Lines are now closed for the summer. We will reopen in September. Samaritans are available to call 24/7 on 116 123.
August 20, 2025
After three years at London Nightline, I’m passing on the role of Coordinator to my successor, Nathan Henry. I’ve loved my time in the organization, and I’m so proud of what I’ve achieved in collaboration with such a passionate and driven team.
The belief that all students should be able to access mental health support and feel respected by the systems they engage with is what drives us at London Nightline. It’s not a unique perspective, but it’s one we work very hard towards. With over 50 years of preventing student suicides, providing training so students can feel heard when they open up, and collaborating with institutions to work towards a more accessible mental health system, we’ve earned our place at the heart of wellbeing provision across London. We’re also incredibly lucky that, year after year, student volunteers choose our service to give their time and skills to, and that, night after night, students trust us to listen to them about the things weighing on their mind.
Over the course of this year alone, our volunteers spent 754 hours on phone calls and instant messages, which equates to around 31 days - an entire month of empathy. When you’re in your darkest moments, every minute of those interactions can make a huge difference. Our volunteers know this, and that’s why they continue to show up for their peers, night after night. And not only are our volunteers essential in the ecosystem of HE wellbeing, they’ve also built an incredible community within London Nightline. Something really beautiful happens when a young person who wants to make a change for those around them is given the tools and environment to do that. Seeing our volunteers gain important skills, grow in confidence, and make connections with one another has been one of my favourite parts of the role.
The mission to reduce student suicides and increase accessibility of services will be a constant one, and we face new challenges every year. It’s more important than ever that we collaborate across London HE to build a mental health and wellbeing system that leaves no one behind. Every service is important and has an essential place, so when we let tunnel vision take over, narrowing the resources provided or assuming that all students need the same kind of support, we let them down. We also do students a disservice when we develop systems without them and without their voices, which is what London Nightline gets so right - we have always been, and will continue to be, student-led.
Nightlines are truly the only services who offer students what we do - out of hours peer support, a non-judgmental ear, confidentiality and anonymity, and a space where they can share whatever they need to, with someone who’ll empathise instead of telling them what to do. This support isn’t just rare, but essential. With it, students develop skills in reaching out for support, and are shown that there’s always someone there to listen.
I know that London Nightline will continue to be at the centre of student mental health, bridging institutions and maintaining that integrity in our approach. I wish the very best for all of the team as well as our volunteers, as they continue to make the countless Nightliners who came before them proud.
By Eve Carcas
