Britain's Most Unemployed Town | Benefits Street

[00:00:05]Oh [music] my god. Why me?

[00:00:08]>> It's a big day on James Turner.

[00:00:11]>> Where is she? If burn yourself >> What's that?

[00:00:14]>> Happy >> [screaming] >> birthday.

[00:00:19]>> Matriarch of the street, White Dee, is turning 42.

[00:00:23]>> Major, I just thought someone was being killed.

[00:00:26]>> And the whole neighborhood knows about it.

[00:00:29]>> Go to market.

[00:00:30]>> Go there, lucky.

[00:00:30]>> I've got friends who don't even know who their next-door neighbors are, who might have been living somewhere for like 10, 15, 20 years, and they don't even know who lives next door to them. Make a wish.

[00:00:42]>> AH, [screaming] WHAT IS THAT?

[00:00:45]>> HOW CAN YOU LIVE NOT KNOWING WHO LIVES NEXT DOOR to you?

[00:00:56]>> Over the past year, government cuts have made life on benefits even tougher.

[00:01:01]>> It's hard to get a decent job.

[00:01:03]>> It's hard mommy to stop being a >> [ __ ] >> Come push me. Come push me.

[00:01:07]Come follow me, you [ __ ] >> But on James Turner, there's a secret to surviving.

[00:01:12]>> Come on.

[00:01:13]>> It's making sure your neighbors are also your friends.

[00:01:16]>> Push my bike. Push my bike.

[00:01:19]Yeah, all right, Simba.

[00:01:20]>> Yeah, all right, boy.

[00:01:23]>> Simba.

[00:01:24]Simba.

[00:01:30]>> Newcomer to the street, Zimbabwe-born Tech, has only been on James Turner a couple of months, but he's settling in well.

[00:01:37]>> I didn't do dumplings. I'm just doing soup.

[00:01:40]>> And he's already a big hit with single mom, White Dee.

[00:01:43]>> I love Tech.

[00:01:44]>> This is nice as an Irish show.

[00:01:46]>> Yeah, just taste it.

[00:01:47]>> Tech just fits in really well. He's just like one of us. That's the microwave mashed potatoes in the house.

[00:01:56]Tech would do anything for anybody?

[00:01:58]>> He's a good geezer.

[00:02:00]On my birthday when he got me a four cans on my birthday.

[00:02:04]Yeah, but he's a good lad.

[00:02:09]>> Like many of his mates on the street, Titch is unemployed.

[00:02:13]>> Yeah, that's hard work.

[00:02:15]>> But while he looks for a full-time job, he's determined to keep himself busy.

[00:02:21]>> Most of people in that street, I mean they're lovely people, I'm telling you.

[00:02:24]They're lovely people, I love them.

[00:02:26]But there's some funny laziness which I can see in this street.

[00:02:30]>> Me, I don't have a choice. I can work any job.

[00:02:33]You can put me in the toilet, you can put me anywhere.

[00:02:36]I can sit in the office, I can sit on the computer. I can do anything.

[00:02:40]So, is do you want to eat? That's the question.

[00:02:47]>> With money his sister lent him, Titch has bought a van to try and get a scrap business off the ground, but he's yet to earn a penny.

[00:02:55]>> I see people other people doing it.

[00:02:58]And then why can't I try?

[00:03:00]Why can't I try?

[00:03:01]>> It doesn't affect your pride?

[00:03:03]>> What pride? Do I have a pride?

[00:03:06]We die the same way.

[00:03:08]We buried the same way.

[00:03:10]You born without clothes, you die without clothes, you buried without clothes.

[00:03:15]>> Titch came to England 14 years ago, but when his relationship broke down, he lost his home.

[00:03:21]>> [music] >> Now he's been placed in social housing sharing with strangers.

[00:03:27]He's back to square one.

[00:03:32]>> I sleep with my girlfriend.

[00:03:34]I've got a floor. So, I better start new life there. At least I'm all right.

[00:03:41]>> BBC >> [music] [music] >> Titch has made friends up and down James Turner.

[00:03:53]>> Omar, what did you tell me, brother?

[00:03:55]>> But his best mate is fellow Zimbabwean Michael, or Simba to his friends.

[00:04:00]>> Yeah, I've known Titch a long time. He's lads all right.

[00:04:03]>> I've known Titch for donkey's years, but we were not like comrades as we are now, but you know, we've got to do what we've got to do at the moment.

[00:04:10]>> Right, right.

[00:04:12]Like Titch, Simba's also jobless.

[00:04:14]But recently he's been keeping busy helping his mate get his scrap business up and running.

[00:04:19]>> We are just tagging along with the moment.

[00:04:22]He's tagging along. Come let's have a cigarette outside.

[00:04:25]>> A trained paramedic, [music] Simba came to England 14 years ago.

[00:04:30]Now he's renting in Winson Green.

[00:04:32]His aim is to build a career as a chef.

[00:04:36]>> That's all I think about food. Food, food, food. I'm telling you now, I'm strict in the kitchen. I don't mess about cuz when I work in the kitchen, I'm hard. I don't mess about. My intention is obviously to run my own, you know, my own [ __ ] you know, I'm going to have my own eatery. Oh, you guys are going to come and pay 10 10 quid for an egg. Jesus Christ, I can't wait for that. I know, where's my sleep over?

[00:04:56]>> [music] >> Oh, that's what it was.

[00:04:59]>> Simba lives with his girlfriend Hannah and her two boys from a previous relationship.

