June 1, 2026
In my first year of university, I was struggling a lot. I had just moved across the country and, though I had formed some strong and lasting friendships, I was embarrassed about how hard things had been for me. So one night, when I was finding it hard to cope and I felt I had no one to turn to, I picked up the phone and called Nightline.
I was terrified. What would they think of me? Would they tell me off for feeling this way even though I had achieved so much and had so much to be grateful for? Would they give me advice I’d tried and knew wouldn’t work for me? I almost hung up when I heard them pick up, but I didn’t and just let it all out. Afterwards, I felt such a sense of relief. No one was angry at me, no one told me how I should be feeling or what I should be doing to fix it. They just listened. And so, I decided I wanted to give that to other people too.
Over 3 years later, I’ve volunteered at 2 Nightlines (for undergrad Nottingham, and London during my apprenticeship), taking calls, contributing to policies, and supporting other volunteers who spend their time waiting for others to pick up that phone like I did.
This is exactly why Nightlines are so important. When people call, they know they’re speaking to a student just like them. They know there is no judgement, no passing on to other services, and they’re not taking up time they feel they do not deserve (even though they definitely do deserve it!). Nightlines give the space for peer-on-peer support: its confidentiality and anonymity allowing callers to feel safe discussing topics they may not be able to share with those around them for any number of reasons. It allows students to share what’s on their mind, be it big or small, and feel the support from others who get the life stage they’re going through.
With each contact I’ve taken, be it over phone, IM, or email, I know that I am allowing another student like me the space, time, and compassion they need to talk through whatever they’re going through and leave feeling so proud that they reached out to someone. I even use these skills in my own life: in supporting friends, collaborating in my workplace, and offering the empathy I’ve developed to those around me.
Volunteering with Nightline has made me the person I am today, and the relief and support I can share with each caller is something I’m forever proud of, both as the caller and myself. It takes so much to reach out for help and allow yourself to be vulnerable with someone you don’t even know, but the comfort of knowing that someone who gets it will be there for you is an indescribable feeling, and one I hope we continue to offer to anyone who needs it.
Anonymous Volunteer
