Make the most of your retirement with Yours
by releasing some of the cash tied up in your home
Many over-55s don’t realise they could tap into the value built up in their home through a lifetime mortgage, the most popular type of equity release plan, and access tax-free cash to spend as they wish! Although downsizing could be an option, a lifetime mortgage allows you to remain living in your own home.
When Granada contacted her looking for Kevin, she persuaded them to fund treatment at a rehab clinic in 1998. There she met an addiction therapist and when Kevin left after six weeks, she returned home with him after he agreed to abstinence. After one relapse, Kevin was committed to recovery and Coronation Street founder, Tony Warren, agreed to be his sponsor at the daily 12-step support group meetings. Part of the ethos of the programme was giving back. “When you’ve got an addictive mind you become very self-centred and selfish,” explains Clare. “The opposite of all that is selflessness; giving of yourself. Slowly but surely you become that person and realise ‘it isn’t all about me.’ You ask ‘what difference can I make in the world?’ rather than ‘what does it owe me?’” Soon Kevin became Granada’s unofficial ‘go to’ person for others struggling with addiction while Clare retrained as a therapist. Realising companies needed a ‘go to’ person like Kevin, she set up a corporate practice, while helping other addicts via the support group. After five years in recovery, Kevin lost his job at Granada due to cutbacks. They’d just discovered, after six IVF attempts, that Clare was expecting their first child. Kevin found work in musical theatre but it took him away from their Manchester home. It was there, after ten years’ sobriety herself, that Clare’s voluntary work really began. “All the fear came flooding back one day and I knew I had to do something. I needed something bigger than me so went to my local evangelical church for spiritual guidance.” There the pastor told her many local people needed help with addiction problems, be it gambling, drink or drugs, and she could help. “If we teach you about prayer, will you teach us everything you need to know about recovery?” he asked. Agreeing, Clare set up a faith- based support group and became a committed Christian. After their second daughter arrived, the family moved to Brighton so Kevin would be closer to London theatres. One of Clare’s first jobs was to find a church – with Kevin’s help. He too has a strong faith. Soon they were working with homeless, vulnerable and addicted people. By using her business contacts Clare helps people get work experience and jobs, which means they can then get permanent places to live and have more chance of recovery. Last year they set up Kennedy Street & Co – a not-for-profit social enterprise – which includes a pop-up dry bar for events where former homeless people can train in hospitality work. This year they are expanding their work as a charity of which she is a trustee and Kevin is patron. Both roles are unpaid. “It’s not about making money, it’s about the legacy you leave and doing stuff to make a difference; helping people like myself and Kevin make a massive transformation in life. Our message is simple: our lives changed; so can yours.” The couple’s children are also involved in the work. Regularly they take part in a weekly sandwich run for the local street community and offer friendship to children at family recovery groups. “They’re both really kind little girls,” she adds proudly. Grace, the youngest, is also a lot like Kevin, who in turn, she says is a lot like Curly. “Kev created Curly so there is a lot of Kev in Curly. Obviously he looks like him but he’s very clever like Curly and very knowledgeable about lots of things. He loves history and can tell you anything about any war. “Kev is more laid back than Curly though, who was a bit more uptight, but he’s very sensitive like Curly. He hates hearing about anything awful happening to animals.” But would he really return to Coronation Street? “Kev would go back in a heartbeat for the right storyline and a decent offer. He has been asked a couple of times but he’s a working actor and he has a family to support. The last time he was asked to go back was for Vera Duckworth’s funeral, which would have been about a month’s work. He’d just been offered a 12-month contract in Singapore. There was no choice.” Should the right offer come, would the family follow him back up North? “I’d go wherever he is to be honest,” she says. As yet though, it is unlikely to be with a dog in tow…
‘Kev would go back in a heartbeat for the right storyline and a decent offer’