[00:05:05]>> Okay, see you soon, yeah?

[00:05:06]>> I'm coming for sleep over.

[00:05:07]>> Serious.

[00:05:08]Hannah.

[00:05:09]>> Hi, boys.

[00:05:10]>> Yeah, mum.

[00:05:11]>> Are some free tonight? [applause] >> Yeah.

[00:05:15]>> [laughter] >> I hate this fur that comes out this thing. Can you see, Bob?

[00:05:19]>> They've been together six years.

[00:05:21]>> Was it love at first sight?

[00:05:22]>> What? She fell head over heels, mum. I Simbas.

[00:05:25]>> Why you say you like to beat his own chest?

[00:05:27]>> No, no, I don't beat my own chest. Me say like it is. I'm honest. Bumped into her by accident. Jesus [music] Christ, I'm condemned for life.

[00:05:33]>> him around.

[00:05:35]>> Whatever, you are watching me.

[00:05:36]>> I wasn't watching you.

[00:05:37]>> Yes, you watched me. You watched me. You think what? That's sweet.

[00:05:41]>> one in the line. You know how it is. His friend was dating my neighbor.

[00:05:45]>> Whatever, you are hand me down. You are hand me down. I am you are hand me down.

[00:05:49]>> hunt me down like a lion.

[00:05:51]>> I didn't want you. I didn't I didn't I swear I didn't.

[00:05:55]>> [laughter] >> Right now, Simba's broke.

[00:06:02]He's just missed the deadline to renew his visa, so he can't get work [music] or claim benefits.

[00:06:08]>> Just like my you you just can't relax.

[00:06:12]You can't relax basically my uh immigration status. I've got to hang on up until it's been renewed. Yeah, so we know I can't work. I can't do anything.

[00:06:22]The one girl that's too large and there's myself. How the How the property had are we going to make a balance?

[00:06:31]>> Well, for some, friendships keep them sane. One James Turner resident who doesn't mind his own company is council IT worker Euan.

[00:06:39]>> Never been married, I haven't got any children. It's It's wonderful. It's nice and quiet.

[00:06:45]>> Homeowner Euan has lived on James Turner for 14 years >> [music] >> and is one of the few residents with a steady job.

[00:06:52]>> He leaves the house every morning to go to work, comes home. He doesn't leave the house. He has his shopping delivered and doesn't bother anybody. He's been broken into and it's horrible horrible.

[00:07:04]>> I think the pole and gate there is got damaged cuz people have been climbing over it.

[00:07:11]It'll need replacing again.

[00:07:15]Can do without it.

[00:07:20]It's a It's not a bad street to live in. It's a It's convenient for the city center and it's got good transport links to all over the place really, so it's very easy to get away from.

[00:07:35]I can't have the cat and the dog near each other just in case.

[00:07:41]Cuz the cat won't eat the dog.

[00:07:45]>> Do you feel lonely?

[00:07:47]>> No, not really. No, cuz I'm I'm in an office full of people all day long.

[00:07:52]So, it's uh It's nice to get back in a bit of peace and quiet.

[00:08:00]>> Ready, steady, go.

[00:08:04]No.

[00:08:07]No.

[00:08:10]Are you winning?

[00:08:11]Are you drinking a beer?

[00:08:17]You want to stand?

[00:08:18]>> While most people on James Turner [music] appreciate Titch's generosity, there's one person that doesn't, his housemate.

[00:08:26]And until Titch can afford to leave social housing, he has no control over who he lives with.

[00:08:31]>> I've been putting electricity for you for how many months? I've been giving you CAN YOU HEAR? I AM A FOOL.

[00:08:40]He lock his and he break mine.

[00:08:43]I give him everything, feed him He doesn't put electricity, doesn't put gas, doesn't put anything.

[00:08:48]>> WILL YOU STEP ON MY SHOE ONCE MORE, YEAH?

[00:08:51]>> When trouble brews, Whitey is never far away.

[00:08:55]>> I can't I can't live in the house. I can't live in the house.

[00:08:59]I'm living like an animal.

[00:09:01]Because he's threatening me. He wants to fight with me, you see. So, me, I'm just a bit scared to sleep there because if I'm if I charge up we're going to fight.

[00:09:08]>> He broke into your room.

[00:09:09]>> He ain't in his house. He doesn't break into your room. You ain't got nothing, blood. You got nothing. Nothing. You're [ __ ] man. Look at your little trampy clothes that you wear, man. Look at this Look at this designer. You got what?

[00:09:21]Nike.

[00:09:23]>> Titch is [clears throat] a real nice person and I really like him.

[00:09:27]It's just a real shame that Tony's in the house.

[00:09:31]>> I'm Britain, innit? It's my country, innit? I go around Britain.

[00:09:34]>> This is my country, TOO.

[00:09:35]>> IT'S WHAT I DO, INNIT?

[00:09:35]>> This is my country.

[00:09:36]>> WHAT DO YOU DOING? WHAT HAVE YOU GOT TO SAY?

[00:09:38]>> This is >> Where you are, you supposed to be back in Zimbabwe, ain't it? Back in the bush.

[00:09:43]>> Back in the bush.

[00:09:45]>> Doing your thing.

[00:09:46]>> What is that that that that that's Russia.

[00:09:49]That's Russia.

[00:09:50]>> There's a plank of wood over there and Tony's not far.

[00:09:53]Someone's going to have to move it.

