I think this is Amazing

www.thesilverline.org.uk/

Why?

because it means that you are never alone

And it has helped many lonely people

Never alone? Not so sure about that and there will be many old and lonely people who would rather see a friendly face from time to time and may also be worried about the expense of phone calls

It's a free helpline, Soutra.

Aah.
Still think a friendly face would be a much better idea and hope that it doesn't lull the young into thinking they don't need to visit great-aunt Aggie as she isn't lonely and if she is, she can always ring Silverline.

Sadly my children never visit my DM as all she does is moan to them about their siblings It is a sad fact but she has put herself in this position. They are lovely to her when we are all together. Maybe I will tell her about this.

soutra a friendly face is a luxury that we do not all have.

Many people who live alone are too proud to admit that they are lonely. Perhaps Silverline will enable them to do this anonymously and have a friendly chat at the same time.

tab my point is that all pf us have the capacity to be that friendly and well-intentioned though Silverline may be let's not merely outsource care and compassion for the elderly.

" * be* that friendly face" - silly phone!

There are those of us who wouldnt phone silverline regardless how lonely we are ...i for one dont want to phone a stranger to talk to ....lonely people need human contact and as soutra said ' a friendly face'

I think its a good thing but not a panacea and hope no one will see it as such.

The figures show that people are using it and that it has helped many people..and that's good enough for me.

If you do wish to use it, it is there for you, and if you do not want to use it, then that's fine too

The Samaritans, under another name?

It was launched for older people who do not have relations they can speak to regularly, for one reason or another. It was so well received that there was clearly a need for it.

Those of us with family at hand and the confidence and energy to get out there and speak to the neighbours if not, should not decry something that offers companionship to others.

I don't think it is quite another Samaritans, for people in extreme depression and distress without help, though it could be a way of contacting someone in an emergency. It is more a source of a friendly phone chat with the same person at pre-arranged intervals. The volunteers who do the calls have a list of regulars, and each regular is on the list of more than one volunteer, so that if one is off sick or on holiday, there is still a known voice to hear.

I think it's a wonderful idea. I know of two elderly people without relatives, who would love it. It would also take a bit of pressure off us, being me and a couple of other friends, who try to keep an eye out for them but somehow we can never do enough for their liking. I shall definitely pass the number on to them, thank you.