Volunteers needed to help tackle loneliness

LIFELINE: Many elderly people are affected who are often too proud to ask for help

An Angus woman has spoken about how rewarding it is to provide a “lifeline” for lonely and isolated older people.

Jean Clark from Brechin has asked others to get involved in the Silver Line and tackle the stigma of extreme loneliness.

The Silver Line is a free helpline for older people that 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.”

Volunteering became a way of life for Jean after she retired, and she has presented a radio show, been a volunteer driver with Contact the Elderly and has read 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.

“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 the last three years, she has given presentations to clubs, organisations, in sheltered housing, care homes, social work and NHS settings to help spread the word about Silver Line.

Silver Line chief executive Sophie Andrews 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.”

“I too look forward to my weekly calls. JEAN CLARK

Picture: Paul Smith. Silver Line volunteer Jean Clark is urging people to help her combat loneliness.