[00:09:55]>> You come from the bush.

[00:09:57]You're a bush guy, blood. I'm coming from rich people.

[00:10:01]>> [ __ ] you.

[00:10:01]>> to your little bush country you come out of.

[00:10:04]>> I'm hiding in the plank of wood so I don't smack Tony in the face with the nails.

[00:10:10]>> Go to the mall.

[00:10:11]>> I've got to call the police, right?

[00:10:13]Okay, I'm calling the >> Get off the wall.

[00:10:27]The wrong person's in the car.

[00:10:31]Tony should be in the car.

[00:10:33]>> The disrespect on it just because you're living in shared accommodation does not mean that the next person can break into your room. Straight away they you know they lack respect. And if you lack respect that way you cannot cohabit.

[00:10:44]What do you not understand? Teach you know he's a much older guy than him.

[00:10:47]In a way he wants to help him. You know try and show him the way.

[00:10:52]You know just point him in the right direction. The rest is it's you know the rest is up to him.

[00:10:56]Teach he's frustrated. That's why that's why he's you know he's he's resorted to this.

[00:11:00]>> Why is he in the back of the police car, Tone?

[00:11:04]For the right reasons. [ __ ] hells, man. I thought I'd only gone half hour.

[00:11:06]What the [ __ ] could have gone wrong?

[00:11:11]>> There's a room in my house [music] if you want it, Teach.

[00:11:13]>> Are you having a laugh?

[00:11:15]>> [laughter] >> You just jog on.

[00:11:18]>> I can't I'm not sleeping comfortable.

[00:11:20]>> No I know it. Well you're not sleeping there at all, are you?

[00:11:21]>> When I sleep he doesn't sleep.

[00:11:24]>> But this is what I'm saying. It's all >> I'm scared that maybe he's going to stab me or he's going to break into my house because I don't know his state of mind.

[00:11:30]>> No I know. I don't think I'd ever ever hear myself say that about telling someone to press charges against someone, but press charges. Go talk to him. Press charges. It's the only way.

[00:11:44]James Turner Street, OUR STREET.

[00:11:46]>> THE BATMAN STREET.

[00:11:50]>> TO AN OUTSIDER, James Turner might not always seem like the friendliest street in Britain.

[00:11:57]But [music] when you're down on your luck, there's usually someone who'll give you a helping hand.

[00:12:03]>> I did.

[00:12:05]Yeah.

[00:12:05]>> 44-year-old Funguy's closest friend on James Turner is mom of two, White D. And right now, he needs her moral support.

[00:12:14]>> When did you first find the lump?

[00:12:16]>> Uh I can't remember now, but I found it about 4 or 5 months ago. And it was a um like a little dot.

[00:12:29]>> So, why didn't you say something straight away?

[00:12:32]>> Scared.

[00:12:33]That's really why I didn't really.

[00:12:34]Scared.

[00:12:35]That's why I didn't go to the doctors and all that, you know what I mean?

[00:12:38]I've got a um couple lumps.

[00:12:41]Just found out it could be cancer.

[00:12:44]Mixed emotions at the moment, you know what I mean? Very mixed emotions. I don't I don't know if to cry. If I cry, I won't stop. You know what I mean? I want to tell my my daughter and all that, you know what I mean? But I don't want to tell them, you know what I mean? I want to tell my dad, but I don't want to tell him yet, you know what I mean?

[00:13:00]And it's hard. It's hard, man.

[00:13:02]>> On tablets or medicine?

[00:13:04]>> Tablets. 500 mil of them a day, you know what >> Yeah, you have to show them what you're on.

[00:13:09]>> Do what?

[00:13:10]>> No, I'm going to check in. I didn't know I was allowed to mention that. Sorry, Funk.

[00:13:13]>> I was expecting to say straight away, "Oh, yeah, it's cancer." But now he's telling me it's it's one of three.

[00:13:18]>> No, but you never know. But if it is an infection or something like that, then this will just help it go down, won't it?

[00:13:23]There's no point cuz you're panicking, yeah? And it might just be a cyst.

[00:13:27]>> Yeah, it could be.

[00:13:28]>> Yeah, it could be.

[00:13:29]>> Yeah.

[00:13:39]>> [snorts] >> He's only been eating in the kitchen.

[00:13:45]>> [laughter] >> For change, Titch a new comer Titch, life on the street has taken a turn for the better.

[00:14:05]>> Okay.

[00:14:06]>> His housemate from hell has disappeared.

[00:14:09]>> That boy is an idiot, man. Believe me.

[00:14:12]Yeah, I'm just here if he does his work.

[00:14:15]That's what I hear from him.

[00:14:18]>> And he's starting to make new contacts in the scrap world.

[00:14:21]>> I can do this.

[00:14:27]I'm trying to create something for myself to do.

[00:14:29]I'm always been hard worker.

[00:14:35]Yeah.

[00:14:36]What another I don't know how much I'm going to make.

[00:14:39]So, I'm just I'm just trying to put as much effort as I can.

[00:14:44]So, I see how much can I work so I can declare it and tell them say that I'm working this much.

[00:14:50]So, they can give me a chance.

[00:14:53]I'll be very grateful because I guess to sit on job seeker is not healthy.

[00:14:59]I never sit on the dole.

[00:15:01]It's my first time because of the situation, circumstances.

[00:15:10]>> For Titch's best mate Simba, [music] life with his girlfriend Hannah isn't getting easier.

