Talk us through your society. What do you do and what are your aims?
Leeds Nightline is a listening and information service, run by and for the students of Leeds. We currently run our instant messaging service every night from 8pm to 2am and encourage anyone who feels like they need a listening ear to use our service. As a student based society based at Leeds University Union, we aim to ensure all students in Leeds have access to our service. We are currently affiliated with the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett, Leeds Trinity, Leeds Art University, Leeds College of Music (Leeds Conservatoire), Northern School of Contemporary Dance, The University of Law and Backstage Academy.
We are looking for students from any of the institutions listed to become volunteers with us! Our service is confidential, anonymous, non-directive, non-advisory and non-judgemental. Our instant messaging (IM) and email service are both open from 8pm until 2am every night, including weekends and holidays, for all students of Leeds.
Why do you volunteer?
I wanted to begin volunteering for Nightline because it seemed like a very friendly and welcoming society where I would meet ‘my kind of people’, which I was very correct about! The whole society is an incredible bunch of people. In addition to this, it feels good to be able to anonymously help university students like myself. As someone who has struggled with a few issues at university, it means a lot to me to be able to help others, and that connection to the student community in Leeds is really special.
What do you enjoy about your society and volunteering?
With everything going on and how so many things have come to a standstill, it feels good to be useful. As self-gratifying as it is to say, I think the best part of this for me is how rewarding it feels to be helping so many people. Talking with so many different students in Leeds anonymously has given me the opportunity to see that we are all going through some hardships right now, and I feel grateful that I can help someone else, even a little bit, by talking to them.
On a similar note, meeting other volunteers is definitely also one of the best parts of Leeds Nightline! I’ve made some great friends through volunteering with different people and supporting each other – it’s such a good atmosphere.
What have you gained from volunteering?
Volunteering with Nightline has helped me build my confidence – as it is the first society I properly got involved in, it has really really helped in terms of personal growth! In addition to this, it has provided me with the chance to develop my active listening and interpersonal skills which is always helpful to mention in tricky job interview situations.
How has COVID affected your service?
We are lucky to be able to continue running our service, even with COVID! Whilst Leeds Nightline normally functions with three services (by phone, IM and email), we were able to adapt our service and continue keeping our IM and email lines open. As our volunteers are now remote, you are able to volunteer with us from home and safe from interaction.
We also run our training virtually now, so you will be fully prepared! We haven’t let COVID take our spirit, so we regularly hold social events online and there are many ways to still get involved with the society!
How does volunteering with your society look without COVID?
As mentioned above, we normally function by phone, IM and email from a secure, private location. Training would usually take place in person, as well as all our social events.
What advice would you give to people who would like to volunteer with you?
Don’t be put off by the application process, just be yourself and it will all come naturally! We are students ourselves and we are a friendly bunch who mostly just can’t wait to meet some new friendly faces (albeit over Zoom)!
If you have any questions or queries, don’t hesitate to email recruitment@leedsnightline.co.uk, where we will be more than happy to help.
How can people take part and support?
Applications to become a volunteer are currently open until the 12th February! We are looking for enthusiastic, reliable and committed volunteers. Feel free to get in touch with us if you would like more information! Our recruitment team’s email can be found here.
If you are unable to volunteer, you still are able to support! Our service is available to be used by any student in Leeds, so feel free to use our safe space if you need to.
Website: leeds.nightline.ac.uk
Instagram: @leedsnightline
Twitter: @leedsnightline
Facebook: Nigel the Owl
