An Angus woman has told how rewarding it is to be providing a “lifeline” for lonely and isolated older people.
Jean Clark from Brechin has issued a rallying call for others to get involved in the Silver Line and tackle the stigma of extreme loneliness.
The Silver Line is a free, confidential telephone helpline for older people, which was founded by Dame Esther Rantzen after she experienced extreme loneliness following the death of her husband Desmond Willcox.
Jean said: “Loneliness can affect confidence and destroy a person’s wellbeing, yet many are unaware of this problem and there is still something of a stigma attached.
“But for many people in the UK, loneliness has become a way of life. That is why I volunteer my time to the Silver Line.”
Jean was brought up in Fettercairn and Laurencekirk and worked in the retail business before she retired in 2006.
Volunteering became a way of life for Jean, including presenting a radio show, becoming a volunteer driver with Contact the Elderly and reading for Angus Talking Newspaper.
She has volunteered for the Silver Line for the past five years after more than 20 years of working with Dundee Samaritans.
“As I listened to Esther Rantzen launch the Silver Line on television back in November 2013, I realised that it was offering something very similar to what I had done for 20-plus years with Dundee Samaritans,” she said.
“The principles were the same – confidentiality at the forefront, giving a listening ear to someone out there in need but without the need to travel or volunteer overnight.
“I could do this from my armchair. By May 2014 I had become a Silver Line Friend.
“This is a special service which the Silver Line offers in which volunteers are matched to an older person to make weekly friendship calls on a longer-term basis.
“Throughout the weekly conversations they open up about their lives, their feelings and joyous moments.
“I am often told that is what families are for – in a perfect world that may be true but in the real world some older people often do not want to worry or bother their relatives with what they consider silly or trivial matters.
“I too look forward to my weekly calls, which are very rewarding and help me put any worries I may have to the side for 30 minutes.”
For the last three years she has been giving presentations to clubs, organisations, in sheltered housing, care homes, social work and NHS settings to help spread the word about the great work that the Silver Line does.
Silver Line CEO Sophie Andrews OBE said: “A call to the Silver Line can help.
“The important thing with loneliness is to do something about it.
“Actual and perceived social isolation are both associated with an increased risk of early mortality.”
