Esther Rantzen joins forces with Age UK to fight loneliness amongst the elderly

Dame Esther Rantzen and Age UK have joined forces to help more older people most in need of The Silver Line’s vital loneliness services.

Ms Rantzen, founder of The Silver Line charity, which was set up in November 2012 to offer emotional support and friendship for older people 24/7, said: “Meeting the escalating demand and finding the funds to answer every call has been a constant and exhausting challenge and joining forces with Age UK is an exciting new chapter in the life of The Silver Line.

“It follows a very similar story to when we joined Childline with the NSPCC in 2005. Looking back that was the best decision we ever made, and that partnership enabled Childline to grow and develop in ways that would have been impossible had the charity remained on its own.”

The Silver Line helpline receives over 10,000 calls a week, and the befriending services support 2,000 older people. By joining forces with Age UK, the charities will combine their strengths to reach more people and to raise much-needed donations.

’We will together give older people a place to turn to for whatever they need’

Sophie Andrews, chief executive of The Silver Line said: "In a short space of time, The Silver Line has become a lifeline for thousands of lonely and isolated older people across the UK. I started as The Silver Line’s first employee and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved and how the organisation has grown.

“Joining forces with Age UK marks a significant step forward for the charity, one which will give us the stability to continue to deliver our vital services and to grow sustainably."

Steph Harland, chief executive of Age UK added: “We are very excited about what this partnership means for older people. Age UK’s focus is on helping the older people who need us most, including the millions of older people experiencing loneliness and isolation. We can’t do this alone.

“The Silver Line offers an emotional lifeline to so many and, by complementing their services with Age UK’s more practical information and advice, we will together give older people a place to turn to for whatever they need. The Silver Line has a profound effect on the lives of the older people it supports and will be an important part of our fundraising efforts around loneliness.”

For more information regarding The Silver Line click here