[00:15:15]He still can't get a job or claim benefits, and money is tighter than ever.

[00:15:21]>> I have to go through all this red tape [ __ ] and just to get my status back up again and then actively look for employment cuz I actually been offered a few jobs and I can't do nothing. Got phone calls yesterday. I can't do nothing.

[00:15:39]What can I do?

[00:15:40]I can't legitimately get a job at the moment up until all this [ __ ] comes through. That's the frustrating thing. You see me drink. Oh, it's not because I enjoy the drink. I enjoy drinking at the end of the day. I don't enjoy drinking during the day.

[00:15:53]Got to drink just to cloud it all over.

[00:15:55]>> You get depressed.

[00:15:57]>> [laughter] >> Funny guy. Have you ever come across a black man who suffers from depression?

[00:16:02]Are you for real?

[00:16:05]>> [laughter] >> Depression is a luxury. You know that, yeah?

[00:16:08]Mhm.

[00:16:09]Simba, I'll see you in a bit. Come on.

[00:16:13]>> But Titch is worried about him.

[00:16:15]>> Simba is a nice kid, right? He's very intelligent, that boy. When you sit down with him talking to him when he's sober, you know you're talking to somebody which you can say, "You know, Simba, I'm thinking this. What can we do?" And I feel my heart soars when I see him wasting himself. I'm trying my best.

[00:16:33]Every day I'm lecturing him. If he cannot listen to my advice, then tough.

[00:16:39]>> [music] >> And Hannah's patience with Simba is wearing thin.

[00:16:45]>> All right, seniorita. I'm here, yeah.

[00:16:47]>> Yeah.

[00:16:47]>> Who are you phoning?

[00:16:48]>> I ain't phoning no >> What thing?

[00:16:50]>> phoning? We are, yeah.

[00:16:53]Phone.

[00:16:54]>> What phone?

[00:16:55]>> Phone.

[00:16:56]>> I ain't seen me in having my phone.

[00:16:58]Tiring man, man. He love to play with I don't That's why I can't take with him.

[00:17:03]>> A what?

[00:17:03]>> ramping too much.

[00:17:04]>> He's not ramping. I don't I don't like him when he's playing with others. I don't like it. I really don't like it.

[00:17:10]>> What? So, I can't have no brethren that's >> That's not That's not brethren.

[00:17:14]You don't do You don't cuz I'm not going to go up and see this house I'm be ramping with CD [clears throat] like that.

[00:17:18]>> You know CD?

[00:17:19]>> I don't I that's exactly I don't know him. Do you know Maxine? Do you know him on the lines of the hill? You don't know him like that.

[00:17:24]>> I love me I know Maxine.

[00:17:26]Maxine you don't know him.

[00:17:29]>> [laughter] >> Relationships on James Turner have their complications.

[00:17:40]But for 50-year-old Euan, it's all about the simple life.

[00:17:44]>> What's for tea tonight? I think it's going to be chicken.

[00:17:50]Friday's usually pizza day. I love meat feast.

[00:17:56]Here we go.

[00:17:57]I like music and I've got disco and rock.

[00:18:01]Right, so let's build a model and work in the city. I watch James Bond.

[00:18:07]Wouldn't mind being in the secret service, but maybe not to the extent James Bond is.

[00:18:12]Maybe a sort of back backroom person designing gadgets or um getting all the necessary paperwork ready or that's all the thing.

[00:18:22]Yes. [snorts] So I go out to work all day. When I come home, I just want to build, chill out, and relax, and not get bothered by anyone else.

[00:18:32]>> But Euan is finding that on James Turner, keeping yourself to yourself is easier said than done.

[00:18:38]>> It's only a box standard 6-ft fence.

[00:18:41]Unfortunately, the kids coming past just like chucking chucking bits over the fence. Um Yeah, they they brought they brought my continuous self to themselves and actually uh find something intelligent to do.

[00:18:53]Doesn't impress me at all.

[00:18:56]I don't know.

[00:19:04]>> [music] >> It's 9:00 a.m. And Euan is off to work.

[00:19:12]>> [music] >> The worst think I could change.

[00:19:14]>> How long does he takes to change?

[00:19:16]>> Last night, Hannah and her boys slept in Titchy's spare room.

[00:19:20]>> Believe me.

[00:19:22]>> And Simba is making [music] it clear he's not happy about it. He's thrown her belongings out onto the street.

[00:19:33]>> Last night, we're here. All of us are here and we're chilling, we're laughing.

[00:19:38]We left.

[00:19:40]I've got £5 in my pocket. He wanted a drink. I says, "No, you're not having a drink. You've had enough drink." He could barely walk down the road and he wants another drink. I says, "No, you're not having another drink." He went in the house, put his keys in the door. So, when I put my key in, I can't get in the house.

[00:20:02]>> You know what? I'm [ __ ] pissed off.

[00:20:05]That day, I can tell you.

[00:20:07]Pissed off.

[00:20:08]>> I told him he needs to stop drinking.

[00:20:12]>> Hannah's facing the difficult decision whether or not to go back to Simba.

[00:20:15]>> If you're bleeding from Simba, then tell me.

[00:20:18]So, but now don't let the kids suffer.

[00:20:20]You bleed at Simba only. I know you're crying for your Simba, but your Simba will come to your house.

[00:20:25]>> Titch is not Simba. Would you just You're not getting it. It's not Simba.

[00:20:29]>> Why I'm not getting it?

