Rose Ayling-Ellis: Old Hands, New Tricks

Rose sets out to prove it’s never too late to learn

The BBC two-part documentary series, Rose Ayling-Ellis: Old Hands, New Tricks, stars the beloved Strictly Come Dancing champion and former EastEnders actress, Rose Ayling-Ellis and features residents and staff at ExtraCare’s Hughenden Gardens Village. This heart-warming and thought-provoking series follows Rose as she leads a group of retirees on an emotional six week journey to learn British Sign Language (BSL).

Air Dates – Part 1: 9pm, Wednesday 26th March, Part 2: 9pm, Wednesday 2nd April on BBC One.

Watch the official trailer here!

Funny, beautiful TV that leaves a lump in the throat!

– The Guardian

The residents surround Rose half sitting and half standing. Rose arms are crossed over her body

(L) Heather Green, Keith Wallis, Eric Fuller, Sue Egleton, Sally Hall, Abbas, Fiona Lafrate, Rose Ayling-Ellis, Karen Hopkins, Tina Jeffrey, Pam Cole, Mark Jeffrey, Trish, Mildred Carr, George Gatcum, Bev Snodgrass and Jan Rushton (R)

We chatted with Rose

Rose discusses her time filming the documentary, what teaching the residents British Sign Language (BSL) meant to her, and what her hopes are for a legacy after the show.

I have never felt such deep emotion on a job before. I got to know my students well and became very fond of each one of them. I felt a strong sense of responsibility to ensure they were having the best time possible while feeling comfortable and safe enough to open up when they wanted to. I loved every moment and felt so proud of the project and everyone involved.

Read the full chat with Rose here

We chatted with Rose

Rose discusses her time filming the documentary, what teaching the residents British Sign Language (BSL) meant to her, and what her hopes are for a legacy after the show.

I have never felt such deep emotion on a job before. I got to know my students well and became very fond of each one of them. I felt a strong sense of responsibility to ensure they were having the best time possible while feeling comfortable and safe enough to open up when they wanted to. I loved every moment and felt so proud of the project and everyone involved.

Read the full chat with Rose here

Meet some of the cast!

Meet resident Keith!

This has been really positive for me, I wanted to give something back to the deaf community. It made me think about how I communicate with people. Seeing my fellow students improve so much and watching the joy they got from improving was brilliant.

Meet resident Sue Egleton!

It’s quite a big thing to take on you know, we’re trying to actually get better at it and go further with it, but trying new things at any age, particularly at this age can be hard. At this age life has it’s mundanities and to change that day-to-day mundaneness shall we say, it’s a really good thing. I think it’s really healthy.

Meet resident Pam Cole!

Whatever age it’s important as a country as a whole we take this up, I’m 82 but it’s vital that children learn BSL from an early age. At this age learning and expanding on my skillset is valuable and helps keep my brain active. I made my graduation speech to my family, I wanted to prove to them that I wasn’t too old to do something new. We are never too old to learn.

Meet staff member Helen Brown!

With me learning, if I keep up with it I can teach other people, it’s a ripple effect. If I’m in a shop in the future and someone needs assistance I could now assist them.

Rose Ayling-Ellis: Old Hands, New Tricks

Rose sets out to prove it’s never too late to learn

We chatted with Rose

We chatted with Rose

Meet some of the cast!

Meet resident Keith!

Meet resident Sue Egleton!

Meet resident Pam Cole!

Meet staff member Helen Brown!

Request a brochure

Request a call