Some local carer services and charities offer a sitting or befriending service where a trained person stays with the person you care for while you go out.
At Age UK, one of the ways they try to combat loneliness in later life is through their friendship services. Age Uk offer two different types:
Telephone friendship
Age UK and their partner charity The Silver Line offer free telephone friendship services so you can enjoy chatting with someone over the phone, all from the comfort of your own home.
Whether you’d like to speak to someone every week, or just want to talk when the need strikes, they’re here to help.
Become a Telephone Friendship volunteer
If you’re interested in being a Telephone Friendship volunteer, Age UK would love to hear from you.
Face-to-face befriending
Befriending services are available at many local Age UKs. They will often involve a volunteer befriender visiting an older person in their home, perhaps for a cup of tea and a chat, or accompanying them to an activity (such as a trip to a cafe or the theatre). In some cases, a volunteer may accompany the older person to occasional hospital or doctor’s appointments.
Click here to find your local Age UK.
