Mission Statement
"Loneliness is not having anyone to tell that you are lonely" Did you know? In the UK, more than 1 million people aged over 65 say they often or always feels lonely. We have 1,000 older people waiting for a Silver Line Friend. They have chosen to be called Silver Liners. By volunteering as a Telephone Friend for The Silver Line, we match you to a Silver Liner that you call once a week. "Just speaking to someone helps me cope a little better..." - Silver Liner This is a volunteer role that you can do from home or from work. All you need is access to a telephone and the internet. We ask for a commitment of up to a year where possible and the ability to make your call on the same day and time each week. Friendship calls can be made between 8am and 8pm Monday - Sunday. In the time it takes to read the paper, watch the news or take a trip to the shop, you can volunteer with The Silver Line. A regular 30-minute call from a friend really can change the life of a lonely person.
Description
The Silver Line is the only confidential, free helpline for older people across the UK, open every day and night of the year. Our specially trained helpline staff:
- Offer information, friendship and advice
- Link callers to local groups and services
- Protect and support those who are suffering abuse and neglect
If callers would like to be put in touch with Silver Line Friends, they can receive a weekly friendship call or a regular friendship letter. Silver Line Friends are volunteers who have contacted The Silver Line because they enjoy talking to older people.
This is a volunteer role for anybody who enjoys speaking to older people, and has 30 minutes a week to give.
To be a Silver Line telephone friend you will need:
- To be 18 or over
- Access to the internet and an email account
- A UK, Channel Isles, or Isle of Man, landline telephone (we cannot facilitate calls from other countries)
- To be able to commit to a 30 minute friendship call, at the same time and day each week, for up to a year
- To want to speak to, and build a relationship with, an older person
