Hear to Listen is a free-to-use, peer-to-peer wellbeing support service that is there to provide a listening ear to anyone who needs it!

It’s not counselling, nor intervention, but simply pastoral support. It’s an informal chance to chat, vent or simply not be alone for a moment. 

The Hear to Listen service is provided by volunteer listeners – who come from a range of backgrounds, courses, and stages of life. When you come along, you’ll be talking to fellow students who have been trained to listen, support, and point you in the direction of other appropriate services in the Union and University.

These services include the Advice Hub, Disability and Wellbeing services, Strath Sport, Learner Development Services, the Library, Chaplaincy, and Strath Union social events, societies, and volunteering opportunities.

Listeners are on hand for a free cup of tea and a chat, currently every Tuesday and Thursday between 2-4pm if you're in need of a friendly face and someone to talk to. You can talk about anything from assignment stress, social problems, a book you’ve just read or the weather if you wanted to!

Listeners are there for everyone, so if you’re new to Strathclyde and still getting to know people and the campus, or if you’re stressing about your final year. There’s someone there who will listen and supply you with biscuits!

You’ll find Listeners on Level 2 of the union in the Tiny Changes space. Walk up the stairs from Roasters and turn Right! You can also find Listeners around the Union; all you need to do is look out for the people wearing Hear to Listen T-shirts or keep an eye out on their webpage for the latest times and locations.

If you’d prefer to not sit still whilst chatting, then you should check out their new partnership with StrathActive. Walk & Talk is a new programme, open to all students and staff, providing an opportunity to go on a social walk. You’ll be able to grab some fresh air, socialise with a friend or relax from your busy schedule.

All walks will be hosted by volunteers from diverse backgrounds that currently take part in both the StrathActive and Hear to Listen programme. Volunteers will be there to offer a friendly face and listening ear whilst you enjoy the surrounding city centre campus.

The first walk is on Thursday 9^th February at 2pm and you can sign up in advance or pop along on the day. More dates are to be announced soon too so you’ll need to keep an eye on the Hear to Listen webpage for more details.

If you have any questions about how to get involved or access the service, you can check out their webpage or reach out to Volunteer Coordinator, Alison McNaughton, for a chat via email. They’re always on the lookout for new volunteers or any societies that might want to get involved!

Thank you to the Alumni Fund and the Lady Eileen McDonald Fund for their generous support of this project.

This project is supported by The Lady Eileen McDonald Fund, which supports and celebrates exceptional students and student-centred initiatives at the University of Strathclyde