Being close at a distance: anonymous peer support during the Covid-19 pandemic

Marie Flinkfeldt

Clara Iversen

Peer support helplines can provide safe social contacts and help break older people’s isolation during the pandemic. In such volunteer-based social work, the anonymity of callers and call-takers is a key feature. Anonymity enables conversations about difficult topics, but can also be a hurdle to establishing a connection with the caller. We will talk about how call participants in a Swedish helpline for older people navigate situations where anonymity becomes a problem, and how call-takers work to offer good company and personal support while limiting disclosure of private details.