Carers Week Songs of Praise

MUSIC: Dvorak's New World Symphony

Today on Songs of Praise, we're in the hilltop town

of Shaftesbury in Dorset,

a setting that inspired novelist Thomas Hardy and many others.

It's also home to Gold Hill,

made famous by an advert for a certain well-known bread.

HE WHISTLES "NEW WORLD SYMPHONY"

I'm here to meet legendary Radio 2 DJ Johnnie Walker,

and his wife, Tiggy.

They live nearby, and they've got an inspirational story to tell.

In Carers Week, Johnnie and Tiggy have some advice

for carers and those being cared for.

If somebody is trying to help you in the best possible way

they know how, accept the love.

And to mark the Queen's official birthday,

I'm here at Woolwich Barracks to meet the Kings Troop

as they prepare for their part in the Queen's birthday celebrations,

Trooping the Colour.

I've never done one before, and I imagine it'll be frankly terrifying.

Just staying on your horse, if nothing else.

And we meet the canine companion who's given a boy a new life.

Caddie's a guardian angel, because I believe God made him to help me.

And, of course, we've got great songs and hymns to inspire you,

beginning with this one, from Perth in Scotland,

by the hymn writer, John Bell.

It's estimated that across Great Britain,

6,000 people become carers every day, taking on responsibilities

for a loved one who is old, ill, or has a disability.

I've come here to Shaftesbury to meet a couple who had

a very dramatic introduction to the challenges of caring,

and now want to raise the profile of carers,

and with music a shared passion, I can't wait to meet them.

DJ legend Johnnie Walker made his name in the '60s

with the pirate radio station Radio Caroline,

and today, he still pulls in his fans,

with his Radio 2 show, Sounds Of The '70s.

# Sounds Of The '70s with Johnnie Walker... #

But back in 2003, Johnnie was diagnosed with cancer of the colon,

just weeks after returning from honeymoon.

And I went round to the hospital, and Johnnie was stood on the steps,

outside the door, and he opened up his arms to me,

and just went, "Tiggs, I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry."

We've walked down the aisle together,

and you made the vows about "In sickness and in health,"

but you don't expect the sickness to happen within three months.

So you were suddenly, unexpectedly, thrust into the role of carer.

-What was that like?

-Well, it was quite a shock.

People think about caring as just being about practically,

you know, feeding somebody, making sure they take their pills,

taking them to the hospital.

But then there's the emotional side.

You've got to carry the person that you love who is ill,

but you actually can't tell them how you're suffering,

and how you're afraid, and it was... It was tough.

Did you, at that time, have any sense

of what Tiggy was going through?

Yeah -I wanted to be a good patient in the hospital,

and then I would take out my frustrations, I think, on Tiggs.

I remember the first time I went for chemotherapy at Barts Hospital,

Tiggy was just trying to be too helpful, and I said,

"Oh, for God's sake, this is my cancer -

"I'll deal with it how I like."

We had an argument outside Barts,

and I stormed off into Barts on my own.

Johnnie stepped away from the airwaves to have chemotherapy,

and told his listeners that he was taking a break.

I got so many letters and e-mails from listeners just wishing me well.

Some listeners wrote to me and said,

"We're saying prayers for you in our local church."

That was wonderful, to know about that. So I was comforted by that.

Thankfully Johnnie got through his cancer,

but then, in 2013, the disease struck again,

but this time, it was Tiggy who was diagnosed -

with breast cancer.

I was in complete shock.

I sobbed my way, you know, down the hospital corridors,

assuming I was about to die.

Johnnie, did you find the roles different when they were reversed?

Yeah, because, as a carer, you really are concerned for the person.

-You just wish they weren't ill to begin with.

-Mmm.

And then you just want to be the best way of support that you can be.

Being a patient, suddenly there's so much love thrown at you,

but when you're the carer, you're very ignored.

And whenever now we hear of somebody, a friend, who is ill,

I always say to their partner, "How are you?

"How are YOU doing? Look after YOURSELF."

You've both been through a lot.

What are the things that matter to you most now?

I think it's the simple things in life.

This beautiful view, which always just amazes us.

Now we live for the day and the moment,

much more than that thing of living for the future.

And in Carers Week, I would say, to those being cared for,

"Don't do what I did outside Barts, and sort of push her away.

"Somebody is trying to help you in the best possible way they know how.

"Accept the love."

