The Power of a Simple Conversation to Tackle Loneliness

Helpline to Lifeline: Conversation to Tackle Loneliness

The Silver Line is the only free, confidential helpline, providing help, advice and friendship to older people, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service, set up by Esther Rantzen, also offers weekly friendship calls, a letter writing service and group calls organised around shared interests. We talked to CEO Sophie Andrews about the power of connection – and the impact a simple phone call can have to help alleviate loneliness.

HIGHLIGHTS

The Silver Line is the only free, confidential helpline, providing help, advice and friendship to older people, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“Providing a 24/7 service for people who might be in an abusive situation is extremely valuable; a free, confidential space to call when there’s an issue.round 5 per cent of our calls relate to abuse – three per cent current, two per cent are historic cases.”

“Our 24/7 helpline is staffed, and we have over 4,000 volunteers who work from their own homes to make the weekly 30-minute friendship calls.”

Elder

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