[00:20:31]What you need to do today is just to go and look for somewhere to live yourself.

[00:20:35]Sort yourself. If I see you coming back to that one, I I always know that you're crazy.

[00:20:42]Think of the kids. Those are your priority.

[00:20:47]Believe me.

[00:20:49]Take them to their father if the father is closer so you can access them.

[00:20:54]>> [snorts] [sighs and gasps] >> Titchy's right. I can't put the kids through that again.

[00:21:03]He's absolutely right.

[00:21:04]>> When what?

[00:21:05]>> When he's not When he's not drinking, he's absolutely lovely. I swear to you.

[00:21:10]>> He's not lovely.

[00:21:10]>> No.

[00:21:11]>> All he's good drink is that >> BUT YOU SEE, WHEN YOU'RE IN A RELATIONSHIP, you try and make everything work.

[00:21:18]I don't know what it is.

[00:21:19]>> Please.

[00:21:20]>> Okay.

[00:21:22]>> [snorts] >> Give the responsibility to the father for maybe 2 or 3 months. You're not surrendering them. Tell the father to say I'll come and see the kids.

[00:21:29]>> But it's hard for me to tell >> I know it's hard, but >> [laughter] >> if you want to change, do you hear me? You are trying to turn your life better. If you love something, let it go.

[00:21:39]>> Okay.

[00:21:40]Call their dad.

[00:21:44]>> Buying the time to find [music] a new place for her and the boys to live means making a painful call to their biological father.

[00:21:52]>> I'll sign over child tax credit. I'll sign over the benefits to you. I just want you to have them for a bit for me, please. If you can't, please. I don't feel comfortable at their Michael's house anymore.

[00:22:05]>> We'll talk to you.

[00:22:05]>> Hold on. Hold on. Hold on.

[00:22:07]>> [snorts] >> Hello.

[00:22:09]>> [gasps and panting] >> That is hard.

[00:22:16]That is hard.

[00:22:19]That is hard.

[00:22:21]I've never [laughter] I've never lived without my kids, ever.

[00:22:26]>> Thank you very much, sir. Thank you very much. He seemed to understand and is a very good man, this one. He understands very well.

[00:22:33]>> [music] >> And you'll be all right, madam.

[00:22:36]>> You'll be all right.

[00:22:38]You'll be all right. Don't worry. We'll support you on that one.

[00:22:50]>> [music] >> There's a saying, when poverty [music] comes in at the door, love flies out of the window. And James Turner Street can be a rocky road for relationships.

[00:23:07]>> Everybody got to try out and tribulations. [music] Stand up and fight. If an interested in our relationship and one if they love that a man on a fight.

[00:23:20]>> See you back around here tomorrow?

[00:23:21]>> Yeah.

[00:23:22]>> And you know I mean all day I will look after you. I'll do your lunch.

[00:23:27]Do you want a nice healthy brown bread salad sandwich? You let me gel your hair?

[00:23:31]>> No.

[00:23:31]>> Please.

[00:23:32]>> You can gel your own hair.

[00:23:34]>> You fancy me?

[00:23:36]You [ __ ] do.

[00:23:36]>> No, you're typing that.

[00:23:38]>> You fancy me?

[00:23:39]I know you hear what he whispers in me ear when we're on our own.

[00:23:42]>> Yeah.

[00:23:44]>> [laughter] >> She's a cheeky little [ __ ] >> You?

[00:23:48]>> You?

[00:23:51]>> After her boyfriend Simba locked her out last night, Hannah's made the hard decision to move out of his house and leave him.

[00:23:59]>> I just have to move forward even though it's going to hurt. I just need to move forward.

[00:24:06]>> Over at Simba's, he's decided it's time to contact Hannah.

[00:24:17]>> This is the Vodafone voicemail service for >> Surprise, surprise.

[00:24:28]I don't want to smoke, but I'm not I did you get to nicotine.

[00:24:31]Alcohol, I don't give a flying [ __ ] about alcohol because you know what? I can spend 7 days, 14 days without touching a beer. It doesn't hurt me.

[00:24:39]I'm not like I've got to have a beer every day.

[00:24:42]I'm not like that.

[00:24:47]The only reason why I would have a drink is and when I can have it is because I can have it then.

[00:24:53]You know what I'm saying from?

[00:25:05]>> After taking medication, the lump on Funguy's [music] chest isn't getting better. So, he's been back to the doctor.

[00:25:12]>> It's not an infection, but he's not telling me what it is.

[00:25:17]That's not good, you know what I mean?

[00:25:18]It's just a bit more worrying now, you know what I mean?

[00:25:21]I don't know what it was, you know what I mean?

[00:25:23]Cuz when he seen it, he was like, "What?"

[00:25:24]I thought I was going to go down.

[00:25:26]So, I told you what it was.

[00:25:27]So, we just have to wait now till I get there, you know what I mean? They're doing me head in, but it's the way it goes.

[00:25:34]>> Funguy's next appointment will be at the hospital.

[00:25:42]>> Check my mom. Within 6 months, he died of cancer.

[00:25:45]You know what I mean? And that's another thing that frightens me. They might just say you've got cancer, and then they're going to say, "Right, you've only got" You know what I mean? Like that.

[00:25:54]Oh.

[00:26:00]I pray to God that everything will turn out good, you know what I mean?

[00:26:05]You know, I've just got to believe in it, you know what I mean?

[00:26:14]>> [music] >> Hannah's been sheltering at a boyfriend's mate, Titch's, all day.

