Skip to content

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nightline anonymous?

Yes, anonymity is one of our core values. You can contact us without sharing your name or any personal details, allowing you to speak freely about whatever’s on your mind. We do not see or track phone numbers, ensuring your complete privacy. Our volunteers also maintain complete anonymity, too.

Are all the volunteers students?

All our volunteers are current students at either the University of Oxford or Oxford Brookes University, or graduated in the last year. As fellow students, we understand the unique pressures and challenges of university life. We believe students should have access to peer support from people who truly understand their experiences.

Is Nightline confidential?

Yes, confidentiality is one of our core values. The content of your call is confidential to the volunteer who takes the call, any other volunteer on duty that night, and the two service coordinators. You can request that your call not be discussed with other volunteers on duty, though coordinators must be informed to ensure appropriate welfare support for our volunteers.

We would only break confidentiality in specific circumstances:

  • If you explicitly ask us to share your details
  • If we receive a court order
  • If the call involves terrorism
  • If there’s discussion about harm to a minor (under 18)
  • If there are threats to our volunteers’ safety
  • If you are abusing the service

We keep anonymous statistics about call volumes and broad topics to help improve our service, but these never include identifying details.

Does Nightline give advice?

We provide supportive listening and information, but we don’t give direct advice or personal opinions. While we understand the desire for guidance, we believe you’re best placed to make decisions about your life. We can help you explore your options and direct you to advice-giving services when needed.

Do I need to be in crisis to call Nightline?

Not at all. While we’re here for serious issues, we welcome calls about any concern or worry – whether that’s big or small. Students contact us about many different things, from relationship problems to academic stress to practical information needs.

Why can’t I get through?

We’re open from 8pm every night during term time, including weekends. If you can’t reach us, our lines might be busy – please try again later or use our instant messaging service.

During the vacation, Nightline is closed. Our service operates during term time for both Oxford University and Oxford Brookes University. We align our opening dates with university terms as many of our student volunteers return home during holidays.

How is Nightline different to Samaritans?

While we provide a similar listening service to Samaritans, we’re specifically focused on supporting students in Oxford. We operate overnight when other services may be unavailable. Like Samaritans, we offer non-judgmental, non-directive listening support. We welcome calls about any topic – whether it’s academic stress, mental health concerns, or everyday worries.

How do I make a complaint?

Our full policies, including data protection and complaints procedures, are available here. Any complaints are handled confidentially by our coordinators in consultation with our Senior Member.


@oxfordnightline
Oxford Nightline

@oxfordnightline

A confidential listening service run for and by students in Oxford. Open from 8pm, every night of term.
  • Interested in volunteering for Oxford Nightline? ⭐ Training season is right around the corner! ⭐ To apply, visit https://oxfordnightline.org/volunteer (link in bio)

Oxford Nightline is a non-judgemental listening service for Oxford Brookes and Oxford University students - give us a ring or send us an instant message!

🕗 8pm - 8am, throughout term time.
📞 Call us at: 01865 270270
💬 Or start a chat: oxfordnightline.org/talk

Here for you. Here to listen.
  • Nightline is back! 🎉

Oxford Nightline is a non-judgmental and confidential listening service, run for students, by students in Oxford. Whatever’s on your mind, we’re here to listen.

We’re open through the Oxford University term and Oxford Brookes semester.

🕗 8pm - 8am, throughout term time.

📞 Call us at: 01865 270 270
💬 Or start a chat: oxfordnightline.org

Here for you. Here to listen
  • We are now closed for the break, but we’ll be back ready to listen again after!

If you want to talk to someone in the meantime, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit their website at https://www.samaritans.org
  • Do you need to talk, but no one can listen? Nightline does. We are confidential, anonymous, non-judgmental and student-run. For anything you'd like to talk about, our instant message service is open any time between 8pm - 8am. ❤️
  • Our phones are closed, but you can still message us until the 12th of April! 
💬https://oxfordnightline.org/talk (link in bio)

✨Phones will be back open on 20th April! ✨

Oxford Nightline is a confidential and non-directional listening service for students, by students - serving the Oxford community for the last 50 years. Whatever you want to talk about, we are here to listen every night of term from 8pm to 8am.

You can find our details on the back of your Bodleian card or below:
☎️Call us at: 01865 270270
💬Or start a chat: https://oxfordnightline.org/talk
  • 🦩🎺🎭 Oxford Nightline is giving away TWO FREE tickets to St Hilda’s Ball 2025 “Carnaval: A Night In New Orleans” on the 10th of May 2025 🎷💃🦚

Ready for an evening of far-flung flavours, flowing drinks, nonstop dancing, and surprises around every corner?