# When I am down

# And oh, my soul so weary

# When troubles come

# And my heart burdened be

# Then I am still

# And wait here in the silence

# Until you come

# And sit a while with me

# You raise me up

# So I can stand on mountains

# You raise me up

# To walk on stormy seas

-ALL:

-# I am strong

# When I am on your shoulders

# You raise me up

# To more than I can be

# You raise me up

# So I can stand on mountains

# You raise me up

# To walk on stormy seas

# I am strong

# When I am on your shoulders

# You raise me up

# To more than I can be

# You raise me up

# So I can stand on mountains

# You raise me up

# To walk on stormy seas

# I am strong

# When I am on your shoulders

# You raise me up

# To more than I can be

# You raise me up

# So I can stand on mountains

# You raise me up

# To walk on stormy seas

# I am strong

# When I am on your shoulders

# You raise me up

# To more than I can be

# You raise me up

# To more than I can be. #

Every June, the Queen celebrates her official birthday,

and next weekend, Horse Guards Parade

plays host to the Queen's birthday parade,

also known as Trooping the Colour.

Pam has been finding out more from those involved in the ceremony.

The custom known as Trooping the Colour

dates back to the 17th Century, when colours of a regiment

were used as a rallying point in battle.

However, in recent times,

it's become part of a ceremony to mark the sovereign's birthday.

Throughout her reign, the Queen has always been very open

about how important her personal faith is to her.

But what can faith mean to soldiers who risk their lives

for Queen and country?

These new barracks in Woolwich were opened in 2012,

and house officer accommodation, a state-of-the-art equestrian centre,

and a veterinary service, which we'll be visiting later on.

I'm keen to catch up with Major Jim Luck,

who has the great honour of commanding these officers

during the ceremony for Her Majesty's birthday celebrations.

So, with the Trooping the Colour ceremony coming up,

what's your role, Jim?

The troop pass Her Majesty the Queen on Horse Guards,

first at the walk, and then at the trot,

and then we lead off into Green Park, and fire a 41-gun salute.

So, having so much responsibility - is it a bit nerve-wracking for you?

Yes - I've never done one before,

and I imagine it'll be frankly terrifying.

Just staying on your horse, if nothing else,

but also, yeah, hopefully just making sure

that everyone follows you.

Having served three tours in Afghanistan,

Major Luck has seen combat on the front line,

and found solace in his faith.

I personally do find it useful, and it has given me strength

during some, sort of, darker times on tour, yes.

What did you pray for?

HE CLEARS HIS THROAT

Strength.

Erm...

..and just that everything would work out well on the day.

Circle right, 30 metres.

Preparation is well under way.

SHE CHUCKLES

Makes your arm ache, I can tell you that, but look - sparkling!

The King's Troop is made up of 150 soldiers,

seven officers, and 131 horses.

Captain Caroline Bullard trained as a civilian vet,

but now has a vital role within the unit.

So, there's a bit of a snack going on here. Who's this?

This is Louis, who belongs to A Subsection,

and is one of the leaders for the gun team.

And he absolutely loves it.

What made you choose to be an army vet?

I've been to Afghanistan with the Military Working Dogs.

I went to France last year for the Somme centenary.

So there's some very, very poignant moments throughout my career,

which I wasn't getting that fulfilment

when I was in private practice.

When times are challenging, where's your faith in that?

You use it very much to sit quietly.

You go to the church on the Sunday,

and it allows you just a bit of normality.

Because I know my parents went to church a lot

when I was in Afghanistan, and praying that I was OK.

So you use it as a bit of support, a lot of support.

And even some of our bravest officers need that helping hand.

We all serve Queen and country as well as our mates,

but for me, there is something higher, as well.

And there's no such thing as an atheist in a foxhole.

Coming up, the tale of one boy and his dog.

But first, a beautiful performance

of Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace by Tessera.

# Make me a channel of your peace

# Where there is hatred

# Let me bring your love

# Where there is injury your pardon, Lord

# And where there's doubt true faith in you

# Oh, master grant that I may never seek

# So much to be consoled as to console

# To be understood as to understand

# To be loved as to love with all my soul

# Make me a channel of your peace

# Where there's despair in life let me bring hope

# And where there's darkness only light

# And where there's sadness ever joy

# Oh, master grant that I may never seek

# So much to be consoled as to console

# To be understood as to understand

# To be loved as to love with all my soul

ALL: # Make me a channel of your peace

# It is in pardoning that we are pardoned

# In giving to all men that we receive

# And in dying that we're born to eternal life

# Eternal life. #

Joel is 13, and has autism.

Joel finds it very difficult to communicate and interact

with the outside world.

He didn't actually talk until he was five years of age,

so it was very hard to actually try to get him to speak,

and to actually see him trying to mix with the other children.

Accidents and injuries were always a fear for mum Janet.

I can remember the one time Joel...

I couldn't hold him when we walked down the road,

and he just skipped out into the road, and nearly got run over.

These near-misses led the family to take action.

This is where Caddie, the specially trained assistance dog

for disabled people and children with autism,

was introduced by Dogs for Good.

