Dreams of the perfect profession, pastimes and even partner often lure young people away from the their hometowns to the bright lights of a big city.
As time passes and ambitions are fulfilled, many wish to swap the excitement of city life for a more settled lifestyle.
In the programme, presenter Helen Skelton and Northern Ireland architect Patrick Bradley follow one such young couple. Jess and Colin are leaving London to return to their family roots in Powys in rural Wales where they hope to create their dream house.
Having completed a restoration project of her own, Helen Skelton has experienced the trials and tribulations of building a dream home and she wants to help Jess and Colin restore their run down Victorian cottage which they discovered has past connections to both of their families.
Helen says: “Bringing old properties back to life is always something that has fascinated me, I love a property with a story to tell. Watching Colin and Jess create their forever home with Patrick’s guidance and ideas has been a total privilege.
“It is not always straightforward creating a dream property. I have lived the restoration highs and lows myself having completed my own project so getting a ring side seat for this one was a total joy.”
Helen enlists the professional design help of Patrick – who specialises in breathing life back into old buildings – to provide the couple with creative design ideas at various stages of the build.
Patrick says: “Working on Forever Home was an incredible experience. As an architect, you know the technical challenges of turning a vision into reality. But when you step back and realise that this isn’t just any house – it’s their home and a building for their future – it takes on an entirely different meaning.
“Working with Helen is an absolute pleasure and joy. Her passion for what she does is so clear – and totally contagious.”
As the work begins, Jess and Colin soon face the reality of restoring this old property and adapting to life back in the Welsh countryside. Leaving friends and the bustling life they had created for themselves in London is a big adjustment, and Colin struggles to juggle the pressures of a hectic work schedule while trying to project-manage the restoration.
Building a forever home is a challenge that will take a toll on the couple’s finances and their relationship, but ultimately deliver them the house of their dreams.
Forever Home is a new pilot programme made by Below The Radar TV, and is a co-commission between BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Factual Entertainment.
Mary McKeagney, Commissioning Editor, BBC Northern Ireland says: “We are delighted to bring this pilot to audiences across the UK.
Helen and Patrick bring positivity and expertise to the project as they follow the highs and lows of this build. We hope viewers enjoy watching them with first-time property renovators Jess and Colin as they painstakingly restore their historic cottage.”
Patrick McMahon, Commissioning Editor, Factual Entertainment and Events says: “Creating the perfect forever home for your family is a dream many relate to, it has been great working with the BBC Northern Ireland team to bring Jess and Colin’s story to BBC Two. The couple couldn’t have two more passionate and knowledgeable people following them through the process than Helen and Patrick – and we hope viewers will be rooting for them every step of the way as they embark on this challenging but inspiring journey.”
Forever Home airs Thursday 15 May at 7pm on BBC Two and is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer. The programme aired on BBC Northern Ireland earlier this year.
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