[00:26:24]Now, Simba's decided it's time to pay them a visit.

[00:26:32]>> So, Corinna, you decide to sleep at my bread in the yard. That's not right. Why didn't you phone me to say, "Yo, how come the woman's outside my door?" When they come yesterday, do you think I can turn them back?

[00:26:41]They said, "Let's go and talk to Simba."

[00:26:43]I said, "I don't want. I'm sleeping."

[00:26:45]What did you want me to do?

[00:26:49]I'm not drinking anything. I'm not drunk.

[00:26:52]What I'm doing, I'm what is there. I help them because of you.

[00:26:56]If I see them in the street those kids who are on the street I will help them because of you.

[00:26:59]>> Ah you are no.

[00:27:04]>> What the hell are you doing?

[00:27:06]>> I'm going to do my thing I've left your house just leave it at that yeah.

[00:27:13]>> I don't want you there simple. Anna take all your bags.

[00:27:17]Take all your bags and go.

[00:27:23]>> He's not my friend I was trying to help him.

[00:27:28]He's not my friend.

[00:27:32]>> Simba's paper is optional.

[00:27:34]Simba can't receive no benefits. Can't receive no housing benefit.

[00:27:38]Nothing.

[00:27:39]So you see you never [ __ ] bite the hands that the hand that feeds you.

[00:27:44]He had money times and times and times to send off his [music] [ __ ] so they can sort it out.

[00:27:49]And he never did.

[00:27:59]>> No one on James Turner relies on their neighbors more than Funguy.

[00:28:05]An alcoholic and a recovering heroin addict he seems indestructible.

[00:28:09]>> dead It's nothing on my leg.

[00:28:13]>> But his latest health scare has got the neighbors worried.

[00:28:17]>> Anna's done me some soup and bread fair play so this is going to be me soup and bread later.

[00:28:23]It's like everybody's giving me my last meals.

[00:28:27]I want to come back tomorrow.

[00:28:29]>> Don't think negative on anything just think positive.

[00:28:33]>> Got no choice have I?

[00:28:34]>> Feel nervous for you I know what [ __ ] you're going through I've been there with my mom and that ain't >> I've been there with my mom so I know.

[00:28:41]>> But you know you'll have all the support and everything.

[00:28:43]>> No I have every support everybody is there.

[00:28:47]Yeah every support me, and that's what I like. Well, that It's not that I like it, but I mean, it's nice to know that there's people there.

[00:28:53]>> caring, yeah.

[00:28:55]>> Right, I'm going to go in. Warm and dry, Anna. Thank you very much, sweetheart.

[00:28:59]>> Don't worry, darling. Good luck.

[00:29:00]>> All right, then.

[00:29:01]All right, as soon as you get back tomorrow, I'll let you know, all right, mate?

[00:29:04]All right, mate.

[00:29:05]See you later.

[00:29:05]>> Take care. Take it easy.

[00:29:09]I am worried for him, and he's on his own, really. That's why I'm liking it, like everyone's giving him support on a rota, cuz it wouldn't be James Turner without fun guy in it.

[00:29:20]But I do hope he's good.

[00:29:24]Yeah.

[00:29:25]I do hope.

[00:29:27]>> [music] >> After a visit to the housing office, Anna's had good news about finding a new place to live.

[00:29:43]>> I went in, and they said um I should wait for temporary accommodation after 5:00 today, but if I can find some place for the boys to stay tonight, and me to stay tomorrow, then it's okay.

[00:29:53]So, I'm going to go back, get the boys from school, wait for their dad to pick them up, and then I'm going to go sleep at my sister's.

[00:30:00]>> What are you doing here?

[00:30:01]>> Yeah.

[00:30:04]>> Do you realize that?

[00:30:05]>> Yeah, I know.

[00:30:06]>> [laughter] >> Teach Teach put some hard truth in me this morning, and I just need to understand, and just focus, and just do my thing.

[00:30:13]Yeah, so that's what I'm doing.

[00:30:16]>> Anna will only have to be without her kids for the night. [music] Back on James Turner, Euan's problems aren't going away.

[00:30:30]>> [screaming] [music] >> His garden is becoming a dumping ground.

[00:30:36]But he's not alone.

[00:30:39]>> Oh, well, that's going to be quite chaotic.

[00:30:41]>> Britain in Bloom organizer is waging war on the streets rubbish problem. She's heard about Ewan's plight and hopes he'll join in on her next big litter pick.

[00:30:51]>> Hello. Can we come in and talk to you?

[00:30:54]Oh, I like your kitchen floor.

[00:30:56]>> Oh, thanks.

[00:30:57]>> Now, you show me your back garden, please.

[00:31:00]Oh, gosh.

[00:31:03]All this?

[00:31:04]Plastic chair?

[00:31:05]>> Chairs.

[00:31:05]>> I mean, you couldn't say the wind had blown it over or anything, could you?

[00:31:09]>> No.

[00:31:09]>> I'm very sorry this happens. I mean, it's so depressing, isn't it?

[00:31:13]>> Mhm. It's It's It's just disgusting. I've done Makes Makes me unhappy, you know, people can >> Well, that's what it is.

[00:31:21]>> Throwing Throwing things over the fence.

[00:31:22]>> Yeah.

[00:31:23]>> Yes.

[00:31:24]>> Anyway, you know there's others that are feeling like you. Now, we've got to fix a time and the date and um any objection to a Sunday?

