Seeking Opinions on Charity Run Scheme

Thank you so much for all the responses, they are really useful! We will bear them in mind as we continue with the project.

www.omega.uk.net/delphinium-p-222.htm This link provides more information about the service. It is designed with flexibility in mind!

Is this Silver Line , you are discussing? I certainly am not in favour of a charity offering a paid service. It would be much better to increase fund raising

I am not sure about this. To have a volunteerfrom Age UK ring me and have a general chat about whatever I want to talk about this week is one thing. There is an element of freedom and give or take and a chance of a relation growing up between volunteer and the isolated person

To know that someone is paid to ring you is very different. Can you guarantee that the same person will ring every week, or will it be whoeever is available? With these schemes, getting that rapport between the two people at each end of the phone is very important. If the person is going to change from week to week, I do not think it would work.

It sounds as if what is being mooted is a two tier service: if you can pay you get the 'A' team of 'professionals' and if you can't you get the 'B' team of 'volunteers.

Sorry, but if it were my charity I would be looking to increase fundraising so that everyone gets the same service, whether they can pay or not.

Yes, I think it's an excellent idea.
Anything that keeps people in contact with others is all for the good, I think.