The Silver Line Helpline

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. Call anytime on 0800 4 70 80 90. 

As we get older it’s not as easy to stay in touch with people. But you still want to tell someone about your day, share a thought or a joke, or talk about a problem. Being able to have a conversation with someone about the big or small things in life is a very important part of anyone’s day.

225,000 older people often go for a week without speaking to anyone

The Silver Line is the only confidential, free Helpline for older people across the UK open every day and night of the year. People call us just for a chat, to say Good Night or Good Morning to someone, or tell us how their day was. Others call for information, seek advice about something, or share a concern or worry.

Our specially trained Helpline team can:

• offer conversation and friendship
• provide information and advice
• link callers to local groups and services.
• refer people on to receive regular friendship calls.
• protect and support older people who are suffering abuse and neglect.

Our Helpline is always open. We are at the end of the phone 24 hours, seven days a week, ready to take calls.

“You always know the right thing to lift my spirits and when I picture you it’s like you are the lifebelt on the end of the pier” – Silver Line caller 

Who can use The Silver Line Helpline?

The Silver Line is a Helpline for people aged 55 and over.

Helpline calls are free

The Silver Line Helpline is free to callers, from a landline or mobile phone. All costs of calls are covered by The Silver Line. We rely entirely on donations from organisations and people who care about the welfare and safety of older people. Find out more about how to support The Silver Line charity here.

Helpline calls are confidential

The Silver Line is a confidential service. 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, we will involve specialist safeguarding organisations such as Action on Elder Abuse or the appropriate Social Services team or the Police. We record calls but only for training, supervision and safeguarding purposes.