Silver Line

The Silver Line operates the only confidential, free helpline for older people across the UK that’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

We also offer telephone friendship where we match volunteers with older people based on their interests,  facilitated group calls, and help to connect people with local services in their area.

The Silver Line Helpline
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 team:

• Offer information, friendship and advice.
• Link callers to local groups and services.
• Offer regular friendship calls.
• Protect and support older people who are suffering abuse and neglect.

68% of calls to the helpline are made at night and weekends.

Who can use The Silver Line
The Silver Line is a helpline and friendship service for people aged 55 and over.

All helpline calls are free
The Silver Line Helpline is free to callers.

All costs of calls are covered by The Silver Line. We rely entirely on donations from organisations and people who care about the welfare and safety of older people. Find out more about how to support The Silver line here.

All helpline calls are confidential
The Silver Line is a confidential helpline.

Callers are free to express their feelings, and describe their lives honestly, and can trust us to respect their privacy.

In cases of abuse or neglect, with the callers’ permission, we will involve specialist safeguarding organisations such as Action on Elder Abuse or the appropriate social services team.

Silver Line Telephone Friends
If callers would like to be put in touch with a Silver Line Friend, they can enjoy a regular weekly friendship telephone call. Silver Line Friends are volunteers who have contacted The Silver Line because they enjoy talking to older people.

Calls are free for both parties, as costs are covered by The Silver Line through donations.

We match the older person to like-minded volunteers, based on their interests and preferences. It is not a counselling service and Silver Line Friends will not meet, or know the telephone numbers of the people they speak to.

Silver Circles
Silver Circles are facilitated group telephone calls where people with shared interests can discuss topics that interest them with a wider group. This is enjoyed by people who would like to speak with more than one person at a time.

Calls are free for people taking part, as costs are covered by The Silver Line.

Silver Connects
The Silver Connects team provides older people with more intensive support, advice, and help with connecting to local services. Since launching in November 2015, the team has worked on issues ranging from housing and health issues, to finding lunch clubs and even financial concerns.

Find out about more about volunteering opportunities with The Silver Line here.