Volunteer with the Telephone Friendship Service
Just 30 minutes of your time a week could make a massive difference to an older person's life. If you're empathetic and good at talking on the phone, you could be a Telephone Friendship Service volunteer.
What is the Telephone Friendship Service?
As people get older, some may find they spend more time on their own. This can sometimes feel lonely, boring or make people miss friends or family. We offer free telephone friendship services for older people over 50 so they can enjoy chatting with someone over the phone at a regular time once a week, all from the comfort of their home. For many older people these chats are the highlight of their week.
If you're over 18 and can give 30 minutes of your time every week to chat with an older person, volunteering with the Telephone Friendship Service could be right for you.
The difference the Telephone Friendship Service can make
"Thank you for caring"
"It makes me feel like I'm not the only person in the world."
"The Telephone Friendship Service really is a lifesaver"
"I don't know what I'd do without my friendship calls."
What's great about becoming a telephone friend?
- It's a free, simple way to give something back through a weekly call to an older person.
- It can be a very rewarding experience and new friendships can be formed.
- Your calls can make a massive difference to the happiness and wellbeing of an older person
Steps to becoming a volunteer
- You sign up and start your volunteer application online. This involves completing references, online training, passing an ID check and having an interview with our team.
- We match you with a suitable older person based on your interests.
- Age UK will then connect you with your telephone friend to begin your weekly calls.
What's expected of me as a volunteer?
We are looking for people who have excellent listening skills but who also like a good chat. If you think you can strike up a friendship easily over the phone, this volunteer role is for you. You’ll need to show your telephone friend respect, patience, empathy and understanding.
We'd also expect you to:
- agree to a 30-minute call on the same day and time each week
- commit to volunteer with us for a minimum of 12 months
- agree to our volunteer terms and conditions
- let us know if you or your telephone friend need any support from us.
How am I supported?
We will support you throughout your entire volunteer journey with us.
Signing up
If you have any issues or queries when signing up, our team are on hand 365 days a year. Call 0800 434 6105 or email friendshipvolunteering@ageuk.org.uk
Training and resources
You'll receive a Telephone Friendship Service Volunteer Handbook as well as online training to help you make your first call, get conversations going, develop your listening skills, stay safe.
Safety
We connect your call automatically, meaning no personal details are shared. We ask you not to share any other personal details including social media accounts with your telephone friend nor meet them in person, for safeguarding purposes.
Matching you with an older person
Waiting times to start calls can vary, as we try to find you the best match possible based on shared interests and availability.
"What an amazing service this really is"
“I got a bit emotional after the call as it really hit me that there are people out there that just want the extra company. We have so much in common and I’m looking forward to getting to know my telephone friend in the coming phone calls.”
Volunteer with the Telephone Friendship Service
If you're happy with everything that being a volunteer involves, we'd love to hear from you.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What training do I need?
We will provide you with online training before you make your first call. This will include how you make your call, listening skills, staying safe, and ideas on what to talk about. We're also here to support you every step of the way.
Who will I be matched with?
You'll be matched with a telephone friend aged over 50 who would benefit from a telephone friendship.
Loneliness can affect people in very different ways and it's really important to remember that even if your telephone friend has family and friends or is able to get out and about, they may still have times when they may feel lonely or are in need of friendship.
Our service offers older people a chance to share their stories, make a new friend and connect with someone outside their usual social circle.
What if my telephone friend needs some assistance?
You can give your telephone friend the Freephone number of the Age UK Advice Line (0800 678 1602).
The advice line is open from 8am – 7pm, seven days a week (including public holidays) to older people and their families to get information across a range of subjects which affect older people.
Through the advice line and our local Age UKs, we're able to help older people access advice, support and other local services.
After your call, you'll get an email asking you how the call went. You can use this to let us know if your telephone friend would like any additional support.
If you have any immediate concerns that your telephone friend is at risk of abuse or there is any risk to their wellbeing or safety, you should contact the Telephone Friendship Service team immediately on 0800 434 6105.
What if I'm unable to make my call because I'm ill?
If you can't make your call then please let us know. We can try and arrange for you to make the call at another time that week.
If you don't let us know, then your telephone friend will be left waiting for your call.
If you repeatedly don't make calls without making us aware or frequently cancel calls, we may need to end your volunteering, as it's important your telephone friend gets a regular call.
What if my friend doesn't answer when I call?
They might not be answering because they're having phone problems, or had a last-minute appointment and haven't had time to tell us.
We advise that you wait five minutes if you can, and try calling them again. If they still don't answer, you might want to try another time to call them.
What if I don't get on with my friend or we have nothing in common?
Sometimes it may take time to build a relationship with your telephone friend. You will have been matched on your shared interests, so we would always recommend having a few calls before making a judgment.
If you're really struggling then please let us know and we'll talk you through the options available.
How is my telephone number kept anonymous?
Our computer automatically connects you with your telephone friend so you do not need to give out your personal phone number.
As a telephone befriending service, the safety of everyone involved is our number one priority.
To make the service safe for everyone, we insist that you don't arrange to visit your telephone friend or exchange any personal contact details with them, including social media accounts.
How long will it be before I am calling my telephone friend?
Waiting times to start your calls can vary. It all depends on how quickly we're able to process your references and when you complete your induction, identity check and interview. Once you've fully completed your application, we will find you a match as soon as we can, but this may take a few weeks.
Age UK's Telephone Friendship Service achieved Befriending Network's Quality in Befriending award in 2024. The award is given to services and organisations who follow best practice in the befriending sector. Find out more about the award.