Check in and Chat

Keeping in touch with regular conversation

Our Check in and Chat service provides retired railway employees with the opportunity to have a weekly chat to feel connected and share the joy of a good conversation. If you or someone you know is feeling isolated or missing regular conversations, our free telephone service may be right for you.

Once a week, you will receive a phone call from a friendly volunteer who currently works in rail. During this call, you are free to chat about anything that interests you, whether it be rail related or not.

Bill, a retired railway worker, has been having weekly calls with a volunteer for 3 months. He said:

I’m finding it really helpful. I sometimes go a long time without anyone to talk to and it’s very hard. I’m 94 and meeting new people is difficult, so check in and chat in my own home with a lovely lady to talk to is fantastic. I still manage to get to town to run my errands, although at my age I don’t run! But the casual conversations I have with shop keepers are nothing like the calls, which are much more personal and involved.

To register your interest in a weekly check in and chat call, please email us or give us a call on 03452 412 885.

Find out more about becoming a Check in and Chat volunteer.

I’m finding it really helpful. I sometimes go a long time without anyone to talk to and it’s very hard. I’m 94 and meeting new people is difficult, so check in and chat in my own home with a lovely lady to talk to is fantastic. I still manage to get to town to run my errands, although at my age I don’t run! But the casual conversations I have with shop keepers are nothing like the calls, which are much more personal and involved.

When my vision declined I was struggling to complete simple tasks on my own, and felt incredibly isolated from the outside world. Without RBF I never would have been able to afford my new glasses, which have improved my quality of life immensely. I am so very grateful.