For immediate release 1 • This week marks an important milestone for The Silver Line Helpline. • Since 25 November 2013, The Silver Line has answered more than 500,000 calls from lonely and isolated older people across the UK on 0800 4 70 80 90. • It is the first and only free and confidential helpline for older people open every day and night of the year, offering information, friendship and advice. Dame Esther Rantzen, founder and president of The Silver Line says The depth and prevalence of loneliness affecting older people is tragic, eroding selfconfidence, bringing with it depression and ill health. Why eat properly if nobody cares about you? Why take exercise if noone will notice the difference? One heartbreaking letter I received before we launched The Silver Line said “I am an optimist by nature, and sometimes I have to be when I face another pointless day, when I am a waste of space”. But since the launch of our dedicated helpline for older people, I often receive letters that lift my heart. Deb wrote recently, “I’d like to say thank you very much for the Silver Line service– it’s certainly helped me in my hours of need. I have been phoning for about a year now – I’ve rung all hours morn, noon, and night ….and everyone is the same with such a beautiful, helpful manner – noone judges – they all have fabulous, homely, kind voices – I am so impressed by the kindness that is shown”. Every one of the half a million calls we have received at The Silver Line since our launch in November 2013 is from a lonely and isolated older person seeking comfort – and I am delighted we have been able to support them in such a simple and positive way. Sophie Andrews, Chief Executive of The Silver Line says We are delighted to reach this important milestone and are very grateful to the older people who have placed their trust in The Silver Line but we know that there are many, many older people living in the UK who have little contact with family, friends or neighbours, and feel desperately lonely. If you live near an older person who’s on their own and doesn’t receive many visitors, do please suggest they give The Silver Line a call on 0800 4 70 80 90 – it’s free from both landlines and mobiles. We really can make a difference to their lives, like Joyce who wrote to tell us “My life has changed so much for the better. To know someone is always there is fantastic. Thank you, Silver Line Help Line. I am in my 87 th year and no longer feel completely lonely.” We are really excited that The Silver Line has been shortlisted as a finalist in the category of best Voluntary/Charity Project in the 2015 National Lottery Awards. Voting is now open and is free http://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/project/silverlinehelpline or call 0844 836 9717 (calls cost 5p from a BT landline and charges on other networks will vary). A few facts about The Silver Line, loneliness and older people in the UK 67% of older people say loneliness and isolation is their principal reason for calling the helpline but the stigma of loneliness means that they are often reluctant to ask for help. 88% of callers to The Silver Line live on their own. 7 out of every 10 calls (68%) are made in the evenings and at weekends. These are the loneliest times for older people which is why it is important that The Silver Line is available when other services are not, including Bank Holidays. 5% (500,000) people aged 65+in the UK say they spent Christmas Day alone*, even more at Easter. There are more than half a million people over the age of 90 in the UK and more than three million people in the UK aged 80+.*