Silbernetz – dreistufiges telefonisches Gesprächsangebot zum einfach mal Reden
English translation. This entry was submitted in German. It was translated by AI and checked against the original by a second pass. The German text below is the contributor’s own, and it is the authoritative version. If you spot a translation that misses the point, please say so in the General space.
Silbernetz (Silver Network) – a three-tier telephone service for just having a chat
Silbernetz (Silver Network) – ‘just having a chat’ for everyone aged 60 and over
Silbernetz offers an open ear nationwide for older people (60+) with feelings of loneliness. With a three-tier offer, it opens doors out of isolation:
• Silbertelefon (Silver Telephone): Every day from 8am to 10pm, older people can find an open ear for ‘just having a chat’ on 0800 4 70 80 90
• Silbernetz-Freund*innen (Silver Network Friends): Older people who are interested are matched with volunteers for regular personal phone conversations, who then call once a week for a personal chat
• Silberinfo (Silver Info): Information on basic services for elderly care as well as health and care in the German states and municipalities is given by phone, nationwide.
The services are confidential, anonymous and free of charge for callers.
What it sets out to do
Living contact for the prevention and reduction of loneliness, and referral to services in the local area
Who it reaches
National
Who runs it
Silbernetz e.V.
What seems to make it work
- active since 2018, in January 2026 the one millionth call.
The impact of the Silbertelefon (Silver Telephone) is currently being evaluated by the Deutsches Zentrum für Altersfragen (German Centre of Gerontology). The results of the evaluation will be published on 26 June 2026: https://www.dza.de/veranstaltungen/online-anmeldung-rewisil
What gets in the way
The challenge is the sustainable financing of the service, given the steady growth in call volume of around 20% per year
How it is funded
The German states (Bundesländer) of Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), foundations and donations
Moving it somewhere else
- yes
- Has also worked in Switzerland for 5 years – partner project https://www.malreden.ch
Read the original in German
Silbernetz – „einfach mal reden“ für alle ab 60 Jahren
Silbernetz bietet bundesweit ein offenes Ohr für ältere Menschen (60+) mit Einsamkeitsgefühlen. Mit einem dreistufigen Angebot öffnet es Türen aus der Isolation:
• Silbertelefon: Täglich von 8-22 Uhr finden Senior*innen unter 0800 4 70 80 90 ein offenes Ohr zum „einfach mal Reden“
• Silbernetz-Freund*innen: Für regelmäßige persönliche Telefongespräche werden interessierte Ältere mit Ehrenamtlichen vernetzt, die dann einmal pro Woche für ein persönliches Telefongespräch anrufen
• Silberinfo: Deutschlandweit werden am Telefon Informationen zu Basisangeboten der Altenhilfe sowie Gesundheit und Pflege in Ländern und Kommunen gegeben.
Die Angebote sind für Anrufende vertraulich, anonym und kostenfrei.
What it sets out to do
lebendiger Kontakt zur Prävention und Minderung von Einsamkeit und Vermittlung von Angeboten im Wohnumfeld
Who it reaches
national
Who runs it
Silbernetz e.V.
What seems to make it work
– aktiv seit 2018, im Januar 2026 einmillionster Anruf.
Derzeit wird die Wirkung des Silbertelefons evaluiert durch das Deutsche Zentrum für Altersfragen. Die Ergebnisse der Evaluation werden am 26.6.2026 veröffentlicht: https://www.dza.de/veranstaltungen/online-anmeldung-rewisil
What gets in the way
Herausforderung ist die nachhaltige Finanzierung des Angebotes angesichts des stetigen Wachstums des Anrufaufkommens um jährlich etwa 20%
How it is funded
Die Bundesländer Berlin und NRW, Stiftungen und Spenden
Moving it somewhere else
– ja
– Funktioniert auch in der Schweiz seit 5 Jahren – Partnerprojekt https://www.malreden.ch
The record
- Lead organisation
- Silbernetz e.V.
- Target populations
- Older adults (65+), People with disabilities, Carers
- Countries
- Germany
- Evaluation status
- Internally evaluated
- Peer reviewed
- No
- Publication
- https://silbernetz.org/
- Contributed by
- Silbernetz e.V., Gründerin Elke Schilling
These details are reported by the member who registered the intervention.
Where this entry comes from
This description was submitted to the LONELY-EU mapping of what is being done about loneliness across Europe. It is published in the language it was written in, and reproduced as it was given to us. The contributor gave permission to be named. Recorded aim: prevention and support.
If this entry is yours and something in it is wrong, or you would like it taken down, write to the Ties moderation team quoting its reference. Consent given to the mapping can be withdrawn at any time.
Cite this entry
Silbernetz e.V., Gründerin Elke Schilling (2026). Silbernetz – dreistufiges telefonisches Gesprächsangebot zum einfach mal Reden. LONELY-EU Intervention Registry, entry LEU-028. https://buddyboss.silc-exchange.com/interventions/silbernetz-dreistufiges-telefonisches-gesprachsangebot-zum-einfach-mal-reden/
Reference LEU-028 is permanent. If the entry is corrected later, the reference stays the same.
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