The Encore Years - How to succeed in retirement

Steve’s advice: try something new and if it doesn’t work for you - change it. He is relearning the piano, taking lessons left behind as a 12 year old. Helping to look after 6 grandchildren, volunteering for the National Trust and local council, learning new languages and holidaying where they are spoken!

Ray, a retired lecturer, now a Queer Tango enthusiast and historian, has great advice for others. He expresses the euphoria of learning to sing and performing in public Go gently into retirement - don't fall off a cliff. Retire slowly Learn your passions and dislikes; forcus on the former and avoid the latter!

Have you ever wondered how scams target different age groups? Pat, with a background in IT, now spends his time educating about romance scams and online fraud—something most of us only hear about in the news. His story proves that retirement isn’t the end; it’s just a new chapter of impact and purpose. He shares how he’s working with police, charities, and schools to combat fraud, especially targe...

Izzy thought retirement would be easy, but it came as a shock to begin with; no purpose or direction. Then volunteering at a hospice, gardening and caring for others, gave her a mission. And now with a whole host of further activities, there’s no stopping her!"

David has chaired a £40m charity fund, designed to improving the lives of others. His advice to other retirees: understand the needs of others and use your skills to enhance lives. Find your purpose. And his surprising advice to 40 year olds. Start planning your retirement now!

Follow your interests, stay fit, keep active and engaged. A prolific and successful author of historical fiction and ghost writer. A keen gardener, growing fruit, vegetables and flowers. Daily walking and cycling for fitness His mantra: we are only here once, it doesn't last long so make the most of it. (don't watch too much TV!)

Retirement has given Jane many opportunities to make new beginnings. After a midlife career change from banking to teaching, retirement gave her opportunities to work in the community and the Church in a variety of ways. Her “patchwork” of interests includes, teaching, beekeeping, supporting the homeless and refugees, learning new skills and hobbies and importantly spending valuable time with her...

Michael's journey is packed with original insights which will inspire you In this episode, he reveals how staying active, talking with people, cultivating positivity and resilience, and embracing change transformed his life after leaving the corporate world. From coaching wedding speakers to recording bedtime stories for his grandchildren, his creative pursuits show how you could make retirement y...

James ran his dental practice for 32 years, then faced a heart attack that changed his outlook forever. Retirement isn’t just about stopping work — it’s about crafting a life you love. He fixed up his house, lost six stone, and more importantly, rediscovered myself. Planning is key, whether it's finances, hobbies, or simply having tickets on the mantelpiece for things to look forward to. It’s abou...

Ever thought about how your habits shape your happiness — and how easy it is to change them? Here's what we learned from a former leadership coach turned author. Retirement isn’t about stepping away — it’s about stepping into a new chapter with purpose. Peter’s journey shows that even after years of work, the real magic begins when you start learning and doing things that truly matter. He emphasiz...

Sometimes, it’s about more than just stopping work — it’s about intentionally filling your life with purpose. Claire’s secret? The 5 H’s: Health, Hobbies, Happiness, Household, and Helping others. She found joy in gardening, bell ringing, and connecting with friends. Her mindset shifted from “what I’m losing” to “what I can gain,” making her happier and more content than ever before. Retirement is...

Retirement isn’t the end, it’s a new beginning — but what really makes it fulfilling? When Mark retired from the oil industry, he didn’t just settle; he dived into music, learning instrument repair and community projects. His secret? Planning ahead and focusing on passions that give him positive energy. That’s the key to turning retirement into a vibrant, meaningful phase. The best retirement is a...

From GP to Grand Plans: Chris's Encore Join Chris Smith as he navigates the transformative journey of retirement in "The Encore Years." From his days as a GP in West London to embracing new passions and challenges, Chris shares candid insights and practical advice on finding fulfillment and purpose beyond a career. Discover how to plan for a rewarding retirement, maintain meaningful connections, a...

Having spent his working life as an actor in TV and the theatre and running a drama school, retirement with limited income has its challenges. His superb positive attitude and his solutions are original and innovative and involved working in “Muggle” jobs! This engrossing story told with wit, warmth and true theatrical flair!

Retirement isn’t about slowing down — it’s about building a new community and finding your new ‘thrive mode.’ After 60 years in one place, Joe and his wife moved to Scotland, to be with their daughter and family embracing a whole new way of life — from community activities to volunteering, to exploring the Highlands and islands. How involvement and staying connected keeps you feeling young and vib...

Volunteering is a fundament of Peter’s extraordinary life. His lessons and advice are a must for those approaching retirements. Throughout his life, Peter has worked at home and abroad helping others and continues to do so in retirement, amongst many others activities, a passionate advocate of climate change awareness and action. Defining retirement as a move to unpaid work and is now doing less b...

Ever retired early and thought, "Now what?" From military bases to the Royal Household, David's story proves it's never too late to reinvent yourself. After retiring at 54, he didn't slow down—he started new careers, played cricket with the British Standards Institute, and even welcomed guests at Buckingham Palace. His secret? Staying active, social, and open to new challenges. Thinking about your...

Colin founded the Twickenham Repair Café and built up a close-knit family of 50 loyal and dedicated volunteers, along with many thousands of followers. In his earlier employment, he often worked alone, quietly concealing a remarkable talent for leading and inspiring large groups of people towards a shared purpose. Today, many locals support the brilliant Twickenham Repair Café, which has grown int...

Retirement isn't about slowing down; its about finding new passions and helping others; regaining a new confidence. No one cares about what you used to do. It's what you can and will do now that matters. Learn new skills and put them into practise For Nigel its volunteering, writing, mentoring, adding value. But most importantly it's about making time for family.

The conversation explores the experiences of Fiona and Judith in building an active retirement, transitioning into retirement, engaging in post-retirement activities, providing advice for retirement, and discussing future plans and challenges. The key takeaways include the importance of an active retirement and the value of volunteering in retirement .