He was so excited to be in the house.

Joel kind of stayed back, and then gradually came forward.

We asked Joel,

"Would you like to go outside and throw the ball in the garden?"

At this point, Joel had never gone out and played in that garden.

Outside scared him, and inside was his cave, it was safe.

And I can remember Caddie and Joel going outside, we all did,

and Joel actually threw that ball, and actually,

I saw Joel just staring at Caddie.

Here he was, actually starting to interact,

and that was within 20 minutes of Caddie coming into our house.

There's so many milestones that he's reached.

We can go to church.

I know that, actually, I can leave Joel now,

sitting in a chair at church, and Caddie will stay with him.

I can go and do a prayer, I can do the reading,

and I can come back and sit down again,

and he's safe and he's happy, cos Caddie's there.

-How are we going to get down there? Hold my hand.

-Two, one.

-There we go.

Yay!

Before Caddie, Joel didn't actually like the beach.

We used to have to put a windbreaker round

so that he couldn't see it, and that's the only way

he would stay on the beach, and now he's playing on the beach.

Caddie!

We can walk down the road, and he's safe,

and last year, when he came up to me, and he said to me,

"Mum, I want to get confirmed."

And I said, "Do you? Are you sure?"

He wanted to be confirmed, because he wanted Jesus and God

to be with him to help him, because he found the world so hard,

and knowing that they were there, it would make it easier,

just like Caddie's there, making life easier.

-Amen. And the Lord be with you.

-ALL: And also with you.

I was confirmed at the Cathedral, and I really liked it.

-Peace be with you.

-Peace be with you.

-Peace be with you.

To see him singing, when he never even spoke,

to see him in prayer, is really important.

Caddie's a guardian angel, because I believe God made him to help me.

Help me get here, and basically help me to live.

Do I believe that Caddie was given to us by God?

Yeah.

Because he was made like we are - from God.

He's here for a purpose, and that purpose is to help us,

and to actually show to the world that, actually,

animals are just as important as humans are.

And Caddie certainly is in our family.

It's Carers Week, and up and down the country,

charities are highlighting both the brilliant work they do,

and the fact that they're growing in numbers.

It also gives us an opportunity to remember that carers,

whatever their age, need support, too.

How are you feeling today, Mum?

-You look like you're struggling a bit.

-I AM struggling a bit...

11-year-old Archie has been looking after his mum, Su,

for the past three years.

Su has fibromyalgia, which causes chronic pain,

and makes everyday tasks difficult,

so Archie has to help out.

-Hello, Archie.

-Hello.

-You're a bit busier than the average 11-year-old, aren't you?

-Yeah.

What is it that you actually do for your mum?

I care for my mum by, like, putting the washing out and, like,

making dinner, and put the bins out, and make her a cup of tea.

You are the model son, do you know that?

THEY CHUCKLE

-Is that you back from shopping, Arch?

-Yeah.

-Did you manage to get everything?

-Yeah.

-If there's any change, you can keep it for being a good boy.

-Thank you.

What's it like being looked after by your son?

It's hard.

You feel terrible, guilty, you feel like it should be you

that's looking after him, and not the other way around.

You don't like to tell people, because they look down on you.

Are your church supportive in any way?

Our church are absolutely fantastic.

When I fractured my ankle in January,

they helped ensure that Archie could continue going to school

-and that he would have the support he needed.

-Very hands-on.

Yes, yeah, yep - they're our family. They are our family.

Oh!

-When you were a mascot for Pompey.

-Mum, don't start saying I was cute!

-You WERE cute.

-I was not!

But it's not all work for Archie.

What do you like to do, when you get a chance to do

anything that you love?

I like playing football, and I'm in a church choir.

So, football and singing - two things I love!

Su and Archie also receive help from a Christian children's charity.

We're able to give him a lot of support through respite

by having activities run for young carers.

We also provide a lot of service with school, and making sure

that if there is an issue at home that impacts Archie at school,

then they're aware of it fairly soon.

And are the needs of a child carer different to that of an adult carer?

I think so, because the children just go into the role

in a very different way.

They just accept that it's part of their family,

and what they are there to do, and want to do.

-Tea?

-Oh, thank you!

-That would be lovely.

-He's a nice lad!

It's a nice feeling being able to help my mum out,

because we get to spend more time together,

and it brings us closer, I think.

I'm just astounded by the things he does.

He's my world. Very blessed.

Well, that's almost it for today.

Thanks to the carers we've met,

and all the other unsung heroes out there.

Next week, Connie Fisher heads for the holiday resort

of Magaluf in Majorca to find out how Christian Street Angels

are helping young Brits abroad.

Till then, it's our closing hymn.

Bye for now.