For the last two years, I've been volunteering at Nightline at my university (a call-taking service—effectively the Samaritans for university students). Quite frankly, I signed up on a whim with no real idea of what joining would entail. However, today I regard joining Nightline as probably one of the best things I've done in my life. I find it incredibly rewarding—the ability to listen to people who often have nobody else to turn to with their problems is a fantastic feeling.

All of this, however, comes with some sobering statistics. The Nightline Association, the charity tasked with administrating Nightlines across UK universities, is shutting down later this year. In an ideal world, the Association would remain in place permanently, providing the necessary guidance and training to Nightlines. However, dwindling government funding for mental health services has made it impossible for charities like the Association to continue operating. This comes at a time when mental health problems among young people have reached new highs, with loneliness at university becoming more prominent than ever before.

A study by TASO, a blog for higher education professionals, published student survey results showing that the number of students reporting mental health problems has tripled since 2016. Alongside this, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations published data last year highlighting how monumental the pandemic was in shattering volunteer numbers. In 2019/20, 37% of people volunteered at least once a year. Last year, that same statistic was reported as 27%. A 10 percent decrease in volunteer numbers across the sector is devastating and has affected the entire sector, not just mental health services.

The combined effects of rising mental health issues and declining volunteer numbers have created an environment where support services are overwhelmed. We need volunteers now more than ever. Our society is becoming increasingly polarised—after all, how can you love thy neighbour when a sizeable number of people don't even know who their neighbours are?

Moving forward after university, I hope to continue volunteering. It's fulfilling to do something good without material gain. We live in a society where the pursuit of wealth is seen as paramount, but I believe there's much more to life than that—and volunteering can help you discover it.

Edward Hart is the current director of the ONPG and a History Student at the University of Warwick