The Silver Line is a free, confidential helpline and friendship service specifically for older people. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service is designed to provide emotional support, information and friendship to those aged 55 and over who may feel isolated, lonely or just in need of a friendly chat. It's particularly helpful to those who may not have regular contact with family or friends.
You can even sign up for regular friendship calls, known as 'Silver Line Friends', or join in on group calls, which means you can have regular weekly calls with a matched volunteer or have a group call on shared topics of interest. On The Silver Line website, you can also find resources for those supporting older adults, including helpful insights on ageing, loneliness and wellbeing.
As a PA, you can recommend The Silver Line to someone you support. If they're unsure, you can help them make the first call or visit the website together.
There is no time limit when calling the helpline - older people can speak to someone for as long as they need. Signing up for regular friendship calls or joining group calls might take a few minutes to set up, but the benefits are ongoing.
This service is completely free. The Silver Line is free to call from any UK landline or mobile, and there are no charges for using the friendship or group services either.
1. Explore the website:
Visit The Silver Line website by clicking on the button below to learn more about their services.
2. Call the Helpline:
Dial 0800-4-70-80-90 - It's open 24/7, no referral needed, and you do not need to tell them your name if you'd like to remain anonymous.