Help in an emergency

If you think you are in immediate danger then call 999 for the emergency services

Covering your tracks

Online services and social media should be open and safe for everyone to use. We know that perpetrators of domestic abuse often use online tools to abuse their victims.

Below is information about how to keep yourself safe online and cover your tracks.

Covering your tracks

Latest

Housekeeper Role

If you have experience working as a housekeeper or in a residential setting, this is a fantastic opportunity to join our team at Next Chapter to make a postive difference.
Who needs to ‘Man up’?? I certainly don’t!

I made the call and arranged for a call back from Next Chapter. I took the call, not knowing what to expect and not really expecting much. I answered the phone to Shelly, my saviour. Yes, a powerful word but justified. Shelly talked to me, listened, did not judge, understood. She was kind. She was genuinely interested in me and my problems and wanted to help.
Day in the life of a resettlement worker

Setting up a new home is a great relief for my families. Finding that they can re-gain some sense of normality quickly takes a great weight off their shoulders, to know that they are not just left to do it all on their own once leaving refuge is really helpful.
Schools out for summer…..?!

Indeed, school is out for summer but actually it’s been out since before the start of the Spring term. It feels an age since we had the routine of school around us to help us manage our day and our children could socialise with their friends as they used to. We know schools are often the heart of our community and act as a place of safety for many of our children who are living with or have experienced domestic abuse.

Who needs to ‘Man up’?? I certainly don’t!

I made the call and arranged for a call back from Next Chapter. I took the call, not knowing what to expect and not really expecting much. I answered the phone to Shelly, my saviour. Yes, a powerful word but justified. Shelly talked to me, listened, did not judge, understood. She was kind. She was genuinely interested in me and my problems and wanted to help.
Day in the life of a resettlement worker

Setting up a new home is a great relief for my families. Finding that they can re-gain some sense of normality quickly takes a great weight off their shoulders, to know that they are not just left to do it all on their own once leaving refuge is really helpful.
Schools out for summer…..?!

Indeed, school is out for summer but actually it’s been out since before the start of the Spring term. It feels an age since we had the routine of school around us to help us manage our day and our children could socialise with their friends as they used to. We know schools are often the heart of our community and act as a place of safety for many of our children who are living with or have experienced domestic abuse.
What our partner agencies and clients tell us

I could talk and talk about our service indefinitely I guess because I want you to feel comfortable I want you to feel that you can trust us with your own individual story, but now it is time for you to hear a bit less from me and a bit more from people who have used our service, and what other agencies may tell you about our service
IDVA’s in lockdown

The IDVA team understands the impact lockdown has had and the additional difficulties, this has for our victims/survivors of domestic abuse for we all continue to break down these barriers and continue to be innovative in how we offer our support.
Half Marathon for Next Chapter

Next Chapter provides vital services to women in my local area who are experiencing, or have experienced, domestic abuse. They offer a range of support, from immediate response after violent incidents to long term counselling which allows women to rebuild their lives.
In light of COVID19 and the 'stay at home' message, women experiencing domestic abuse are likely to need more support than ever.
The Role of an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor

So, imagine for a moment that you’ve summoned up the courage to finally leave, you’re feeling vulnerable and afraid and understandably really nervous about what the future might hold –you have to try and find your way through all that…. that's if you even knew half of it existed in the first place or where and how to start to getting in touch with them… So that's where we IDVA’S come in.
Refuge traffic

When a family or single lady decides to leave her situation and arrives in refuge it can be a daunting experience, so our staff do their utmost to make this journey as pleasurable as we can. Each flat-let is dressed with a new duvet, cover, sheets, pillows, towels, toiletries and food, these are all gifted to our clients to take on their forward journey.
Day in the life of a recovery worker...

There is no such thing as a typical day at the Recovery Refuge but there are a host of regular tasks such as supervising medication, monitoring for abstinence and keeping the place safe, answering the phone/door, a resident needing to speak to someone etc. and as much as you may plan your day, it will often move in a different direction to your plan. If you don’t pay enough attention to these, you can be as creative as you like but you will be working in chaos. The work in between these regular
Why refuge and how to refer yourself...

Refuge is a safe space, where women and children who have experienced domestic abuse can come to rebuild their lives free from abuse and get help and support to build resilience for their futures.

How to move forward from loss and grief

These are all perfectly natural feelings and reactions to loss and grief and some may even compare it to a bereavement. Even if you don’t feel that way at all you may have been left feeling empty and confused or angry. We might constantly be bargaining with ourselves still or find that depression has taken over. We all deal with loss in our own individual ways and this is what makes each of us so unique. This is perfectly normal too.
Housekeeper Role

If you have experience working as a housekeeper or in a residential setting, this is a fantastic opportunity to join our team at Next Chapter to make a postive difference.
How does domestic abuse differ in other cultures?

The actions of individuals are influenced by the norms, values, language, and other cultural factors that are like the dust in the air that surrounds everyone. These cultural factors are ingrained in us from the day we are born, and can play a role in either ending or perpetuating domestic abuse.
Special Place in the Home

So, you survived Monday! Well done. One of the things that I am really missing is seeing my friends and family – we know that ‘being connected’ is really important for our mental health and emotional wellbeing. Having close positive relationships gives us a purpose and a sense of belonging. During this lockdown many of the ways we are usually connected to people – friends, family, work colleagues, school chums – have changed beyond all recognition.
The Role of an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor

So, imagine for a moment that you’ve summoned up the courage to finally leave, you’re feeling vulnerable and afraid and understandably really nervous about what the future might hold –you have to try and find your way through all that…. that's if you even knew half of it existed in the first place or where and how to start to getting in touch with them… So that's where we IDVA’S come in.
Safety begins at home.....?

We know from speaking to our clients, that the lockdown has meant that some perpetrators may not be able to feed their addictions, or they may be over feeding their addictions due to boredom or frustration and this in turn will be affecting their mental health. There is so much research about the dangerous cocktail of this ‘toxic trio’ (the combination of domestic abuse, substance misuse and mental health issues) as it leads to emotions being intensified which in turn drives behaviours.
Covid-19 - what are we doing?

As part of our commitment to individuals experiencing domestic abuse and their families who are worried about them - we’re doing our very best to make sure that we are always available to respond and help. Your safety and wellbeing is of paramount importance to us and we are prioritising our services in relation to safety and support above everything else.
Help in an emergency

What to do in an emergency. If you think that you are in immediate danger then you need to call 999 for the police.
IDVA’s in lockdown

The IDVA team understands the impact lockdown has had and the additional difficulties, this has for our victims/survivors of domestic abuse for we all continue to break down these barriers and continue to be innovative in how we offer our support.
Mask fitted, safety card is located in the seat in front of you

Last week we focused on our own psychological safety (routine so important here) and helping our children to feel emotionally safe – but what about being physically safe? For many children living in a household with domestic abuse, school provided the routine and much-needed respite. With schools closed and communities ‘shut down’, how can we help ourselves and our children to stay safe when violence erupts.