When my son was about 6 years old, he came home with a revelation: he learnt all about ChildLine at school, and that he could ‘report’ his parents if we ‘upset’ him.
This Christmas, older people finally have a dedicated line for them, The Silver Line.
The Silver Line is a free, 24 hour, confidential helpline for older people. It provides information, friendship and advice to older people, or the Silver Generation. It also protects them from abuse and neglect. The Silver Line opens every day of the year.
The helpline is 0800 470 80 90.
But how old is old?
There is no strict age limits, but most people who call The Silver Line are over 65.
If you are feeling lonely, if you need advice, or if you just want to speak to someone, you can call The Silver Line on 0800 470 80 90.
According to the Silver Line website:
- More than half of all 75 year olds in the UK live alone and one in ten suffers “intense” loneliness but is reluctant to ask for help.
- 9 out of 10 older people told researchers that “a chat on the phone” is the most helpful solution when they feel lonely but 1 in 4 older people say they never or seldom have someone to chat to on the phone.
The founder of The Silver Line is Esther Rantzen CBE. The Chief Executive is Sophie Andrews.
From the leaflet of The Silver Line, I found two quotes below very moving:
“I haven’t spoken to anyone all day, so I just wanted to say goodnight.”
Quote from The Silver Line
“When I get off the phone I feel like I belong to the human race.”
Quote from The Silver Line
For donations to The Silver Line, call 020 7224 2748.
I have found a video clip with A message to Social Care Professionals from Sophie Andrews of The Silver Line Helpline:
In this video, Sophie Andrews said that “Our aim is not to replicate any of the brilliant services that are out there, but to link with you and make sure that vulnerable older people are linked to the services that are around.”
Please share with your elderly friends this helpline: 0800 470 80 90.
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