35 Nightlines operate in the UK and Ireland and cover 124 local colleges and universities. 1.3 million UK Higher Education students currently have access to the Nightline service. The Nightline Association is the international umbrella charity for Nightlines. It exists to support, develop, promote and grow the service.
Our vision is for every student in higher and further education to have access to the support offered by Nightline services so that:
- every student is able to talk about their feelings in a safe, non-judgmental environment
- fewer students have their education compromised by emotional difficulties
- fewer students die by suicide.
To achieve our vision, our mission is to raise the quality, profile and number of Nightline services so that every student is aware of and has access to confidential emotional peer support.
The Charity’s objects are the preservation and protection of good health among students suffering from, or at risk of, depression, despair or distress at any institution of higher or further education in the UK and equivalent institutions outside the UK by facilitating, supporting and improving the provision of listening services to support those in need.
Strategic direction 2010 – 2013:
- Access: Make the Nightline service accessible to 1.9 million of UK students. In order to achieve this, we need to increase the number of Nightlines to at least 49, and trained volunteers by almost 50% to 3,000.
- Quality: Achieve a consistent high quality service and volunteer experience, that meets the Helplines Association standards, at all member Nightlines.
- Awareness: Raise awareness of the Nightline service in the UK student and parent population. Consequently reduce mental health stigma and raise awareness of how to take care of emotional wellbeing.
- Sustainability: Ensure sustainability and the future of Nightline.