How it works
Four simple steps, from joining to your first conversation — and no app, no computer and no technical know-how. We ring you to arrange and confirm every call, and you answer with a single press of a button.
Step 1
Join
Create your profile and tell us a little about yourself.
- For people aged 65 and over. A family member, carer or organisation can join on someone's behalf.
- Your interests, the topics you enjoy, and when in the week you're usually free for a chat.
- First name only — your surname, full postcode and telephone number are never shown to another member.
Step 2
Get verified
A few minutes, once — and it's the reason you can answer the phone with complete confidence.
- We confirm your telephone number — we ring you, and you press a button to answer.
- We check a passport or driving licence from the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man with our verification provider, including a short liveness check. No passport or licence? We check a proof-of-address document plus a document showing your date of birth instead.
- Joining isn't just typing in an email address — scammers won't hand over a passport, which is exactly why everyone here is genuine.
Step 3
We find your match
We use your interests, personality, conversation preferences and availability to find someone you're likely to enjoy talking to.
- You don't search or browse — we do the looking, and show suggestions one at a time.
- Say yes or no. Nobody is told if you'd rather not.
Step 4
Have your first conversation
We arrange the call and connect you by telephone. No app and no computer are needed.
- We ring you both to agree a time — you simply press 1 for yes.
- A friendly reminder call comes a few hours before, and again just before your slot.
- Neither of you ever sees the other's real number. Calls are recorded for safety, quality and service purposes, and you both hear a short notice before you are connected.
How members actually talk to each other
This is the part people most want to understand, so here it is plainly.
The Natter Network is a telephone friendship service. All conversation between members happens by voice call, placed through The Natter Network on a private line at a regular weekly time that suits you both.
- There is no chat or messaging inside The Natter Network. You cannot type messages to another member, and nobody can send you one.
- No one can contact you out of the blue. Introductions are made by us, and only after you have both agreed.
- Your details stay private. Your telephone number, email address, surname and full postcode are never shown to another member.
- You can stop at any moment. End the friendship, block the person, or report a concern — from your own pages, without giving a reason. They can no longer reach you through the number straight away.
Emails from us — a match suggestion, a safety notice — come from The Natter Network, never from another member, and you choose what you receive in Settings.
What happens after your chat
A few minutes after you hang up, we ring you both back with one simple question: shall we book you in again?
- Press 1 for the same time next week.
- Press 2 for the same time the week after.
- Press 3 if you'd rather not carry on with that friendship.
As soon as you both agree, the next chat goes in the diary and we remind you before it. If one of you would rather stop, we simply say the other person isn't able to make the same time next week, and a new suggestion appears for them. You can give the same answers on your Calls page instead of the telephone.
What goes into a match
We compare two people on the things that make a conversation enjoyable — interests, favourite topics, life circumstances and when you like to chat — and suggest someone only when there is plenty in common.
What you both enjoy
Gardening, football, crosswords, cooking — shared interests give you plenty to talk about.
What you like to talk about
Family, history, music, the news — the subjects that make a conversation easy and enjoyable.
What's going on in your life
Bereaved, living alone, new to an area — shared circumstances can make that first chat much easier.
When you like to chat
A weekly catch-up or a long Sunday natter — we pair people who suit each other's rhythm.
What it costs
Your first month is free. After that, membership is £14.99 a month — or £7.99 with Natter Support if you receive Pension Credit. Cancel any time.
That works out at less than 50p a day — about the price of a cup of tea — and Natter Support is even less, under 27p a day. A small amount for good company and a real conversation whenever you fancy one.
One price covers everything — your telephone calls, call recording, reminder calls, verification, matching and running the service. There is nothing extra to pay for each call.
We're not here to keep you paying. The aim is a good conversation and a bit of company. We do suggest staying with us, because your calls stay recorded and your number stays private — but there's no contract, and it's always your choice.