To our students,
For over 50 years, Exeter Student Nightline has been a space where students support students during overnight hours. A service run entirely by student volunteers who gave their time, care and compassion to help others feel heard.
That’s something we’re incredibly proud of. To every Nightline volunteer, past and present, thank you.
As you may have heard, the Nightline Association - the national charity supporting campus-based Nightlines across the UK with training, technical, IT and policy support - closed on 30 June due to funding and volunteer recruitment challenges. This has affected Nightlines across the country, including here in Exeter.
Because of this, we, your Students’ Guild, made the difficult decision to pause Nightline’s phone and messaging services for Term 1. This pause wasn’t a reflection on the conduct, commitment or performance of the volunteers or committee. Instead, it gave University Wellbeing Services and us the space to step back and explore how the group could move forward in a way that protects volunteer wellbeing and ensures students who reach out receive the safest peer support possible.
After careful consideration, and with the wellbeing of both volunteers and callers at the centre of every conversation, we’ve now reached the incredibly tough decision that Nightline Exeter cannot continue in its current form. At present, without the National Association, it’s become much harder for us or the University to guarantee the training, policies and independent checks that keep a service like Nightline safe, sustainable and truly supportive for everyone who uses it. With the National Association closing, many Students’ Unions across the UK are having to make similar decisions about the future of their Nightline services.
We want to make sure that whatever comes next is safe, sustainable, and truly supportive. We’ll be working closely with the University to look at new ways of offering peer support, raising awareness, and continuing to advocate for better student mental health.
If you need support, there is always someone you can speak to:
- SafeZone – A free app that connects you to the University’s 24/7 Estate Patrol Security Team if you need help on campus.
- Samaritans – If you need someone to talk to who listens without judgement, call 116 123 for free 24/7 support. You can talk about anything that's troubling you, no matter how difficult.
- Shout – If you find speaking on the phone difficult, Shout offer a free 24/7 crisis text line which is free for many UK networks. Text SHOUT to 85258.
- Student Minds – National student mental health charity with advice, resources and peer stories.
- NHS 111 - Call 111 and find out the right place to get help. You may be able to speak to a trained mental health professional over the phone.
- University Wellbeing Services – They provide free advice, guidance and support either over the phone, via email or in-person appointments. You can also access urgent support, on campus or remotely, whenever needed.
- Guild Advice Team - For any issue, big or small, relating to your course, finances, and housing, our Advice Team can help. You can book an in-person or online appointment for personalised free advice.
- Wellbeing Hub - Find resources, events and services to support you and your health and wellbeing while at university.
- Strutsafe - Call 03333350026 for a friendly voice while you're walking home, open Thursday 19:00-1:00, Friday & Saturday 19:00-03:00 and Sunday 19:00-01:00.
- Further resources can be found on https://www.exeternightline.com/other-services
We understand that this may come as a surprise to some of you, we’re here to answer any questions you may have at activities@exeterguild.com.
Alison Chambers [Chief Executive Officer]
Seb Rasciz [Guild President]