New BBC Documentary Showcases High Wycombe Retirees’ Heart-warming Communication Breakthroughs
A heart-warming new BBC documentary, Rose Ayling-Ellis: Old Hands, New Tricks, has brought to light an inspiring project at a High Wycombe retirement village, where residents and staff take on the challenge of learning British Sign Language (BSL) over a transformative six-week course.
The documentary follows a group of residents from ExtraCare’s Hughenden Gardens Village, led by actress Rose and a dedicated BSL teacher Marios Costi, as they dive into the world of communication through sign language, facial expressions, and gestures. The project, aimed at enhancing connections, has opened doors to new relationships, helping the residents engage more deeply with each other and with their families, caregivers, and the wider community.
The residents welcomed deaf chefs and children from a local deaf school to the retirement village, and experienced a rave hosted by deaf DJs all while learning a new skill.
Resident Sue Egleton, who struggled with vision loss due to glaucoma and macular degeneration, found her involvement in the project particularly meaningful. After her eyesight began to fail at just 60, she faced challenges learning a new skill but with personalized support, Sue embraced BSL through a sense-memory approach. “Rose was great. She gave me a lot of support,” Sue shared. “I learn in a very old-fashioned way—once I try and see something, I have to compute it in my head and come back to that memory.”
Heather far left, and Sue third from left with Rose and their fellow castmates.
By the end of the course, the residents could proudly sign a speech, a moment that brought a real sense of achievement. Sue reflected, “My community has increased because we were all sharing this. I’ve gained friends here, which was marvellous. For me personally, what I’ve taken away is the fact that I achieved, and I didn’t think I’d ever achieve anything again.”
Sadly, not all participants were able to experience the documentary’s release. One resident passed away before the show aired, but her journey was no less significant. Heather Green, who lived with Parkinson’s disease, found BSL to be an invaluable tool for staying connected with her family and caregivers. Even in her later stages of illness, including a hospital stay with a nasal gastric tube, Heather continued to communicate through the language she had worked so hard to learn.
Her daughters, Jenny and Madalyn, shared their pride in Heather’s resilience. “Mum always valued communication,” they said. “The BSL lessons gave her a sense of purpose during a difficult time. It gave her a sense of triumph that she was still able to learn and use her brain, even with the challenges she faced.”
Madalyn added, “Right up to the week before she passed, with a smile on her face, she regularly signed ‘nice to see you.’ I feel so incredibly proud of mum for learning BSL and continuing to use it despite her illness.”
The documentary series highlights not just the residents’ individual journeys, but also the power of learning and connecting at any stage of life. Rose is optimistic that the project will encourage other retirement villages and community centres to offer similar programmes, enriching the lives of older adults across the country.
Reflecting on the personal nature of the project, Rose comments: “I knew filming this show would be a challenge, but what I have experienced teaching the residents sign language has gone beyond my expectations. It is an experience I will cherish for a lifetime, and I just can’t wait for viewers to see the series.”
The ripple effects of the BSL lessons at the High Wycombe community continue, with one resident even running sessions for the students to practice what they have learnt from Rose and Marios twice a week. Plans are already in motion to offer the residents and staff the chance to progress to BSL Level 1, with hopes of turning the village into a Deaf Hub for the local community.
The documentary stands as a testament to the enduring power of education and connection, proving that it’s never too late to learn, grow, and make a lasting impact.
Rose Ayling-Ellis: Old Hands, New Tricks will air part one on Wednesday 26th March on BBC One at 9pm.
Part two will air Wednesday 2nd April on BBC One at 9pm.
Both episodes will be available on BBC iPlayer from 26th March.
To find out more about the show and meet the cast visit Old Hands, New Tricks.
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