Volunteer with The Silver Line Helpline

Are you able to listen with empathy, understanding and without judgment? If so, you could play an important role as a volunteer for The Silver Line Helpline by offering friendship over the phone to an older person day or night that may feel lonely, isolated and in need of support. We are always in need of dedicated volunteers to join our growing service.

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What is The Silver Line Helpline?

The Silver Line Helpline is the only free 24/7 helpline in the UK for older people over the age of 55 who might feel lonely and isolated. It's open 365 days a year.

The Silver Line Helpline offers friendship and support to people in many ways: through signposting to other services, by offering a friendly chat at any time day or night or referrals to other Age UK Services. The Silver Line Helpline is a crucial service and is often the first point of contact for older people who need support.

What might I do as a Helpline Volunteer?

As a Silver Line Helpline volunteer, you might:

• act as the first point of contact for incoming calls from older people, handling the calls sensitively and professionally
• be led by the caller - empathising, being non-judemental and offering a friendly listening ear
• signpost to other relevant trusted services, offer a friendly chat day or night, and refer to other Age UK services if required
• ensure that relevant data is captured after each call
• escalate any concerns via the appropriate channels and seek support when needed.

The difference The Silver Line Helpline can make

What’s great about becoming a Helpline Volunteer?

• You'll form an essential part of our 24/7 Silver Line Helpline Team.
• You'll use your skills to have a positive impact on the lives of older people, improving their happiness and reducing their loneliness.
• You'll have the opportunity to enhance your skills and learn new ones.
• Volunteering virtually means that you can help older people all over the UK from the comfort of your own home.
• This is a crucial service and our volunteers find it enormously rewarding to give their time to The Silver Line Helpline.

Steps to becoming a volunteer

1. You sign up and start your volunteer application online. We post new opportunities as soon as they are available.
2. To confirm that your skills and experience match our service needs we'll invite you to a 30-minute interview on Microsoft Teams and ask for 2 references. Please have your references ready when you apply.

3. The training for the role involves an online e-learning Volunteer Induction, to include safeguarding- which takes around 1.5 hours and can be completed in your own time. We will set you up with your accounts and provide guidance on this. This is followed by a final Virtual Training session, delivered via Microsoft Teams, lasting around 4.5 hours.

4. Once training is complete, you’ll be invited to join a short follow up 1-1. We’ll then book you in for a half-hour trial shift, followed directly by a check-in for any feedback or further support that may be required. We ask volunteers to book 1 fixed regular shift per week, with any further shifts being completely flexible.

What's expected of me as a volunteer?

We are looking for people with a willingness to listen with empathy, understanding and without judgement. You will be acting as a first point of contact for older people who may be vulnerable, isolated or lonely. It's important that calls are handled in a way that respects the individual and reflects the values of The Silver Line Helpline.  

We'd also expect you to: 

• understand the need for professionalism and confidentiality at all times
• be IT literate with access to a PC, laptop, or tablet at home 
• have excellent communication skills
• commit to volunteer for no less than 2 hours a week (Monday – Sunday 7am – 10pm) and for a minimum of 12 months.

How am I supported?

Signing up

If you have any questions during the sign up process, email our volunteer team on helpline.volunteering@thesilverline.org.uk 

Training

We provide training at the start of your role to ensure you feel confident and well-prepared before you begin taking calls. You'll also receive ongoing support from The Silver Line Helpline volunteer team.

Support

Live online support is provided by the helpline team to give you feedback and advice, and your team will also provide group or 1-2-1 support during the first 4 weeks via debrief sessions to answer any queries or questions.Volunteers can always book one of the group support calls and these are often themed or focus on particular topics and can be especially useful.

Safety

We protect the safety of volunteers by using a virtual call centre, so you don't need to use your personal telephone number and calls will not cost you anything. The volunteer team is available Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm, with Team Leaders there to look after you on shift 24/7.

FAQs