How has your life changed since filming The Fairy Job Mother?
DEAN
Obviously life's a lot better now I'm working. I'm out of the house so I'm not getting stressed out being stuck indoors all day. I get on really well with the lads I work with, and my bosses. They are all sound as a pound. One of them even picks me up to go to work in the morning. I'm just generally more happy, working gives you a sense of pride and self respect. Especially if you're getting a few quid in your pocket and you're doing your house up and buying your kid presents. If my boss told me tomorrow he couldn't afford to keep me on, I'd just keep working for free and say I was training. I won't ever go back on the dole.
MAXINE
My life has changed a lot since filming, we're able to go on days out, buy new clothes, laminate flooring in the kitchen, a new TV, going to friend's barbeques, having barbeques of our own. It's just having the spare money to do stuff like that. So it's changed a lot. It's also changed my confidence a lot as well. Now I go swimming once or twice a week with Olivia and I take her to mother and toddler groups. I'm out almost every day whilst Dean's at work doing stuff and I never used to do that before. Having Dean in work has made us financially better off, we have a lot of money spare to do things. Now we get our working tax credits on top of Dean's wage. I'd say we're about one hundred pounds better off a week.
What would you be doing now if Hayley hadn't come into your life?
DEAN
Probably still sat at home being a moody git all of the time. I certainly wouldn't be working for the type of company I am now. Hayley gives you the 'want' again. You want to go out and work. Like I said before you get fed up and don't want to get work. Hayley gets you motivated for work again. Me and Maxine are a lot happier now as we're not stuck in the house 24 hours a day. Now I work I'm not stressed out all the time. Before I was always ready to kick off all the time. I'm a lot more chilled out now.
MAXINE
If we hadn't met Hayley we would probably be stuck in the same position, stuck in the house watching TV. We would be bored doing nothing. I wouldn't be going swimming or going to mother and toddler groups. She pushed me to do things like that. Now Dean's at work it's improved our relationship. We're not trapped in the house all day arguing over money. Working has calmed Dean down as well. It's really changed our lives.
How are you getting on in your job Dean?
Sound! You can't beat it. Obviously I still have a lot to learn, but I try and do as much as I can. I keep myself busy, if there's anything the lads need I'll get it. I try to help them as much as I can. I do all the odd jobs anything they need really. I make sure they have all the tools they need, all the materials and clean up after them. I also try and watch what they are doing and learn from them.
What advice would you give to someone in your position before the show?
DEAN
Just don't give up trying to find work. Don't go on the dole, because you'll get stuck. Two years down the line and you'll be sat wasting away.
MAXINE
Don't give up like we were about to. Just keep trying to get a job.
