Friendship is just a phone call away for the elderly

Free phone service for the elderly aims to combat loneliness and will also offer confidential advice

A free 24-hour friendship phone service for the elderly has launched. The Silver Line, founded by TV personality Esther Rantzen CBE, acts as both a helpline for elderly people seeking confidential advice and protection from neglect and abuse, as well as providing a friendship service, with trained volunteers providing regular friendship calls.

A survey conducted by The Silver Line found that 87% of older people say talking on the phone would help combat loneliness, yet 25% say they rarely do so.

According to the Department of Health, loneliness is potentially as dangerous to human health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Founder Esther Rantzen said: “It is tragic that older people are so undervalued and isolated. We hope all older people will turn to [The Silver Line] when they need information, friendship or protection… By showing we value them and care about them, we will restore their feelings of confidence and self-worth.”

You’re the solution that Positive News needs

Our small, dedicated team is passionate about building a better alternative to the negative news media. And there’s never been a greater urgency to our mission. 

To invest in producing all the solutions journalism that the world is longing for, we need funding. We’re asking readers like you to get behind us by making a regular or one-off contribution as a Positive News supporter. Please back our team today and, together, we’ll change the news for good.