To Enter:

1. LIKE this post
2. REPOST to your story and send us a screenshot
3. FOLLOW @oxfordnightline and @sthildasball2025 on Instagram
4. TAG two friends that you’d love to go to the ball with in the comments (every comment counts as an entry)

The winner will be announced on Feb 28! Best of luck!

Extra T&Cs: Oxford Nightline volunteers cannot take part in this giveaway and the St. Hilda’s 2025 ball committee reserves the right to make any necessary alterations.

💜💚💛

*******

Need a listening ear? We’re open 8pm to 8am, every night of term - you can find out details on the back of your Bodleian card or below:
📞Call us at: 01865 270270
💬Or start a chat: https://oxfordnightline.org/talk
  • We're Oxford Nightline - a confidential listening service run fully by and for students in Oxford. You can talk to us about absolutely anything, no matter how big or small. We won't tell you what to do, or tell your tutors or friends that you've called, we're just here to listen. 

We're open 8pm to 8am, every night of term - you can find out details on the back of your bodcard 

📞Ring us on 01865 270 270 
💬Or start a chat at oxfordnightline.org/talk 

Follow us @oxfordnightline to learn more!
  • Interested in volunteering for Oxford Nightline? ⭐ Training season is right around the corner! ⭐ To apply, visit https://oxfordnightline.org/volunteer (link in bio)

Oxford Nightline is a non-judgemental listening service for Oxford Brookes and Oxford University students - give us a ring or send us an instant message!

🕗 8pm - 8am, throughout term time.
📞 Call us at: 01865 270270
💬 Or start a chat: oxford.nightline.ac.uk/talk

Here for you. Here to listen.
Interested in volunteering for Oxford Nightline? ⭐ Training season is right around the corner! ⭐ To apply, visit https://oxfordnightline.org/volunteer (link in bio)

Oxford Nightline is a non-judgemental listening service for Oxford Brookes and Oxford University students - give us a ring or send us an instant message!

🕗 8pm - 8am, throughout term time.
📞 Call us at: 01865 270270
💬 Or start a chat: oxfordnightline.org/talk

Here for you. Here to listen.
Interested in volunteering for Oxford Nightline? ⭐ Training season is right around the corner! ⭐ To apply, visit https://oxfordnightline.org/volunteer (link in bio)

Oxford Nightline is a non-judgemental listening service for Oxford Brookes and Oxford University students - give us a ring or send us an instant message!

🕗 8pm - 8am, throughout term time.
📞 Call us at: 01865 270270
💬 Or start a chat: oxfordnightline.org/talk

Here for you. Here to listen.
Interested in volunteering for Oxford Nightline? ⭐ Training season is right around the corner! ⭐ To apply, visit https://oxfordnightline.org/volunteer (link in bio)

Oxford Nightline is a non-judgemental listening service for Oxford Brookes and Oxford University students - give us a ring or send us an instant message!

🕗 8pm - 8am, throughout term time.
📞 Call us at: 01865 270270
💬 Or start a chat: oxfordnightline.org/talk

Here for you. Here to listen.
Interested in volunteering for Oxford Nightline? ⭐ Training season is right around the corner! ⭐ To apply, visit https://oxfordnightline.org/volunteer (link in bio)

Oxford Nightline is a non-judgemental listening service for Oxford Brookes and Oxford University students - give us a ring or send us an instant message!

🕗 8pm - 8am, throughout term time.
📞 Call us at: 01865 270270
💬 Or start a chat: oxfordnightline.org/talk

Here for you. Here to listen.
Interested in volunteering for Oxford Nightline? ⭐ Training season is right around the corner! ⭐ To apply, visit https://oxfordnightline.org/volunteer (link in bio)

Oxford Nightline is a non-judgemental listening service for Oxford Brookes and Oxford University students - give us a ring or send us an instant message!

🕗 8pm - 8am, throughout term time.
📞 Call us at: 01865 270270
💬 Or start a chat: oxfordnightline.org/talk

Here for you. Here to listen.
Interested in volunteering for Oxford Nightline? ⭐ Training season is right around the corner! ⭐ To apply, visit https://oxfordnightline.org/volunteer (link in bio) Oxford Nightline is a non-judgemental listening service for Oxford Brookes and Oxford University students - give us a ring or send us an instant message! 🕗 8pm - 8am, throughout term time. 📞 Call us at: 01865 270270 💬 Or start a chat: oxfordnightline.org/talk Here for you. Here to listen.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/8
Nightline is back! 🎉

Oxford Nightline is a non-judgmental and confidential listening service, run for students, by students in Oxford. Whatever’s on your mind, we’re here to listen.

We’re open through the Oxford University term and Oxford Brookes semester.

🕗 8pm - 8am, throughout term time.

