A day in the life… of an English-speaking listening volunteer at Nightline France

But what is it like being on the other end of the phone? We sat down with one of our English-speaking volunteers to get their view on what it’s like being a listening volunteer with Nightline France. All of our volunteers are anonymous, to protect both them and the caller. For the purposes of this interview, we have given our listening volunteer a pseudonym, Kamal.

Nightline France: Could you describe the listening line to us in a few words?

Kamal: Nightline’s listening line is an overnight service run by students and for students, based on the peer-to-peer principle. Volunteers answer calls and chats from callers who may want to get something off their chest, or simply discuss the last film they have watched – one of Nightline’s key sayings being “there are no small problems”.  The listening line is a fully welcoming and entirely anonymous space.

Nightline France: Could you describe what a typical evening looks like for a listening volunteer?

Kamal:  Several volunteers gather at the call center, take time to unwind and make sure they are all set to begin their shift. Past 9pm, they answer calls or chats from users of the line. Every night, a shift supervisor is appointed - usually a volunteer with more experience - who ensures the other volunteers’ well-being. Along the way, lots of coffee drinking and snacking is often necessary in order to last until 2:30am! 

Nightline France: What motivated you to become a listening volunteer for the English-speaking line?

Kamal: I studied briefly in New Zealand while in high school and thought volunteering in English would be an interesting way to keep practicing the language. 

I also have a couple of international friends, who opened my eyes to the many difficulties one can encounter while studying in France. It made sense to me to be there for other international students who may need it!

Nightline France: What is exactly your role as a listening volunteer? 

Kamal: During a shift, listening volunteers answer calls or chats using ‘active listening’ - this means making space for the caller to speak freely, and asking questions to support them in developing ideas. Nightline is also an information service, so volunteers may accompany information searches. Listening volunteers do so while applying all four of Nightline’s principles - anonymity, confidentiality, non-judgment, and non-directivity.

Nightline France: How does the training process work when you join as a volunteer?

Kamal: The process consists of two weekends of training, during which experienced volunteers work with psychologist-reviewed information and guidelines to guide new volunteers on how to take calls. These training weekends are important moments and can be quite intensive, but they also make for great memories and help you get acquainted with your fellow trainees! For information, the next training session for the English-speaking line will take place the first two weekends of November (2-3 & 9-10 November) - there’s still time to sign up for anyone out there who’s interested!

Nightline France: For those who are interested, how do you sign up?

Kamal: It’s really easy - just head to the Nightline France website - which is available in French and English - and click on the link, it only takes a few minutes to fill in the form!

Nightline France: What do you personally gain from being a listening volunteer?

Kamal: It is important for me to feel like I am taking part in an initiative for student mental health, and it definitely helps to feel like I’m doing something useful. I’ve also acquired many new skills, including some I can use in other contexts and relationships. Finally, and crucially, I have developed a wonderful network of friends among other volunteers and have been having loads of fun at the various activities and get-togethers regularly held by Nightline!

Nightline France: What would you say to someone who is hesitating about becoming a listening volunteer?

Kamal: I would say volunteering at Nightline is an incredibly powerful experience, in that it encourages you to develop empathy and open-mindedness towards others, but also yourself - while offering important tools and skills that you then get to keep for life. As a volunteering experience, it is also adaptable and coherent with a student’s workload and timetable, which is rather important ☺

Nightline France: Thanks so much Kamal you for your answers, and everything you’re doing for Nightline!