What to Expect
Our listening service provides a safe space for Nottingham's students to talk to someone without fear of being judged, rushed or identified. No matter what is on your mind, we are here to listen.
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that people may worry about what happens when you call or use our Instant Messenger. Take a look at the most commonly asked questions below to put your mind at ease before speaking to a friendly volunteer.
When is Nottingham Nightline open? 7pm to 8am every day during term time, so don’t suffer in silence - our trained listening volunteers are here to lend an ear.
You can reach us at Nottingham Nightline in a couple of ways: By phone: You can call us on 0115 9514985. Via instant messaging: You can find the link to our instant messaging service on our website. We aim to be available every night during term time. For more details, you can visit our Contact page.
You can talk to us about anything that's on your mind. We're here to listen, whether you're dealing with a new problem or have been struggling for a while. Common reasons people reach out to us include: - Relationship and family problems - Financial worries or job-related stress - Loneliness and isolation - Stress from college or studies - Grief over the loss of a loved one - Coping with depression or physical illness - Concerns about alcohol or drug use Even if what's on your mind isn't on this list, please feel free to get in touch. We won't make decisions for you, and we'll support the choices you make. You are the expert on your own life, and our opinions aren't what's important. For those who are feeling suicidal, we want you to know that other services are also available and may be better equipped to help: - Samaritans: 116 123 - Shout: Text "SHOUT" to 85258 - NHS 111
Who will I be talking to? A trained Nightline listening volunteer will talk to you. All volunteers are students at the University of Nottingham and they will treat you with respect at all times. Listening volunteers stay anonymous at all times, with the exception of the Executive Committee.
Will I stay anonymous? Nightline deals with all calls in an anonymous and confidential manner. Phone calls and Instant Messenger conversations will all stay anonymous.
What information will I be asked to give? You may be asked to share more about your situation, how you are feeling, or what you might want to do next. You will never be pressured to talk, and the volunteer will never give you their opinion or advice.
What information will be stored by Nottingham Nightline? The duration and main theme of the call will be recorded, such as ‘academic stress’ or ‘financial concerns’. Calls are not traced and personal information will not be stored.
Our service is anonymous and confidential, so whatever you share with us stays between you and the Nightline volunteer. In some specific situations, we may need to share information from your call. We will always inform you if this needs to happen. We would only share information with emergency services if: You are a minor or a vulnerable adult at risk of harm. You are being attacked and have provided your location. You have provided your location and have an immediate plan to end your life, or have already taken steps to do so. You have given us information about a terrorist action. It is completely up to you what information you choose to share. We are here to listen without judgment.
How do I leave feedback? We are proud of the work Nightline does and we would love to know if you have had a good experience, or if you feel we could improve our service in the future. Feedback form: https://forms.gle/7o8otNxuBK7cbhcGA Please note that any comments may be used to publicise our service.
I would love to volunteer. How can I get involved? Nottingham Nightline is run entirely by undergraduate and postgraduate volunteers from the University of Nottingham. You can become a publicity volunteer, or a trained listening volunteer. So, if you are an enthusiastic and dedicated student looking to join a worthwhile family of volunteers, keep reading! We are always looking for amazing people to join our friendly team as fundraising and publicity volunteers, so get in touch at nightlinepublicity@nottingham.ac.uk! Listening volunteers are recruited twice a year, in autumn and spring. It is an incredibly rewarding position, though it can be emotionally difficult. Don’t worry though, all listening volunteers are trained and other volunteers may listen in on calls for training purposes. We would love for you to join the Nightline family!
I would like to know about listening training for my society. Our External and Continuous Training Officer, and the Nightline Executive Committee, have already trained over 400 students. This includes Welcomes Mentors, Night Owls, Welfare Reps, Medics, and many more. If you would like to improve your committee’s communication and active listening, we can help. Email our External and Continuous Training Officer at nightline@uonsu.com We look forward to working with you soon!
How does Instant Messenging work? Our instant messaging service is anonymous. We cannot see any of the details, and the conversation stays between you and nightline. You do not have to provide your name or any details, simply give yourself a random nickname or nothing at all! When you wish to leave the conversation, make sure to press the small red x at the top of the chat to let us know you have left the conversation. If the service is busy or unavailable, you can still contact us using the alternative methods above.
Still have questions?
If you would like to speak to a member of our committee, head to our contact page.
