Next Chapter

#TrueNotToxic

Free practical & emotional support, information & education for young people in Essex. Read more

One of my real highs was with a client who had endured abuse for 18 years, to ensure her safety and anonymity, I will be calling her Rebecca. Rebecca’s abuse took the form of coercive control, isolation from friends and family, manipulation, and physical abuse. She had already taken a major step in her journey before coming into our service, by splitting up with her perpetrator. The outstanding abuse and issues that needed to be resolved mainly occurred through child contact, which is sadly the Read more

A Christmas Wish

Christmas is a time to be with your family, ‘It’s not about the gifts’ they say, ‘it’s about spending time with those you love’. What happens when the one’s who are supposed to love you actually jeopardise your safety? What then? How does that make for a Family Christmas? One gift that we feel is really important this Christmas is the gift of safety, love and support. We all need this, it’s something we all deserve. Read more

A day in the life of working in refuge

Our aim is to fill the women who come in with power and independence. For many they have lost this and it takes time to get the ability to make decisions for themselves again. Sometimes we advise women on what their options are but we never make choices for them as this is part of gaining their independence back. We assist to ensure that they are in receipt of benefits, assist with housing applications and to gain legal orders. Read more

A Positive Story

For Christmas, this year we have decided to focus on the positives that we have achieved as a team and the successes that our clients have achieved with our support. 2020 has been a strange year for everyone – to say the least! But instead of focusing on the bad, let me tell you about a recent client I worked alongside to leave her abusive relationship. Read more

A Stalking Advocate for Every Victim

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust conducted a survey in March 2022 to gather information on stalking victims’ access to, and experiences with, Independent Stalking Advocates. Read more

A Story from a Survivor

I had to leave as a duty of care to my children and for the fact I couldn’t take anymore and believed I was insane. I went to the council for help and they put me in touch with Next Chapter. Amber was my first support worker and she was the light in a terribly dark time. I doubted myself often as emotional abuse is so hard to prove and is so subjective. But she was with me the whole time when I eventually managed to move out. Read more

Accessibility

Read our policy on accessibility for our site Read more

Activate member Complete

Activate Member introduction

Adult Safeguarding Policy

This policy sets out the roles and responsibilities of Next Chapter in working together with other professionals and agencies in promoting adults welfare and safeguarding them from abuse and neglect. Read more

Amber - Counselling

At 19 Amber met Darren, within 2 months she was living with him and fell pregnant. Initially Darren was kind, caring and supportive; listened to her and said he wanted to protect her from her family. Once their son was born, Darren chose a house several hours away from Amber’s family in an isolated village; she did not drive or have an income. Read more

Anne's Story

Anne and myself have been working together through her trauma, in this time I have seen her go from strength to strength. On the tough days we have spoken things through, re-assuring her that she did deserve a life without abuse, she wasn’t overthinking things and she was believed. On the good days we have celebrated her milestones together, cheering and clapping reflecting back on her progress. Read more

Appeals introduction

Ask for ANI scheme

This is a new scheme created by the government to try and help victims of domestic abuse in lockdown. ANI stands for 'Action Needed Immediately' and if asked to a member of staff in a pharmacy, help will be given. Read more

BBC Essex Radio - Coercive Control

Please listen to this radio interview to hear our very own Nikki & Gemma talking about coercive control. Read more

Be authentic this Christmas

Maybe this relationship is not quite what you thought it was, last Christmas was truly amazing but this Christmas you are just not sure what is going on. He is slowly starting to stop you from being who you want to be, maybe your friends and family have pointed out that you are distant or seem unhappy? This is the time to speak to someone, Next Chapter are here to listen and offer advice, it can be hard to discuss these types of worries to people you are close to and who know your partner. Read more

Latest

Family Domestic Abuse Practitioner

If you have experience of working with children, young people and families experiencing domestic abuse, this is an amazing opportunity to make a positive, lasting difference to families living in your community.
Mayor and Tortoise - The Mayor's Big Run

Our exciting fundraising event in aid of the Mayor's chosen charities is taking place on 18th September.
Colchester Mayor's Charities of the Year

We are delighted to have been chosen as one of the Mayor's charities for their year in office.
Weekend Support Worker

We are currently looking for a Weekend Support Worker to join us on a part-time basis.

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.
What is it really like in refuge?

Our clients do understand what it’s like to be in this situation and often try to look after each other, Many of our clients become good friends and stay in touch after they leave.
Our Services

We work with survivors of domestic abuse to help them make choices to reclaim their lives and begin their next chapter.
Fight, flight or freeze - what would a gingerbread man do...?

I know many of you will be familiar with the fight/flight, freeze response (sometimes just referred to as fight/flight) but in a nutshell this response is triggered when we perceive there is increased risk of threat or danger – the body activates the fight, flight or freeze response for survival. When this is triggered, it makes learning new information and concentrating on anything really difficult as you are consumed with just trying to stay safe. Read on to hear more about this response...
Cycle of Abuse

The abuse cycle is a cleverly orchestrated process. It is designed to be this way by your abuser. They want you to feel lost, they want you to doubt yourself, then you will ‘need’ them even more. This feeds their ever-desperate ego.
Donating Items & Goods

We really appreciate the effort our supporters go to in order to donate the items and goods that we really need. If you would like to know what we need at the moment or how to donate to us then please do check here.
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.
Mission, Vision & Values

Find out what gets us up every morning and keeps us delivering the very best advice & support that we can, each & every time.
Professional referrals

Use this full referral form to access services
Ask for ANI scheme

This is a new scheme created by the government to try and help victims of domestic abuse in lockdown. ANI stands for 'Action Needed Immediately' and if asked to a member of staff in a pharmacy, help will be given.

"Help! what do I do now?"

#TrueNotToxic

12 Days of Success