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Telephone Befriending

A friendly chat when you need it

We can offer a free, weekly social telephone call from a friendly Age UK Wiltshire volunteer to older people who are spending long periods on their own at home or who may have caring responsibilities that isolate them from the outside world.

Important Notice - Closed to new referrals

We're currently experiencing a high demand for our service and we are unable to take any new referrals for telephone befriending at this time. Please visit our Clubs and Social Search page for information about other telephone friendship services available.

Alternative Services

What is telephone befriending?

As we get older, we may find we spend more time on our own. This can sometimes feel lonely, boring or make us miss friends or family.

If you, or someone you know, is missing the joy of regular conversation, Age UK Wiltshire can help. 

We offer a free telephone befriending service so you can enjoy chatting with someone over the phone, all from the comfort of your own home. 

How does it telephone befriending work?

We match over 65s who are experiencing loneliness and isolation, spend most of their time at home alone or who have caring responsibilities that mean they can't get out, with a friendly volunteer for a weekly chat.  Our service has helped create many new friendships, and many people tell us their calls are the highlight of their week. To get started, we'll just need to know a bit about yourself and we’ll do the rest.

Who is the service for?

To sign up for our regular telephone befriending service, where someone calls each week, you need to:

  • be over 65
  • be experiencing a period of loneliness or isolation
  • be spending most of your time alone or as a carer 
  • have identified that receiving a weekly call would make a significant difference to your well-being
  • have your own landline or mobile phone
  • be able to hear and be understood over the phone.
  • be able to take a call on the day agreed with your volunteer
 
Alternative Telephone Befriending Services

Telephone befriending services

(free)

Age UK Call in Time (nationwide)

Alabare - Mental health and wellbeing support project - temp project during COVID19

Carer's Support telephone befriending (for informal carers)

Silverline (nationwide)

Re-Engage Call Companions

RVS/NHS volunteers 'check in and chat' free befriending calls during the COVID pandemic

Frequently asked questions - Wellbeing and Social Activities

I am feeling lonely or would like to increase my social contact

We understand that it can be a bit daunting joining a new group or activitiy and we've put together some prompts to help you identify and understand the options available and support to help you enjoy later life more in ‘Age UK Wiltshire social activities prompt sheet’ . Plus, we have collated lots of information about local groups and resources on our Social activities and groups search page If you're struggling to access these activities or need help understanding what is available then we can have a guided holistic conversation with you to help you overcome barriers and increase your confidence.

We offer Fitness & Friendship clubs across the county and may have availability with our Telephone Befriending service and other support services – see Our Services page under ‘Are you feeling lonely or isolated?‘ for details.

If you have concerns about your overall mental health or wellbeing we have a list of mental health support numbers on our Telephone befriending page

I have been recently bereaved and not sure where to start

When someone dies there are lots of things to sort out and this is often at an incredibly difficult time when you feel least able to manage. Age UK's info guide When someone dies (IG03) can help you with the practical and emotional issues that you may need to deal with. Age UK’s website page Coping with bereavement may also help you to move things forward.   

We offer a free Legal affairs service - free telephone appointments with a specialist volunteer to help you understand more about the areas of Wills, Power of Attorney and Dealing with an estate. Appointments must be booked in advance. Please note this does not constitute legal advice

The charity Cruse have volunteers who are trained in all types of bereavement and may be able to offer support.  

I'm worried about my mental health or low mood

We'd encourage you to discuss how you're feeling with your GP in the first instance, and the below support services may also be able to help: 

Local charities and services offering free or subsidised counselling or talking therapies and courses to help you manage your mental health and wellbeing include: 

National Charities include:

  • SANE have a telephone advice line: 07984 967 708 for people experiencing mental health difficulties and low mood.
  • The Calm Zone have a telephone helpline 0800 58 58 58 (5pm to midnight) for anyone feeling low in mood and wanting someone to talk to.
  • Cruse offer free bereavement support and counselling through appointments in Bath, Salisbury and Swindon and also  have a telephone support line. Tel: 0808 808 1677
  • Samaritans offer a non-judgemental listening line: Tel: 116 123

I'm looking at planning for the future - where do I start?

Some practical considerations might include making a will, thinking about powers of attorney and considering funeral arrangements - these can all help ensure your preferences and wishes are taken into account in the future.

Age UK 'Lifebook' is a free downloadable booklet helps you to gather together useful information and contacts in one place.

Financially, you can have an income maximisation check to ensure you are claiming all the benefits and financial help you are entitled to. Familiarise yourself with ways to spot scams so you can keep your money safe.

With regards to your health you can consider completing an Advance Decision which can reassure you that you’ll receive the treatment and care you want. Understanding the process for adult social care assessments and hospital discharge can lessen the worry of what to do if you need a bit more support in the future.

You may wish to consider your housing options and the type of home that would suit your needs both now and in the future, including how any pets would fit into this.

Our FAQs cover many of these issues in more detail and Age UK has a huge range of information guides and factsheets covering topics from finances to care and housing and many more.

Please help us be there for older people in need

By donating today, you could help us answer more calls to our advice line, provide volunteer support for older people struggling to manage on their own and provide regular friendship calls to people who are desperately lonely.

Please donate now