Nightline is the Student-run, helpline, operating between 9pm and 7am every night during term time. As most of the students who work for it have to remain anonymous, its operations and what it does can sometimes be shrouded in mystery. To try and shed a bit more light on this fantastic feature at our University, I caught up with Director Anna Foxall on what exactly it is all about.
How long have you been working for nightline for?
I have been volunteering for Nightline since first term first year, and have been Director since February second year.
What do you have to do to become a volunteer?
To become a volunteer you have to attend one of our fantastic training weekends, and then complete two interviews just to ensure an understanding of the listening skills. Our first training weekend has just happened, however there are three a year, so watch out for the ones in February and June!
How many nights a term do you work?
The amount I volunteer varies across the year, depending on other commitments, however I always aim to do quite a few a term. Each volunteer does a different amount, and we are more then okay with volunteers doing however much they fancy. There is no minimum commitment! There are two volunteers available each night of term, from 9pm to 7am, so never hesitate to get in touch.
What services do nightline offer?
The service we run is a non advisory, non-judgemental listening service, so you can contact us to chat, for example walking back home after a night out, or you can contact us to talk about something more serious, for example a mental health problem. The ways to contact us are by phone (number is on DUO and on the back of your campus card!) or via our Instant Messaging service, found on our website! Also never hesitate to drop down to our office, which is behind the Dun Cow Pub on Old Elvet- not far from the centre of town. At the office you can chat face to face with a volunteer or pick up various sexual health supplies, for example condoms, pregnancy tests or chlamydia tests. As well as listening, we can offer information- so if you ever need takeaway numbers, doctor’s numbers or other University contact details, we are here!
How many volunteers do you have?
We have around 50 volunteers, from all different colleges and subjects.
What sort of reasons do people call you for?
People call us for all sorts of reasons, whether it’s a casual chat or to talk about something they are really struggling with. It’s always hard to summarise the variety of reasons people do contact us, however if you think about something that right now you are worrying about or even just wanting to chat about, that’s an example in itself.