Next Chapter recommissioned by Essex County Council and PFCC for a further five years of activity supporting domestic abuse victims

All of us at Next Chapter are delighted to share that we have been recommissioned by Essex County Council and PFCC for five more years of activity, enabling us to continue providing our life-changing services to those across Essex who are or have experienced domestic abuse.

We feel this outcome is a testament to the dedication, expertise, and passion of our entire team, as well as the trust placed in us by the people and communities we serve.

This recommissioning follows a rigorous and competitive bid process, where we showcased the many methods of support, community partnerships, and examples of practitioner excellence that define our work. It wasn’t easy to distill everything we do into a limited bid, but we felt that our final submission truly reflected the heart and impact of Next Chapter – and we are incredibly glad to see this acknowledged in this outcome.

Beverley Jones, Chief Executive, said:

"I am absolutely delighted that Next Chapter has been recommissioned to provide all domestic abuse support services across Mid & North Essex for the next 5 to 7 years. This decision is a testament to the dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment of our teams, who work tirelessly to support survivors of domestic abuse and help them rebuild their lives.

"We are particularly pleased that for the first time this recommissioning includes vital support for Children and Young People, ensuring they are able to receive the specialist help they need. Our bid was shaped by the voices of those we support, backed by strong evidence of our impact over the past six years, and demonstrated our commitment to innovation and excellence in service delivery.

"I want to extend my sincere thanks to Essex County Council and the Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner’s Office for recognising the quality of our work and our steadfast commitment to placing survivors at the heart of everything we do. This renewed partnership allows us to continue developing and enhancing our services, ensuring that every survivor has access to the support they need to secure a future free from abuse.

"We look forward to building on our successes and continuing to provide the highest standards of care and support to those who need it most."

This renewed contract allows us to sustain the critical services we provide and includes the addition of 29 new safe accommodation rooms sourced with new partners. It ensures we can further our mission of supporting survivors, creating safe spaces, and advocating for systemic change in Essex.

Sarah Taylor, Chair of the Board, said:

‍“Here at Next Chapter we want life without domestic abuse. Safety for victims and being part of enabling them to rebuild their lives are our passions. Everyone here will continue to strive so that people in our communities can live their life free from domestic abuse. The trustees are extremely proud of the excellence and expertise demonstrated by every person in the Next Chapter team, and we are pleased to be entrusted with this important mission for another five years.”

To all our supporters and everyone who contributed to the bid process – including survivors, practitioners, staff, and more – we extend our deepest thanks. This is a collective achievement.

As we look ahead to the next chapter of our journey, we remain committed to making a lasting difference in the lives of those across Essex experiencing domestic abuse.

While this round of funding ensures we can continue delivering our essential services and sustaining the urgent support we provide to survivors of domestic abuse, expanding our current offerings means that we still rely on donations from supporters like you to reach even more victims across Essex.

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