A tribute to Dame Esther Rantzen

The death of Dame Esther Rantzen is a sad loss to The Silver Line Helpline, the Age UK Network, and the millions of people her work has benefitted over the years. 

Through Esther's prolific TV and charity work over the years, many people felt like they knew her. Speaking to some of The Silver Line's service users, we found that lots of them really did. Esther would regularly recommend the service to friends, acquaintances and the many people she met, whose accounts of losing a partner and the challenges that follow mirrored her own.  

I was heartened that Esther witnessed the 10th anniversary of The Silver Line on 25 November 2023, and heard testimonies from the older people whose lives have been brightened by a service that supported 4 million calls in a decade - a truly remarkable feat.

Opening the conversation

Imagine not being able to sleep in the middle of the night with only your thoughts and fears for company, feeling there's no one to talk to about them. This could happen to us at any age, of course, but in later life, when we're more likely to be living with long-term health conditions and feelings of loneliness, isolation and vulnerability, it's comforting to remember that someone's out there who listens and cares. And who among us doesn't feel better knowing we're part of something? 

Lived experience was the impetus for The Silver Line. Following the death of her husband Desmond in 2000, Esther spoke publicly about her grief and the difficulties that came with readjusting to life. She did so not just to articulate her own feelings, but to reassure people in similar situations that they weren't alone, as well as emphasising the importance of staying connected in the aftermath of life-changing events.  

It was an empathetic gesture hugely appreciated by the public, leading many people to write to Esther to share their appreciation and their own stories. Inspired by this outpouring of bravery, and keen to provide a service that allowed for two-way conversation, The Silver Line was born.  Building on Esther's huge experience of setting up Childline, she was uniquely placed to see the solution and act on it.

The impact of a very special service

The Silver Line's availability, 24 hours a day, offering a reassuring voice and an understanding ear is an incredible gift people who want to regain a sense of connection, by sharing news, jokes, and memories. Marion, a caller to The Silver Line, beautifully encapsulates the difference it makes: "It's a window opening on the world," she tells us. "It cheers me up and makes me forget about my own problems for that amount of time." 

The service is similarly beneficial to the selfless people on the other end of the line. This includes Victoria, who volunteered to help the service after the death of her beloved grandfather. Taking a lead from Esther's example, Victoria turned a sad experience into a positive act for the benefit of others, by offering her time to speak to older people who don't have anyone to enjoy regular conversations with. "It's very life-affirming," says Victoria of the experience. 

It's thanks to Esther's pioneering spirit, determination and commitment to the older generation that The Silver Line's callers and volunteers have been brought together in this mutually beneficial way. She made this possible - and we will continue to.  

In 2019, The Silver Line joined forces with Age UK, fortifying our national services to provide the most comprehensive offering of friendship, advice and practical support for older people who need it most. It remains the only dedicated 24/7 service for older people, and the Telephone Friendship Service now offers well over 4,000 older people a regular call from a trained volunteer - truly a lifeline to many.

Even after Esther shared the news that she had been diagnosed with cancer, Esther continued to work tirelessly for the causes she was passionate about. 

 It is an example and a legacy we will continue to learn from and uphold in Esther's memory, and it is a privilege for us to do so. Thank you, Dame Esther, for a lifetime of work in service to others.