Older people living alone to get free friendly call from Talk Talk

Older people who live alone are in for a surprise - they are to receive a free once-a-week phone call from TalkTalk the phone and broadband provider.

The free service called "We'll call you" is just to see how they are and offer a friendly natter, reports ISPreview online.

There are now over 4 million people over 65 living alone according to TalkTalk's research. In fact overall one in three households are single person households, whereas in 1971 it was just 20 per cent.

Communication Director for TalkTalk Mark Schmid said: "We’re not trying to replace social services and charities but our research shows that the service we are providing meets a need which is not currently being met. With the number of older people living alone passing the four million mark the launch of our service is very timely.

Knowing that there will be a phone call from a friendly, familiar voice at a fixed time each week and that you can talk to them about anything you like is something that a lot of people value."

Mr Schmid added that, despite all the technology that can be installed, nothing can replace the human voice, which is why the service ensures that everyone has someone to chat to at least once a week.

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