Esther Rantzen, who created ChildLine many years ago, has now launched Silver Line in the UK. It is a befriending service for older people, both by telephone and on line, which can be contacted for assistance with anything of troubling nature . It is expected to deal with diverse issues such as elder abuse in care homes, how to apply for government benefits that are available, and the pain of social isolation.

Interestingly, in an article in The Times today about Silver Line and the dearth of information and services for older people in the UK, Esther praises two services for older people in Ireland, one of which washes the feet and cuts the toenails of people who can’t do this for themselves. She also compliments the peer-to-peer help that is available in Ireland and certainly there are wonderful organisations here, such as Age Action, Age and Opportunity, The Third Age to name but a few which empower and assist older people. Presumably Esther was aware of Ireland’s existing listening service for older people by trained older volunteers – the Senior Helpline. It takes calls from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. for the price of a local call anywhere in Ireland on LoCall 1850 440 444.