Open 24 hours a day, every day
Open 24 hours a day, every day
Everyone needs someone to talk to sometimes. That's why Age UK's Silver Line Helpline exists – a free telephone service just for older people.
There are many different ways we might connect with each other.
Sometimes a quick “good morning!” might be all you need to get your day off to the right start. Another day, you might fancy a nice chat with someone about how the week’s gone. And once in a while, you may need a good heart-to-heart.
As we get older, these moments of connection can be harder to come by, but they’re just as vital as always.
That’s why Age UK's Silver Line Helpline exists – a free telephone service offering conversation, friendship and support to older people aged 55 and over.
Everyone, no matter who they are, needs someone to talk to and connect with sometimes.
The Silver Line Helpline is a free, confidential telephone service run by Age UK, providing friendship, conversation and support for older people. Lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
We give older people the chance to pick up the phone and enjoy a chat, get some support, and feel all the wonderful benefits that come from talking to a friend.
Loneliness can be tough, and many older people know this from experience. We need connection whatever our age – especially if we live alone or further away from family.
The Silver Line gives you the opportunity to exchange a brief, friendly word or enjoy a long, enriching conversation. The kind of call we offer depends very much on what you might want or need when you pick up the phone to talk to us.
The Silver Line service also helps by offering:
Loneliness can strike at any time of the day or night.
When it’s very late or very early, it might not possible to call a family member, friend or loved one. But when those feelings of isolation, worry, or loneliness strike, there is always someone you can call – us.
Whether you want to chat about your day or talk about something that’s been weighing on your mind, the conversations we share will stay between us unless there is a legal or safeguarding concern.
When you speak to a good friend, family member or someone you trust, you can feel safe knowing that what you share will be kept in confidence. The Silver Line is like that trusted friend – whatever we’re chatting about, we always have absolute respect for your privacy.
While we do record all calls, it is strictly for training, supervision and safeguarding purposes.
Thanks to the generosity of our fantastic supporters, it’s completely free to call The Silver Line Helpline.
I've been volunteering for about 2 and a half years now and enjoy taking calls through Silver Line. Some of the callers just need signposting to the right info and it gives me a warm feeling inside that I've helped them. Some just purely need to chat to someone as they could be feeling lonely or low.
No matter who you are, how your day was or what's going on in your life, everyone needs someone to talk to. Call us free every day of the year, at any time.
From accessing information and advice to finding services and support local to you, Age UK has plenty of other useful resources to explore.
A free, confidential national phone service for older people, their families, friends, carers and professionals.
Explore a range of services, activities and opportunities, all created to support and connect older people across the UK.
Create lasting friendships or simply enjoy a chat with the national Telephone Friendship Services.
Age UK’s Silver Line Helpline is the UK's only free, confidential, 24-hour helpline providing friendship for older people.