WHAT IS RGU: NIGHTLINE?

RGU: Nightline is a Student-Led peer to peer helpline that offers a non-judgmental, confidential and anonymous listening and support service to students at Robert Gordon University and in Aberdeen outside of University academic hours.

Our specially trained student volunteers recognise that university is a time of many changes and challenges and can empathise with callers. They don’t judge; they don’t give advice; and they certainly don’t tell callers what to do – they just listen. Best of all, Nightline is confidential and anonymous meaning students accessing the service don’t even have to give their name.

What happens if I contact a Nightline?

When you contact a Nightline, you’ll speak to a trained volunteer who will listen to whatever’s on your mind and explore any thoughts or feelings that you share. You decide what to talk about, when to leave the call and whether or not you’d like to call back.

Though all Nightlines are unique, they all operate to five core principles.

1. Confidential – what callers discuss with Nightline volunteers will not be shared outside of Nightline.
2. Anonymous – callers don’t have to give any identifying details about themselves.
3. Non-judgmental – Nightline volunteers don’t judge and support callers through whatever it is they’re going through.
4. Non-directional – meaning callers decide what they want to talk about and the Nightline volunteer gives them a safe space to do this.
5. Non-advisory – Nightline gives the caller space to make their own decision and supports them in this rather than telling them what to do. “We’ll listen, not lecture.”