[00:31:33]No.

[00:31:34]Sunday afternoon, do you think?

[00:31:36]>> Let's just hope it's not raining.

[00:31:38]>> Let's just [laughter] hope so.

[00:31:39]>> All right, then. Thanks for having me here.

[00:31:41]>> It's all right. See you again.

[00:31:55]>> Fun Guy, your shower's ready.

[00:31:59]>> Right, come and get your breakfast, friend.

[00:32:01]>> It's the morning of Fun Guy's hospital visit.

[00:32:04]White Dee is going with him to find out if the lump on his chest is cancer.

[00:32:08]>> How you feeling about it?

[00:32:11]I could do with a drink now, but I'm not going to have one.

[00:32:16]I can quick shower.

[00:32:21]>> It was a great last night.

[00:32:23]>> I had a couple of beers. Couple of beers.

[00:32:25]>> What do you mean you had a couple of cans? You're not supposed to drink before you go in for in to this.

[00:32:32]>> I'm [ __ ] taking them off till I [ __ ] gone full.

[00:32:34]>> No, let me find your flannel.

[00:32:36]>> 5 minutes.

[00:32:37]5 minutes. [ __ ] 5 minutes. It's 10.

[00:32:40]>> Hours.

[00:32:42]>> He had a couple of drinks last night and I do believe Oly had just a couple of drinks. I don't think he had a smoke.

[00:32:49]Do you want to put them in the washing machine?

[00:32:51]>> Be an idea, wouldn't it?

[00:32:53]>> How do you feel?

[00:32:54]>> A lot better, actually.

[00:32:58]I can't No, bad nerves now.

[00:33:00]>> You'll be fine, man.

[00:33:02]>> Yeah, I know. This This is annoying.

[00:33:04]>> Oh, no.

[00:33:05]>> Oh, no.

[00:33:09]>> When you're broke, life in Winston Green can be tough enough, but without friends to support you, it's even more of a struggle.

[00:33:17]Unable to work or claim benefits [music] until his visa is renewed, Simba needs cash first.

[00:33:24]>> What's the best you can do for me cuz it's on Viber. I just want to put some lucky on and stuff, you know what I mean? I wouldn't do that anyway.

[00:33:31]>> No worries, mate.

[00:33:32]>> [music] >> Thanks.

[00:33:33]>> Waste of trip.

[00:33:35]Waste of trip.

[00:33:36]>> Oh, crikey.

[00:33:38]>> How much money have you got on you at the moment?

[00:33:40]>> [laughter] >> Don't be funny.

[00:33:42]>> No, seriously, tell me.

[00:33:43]>> Jacko.

[00:33:45]>> You've got no spot.

[00:33:46]>> Jacko, sod all.

[00:33:48]>> You've got no money?

[00:33:49]>> Absolutely, Jack.

[00:33:51]Absolutely, Jack. On me right now, nothing.

[00:33:55]At home, I think when I was cleaning up, I came across 24 p.

[00:33:59]>> [laughter] >> Mad, innit?

[00:34:05]>> What's the score?

[00:34:06]>> 19. 19.

[00:34:08][ __ ] happens, me brother.

[00:34:10]>> That's the way it is.

[00:34:12]>> Me stressing about me and Honey at this particular moment is [music] a different vibe, innit, to what I'm dealing with right now.

[00:34:19]19 pence of lucky is what I'm dealing with right now.

[00:34:22]You know what I mean?

[00:34:23]>> Yeah.

[00:34:23]>> Getting my paperwork through is what I'm dealing with right now.

[00:34:27]>> Yeah.

[00:34:30]>> [music] [music] >> Come on then.

[00:34:50]Oh, Sanji power tan. How much is that then?

[00:34:56]>> At the hospital, Fungi is waiting anxiously for his cancer test. But at least he's got his mate Whitey to distract him.

[00:35:03]>> That's the one I've got.

[00:35:07]>> [laughter] [snorts] >> Oh, there's no hope. I mean, I ain't going bra shopping with you, Fungi.

[00:35:14]>> I don't want to nail one.

[00:35:16]>> Of course you're going to nail one. I'll have to tell everyone.

[00:35:19]You're getting boobs, but you ain't going to end up like me cuz you ain't that lucky.

[00:35:24]>> I think he's going to have to go through it there.

[00:35:28]All right, mate.

[00:35:29]Bit nervous.

[00:35:32]>> And is this sore for you?

[00:35:34]>> Yeah, it is a little bit tender.

[00:35:35]>> So at least he's nice and clean cuz he's been showering and everything.

[00:35:41]>> Good morning.

[00:35:41]>> All right, mate.

[00:35:43]I will say that used to be an excuse or so you it might be a bit hard to get a vein out of you, but you should be able to get one.

[00:35:49]Got [music] one.

[00:35:50]>> Just a little scratch, okay?

[00:35:57]>> I shower charity cheers. Not my good deed of I'll just use this soap.

[00:36:07]I feel more fresh.

[00:36:13]>> [music] >> Still broken without [music] his benefits, Simba's electricity meter is running on empty, and he's not seen his mate Tish since they fell out over Hannah.

[00:36:30]>> I just want him to be to realize what he did wrong. That's why I'm just leaving him alone.

[00:36:34]>> [music] >> When he comes and realize what he did wrong and tell me, then we can be together.

[00:36:40]If he doesn't realize, what can I do?

[00:36:49]>> Really don't feel [music] jack all.

