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Brotherly Love in Burton Bradstock

Clare joins brothers Manni and Reuben Coe as they amble to Hive beach on the Dorset Coast.

Clare joins brothers Manni and Reuben Coe as they amble for a mile and a half to Hive beach at Burton Bradstock in Dorset. Reuben has Down’s Syndrome and enjoys short, slow walks something that Manni, a professional walking guide more used to long hikes at an active pace, has learned to enjoy.

Manni lives between Spain and Dorset and, during Covid, was in Spain while Reuben was in a care home in the UK. This took its toll on Reuben who became isolated and lonely. It all came to a head when, one day, Manni received a text from Reuben saying simply β€œbrother do you love me”. Manni knew this was a cry for help, and as soon as he could returned to the UK to visit Reuben who had become very depressed, insular and had stopped talking. As Manni puts it he β€œbroke Reuben out of his care home” and went to live with him in the cottage where today’s walk starts. There he gradually saw Reuben’s mental health improve, and says that love, nature and walking was key to this.

Producer: Karen Gregor

Available now

24 minutes

Last on

Sat 3 Jun 2023 06:07

Broadcasts

  • Thu 1 Jun 2023 15:00
  • Sat 3 Jun 2023 06:07

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