Domestic Abuse Practitioner – Community Outreach 12-month fixed term contract

We are currently looking for a Domestic Abuse Duty Practitioner to join us on a full-time basis for a 12-month fixed term contract. Read more
Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (FTC)

We are currently looking for an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor to join our team on a full-time basis for a fixed-term contract until the 31st March 2023. Read more
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Even the smallest contribution to a community in need can change lives forever. We believe everyone has the potential for greatness Read more

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#TrueNotToxic

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

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

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

Bev's Interview for International Women's Day!

Please read this full interview from Bev to help celebrate International Women's Day!! Read more

Carrie-Ann's Interview for International Women's Day!

Carrie-Ann has completed an interview to help celebrate International Women's Day! Have a read to find out more... Read more

Case study 1

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Change in action

The most rewarding part of our work is seeing the change happen in front of our eyes. Read more

Children & Young People's Resources

A page just for young people - no adults allowed! Read more

Christmas Campaign

All I want for Christmas is to be safe. Read more

Counselling and Groups

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Counselling Service Volunteer

If you are a qualified counsellor with BACP membership and would like to work with us to make a life-changing difference to the people we support and to develop your experience in trauma-informed counselling then we would love to hear from you. Read more

Covering your tracks

Warning: if you’re worried about someone knowing you have visited this website please read the following safety information. Please note, the information below will not completely cover your tracks. If you want to be completely sure of not being tracked online, the safest way would be to access the internet at a local library, cafe, school, college or at a friend’s house. Read more

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. Read more

Domestic Abuse Practitioner – Community Outreach 12-month fixed term contract

We are currently looking for a Domestic Abuse Duty Practitioner to join us on a full-time basis for a 12-month fixed term contract. Read more

Donate items

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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. Read more

Emotional support during your stay

We understand that you are likely to be feeling scared, lonely and anxious when you first arrive with us. Alongside the offering you a safe place to stay, advice on how to stay safe and practical support for things like applying for benefits, housing advice etc, we also offer a range of support focussed on your wellbeing and recovery. Read more

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Facebook

Women’s Aid and Facebook have teamed up to produce a guide to staying safe on Facebook. The guide provides advice to help women and girls understand the risks and tools needed to protect themselves and stay safe on social media. The guide has a lot of helpful tips – from how to report something that is abusive, to stopping an intimate, private or sexual image from being shared online. It aims to help women take greater control of their own safety on Facebook, whilst staying connected to the peop Read more

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Fundraising ideas

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Latest

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.
What a difference a year makes

With the support of staff ay Next Chapter I find myself not only alive but actually living a life I neither thought I deserved of believed. They believed in me and I have now come to believe in myself. The opportunities that I was given, the help I had, the work they did with me was and is amazing!
Start your journey to freedom with Next Chapter

For anyone considering getting some help, even if you think your situation isnt that bad (like I did), even if if you're scared or don't want to face up to what is really happening. Have courage, it will be hard and I'm still on this journey but I can see light and you will too
Financial Abuse

Financial or economic abuse is not just about money it’s about the abuser having control and taking your choices away from you. It doesn’t always involve a crime like theft or fraud.

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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Professional referrals

Use this full referral form to access services