Cambridge Nightline has announced it will reopen its messaging service this Saturday (8/11) after “multiple issues” prevented it from launching at the start of term.

On Tuesday evening, Nightline posted on Instagram that their “Instant Messaging Service (IMS) is open”. This will allow students from Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin universities to access mental health services provided by the charity’s volunteers.

The post continued: “Our IMS is a [sic] alternative way of talking with our volunteers. For some service users, it may be more accessible and less daunting.”

Following this announcement, the Corpus Christi JCR Welfare Team commented: “We are aware of several students having had a positive experience with the Nightline. Given this, we are pleased to hear about the partial reopening of their services and hope that students will take advantage of this as another avenue for support!”

While Cambridge Nightline’s messaging service is back up and running, its phone lines remain closed. The charity explained: “This is a reduced service (IM only) due to the loss of our office. Despite our, and numerous college/university staff efforts, we have been unable to find a suitable office space which would enable us to take calls.

“Though we are an independent society (i.e. not run by the SU), we rely upon university/college spaces to host us. This has been the case since our inception, however factors beyond our control have meant that there is a lack of spaces. We are working hard to secure a new space and hope to fully reopen as soon as possible,” they continued.

These issues come after at least ten universities were forced to close their Nightline services due to the umbrella charity Nightline Association (NLA) ending its operations as of 30th June 2025. The NLA blamed this decision on “a worsening funding landscape for all charities”.

Addressing the impact of the NLA’s closure on their operations, Cambridge Nightline told Varsity: “Due to the closure of the NLA, our tech systems changed, and it also pushed/accelerated a change in our governance and internal structures.” The charity added that it was “extremely saddened by the closure of the [NLA] earlier this year”.

Other factors also contributed to Cambridge Nightline’s problems at the start of term. These included “beginning the process of becoming a registered charity, and with that […] a need to review our insurance policy,” as well as “delays to this process”. The organisation said it was “extremely disappointed” by its inability to open its services straight away.

“We are committed to providing the support that students at Cambridge and ARU need. There are still existing networks between various NLs which we are excited and determined to sustain,” the charity continued. “Our standards and principles remain the same, and we will strive to continue to deliver this vital service with the support of students and staff.”

Cambridge Nightline’s messaging service will be open from 7pm – 7am on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays during term time.

While it hopes to relaunch its phone service “as soon as possible”, other mental health services are available to students in the meantime. These include the Samaritans, which is accessible 24/7 via its website, as well as the Student Union’s Advice Service, which is available to Cambridge students from 9am to 5pm on weekdays.