Free helpline for older people offers support and advice

A free 24-hour dedicated helpline for older people across the UK has been launched by Esther Rantzen.

‘The Silverline’ aims to combat loneliness in the over-65s by providing friendship, information and advice through calls to trained volunteers.

Ms Rantzen said she hoped the phone line number, 0800 4 70 80 90, would be remembered by all older people when they needed friendship or advice. "We will signpost them to the services in their community, and by showing them we value them and care about them we will restore their confidence and feelings of self-worth."

She added: "It is tragic that older people are so undervalued and isolated that they believe life is not worth living and that they are no longer part of the human race."

Volunteers answering helpline calls will be encouraged to befriend older people and make regular friendship calls to them over a period of months.

The Department of Health has said that loneliness causes serious physical and mental damage. More than half of the UK's over-75s live alone.

About 5m older people consider TV their main form of company, according to The Campaign to End Loneliness.

Care and Support Minister Norman Lamb said: "In our busy lives we too easily forget the thousands of older people who often go for days without seeing or speaking to anyone, or rely on the television for company.

"This service will help provide people with the companionship and support they deserve in their older years."

During an earlier pilot phase in the North East and North West of England, the Isle of Man and Jersey, the helpline was able to answer 7,000 calls from older people.

The phone line is funded by a £5m grant from the Big Lottery Fund.