Helpful links
Older People
Independent age, providing befriending services: 0800 319 6789
Royal Voluntary Service for help, advice and support: 0845 608 0122
Call The Silver Line for information, advice or just for a chat, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week 0800 470 80 90
Visit Friends of the Elderly for year round support or call 0330 332 1110.
Age UK, support and advice for older people, advice line: 0800 169 6565
Contact the Elderly, tackling loneliness and social isolation among older people: 0800 716543
General Help
When life is difficult, Samaritans are there – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them free on 116 123 or email them at jo@samaritans.org
For further information and support you could also visit Mind’s How to cope with loneliness or call 0300 123 3393
Men can also access support by calling the Men’s Health Forum on 0330 097 0654
Cruse offers bereavement support on 0808 808 1677 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
The Good Grief Trust also offers bereavement support on 0800 2600 400 10am – 4pm Monday – Friday
Family Lives offers a confidential helpline service for families in England and Wales (previously known as Parentline) 0808 800 2222 for emotional support.
Children 1st run Parentline Scotland and you may wish to contact them on 08000 28 22 33 Monday to Friday from 9am – 9pm.
Sense, for advice and support on disability and loneliness 0300 330 9256 or 020 7520 0972. Textphone: 0300 330 9256 or 020 7520 0972
Young People
If you are younger and feeling lonely, you can call SupportLine on 01708 765 200, or the Calm Zone, which is a helpline offering support to men in the UK, of any age, who are down or in crisis, 0800 585858.
If you are under 25, you can also call Get Connected on 0808 808 4994 or text the YoungMinds Crisis Messenger for free 24/7 support across the UK if you are experiencing a mental health crisis: text YM to 85258.
Young Minds also offer a Parents Helpline: 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday 9.30am – 4pm, free for mobiles and landlines)
Children and young people can also contact Childline free on 0800 1111 or log on to their website for a 1-2-1 chat with a counsellor.
Some useful resources:
Independent Age have produced a free guide, If you’re feeling lonely. It can be downloaded from their website or by calling 0800 319 6789.
If you think your parent might be lonely: take a look at the following When They Get Older Loneliness Guide.
