About this talk
Sophie Andrews believes that the simple act of listening can have a life-changing effect. As a teenager, Sophie relied on a helpline during a time of personal crisis, and she credits the service with saving her life. The empathetic and confidential support from the stranger on the other end of the phone had a profound impact on her, and it inspired her to set up her own helpline to address the issue of loneliness and its effect on health and wellbeing.
Tune in to Sophie’s 2017 TEDMED Talk to learn more about her work with The Silver Line, a 24-hour phone line that provides social connectivity for isolated senior citizens in the UK.
About Sophie Andrews
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Sophie Andrews is a passionate leader and a longtime advocate in the UK’s charity sector. She is best known for her role as the founding CEO of The Silver Line, a national helpline that provided a vital lifeline for millions of isolated senior citizens. Inspired by her own difficult childhood, which she wrote about in her autobiography, Scarred, Sophie started her career in charity work over 25 years ago. She first volunteered for the Samaritans, a suicide prevention line, and later served as the organization’s national chairman. This experience prepared her to launch The Silver Line, which offered a 24-hour phone service for older people experiencing loneliness. After The Silver Line merged with the larger charity Age UK, Sophie transitioned from her leadership role. She continues her advocacy as a public speaker and serves as a trustee for several other charitable organizations. Her work has raised national awareness about the serious issue of loneliness and has helped millions of people find connection and support.
