Remembering Esther Rantzen and the lifelines she built

Dame Esther Rantzen, who died on 30 September aged 86, leaves behind something wonderfully practical: someone to call when life feels frightening or lonely.

She founded Childline in 1986, giving children a free, confidential place to talk about abuse or other worries. The charity reports more than six million counselling sessions over almost 40 years.

The Silver Line launched nationally in 2013, inspired by her own experience of bereavement and loneliness. The free, round-the-clock helpline gives older people conversation, friendship and support. Age UK says it handled four million calls in its first decade.

Those figures count calls and sessions, rather than individual people. The human difference comes through in caller Marion’s description: “It’s a window opening on the world.”

Both services grew from taking people’s experiences seriously and making it easier to ask for help. That is a lovely lesson to leave behind.

Rest in peace, Esther. Her work continues every time somebody picks up the phone and finds a person ready to listen.

Sources

• NSPCC — NSPCC mourns the loss of Dame Esther Rantzen
• Age UK — A tribute to Dame Esther Rantzen
• The Silver Line — Our history
• RTÉ — British broadcaster Esther Rantzen dies aged 86