Phoning Friends initiative is a 'social lifeline' for people living alone

Friends of the Elderly introduced Phoning Friends as an initiative designed to offer people aged 60 and over support, companionship and advice.

The telephone befriending service was introduced after previous research revealed that over five million people in the UK aged 60 and over are affected by loneliness and isolation whilst living alone. This statistic has been re-emphasised by a 2014 report titled the 'Future of Loneliness'.

Commenting on the importance of the initiative, Sally McLachlan, Phoning Friends partnerships manager, said: “Our Phoning Friends service is a social lifeline for older people who are lonely and isolated.

“We hear such wonderful stories from beneficiaries who get a lot of comfort and support from their Phoning Friends volunteers.

“Not only does a phone call make such a difference to the older person but we also find that the volunteer makes a wonderful friend to share stories from their life with too.”

Previous research has suggested that loneliness can be as harmful to health as smoking and obesity, causing depression and feelings of low self-worth.

Ms McLachlan added: “When you have friends and are surrounded by people, it’s hard to imagine what it is like to be without anyone and all alone. Having a lack of friends is a crucial predictor of loneliness.”

According to Age UK, one in ten people aged 60 and over are currently experiencing loneliness and sadness whilst living alone, a figure which is set to increase by 40 per cent over the next 15 years.

The befriending service aims to alleviate these feelings as the programme has been specifically designed to support those who have little or no contact from family or friends.

Just like a true friend, Phoning Friend’s volunteers take the time to listen to the individual, share life’s ups and downs, chat about current affairs or simply discuss the weather. Volunteers can also help individuals to re-engage with their local community by informing them about local events or services.

Phoning Friends main features include:

• A regular phone call from the same volunteer

• A carefully matched and trained volunteer

• A quarterly phone call from the Phoning Friends manager

Since launching, many individuals across the UK have welcomed the Phoning Friends initiative. Janet, aged 60, was delighted when she discovered the service and started receiving daily phone calls from her trained volunteer Lousie.

Janet said: “Phoning Friends is so wonderful; even though someone has family, it doesn’t mean that they will always visit their relative. People do get lonely living alone.”

Commenting on the service and the effect it has on beneficiaries like Janet, Louise added: “I hate the thought of anyone being lonely. I know that if my Nan had passed away after my granddad she would have loved to have had access to a service like this as she lived out of the way and loved having a natter.

“I'm of the firm belief that if someone tries to strike up a conversation with you, you should engage in that conversation as you could be the only person they speak to that day.

“Phoning Friends improves an individual’s happiness and their well-being.”

The Friends of the Elderly team understand that the smallest conversations have the largest impact. For more information on Phoning Friends visit: http://www.fote.org.uk/?service-post=phoning-friends.