📞 Call us at: 01865 270 270
💬 Or start a chat: oxfordnightline.org

Here for you. Here to listen
Nightline is back! 🎉 Oxford Nightline is a non-judgmental and confidential listening service, run for students, by students in Oxford. Whatever’s on your mind, we’re here to listen. We’re open through the Oxford University term and Oxford Brookes semester. 🕗 8pm - 8am, throughout term time. 📞 Call us at: 01865 270 270 💬 Or start a chat: oxfordnightline.org Here for you. Here to listen
7 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/8
We are now closed for the break, but we’ll be back ready to listen again after!

If you want to talk to someone in the meantime, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit their website at https://www.samaritans.org
We are now closed for the break, but we’ll be back ready to listen again after! If you want to talk to someone in the meantime, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit their website at https://www.samaritans.org
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
3/8
Do you need to talk, but no one can listen? Nightline does. We are confidential, anonymous, non-judgmental and student-run. For anything you'd like to talk about, our instant message service is open any time between 8pm - 8am. ❤️
Do you need to talk, but no one can listen? Nightline does. We are confidential, anonymous, non-judgmental and student-run. For anything you'd like to talk about, our instant message service is open any time between 8pm - 8am. ❤️
Do you need to talk, but no one can listen? Nightline does. We are confidential, anonymous, non-judgmental and student-run. For anything you'd like to talk about, our instant message service is open any time between 8pm - 8am. ❤️
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
4/8
Our phones are closed, but you can still message us until the 12th of April! 
💬https://oxfordnightline.org/talk (link in bio)

✨Phones will be back open on 20th April! ✨

Oxford Nightline is a confidential and non-directional listening service for students, by students - serving the Oxford community for the last 50 years. Whatever you want to talk about, we are here to listen every night of term from 8pm to 8am.

You can find our details on the back of your Bodleian card or below:
☎️Call us at: 01865 270270
💬Or start a chat: https://oxfordnightline.org/talk
Our phones are closed, but you can still message us until the 12th of April! 
💬https://oxfordnightline.org/talk (link in bio)

✨Phones will be back open on 20th April! ✨

Oxford Nightline is a confidential and non-directional listening service for students, by students - serving the Oxford community for the last 50 years. Whatever you want to talk about, we are here to listen every night of term from 8pm to 8am.

You can find our details on the back of your Bodleian card or below:
☎️Call us at: 01865 270270
💬Or start a chat: https://oxfordnightline.org/talk
Our phones are closed, but you can still message us until the 12th of April! 💬https://oxfordnightline.org/talk (link in bio) ✨Phones will be back open on 20th April! ✨ Oxford Nightline is a confidential and non-directional listening service for students, by students - serving the Oxford community for the last 50 years. Whatever you want to talk about, we are here to listen every night of term from 8pm to 8am. You can find our details on the back of your Bodleian card or below: ☎️Call us at: 01865 270270 💬Or start a chat: https://oxfordnightline.org/talk
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
5/8
🦩🎺🎭 Oxford Nightline is giving away TWO FREE tickets to St Hilda’s Ball 2025 “Carnaval: A Night In New Orleans” on the 10th of May 2025 🎷💃🦚

Ready for an evening of far-flung flavours, flowing drinks, nonstop dancing, and surprises around every corner?

To Enter:

1. LIKE this post
2. REPOST to your story and send us a screenshot
3. FOLLOW @oxfordnightline and @sthildasball2025 on Instagram
4. TAG two friends that you’d love to go to the ball with in the comments (every comment counts as an entry)

The winner will be announced on Feb 28! Best of luck!

Extra T&Cs: Oxford Nightline volunteers cannot take part in this giveaway and the St. Hilda’s 2025 ball committee reserves the right to make any necessary alterations.

💜💚💛

*******

Need a listening ear? We’re open 8pm to 8am, every night of term - you can find out details on the back of your Bodleian card or below:
📞Call us at: 01865 270270
💬Or start a chat: https://oxfordnightline.org/talk
🦩🎺🎭 Oxford Nightline is giving away TWO FREE tickets to St Hilda’s Ball 2025 “Carnaval: A Night In New Orleans” on the 10th of May 2025 🎷💃🦚

Ready for an evening of far-flung flavours, flowing drinks, nonstop dancing, and surprises around every corner?

To Enter:

1. LIKE this post
2. REPOST to your story and send us a screenshot
3. FOLLOW @oxfordnightline and @sthildasball2025 on Instagram
4. TAG two friends that you’d love to go to the ball with in the comments (every comment counts as an entry)

The winner will be announced on Feb 28! Best of luck!