[00:36:52]I've got to be very honest.

[00:36:54]Really don't feel [ __ ] all.

[00:36:59]>> What do you think it was that made her leave?

[00:37:02]>> That made her leave?

[00:37:03]>> Yeah.

[00:37:06]>> A beast.

[00:37:08]>> A beast?

[00:37:09]>> Yeah.

[00:37:10]>> Which beast?

[00:37:12]>> This This year beast.

[00:37:14]>> [laughter] [music] >> There you go.

[00:37:27]That's everything done.

[00:37:33]>> Why Why do you drink? What is it?

[00:37:38]>> Oh.

[00:37:39]>> Crikey.

[00:37:40]>> Oh.

[00:37:42]You know what?

[00:37:48]How do you paint this picture before?

[00:38:02]>> [music] >> Since leaving Simba, [music] Hannah's been staying in a refuge while she looks for a permanent place to live.

[00:38:13]Today she's dropping in on a sister-in-law.

[00:38:18]>> I've done all my crying. I've [music] done all my and I'm just going to move on and do um do I have to do.

[00:38:26]>> You still want to wish him well. You still got years that you invested even though no one else understands your relationship only you understand it. So, therefore you shouldn't be horrible cuz you don't want to be somebody being horrible to you.

[00:38:37]>> Tish is like Tish said to me in the room, it's a hard decision but guess what? I think it would make Michael become a man and [music] stop acting like a little boy. He said he need he need somebody to be tough on him.

[00:38:51]>> Hannah and her family remain in contact with Simba and they've stayed friends.

[00:38:57]>> [music] [music] >> Back on James Turner, it's chucking it down but community campaigner Sue's litter pick is still going ahead.

[00:39:11]And Ewan hasn't let her down.

[00:39:14]>> We're going to have a competition to see who's got the heaviest black bag.

[00:39:19]I've not got much in mine. I better get moving.

[00:39:22]Would you like to push and I'll hold the bag?

[00:39:26]That's it. It's not easy. I'm not doing very well by poking it in here.

[00:39:31]I think you've got a better action than me.

[00:39:35]Oh.

[00:39:35]>> Oh, she's having lots of fun.

[00:39:39]>> Ooh, the scavengers [music] are still around.

[00:39:41]>> Sue's very enthusiastic and got a great personality.

[00:39:46]>> I haven't got time for the nub ends.

[00:39:48]There's too many, aren't there?

[00:39:50]>> Hello, Sue.

[00:39:52]>> [laughter] >> She's mad.

[00:39:57]Come on, Sue. That's enough.

[00:40:00]>> There we are.

[00:40:03]Beautiful.

[00:40:05]All those nub ends picked up.

[00:40:11]>> [laughter] >> You call them nub ends.

[00:40:14]>> No. No. Cigarette butts are >> Oh.

[00:40:17]>> Yes.

[00:40:18]>> Oh. Right.

[00:40:20]>> No bins.

[00:40:22]Which is probably what the people [music] sitting in the house are thinking about us, but never mind.

[00:40:27]>> [laughter] >> For Funky and Whitey, it's been an agonizing wait to find out if his test show he has cancer.

[00:40:48]And now, his results are ready.

[00:40:52]>> Come on in.

[00:40:53]>> Hello, James.

[00:40:54]>> Hello, mate.

[00:40:54]>> Come on. Come back.

[00:41:00]Have your test done.

[00:41:02]All looks okay.

[00:41:03]>> Yeah.

[00:41:04]>> This is uh just increase in size because the nature of your medication and the alcohol and the other drugs, okay? But, it's nothing to worry about.

[00:41:15]>> Good.

[00:41:15]>> It should settle on its own.

[00:41:18]Okay, when the response is gone.

[00:41:20]Um there's no treatment as such required for this.

[00:41:24]>> Oh, well, then everything's good.

[00:41:26]>> Yes, everything is good.

[00:41:27]>> I'm relieved my dad's all right.

[00:41:28]I'm relieved my dad's all right.

[00:41:30]>> Have you got any questions?

[00:41:31]>> No, no.

[00:41:32]Every question has been answered. All right. All right, nice one, doctor.

[00:41:36]Thank you very much. Thank you.

[00:41:37]>> Bye-bye.

[00:41:38]>> Cheers, mate. See ya.

[00:41:41]>> This now, to me, he's been given like another chance now. He knows what he's going to do. He's going to try.

[00:41:47]He's going to have to be realistic about things, and he can't be drinking 10, 13 cans of whatever it is, extra super alcohol a day.

[00:42:00]I'm going to make your life hell.

[00:42:02]>> Yeah, I know you will, mate. If you weren't, you'd be in there.

[00:42:05]>> You wouldn't have gone?

[00:42:06]>> Well, I wouldn't have gone, yeah.

[00:42:07]Do you know what I mean? That's what I'm saying. I'm really glad you was there.

[00:42:10]>> I know I'm proud of above know what I mean? This is my fresh start.

[00:42:14]Yeah. All right, so you have me at ease.

[00:42:16]>> Do you mean that?

[00:42:17]>> You do mean that? You mean about my ass?

[00:42:21]>> [ __ ] love you, Frank.

[00:42:23]>> And do I feel good at walking on this street today?

[00:42:29]>> Remember Oasis song? Remember Oasis road? As shitty as it is, it's home, innit?

[00:42:35]This is our home.

[00:42:36]>> This is us.

[00:42:43]>> [music] [music]