Stannah celebrates 40 years of stairlifts with £40,000 donation to tackle loneliness.

Stannah, the UK’s best known stairlift manufacturer, is teaming up with Esther Rantzen’s charity, The Silver Line Helpline, to mark the 40th anniversary of the introduction of its stairlifts.

The business, founded in 1867 to provide cargo hoists and passenger lifts, added stairlifts to its product range in 1975. Forty years later, Stannah has installed over 600,000 units in over 40 countries.

Founded in 2012, The Silver Line is a charity dedicated to combatting the UK’s growing issue of loneliness in old age.

Available 24 hours a day, The Silver Line’s team offer both friendship and support to older people who experience loneliness in their lives. Interaction can vary from a simple call to the Helpline, to a regular call from a volunteer Silver Line Friend, when possible helping older people connect with local groups and services.

The charity, chosen by Stannah for its relevance across society, provides a confidential free helpline. 0800 4 70 80 90 which older people can call for information, friendship and advice.

Along with the £40,000 donation to The Silver Line, Stannah staff will also be encouraged to volunteer as Silver Line friends and are already planning a number of additional fundraising events throughout the year.

British, family-run business Stannah recently published its own research into loneliness amongst the over 65s as part of an effort to raise awareness of the issue.

The research, part of Stannah’s ongoing Silver Census programme, found that two thirds of people aged 65 and over experience feelings of loneliness.

Jon Stannah, managing director of Stannah Group, said:

“Loneliness in older people is an issue that is very near and dear to everyone’s heart here at Stannah. Our Silver Census regularly reveals how lonely the UK’s over 65s can be, often despite the fact that they live reasonably close to their relatives.

“We are delighted to be working with The Silver Line and supporting a programme that will make a difference in tackling this issue. Hopefully this donation will be another step in making the UK a less lonely place for our country’s older population.”

Dame Esther Rantzen, founder of The Silver Line, said:

“I never expected the demand for the Silver Line to be quite as high as it is, with over 350,000 calls having already been answered. We have uncovered a real need for support for those who experience loneliness and isolation. I am thrilled that Stannah have chosen to work with us, not only to make such a generous donation but to also support their staff in further fundraising and volunteering.”