Phone companionship: what a friendly weekly call really does for older adults

Not everyone wants, or needs, a visitor in the house every week. For a lot of older adults across Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, East Dunbartonshire and surrounding communities, and for family members further afield, the more useful thing is a regular, unhurried phone call from the same friendly voice.

That is what our Phone Companionship Service is. This piece explains what it covers, who it is for, and how to arrange it.

What phone companionship is

A phone companion is a trained, PVG-checked member of our team who calls at an agreed time each week (or more often, if you prefer) for a proper conversation. Not a quick welfare check, not a scripted survey, an actual chat. About the garden, the football, the grandkids, the news, whatever the person wants to talk about.

Calls typically run 30 minutes, and can be one-off, weekly, or daily. You keep the same companion, so there is a real relationship, not a stranger every time.

Who it suits

Phone companionship works particularly well for:

Older adults who live alone and do not want a visitor in the home yet.

People recovering from bereavement, illness or a hospital stay.

Family carers who need a second friendly voice in their relative's week.

Adults with mobility or confidence issues that make in-person visits harder.

Families who live at a distance and want the reassurance of a regular check-in.

What it is not

Phone companionship is not a crisis line, a counselling service, or a substitute for medical support. If something changes, the companion will flag it to the person's chosen contact quickly, and where appropriate we will signpost to GPs, community nursing or social work.

How the calls actually work

You choose the plan (one-off, weekly, or daily), a preferred day and time window, and give us a short note about interests and topics. We match a companion who is a natural fit. They call from a friendly withheld number at the agreed time, every time.

You cancel or reschedule with a quick call to 01236 359027 or an email to info@niamz.co.uk. No apps, no logins, no faff.

Simple, transparent pricing

Phone companionship starts from £10 for a 30-minute call, with weekly and daily plans priced clearly on the phone companionship page. No auto-renewals, no small print.

How to arrange it

The quickest way is to choose a plan on the phone companionship page and complete the short form, we will be in touch within one working day to confirm the first call. If you would rather talk to a person first, call us on 01236 359027 and we will walk you through it.