Nightline is a confidential anonymous listening and information service for students at the University of Exeter. This is part of a larger charity- the National Nightline Assocation- with a huge network of university Nightlines across the country.
I spoke to Co-President Elodie Maggs about the role of Nightline in Exeter, and how it can help students whilst at university.
They are led by a team of trained, caring students, there to speak to any student who needs a chat. Elodie shared that to the volunteers at Nightline, “No problem is too big or too small,” they will listen to anything, and are always willing to help. Even just exam stress is a completely valid reason to call. In fact that’s why the first Nightline was set up in Essex in 1970, because students “just wanted to make sure there was a service available to support students, primarily due to exam stress.”
…they “don’t have to be the last option, when no one’s there […] we’re happy to just chat.”
Many assume that Nightline is a crisis service. Whilst Elodie “can understand the misconception,” she shared that they “don’t have to be the last option, when no one’s there […] we’re happy to just chat.” However, for students who do find themselves in crisis in the late hours, making use of Nightline’s listening service is always an option.
The identity of all listening volunteers is kept anonymous, except for the public facing committee. This is the ensure that confidentiality is maintained and to allow those who use the service to trust that they are speaking to someone who will maintain their anonymity. Nightline is set up this way to reduce the fear of calling and talking to someone you may know.
Because they are an information service, you can also just call for signposting to other services like wellbeing or other charities.
…you can also just call to ask for other services, like phone numbers or emails to get other support from wellbeing or other charities.
They are happy to talk to you about absolutely anything, from walking home by yourself, to feeling really low, they are a trusted wellbeing service here at Exeter, and something that I’d greatly encourage those who need it, to use.
Nightline also have a messaging service which takes away the need to speak on the phone to someone and is used just as much as phoning in.
Nightline are technically a student society, but are far more than that. Whilst they’re involved with a national charity of 31 Nightlines across the country, like any society, student involvement is critical to their continued ability to provide support.
If you would like to be involved in Nightline, Elodie mentioned that the recruitment process is now open for students who will still be studying in Exeter in September 2025- this is due to the lengthy training process. Find out more about applying here. If you are a compassionate individual who wants to see change in the local community, being a part of Nightline is a deeply benevolent way to include charitability and kindness into your life at university.
There are practice shifts, opportunities to observe and someone is always there to support you during the training period. Nightline also bring in speakers from other charities and associations, as well as from the larger charity, to provide additional training and expertise to volunteers. As Elodie said, ‘throughout your time at Nightline, you’re always learning new things.”
…being a part of Nightline is a deeply benevolent way to practise charitability and kindness.
After my conversation with Elodie, I realised that Nightline is by students, for students- and that is why it’s so important. It is a really crucial part of the University’s support network and talking about it more, and normalising use of the service, is how more people can be guided to the right kind of support for them in a single evening, or in the future.
The phone number for Nightline is on the back of your student card and you can find more information about their services here.
To find other services that are open to students should they need it, check out this list.
