Stay connected
Who can I call?
Many people we spoke to found that telephone check-in services really helped them during lockdown. On this page we want to make you aware of telephone befriending or companion call services you could sign up to.
If you are looking for a support line or helpline, then please visit Finding mental health support.
He has a befriender who calls him once a week.
A carer talking about their loved one with dementia
Alzheimer’s Society offer a variety of ways for you to connect with others. The Dementia Advisers offer help to people with dementia and their families. You can ring up and they will offer practical advice and emotional support.
Click here to learn more about Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Advisers.
Alzheimer's Society have a Companionship Service. This programme is run by trained volunteers, who can give you emotional support and connect you with other help. At the heart of the service are Companionship calls where you’ll be paired with one of their friendly volunteers for weekly phone conversations over a 12 month period.
You could also offer to be a Companion Call Volunteer!
Click here to read more about Alzheimer’s Society Companion Calls.
I was part of the Side by Side Alzheimer's Society Befriending service, where I would do activities with a volunteer. This stopped due to COVID so now the volunteer calls me once a week to have a chat and see how I am.
A carer telling our researchers about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic
Age UK has two types of friendship services.
In partnership with The Silver Line, they offer free telephone friendship services for people over 60. You can sign up for regular calls, or use the helpline just when you feel the need.
They do point out that telephone friendship might not work for some people with dementia. However, they are happy to direct you to a local service.
Click here to read more about Age UK’s telephone friendship services.
Face-to-face befriending is available at many local Age UKs. They have a search function so that you can look into what’s available near you. Scroll down the page linked below to find the search function.
Click here to look for your local Age UK.
Age Cymru launched their Friend in need telephone befriending services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Anyone over the age of 70 living in Wales can register for free telephone friendship calls. There is also the option to volunteer as a telephone befriender.
There are also local befriending projects and schemes available, as well as national ones. It is worth checking to see if there is one near you.
How could we improve this page? Visit the Contact us page to let us know.
Who can I call?
You can print a paper version of this resource by clicking the button below.
