BCoT students to feature in DIY SOS episode on BBC One

The episode will air on BBC One at 8 pm on October 6, with students joining the DIY SOS team to transform a home in Bitterne, Southampton.

Level 2 students used their carpentry, electrical, and plumbing skills to turn a hazardous building site into a safe space for Ahmed and Rifat Ali, a deaf couple featured on the show.

BCOT students on site at DIY SOS (Image: Basingstoke College of Technology)

Craig McLaren, course director for construction at BCoT, said: "Having watched DIY SOS for years, I always wondered how much of the timeline was real.

"By 5 pm on day one, a full extension was already rising where a stripped-down shell stood hours earlier.

"In just ten days, the team turned a hazardous house into a secure, state-of-the-art home tailored to the family's needs.

"It was a deeply enlightening experience for our staff and students, and one we won't forget."

Presented by Nick Knowles, the show brings together tradespeople, volunteers and businesses to transform homes and community spaces, often completing major projects within days.

Ahmed and Rifat Ali, who are both deaf and communicate using British Sign Language, live with their three children, including a son with autism.

They had invested their life savings into a ground-floor extension to make their home more accessible.

However, when work stalled, much of the downstairs became unusable, leaving the family confined to the upper floor.

Steve Gilder, head of construction at BCoT, said: "This was such a worthy and unique experience for BCoT to be involved with.

"The students and staff were able to work alongside tradespeople, all of whom were sharing a common goal of helping the family involved, which was such an important message for our students to appreciate."

The episode will air on Tuesday, October 6, on BBC One and will also be available to watch on BBC iPlayer.