After 50 years of support, student run listening and information service, Sheffield Nightline, is no longer operating
The service was run by over 60 anonymous student volunteers from both Sheffield Hallam and the University of Sheffield.
A post from Sheffield Nightline’s Instagram read: “After months of long discussions with staff from the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University, the sad decision was made to close Sheffield Nightline, which has been supporting students for half a decade.
“University can be overwhelming, and it has been our privilege to support you. Thank you for trusting us. For 50 years, we were there to listen.”
Some students were upset by the news with one calling it an “outrage”.
Lily Byrne, Sheffield Students’ Union President, said the service was shut after a collaborative review by both University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam following a “significant decline in demand for the service”.
Adding: “The review to assessed whether the service still meets the needs and preferences of today’s students in accessing wellbeing support.”
The listening line, which was originally set up in 1973, ran from 8 pm until 8 am most nights throughout term time.
It was not part of the university’s official mental health and wellbeing support services.
Forge Press spoke to Sheffield Nightline’s president’s Jonathon Cowen, 21, Internal Coordinator, and Anna Wilson, 20, External Coordinator, about the situation.
Jonathon, who is also a Psychology student at the University of Sheffield, said: “Initially I was angry and quite sad upon first hearing the news the nightline was closing,
“We were there to be a listening ear for all students if they ever needed.”
Jonathon also said: “I know lots of people, myself and Anna included, who have put lots of effort into the service, so it was tough knowing it was going to close.”
Jonathon said Sheffield’s Nightline service was one of the “leading branches”.
He said: “It has very strong volunteering training services and a high satisfaction rate amongst students.”
Nightlines latest statistics show nationally, over 30% of calls made by students are linked to issues with mental health.
Over 20% of calls linked to interpersonal issues with 4% using their local university Nightline to ask for information.
Anna, an English Literature student alongside her role at Sheffield Nightline said: “I was obviously very disappointed to hear the news,
“Though, the hardest part was to tell the volunteers we were hanging up our jackets,
“It was very emotional.”
Jonathon added: “The whole team is like a family, when you do a 12-hour shift with someone you don’t particularly know you become great friends afterwards,
“I would like to say thank you to our volunteers for the time and effort into the service for no money at all, just for pride and will to support others.”
Forge Press asked students from the University of Sheffield for their take on the situation.
Some students were upset by the news of the student lines closure with one calling it an “outrage”.
One student, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “Though I have never used the service, it was of great comfort knowing it was there.”
Another student, who also wishes to remain anonymous, said: “The removal of such a vital service with seemingly nothing in place undermines the hard work of volunteers over the past 50 years,
“It doesn’t represent a university that has its students’ well-being at heart.”
The University of Sheffield was recently awarded the Mental Health Charter Award in recognition of its commitment to and investment in high-quality mental health support for both students and staff.
However, the passion and commitment shown by the members of Sheffield Nightline who offered a listening ear is not over and will doubtless be put to good use going forward.
Alternative support will be explored with students during the Autumn semester after a review by both universities has been completed.
From the University of Sheffield:
If you’re feeling down, overwhelmed or struggling to adjust to student life, the University’s Student Wellbeing Service can offer tailored one-to-one support to help you manage and make sense of what you’re experiencing: https://students.sheffield.ac.uk/wellbeing
Further information about mental health support available to all University of Sheffield students can be found here: https://students.sheffield.ac.uk/mental-health
The Belief, No Belief and Religious (BNBR) Life Centre provides a listening ear and pastoral support to all people whatever their identity, religion, belief or no belief: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/bnbr-life-centre
For support with housing, academic, employment, or money issues, contact the Student Advice Centre: https://su.sheffield.ac.uk/advice-and-support
For support with health and wellbeing issues, find more information at: https://su.sheffield.ac.uk/advice-and-support/health-wellbeing