If you are looking for a befriending service near you, a telephone conversation is one option that does not require a journey or a local meeting place. Let’s Just Talk OK offers booked phone conversations for adults aged 18 and over across the UK.
You choose your Community Befriender and an available time online. Your befriender rings you from our office number at the arranged time. Calls cost £30 for 30 minutes or £45 for 60 minutes.
For more about the kinds of conversation you can book, visit Someone to Talk to.
A call from wherever you live in the UK
Our service takes place by telephone. You do not have to live close to a befriender, travel to an office or join a video meeting. You need the phone you want us to call and a place where you can hear comfortably.
Whether you are searching from London, Leeds, Manchester, a smaller town or a rural area, the offer is the same: a booked phone conversation. We do not claim local branches or in-person services in those places.
This can be an option if travelling to a group does not suit your day or you would prefer a one-to-one conversation. It is a different arrangement from joining a local club, meeting somebody face to face or receiving a home visit.
What telephone befriending means here
A Community Befriender is someone you book time to talk with. You can share an ordinary day, discuss a hobby, tell a story or ask them to listen while you let off steam. There is no requirement to bring a problem.
You choose your befriender from the people available in the booking system. We do not automatically match you with an unnamed person. Current people and appointment times are shown in the calendar.
Our listening service by phone page explains the conversation approach. If you would like to vent, see Vent to Someone on the Phone.
Local services and phone services offer different things
A local befriending service may arrange face-to-face visits, group activities or telephone contact, depending on the organisation. Some are free and have eligibility criteria or waiting lists. Check each service directly for what it offers.
Let’s Just Talk OK is a paid telephone service. We do not offer home visits, transport, shopping, personal care or local activities. If being with people in person is your main aim, a community group or local organisation may be a better starting point.
You can explore several options without committing to one way of meeting people. A booked conversation does not replace friendships, community contact or care services.
Clear prices across the UK
- 30 minutes for £30: half an hour set aside for your conversation.
- 60 minutes for £45: a longer appointment if you would like more time.
The service prices are the same wherever you live in the UK. You are paying for the time booked, rather than professional advice, treatment or a particular emotional outcome. Both lengths are phone calls.
There is no need for a webcam or video-call account. The website is used to book; the conversation itself takes place on your phone. Read Private Befriending Service by Phone for more about what a paid booking covers.
How to book a UK telephone call
- Open the booking page.
- Choose a 30- or 60-minute call, your befriender and an available time.
- Enter your details and the telephone number you want us to ring.
- Check the appointment details and pay by card through Stripe.
- Keep your confirmation email and have your phone ready at the booked time.
Your befriender rings from our office number. Availability depends on the booking calendar; this is not an instant chat or an on-demand helpline. Check the displayed appointment details before paying.
The How It Works page describes the process. Changes and cancellations through the customer panel are subject to the 24-hour notice terms.
Getting ready for the call
Check that your booking number is correct and your phone has enough charge. Choose somewhere you can speak with the privacy you want. If you use hearing equipment, use the phone setup you normally find comfortable; contact us beforehand about a particular practical requirement.
You can write down a subject, but you do not need to prepare. “I’d like an ordinary chat” or “I’d appreciate someone listening to my week” is a reasonable way to begin.
Our article about working from home and conversation considers one situation where the day can involve few informal chats. You do not have to work from home or live alone to book.
Privacy and service limits
Calls are not recorded. We need booking details to arrange and administer the service, and befrienders may make written notes. Confidentiality has limits, including legal requirements and concerns about harm; read the customer terms.
Our service is friendly conversation for adults aged 18 and over. It is not therapy, counselling, medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, home care, a welfare check or crisis support. It does not provide continuous contact between bookings.
We do not guarantee how you will feel after talking. If you need urgent help, do not wait for an appointment: use Need help now? for appropriate support options.
Choose a time to talk
If a booked telephone conversation fits what you are looking for, check the available befrienders and times. The same two options apply across the UK: £30 for 30 minutes or £45 for 60 minutes. You can also read our FAQ before deciding.
