35:26How many? Is that enough?
0:35:26 > 0:35:30They're getting ready to open the doors for today's session.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35We have them once a month and people come along.
0:35:35 > 0:35:39We do a bit of singing, we play bingo,
0:35:39 > 0:35:41just things to stimulate people.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44It's a bit of a socialising thing for them, as well.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47Then, at the end, we have another sing-song, which they
0:35:47 > 0:35:49all really enjoy.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52We'll have to be careful these don't blow away, actually.
0:35:52 > 0:35:54I might just turn that off.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57The idea is to stimulate memories
0:35:57 > 0:36:00of things that they remember, like the eras and the films
0:36:00 > 0:36:03and the musicians of the times when they, obviously,
0:36:03 > 0:36:05can have happy memories, hopefully.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09Most of them are quite elderly.
0:36:10 > 0:36:14There was nothing for people with dementia in Tyldsley,
0:36:14 > 0:36:16so we're trying to make Tyldsley dementia-friendly
0:36:16 > 0:36:19and we decided that we wanted to put one of these sessions on.
0:36:19 > 0:36:21We thought it was important because there was lots
0:36:21 > 0:36:24of coffee mornings and different things in the area,
0:36:24 > 0:36:26but there was nothing like Magical Memories.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31These are little bottle tops that we recycle.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33We collect them so that they can use them.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36Some of the people aren't very good with their hands,
0:36:36 > 0:36:40they can't hold pens very well. So we do that.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43They're just the perfect size to cover the bingo.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50As well as the activities, the council serves lunch.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53It's something that senior council officers Alison Eaton
0:36:53 > 0:36:56and Rita Devlin think is vital to the session.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59I will speak to Sharon, who does the food.
0:36:59 > 0:37:04- That's great.- And Marlene was thinking, maybe a steak-and-ale pie.
0:37:04 > 0:37:08- That'll be nice.- So I'm ordering 36.
0:37:08 > 0:37:10We found that not only the reminiscence -
0:37:10 > 0:37:13they wanted the social aspect, as well, to meet together,
0:37:13 > 0:37:15sitting down, sharing a meal together.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17It's been absolutely fantastic
0:37:17 > 0:37:22and we've been getting 36 to 40 people - and it's not only people
0:37:22 > 0:37:24that are living with dementia - it's their carers, as well,
0:37:24 > 0:37:27that are coming along and that's such an important thing.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30My dad currently lives with my mum.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32Rita's mum's passed away.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35We recognise how important it is for those carers, as well.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38I think they're so grateful.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41You can come into an environment where people understand.
0:37:41 > 0:37:43People are not judgmental.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48For Vince Mather, who is primary carer for wife Mary,
0:37:48 > 0:37:51it's welcome respite from what's a full-time job.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55She's come first in my life, always will do now.
0:37:58 > 0:38:03I've got to do everything that we both used to share -
0:38:03 > 0:38:06I have to do now, because she just doesn't comprehend
0:38:06 > 0:38:08anything like that.
0:38:11 > 0:38:15If I gave her a different cup, she won't drink it.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18If I give her the same cup, she will.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22Your tea's ready.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24- Your tea.- My tea?- Yes, your tea.
0:38:24 > 0:38:28Come on. For tea, it's tea-time. You know...
0:38:28 > 0:38:30There are times, honestly, when I can I break my heart.
0:38:32 > 0:38:34Come on. That's a good girl.
0:38:34 > 0:38:37One of the biggest things I do miss is having a sensible
0:38:37 > 0:38:41conversation with somebody because I can't have one with Mary.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43But when I go to the council sessions,
0:38:43 > 0:38:48I can go there and meet people that I can talk to.
0:38:50 > 0:38:54Today's Magical Memories session has attracted nearly 30 people.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56- Hiya, Vince, hiya, Mary.- Hello.
0:38:56 > 0:38:57Vince, hello.
0:38:57 > 0:39:00All ready for a game of musical bingo.
0:39:00 > 0:39:04Right, so, the way it works, you get a little snippet,
0:39:04 > 0:39:06probably about 20 seconds.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09- You try and identify and cover it up, if you know it. OK?- OK.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11- Can you hear me?- Are you ready for your first song?
0:39:11 > 0:39:15MUSIC: Knees Up Mother Brown
0:39:15 > 0:39:17Can you turn it up, Sandra?
0:39:21 > 0:39:23Are you ready for the next one?
