Stirling Nightline is currently unavailable due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Those who require help have been urged to use the following alternatives:
Mind: 0300 123 3393
SANE: 0300 304 7000
Samaritans: 116 123
The University of Stirling and the Students’ Union secured a Nightline Association award titled ‘Most supportive Stakeholder/University/Union’ for their outshining aid towards launching Stirling Nightline and in facilitating their set-up and publicity.
Stirling Nightline was launched on 23 January this year. Their team of dedicated volunteers provide safe and confidential call-lines and instant messaging to service users. Shifts are taken overnight, so the helpline is open every Thursday to Monday from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. during semester dates.
Jennifer Littlejohn, the internal co-ordinator for Stirling Nightline, says she is very pleased with their recent achievement, especially as the service has “only been open for a couple of months!”
She said, “It really is a testament to how supportive people have been regarding the set-up of a Nightline at our university. The amount of teamwork that has gone into this project and this service is a fantastic thing to see, and it’s something I hope the Students’ Union continue to put their efforts towards.”
Littlejohn continually emphasised how grateful the team is for the Students Union’s support during Nightline’s launch.
“They gave us guidance on how best to raise awareness earlier this year and on keeping publicity going thereafter. They’ve been a fantastic help.
“I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone in the University and the Students’ Union. Audrey Clare-Burns (CEO of Stirling Students’ Union) has been such an ally in all of this, and I’m continually grateful for her support.”
Due to the Union’s continued support, Stirling Nightline has gained 62 volunteers in only three months, all of which have been through a recruitment process and thorough training. “The volunteers are a fantastic group of people, I cannot speak highly of them enough”, Jen praised.
“They are some of the most passionate, caring people I have had the pleasure of knowing and I hope future recruitment periods go just as well as the previous two have.”
Littlejohn also confirms that, despite her love and pride for the project, Stirling Nightline will be continuing without her lead throughout the next academic year:
“We’re holding our AGM very soon to vote in a new Committee.
“I won’t be putting myself forward for internal co-ordinator again. [Last semester was] the groundwork for the real challenge – to keep the service going and, moreover, to keep on improving its resources and our capacity to support, care and build a community.
“I’m very excited for the future. It’s going to be great to see everyone grow into their new roles and to see Nightline grow as a service!”
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Stirling Nightline team announced via social media that they “will be stopping all shifts for the foreseeable future. We hope to be back up and running by the start of next semester so please keep an eye out for us then! You can follow any service updates on our Facebook page“. They have urged those who require help or wish to speak to someone to use the following alternatives:
Mind: 0300 123 3393
SANE: 0300 304 7000
Samaritans: 116 123
Featured image credit: Brig Newspaper/Harry Williamson
Arts Editor for Brig Newspaper. BA (Hons.) English Studies student at UoS.
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