Listening Line commemorates the 65th anniversary of the telephone emergency service

April 30, 2024 at 2:30 PM

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This year the Listening Line is celebrating its 65th anniversary. Since its inception in 1958, the hotline has played an invaluable role in providing a listening ear to those who need it at that moment, regardless of the time of day or the nature of their concerns. What started as a modest initiative has grown into a national organization, the Listening Line, that touches lives throughout the country. Volunteers conduct hundreds of thousands of conversations every year from various locations throughout the country.

In 1958, the Rotterdam pastor Henk Teutscher founded the first telephone emergency service in the Netherlands. “He generally asked people who spoke in a concealed manner to express their problems clearly and to initiate a conversation with the telephone helpline. Even if it was about the fact that life was unliveable and she wanted to end their lives,” says the son of the founder. It was a call for help and to listen. Now, 65 years later, the Listening Line offers a listening ear to everyone and in (almost) every situation. She is a beacon of hope and understanding for many people. The need to be able to tell your story (anonymously) is still great. While the first telephone assistance service started with 40 volunteers and approximately 35 calls per day, the telephone assistance service has grown to approximately 1,500 volunteers and approximately 900 conversations per day. Although the telephone assistance service is no longer only available by telephone, but also via chat and email, most conversations are still conducted by telephone. It is striking that over the years psychological complaints and loneliness are often a reason to seek contact. Whether it concerns loneliness, sadness, stress or just a need for a kind word, the Listening Line acts as a reliable pillar of support for many people. They can come here day and night with their worries, fears and joys. Volunteers from the Listening Line are ready to listen without judgment and with empathy.

Henk Teutscher is proud that his father’s mission continues. “In a world where the pace can sometimes be overwhelming, and where individuals struggle with challenges of various kinds, it is crucial to have a place where you feel heard and understood. What still makes the work special is the selfless dedication of the volunteers. People who lend their listening ear day and night to those who need it.” The work of the Listening Line is continuously recognized as essential in our society. SEOR research in 2022 underlines the impact of the Listening Line on the well-being of its interlocutors and volunteers. The research shows that at least 80 percent of the conversation partners feel better after contact with the Listening Line, with beneficial effects on physical health and social relationships.

The Listening Line is available day and night for a confidential conversation, also from the municipalities of Elburg, Oldebroek and Nunspeet. Call 088 0767 000. Chat or email is also possible via www.devezellijn.nl.