A free telephone line that gives spiritual support for older people has been relaunched – just weeks after its closure was announced due to lack of funding.
The DailyHope telephone line serves many individuals in later life unable to take part in person with church life locally, either in the long run, or temporarily as a result of sickness or medical treatment. It was launched throughout the Covid pandemic.
The recorded phoneline provides an important spiritual resource geared toward the around six million UK people aged over 65 who’re either unable to make use of the web safely and successfully or will not be online in any respect.
In January, the organisation Faith in Later Life announced that the road would should be suspended due to an absence of funding. It got here as many churches were being encouraged to ‘grow younger’ and put an emphasis on reaching younger people.
Now their chief executive officer Alexandra Drew has announced that the phone line is back in motion.
She said: “Closing the DailyHope line was a particularly heart-wrenching decision to make. I do know that it has been a lifeline to many older people, especially those unable to attend church in person, and without access to spiritual comfort.”
Now additional funding has been secured, DailyHope has been relaunched, with a drive to search out latest content and content-providers.
Alexandra Drew said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming latest callers, in addition to content providers and funding partners, to assist us to proceed to bring DailyHope to older people, and others who’re staying at home.”
Broadcaster Pam Rhodes, an envoy for Faith in Later Life, said: “DailyHope has brought Christian fellowship through the landline into the homes of so many, filling their hearts and souls with God’s presence and luxury through word, prayer and song.
“It’s no wonder that DailyHope has remained so popular – and the thought that this vital service could have been lost to those that value and rely on it brought real despair. But now, we’re thankful to God that DailyHope has been saved. This is wonderful news.”
The DailyHope free telephone service is obtainable on 0800 804 8044. Churches and Christians are being encouraged to publicise the phone number widely.
Rev Peter Crumpler is a Church of England minister in St Albans, Herts, and a former communications director with the CofE.