Extra T&Cs: Oxford Nightline volunteers cannot take part in this giveaway and the St. Hilda’s 2025 ball committee reserves the right to make any necessary alterations.

💜💚💛

*******

Need a listening ear? We’re open 8pm to 8am, every night of term - you can find out details on the back of your Bodleian card or below:
📞Call us at: 01865 270270
💬Or start a chat: https://oxfordnightline.org/talk
🦩🎺🎭 Oxford Nightline is giving away TWO FREE tickets to St Hilda’s Ball 2025 “Carnaval: A Night In New Orleans” on the 10th of May 2025 🎷💃🦚 Ready for an evening of far-flung flavours, flowing drinks, nonstop dancing, and surprises around every corner? To Enter: 1. LIKE this post 2. REPOST to your story and send us a screenshot 3. FOLLOW @oxfordnightline and @sthildasball2025 on Instagram 4. TAG two friends that you’d love to go to the ball with in the comments (every comment counts as an entry) The winner will be announced on Feb 28! Best of luck! Extra T&Cs: Oxford Nightline volunteers cannot take part in this giveaway and the St. Hilda’s 2025 ball committee reserves the right to make any necessary alterations. 💜💚💛 ******* Need a listening ear? We’re open 8pm to 8am, every night of term - you can find out details on the back of your Bodleian card or below: 📞Call us at: 01865 270270 💬Or start a chat: https://oxfordnightline.org/talk
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
6/8
We're Oxford Nightline - a confidential listening service run fully by and for students in Oxford. You can talk to us about absolutely anything, no matter how big or small. We won't tell you what to do, or tell your tutors or friends that you've called, we're just here to listen. We're open 8pm to 8am, every night of term - you can find out details on the back of your bodcard 📞Ring us on 01865 270 270 💬Or start a chat at oxfordnightline.org/talk Follow us @oxfordnightline to learn more!
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
7/8
Interested in volunteering for Oxford Nightline? ⭐ Training season is right around the corner! ⭐ To apply, visit https://oxfordnightline.org/volunteer (link in bio)

Oxford Nightline is a non-judgemental listening service for Oxford Brookes and Oxford University students - give us a ring or send us an instant message!

🕗 8pm - 8am, throughout term time.
📞 Call us at: 01865 270270
💬 Or start a chat: oxford.nightline.ac.uk/talk

Here for you. Here to listen.
Interested in volunteering for Oxford Nightline? ⭐ Training season is right around the corner! ⭐ To apply, visit https://oxfordnightline.org/volunteer (link in bio)

Oxford Nightline is a non-judgemental listening service for Oxford Brookes and Oxford University students - give us a ring or send us an instant message!

🕗 8pm - 8am, throughout term time.
📞 Call us at: 01865 270270
💬 Or start a chat: oxford.nightline.ac.uk/talk

Here for you. Here to listen.
Interested in volunteering for Oxford Nightline? ⭐ Training season is right around the corner! ⭐ To apply, visit https://oxfordnightline.org/volunteer (link in bio)

Oxford Nightline is a non-judgemental listening service for Oxford Brookes and Oxford University students - give us a ring or send us an instant message!

🕗 8pm - 8am, throughout term time.
📞 Call us at: 01865 270270
💬 Or start a chat: oxford.nightline.ac.uk/talk

Here for you. Here to listen.
Interested in volunteering for Oxford Nightline? ⭐ Training season is right around the corner! ⭐ To apply, visit https://oxfordnightline.org/volunteer (link in bio)

Oxford Nightline is a non-judgemental listening service for Oxford Brookes and Oxford University students - give us a ring or send us an instant message!

🕗 8pm - 8am, throughout term time.
📞 Call us at: 01865 270270
💬 Or start a chat: oxford.nightline.ac.uk/talk

Here for you. Here to listen.
Interested in volunteering for Oxford Nightline? ⭐ Training season is right around the corner! ⭐ To apply, visit https://oxfordnightline.org/volunteer (link in bio)

Oxford Nightline is a non-judgemental listening service for Oxford Brookes and Oxford University students - give us a ring or send us an instant message!

🕗 8pm - 8am, throughout term time.
📞 Call us at: 01865 270270
💬 Or start a chat: oxford.nightline.ac.uk/talk

Here for you. Here to listen.
Interested in volunteering for Oxford Nightline? ⭐ Training season is right around the corner! ⭐ To apply, visit https://oxfordnightline.org/volunteer (link in bio) Oxford Nightline is a non-judgemental listening service for Oxford Brookes and Oxford University students - give us a ring or send us an instant message! 🕗 8pm - 8am, throughout term time. 📞 Call us at: 01865 270270 💬 Or start a chat: oxford.nightline.ac.uk/talk Here for you. Here to listen.
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
8/8