0:39:23 > 0:39:26MUSIC: Molly Malone
0:39:29 > 0:39:33Just look at this, it's wonderful how it's inspiring memories,
0:39:33 > 0:39:36it's getting people talking.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39They're laughing, they're enjoying themselves.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42It's just wonderful to see. It's very special.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54Her reaction to music is very good.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57This is why - it strikes a chord in her mind...
0:39:58 > 0:40:00..that she does tend to remember.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07She gets as much enjoyment out of watching other people singing
0:40:07 > 0:40:11and enjoying themselves, as she does herself.
0:40:11 > 0:40:15I think, mentally, she's singing up here, you know.
0:40:18 > 0:40:22Lunch is served and Rita is in charge of dishing up.
0:40:25 > 0:40:29Sharing food with somebody is quite a social thing to do
0:40:29 > 0:40:34and it's wonderful to see people chatting away, shared tables.
0:40:34 > 0:40:36We go and sit and join them, have a chat,
0:40:36 > 0:40:40see how people are doing, and it works for both the person with
0:40:40 > 0:40:44dementia, but also for the person who is caring for them, as well.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49It's also Vince's chance to take a break.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52It's more of a relaxing period for me, you know.
0:40:52 > 0:40:54Some little weight has gone off my shoulder
0:40:54 > 0:40:57because somebody else is there.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59It's a shame, you know.
0:41:07 > 0:41:12I see other people who are in the same situation as I am
0:41:12 > 0:41:17and I see how they're coping and, obviously, it helps me
0:41:17 > 0:41:21to give me confidence that I must be doing something right,
0:41:21 > 0:41:26somewhere, you know. Yeah, I feel I get something out of it.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29The session is topped off by a good old singsong
0:41:29 > 0:41:31and ditties from days gone by.
0:41:34 > 0:41:38# When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie
0:41:38 > 0:41:42# That's amore
0:41:42 > 0:41:44# When the world seems to shine... #
0:41:44 > 0:41:46It does make a difference.
0:41:46 > 0:41:50It does, to me, when you see what can be achieved by putting
0:41:50 > 0:41:53things on like our Magical Memories session.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55# Bells will ringting-a-ling-a-ling, ting-a-ling-a-ling... #
0:41:55 > 0:41:59It just raises the awareness of dementia
0:41:59 > 0:42:03and the problems that people with dementia are facing.
0:42:03 > 0:42:07# When the stars make you drool just like a pasta fazool
0:42:07 > 0:42:09# That's amore... #
0:42:09 > 0:42:13It's to break down the stigma that surrounds dementia.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15Then you want the community to embrace dementia
0:42:15 > 0:42:17to know about the disease
0:42:17 > 0:42:20and to be able to help and support people within their community.
0:42:20 > 0:42:24# When you walk in a dream
0:42:24 > 0:42:27# But you know you're not dreaming seniore... #
0:42:27 > 0:42:32Not so often, but at times,
0:42:32 > 0:42:36she shows a glimmer of sign
0:42:36 > 0:42:39of the old Mary.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41I can see it.
0:42:41 > 0:42:45I notice it, but it's short-lived - very short-lived - but it's there.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47It's a feeling.
0:42:47 > 0:42:48# That's amore
0:42:48 > 0:42:51# That's amore
0:42:51 > 0:42:55# Scuzza me, but you see, back in old Napoli
0:42:55 > 0:42:58# That's amore
0:42:59 > 0:43:00# Amore
0:43:00 > 0:43:03# That's amore. #
0:43:10 > 0:43:12Like their council colleagues across the UK,
0:43:12 > 0:43:16these officers have been trying to keep the borough's streets safe...
0:43:16 > 0:43:19Anybody walking down could end up down the embankment.
0:43:19 > 0:43:20..homes secure...
0:43:22 > 0:43:24I'm going to put a new lock in it for you.
0:43:24 > 0:43:27..supporting those in need...
0:43:27 > 0:43:29It does make a difference.
0:43:29 > 0:43:32It does, to me, when you see what can be achieved.
0:43:32 > 0:43:37..as well as clearing neighbourhoods of unwanted rubbish.
0:43:37 > 0:43:39Basically, they are going to have to get rid of this.
0:43:39 > 0:43:42All of this, when their residents call the council.
0:43:42 > 0:43:44We work as a team.
0:43:44 > 0:43:46You go out there, and if you all work together,
0:43:46 > 0:43:49all pull together, it makes the job easier, you get the job done.