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, 365 days of the year.

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.

Our specially trained helpline team can

• 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

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.

Silver Circles

Silver Circles are facilitated group phone calls where people with shared interests can discuss topics that interest them with a wider small group of 6 to 8 people.  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  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, to finding lunch clubs and even financial concerns.