Grey Matters More
A new podcast reveals a time rich army of volunteers and people embracing new challenges as they take on the retirement years. Many people dream of retirement but the reality of giving up work can often be stressful and traumatic. Boredom, loss of status and depression can kick in after you've clocked off for the last time. A brand new podcast series focuses on ways of tackling one of the most challenging transitions many of us ever face. Grey Matters has been produced by two recently retired friends whose credits include the BBC, ITN, Sky,and much more. They have all faced the sudden realisation of retirement and the ups and downs it can bring. They talk from personal experience.
Episodes
Most of us notice a view, a good path surface, or a perfectly placed gate. We rarely notice the people who made that possible. We head to Colne in East Lancashire and climb into the heat with Ramblers countryside access volunteers to see the real craft of path maintenance up close.
Walking with Mark Chung, Mark Dimbleby and Colin Unwin, we get into the practical realities of maintaining public rights of way: ...
We go back to a primary school library to hear what happens when children get steady, respectful one-to-one time to read aloud with a volunteer. We learn how phonics, safeguarding, and small tools like breathing and praise help turn reluctance into confidence, and why a whole-school reading culture matters.
• hearing Year 3 pupils read aloud and reflect on how it feels
• meeting Miss Karen and how ...
Four and a half thousand people came to a stadium to watch a screen, then lived through the kind of late twist you would reject as “too unrealistic” in a film. We start by reliving York City FC’s promotion day, including the confusion, the false full-time feeling, and the sudden surge from defeat to elation. It is a reminder that football is not only about the table, it is about shared moments that...
We meet Darren, an area lead at Andy’s Man Club, and hear how a simple Monday night space helps men take the hardest step: walking through the door and speaking honestly. We talk about stigma, purpose after retirement or bereavement, and how volunteering can turn lived experience into support for someone else.
• the origin story of Andy’s Man Club and why it started in 2016
• how the groups...
You can have a lifetime of work behind you and still feel like a beginner again, especially when you finally have time to face the hobbies you parked years ago. We lean into that moment, the mix of excitement and doubt, and ask a simple question: how do you start making art or music when you’re convinced you’re “not that person”?
We sit down with David and Joe Dunwell to talk hon...
We head to Sutton Bank on the North York Moors to find out what it really takes to keep a national park healthy, welcoming and protected. We meet the people making it happen, from volunteer managers planning for decades of restoration to a retired teacher rebuilding dry stone walls that could stand for 200 years.
• Sutton Bank as a base for cycling, walks, dark sky events and all-access routes
• The hidden lay...
We spend an evening with Kitchens For Everyone York to understand how a volunteer-run kitchen serves hot meals with dignity for people who are homeless or in vulnerable situations. We hear how outreach, teamwork, and small acts of welcome create purpose for volunteers and real connection for guests.
• why extra time in retirement can feel unsettling, and why volunteering fills the gap
• what Kitche...
We join Yorkshire Cricket Club to explore why cricket feels like a lifelong community and why it matters even more when retirement leaves you with extra time. We talk with Yorkshire cricket volunteers about simple ways to get involved, even if you no longer play, and why grassroots clubs survive when people choose to muck in together.
• finding purpose and routine after retirement through community sport ...
We visit Breezy Knees Gardens near York and meet co-owner Colin Parker, who turns open fields into a 20-acre garden and shares why purpose matters more than any retirement plan. We also hear from volunteers and visitors about friendship, mindfulness, and the quiet joy of being outside even when you don’t know a single plant name.
• Colin’s leap from pharmacy work to building Breezy Knees Gar...
We tour the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu to uncover why cars carry such emotional weight and how volunteering turns that passion into purpose. From early EVs to modern hybrids, we look at how the collection stays relevant while volunteers keep heritage alive.
• origins of Beaulieu from five cars to national trust
• cars as freedom, memory and status across a lifetime
• evolving relevance from 1950s...
We walk with the Ramblers to explore how simple steps turn into community, confidence, and real protection for Britain’s paths. Stephen and Vicky share how volunteering, inclusivity, and gentle advocacy keep people walking and our rights of way alive.
• Ramblers as a national charity for access and group walks
• Campaigning for paths and the England Coast Path
• Why neglected footpaths disappear w...
We explore how movement, community, and small, brave choices can turn the empty space of retirement into a routine filled with purpose, health, and friends. From paddle and pickleball to Pilates, our guests share practical ways to build strength, confidence, and connection.
• balancing enjoyment with structured activity for health and mood
• accessible sports like paddle and pickleball lowering barriers
We visit Malton Museum to learn how a small, volunteer-run collection turns two rooms into a living archive, linking a Roman cavalry fort to today’s racing town. Volunteers share how outreach, oral history, and tours keep heritage alive while offering purpose and skills.
• why time after big life changes can fuel volunteering
• how a two-room museum curates 20,000 artefacts
• front-of-house, colle...
We visit North Cave Wetlands to see how a former quarry is becoming a thriving reserve and how volunteering can restore both landscapes and a sense of purpose. Marie from Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and Emma, a long-time volunteer, share roles, training, and stories that make getting involved easy and rewarding.
• Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s scale, history, and 115 reserves
• How North Cave Wetlands grew...
We board HMS Belfast to explore how volunteers keep history alive at Imperial War Museums, from front-of-house storytelling to steel conservation and remote research. Eugene, Nicole, Joseph and Christine share how purpose, skills and community grow when people give time.
• IWM’s focus on social history and human stories of conflict
• Why HMS Belfast relies on volunteers for daily conservation
• Discovery roles an...
Following the dream,
Trying something that you have always wanted to do. This episode discovering how to become a writer and living in the wild. With advice from special guests Richard D Rhodes and Jamie from Howlbushcraft.
See below on their You Tube videos about the Ramblers Discover the joy of a Ramblers group walk "It's paradise": Our Community Champions in the Cairngorms. The Out There Award, summer 2025
You cannot better seeing a wagging tail. We go behind the scenes at the Blue Cross to discover just how to keep our four legged friends safe and happy.
If you want to get involved with the Blue Cross team please follow the link below
https://www.bluecross.org.uk/get-involved
If you enjoy the show, please click the “Support the show” link and follow the instructions. Your support ...
We often think some events are impossible. They will never happen to us. However, that’s not always the case. We’ll delve behind the scenes at York Food Bank to discover the importance of organisations like this.
If you enjoy the show, please click the “Support the show” link and follow the instructions. Your support means the world to us; we wouldn’t be where...
This episode.. Time travelling through history. Getting your hands dirty and becoming a part of a team of fellow travellers.
Extra information if wanting to Volunteer go to the following link
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/volunteer/
If you enjoy the show, please click the “Support the show” link and follow the instructions. Your support means the world to us; we wouldn&rsquo...
If you’ve ever fancied joining a football club, whatever your age or ability, we’ve got the answer to your dreams.
Again, If you’ve enjoyed what you’ve heard and are keen to get involved, please click the link below.
https://yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk/volunteers/
If you enjoy the show, please click the “Support the show” link and follow the ins...
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