💛

We’re back after the festive break 👋

Our team is back at work and our helpline is open again from 10am.

Thanks for your patience over the holidays, we’re ready for the next chapter 💛

🎄 A Christmas message from all of us at Next Chapter Scotland.

To everyone we’ve connected with this year, thank you. We know this season can be hard for many and we’re holding you in mind.

Wishing you care and kindness from our team and volunteers 💛

One of our team was at Simon Community Scotland’s Connect Hub for Women this week, sharing information and being there for anyone who wanted to chat about their rights and available support.

These welcoming spaces matter.
Support, not stigma 💛

Blog | Next Chapter Scotland Next Chapter Scotland blog

✍️ New blog is live

In our latest blog, Mark reflects honestly on what it takes to claw your way back to your feet when life feels overwhelming.

👉 Read the blog here:
www.nextchapterscotland.org.uk/blog/clawing...

💛 Support, not stigma.

🎄 Christmas update from Next Chapter Scotland

Our helpline closes at 2pm this Friday and reopens on 5 Jan at 10am.
Our inbox will be checked occasionally but replies may be slower.

Wishing everyone care, rest and kindness over the break 💛

Human Rights Day 2025: Open Letter to Political Leaders YouTube video by British Institute of Human Rights

Today on Human Rights Day, we’re joining organisations across the UK to say something simple: rights protect all of us.

Human rights are how we look after each other.

#HumanRightsDay

👉 Watch here: youtu.be/8dnYhm_Sbno?...

Scotcast - ‘Ready to explode’: prisons and early release - BBC Sounds Inside HMP Barlinnie and emergency measures to tackle overcrowding.

Scotland's emergency early release programmes is examined in BBC Radio Scotland's 'Scotcast' podcast. Joe, one of our Prison Throughcare Workers in Barlinnie spoke to them about the challenges people face on release (20:51): buff.ly/YwJOVOS

Report View our latest reports | Next Chapter Scotland

Our 2024–25 Impact Report is live.
This year: 290 supported, 16k website visits, 3k+ volunteer hours, 2,500+ reached in outreach, 300+ voices heard.

Support, not stigma.
Read more: www.nextchapterscotland.org.uk/reports

🎥 Brand Film
There are 12.5 million people in the UK with a criminal record. Behind every number is a person, a family and a future. Everyone deserves the chance to turn the page.

🎥 Stigma
A sentence ending doesn’t mean life goes back to normal. This film highlights the barriers created by stigma and the strength found in community and lived experience.

🎥 Fear
The fear of the unknown can take over but hearing from someone who has been there can help show the way through.

🎥 Isolation
When everything feels overwhelming and you don’t know who to turn to, one conversation can make you feel understood and less alone.

🎥 Today we’re releasing four new short animations created with @mediaco-op.bsky.social sharing real experiences of isolation, fear, stigma, and hope when navigating the justice system.

💛 Support, not stigma.
👇 The films are in the thread below.

Volunteer Open Day for women 💛

9 Dec • 1–6pm • 450 Argyle Street

A safe, supportive opportunity to build confidence, gain experience and connect. Please share with anyone who might benefit.

Brilliant news 💛

We’ve been awarded support through the Volunteering Support Fund.

More voices. More support. More hope.

Huge thanks to @impactfunding.bsky.social and @scottishgovernment.bsky.social for backing stigma-free, lived-experience-led support.

#NextChapterScotland #SupportNotStigma

Our team was delighted to be at Wednesday’s Celebrating Recovery event with Lanarkshire Links & Stigma Free Lanarkshire 💛
If you’re running an event and would like our outreach team to attend, we’d love to hear from you.

#NextChapterScotland #SupportNotStigma

Brilliant session today with IRISS reflecting on how to make social work placements stronger, more empowering, and rooted in lived experience.

When we build on the good, we build something better 💛

#NextChapterScotland #Iriss #LearningTogether

📞 Our helpline will be closed tomorrow (13 Nov) for team training but WhatsApp and voicemail are still open.
Leave us a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as we’re back online.
Thanks for your patience 💛
#NextChapterScotland #SupportNotStigma

Next Chapter Scotland latest blog Next Chapter Scotland latest blog

Just dropped: The Scrap Heap | Mark’s next story in the “Life After the Label” series.
Now available in audio format 🎧 for wherever you are.

👉 nextchapterscotland.org.uk/blog/the-scrap-heap

#SupportNotStigma #NextChapterScotland

This week is #TrusteesWeek, and we want to say a huge thank you to our incredible Board. 💛
They guide our work, champion second chances and help shape a fairer future for people rebuilding after conviction.
Thinking of becoming a trustee? There’s no better time.

#NextChapterScotland #SecondChances

💛 Have you or someone you love been affected by the media or community backlash after a conviction?
We’d still love to hear from you.
Your story could help shape research, influence change and challenge stigma.

📩 Email vivienne@nextchapterscotland.org.uk to take part.
#JusticeReform #EndStigma

Donate | Next Chapter Scotland Support the work of charity Next Chapter Scotland

💌 Every message matters.

Each email we send to someone in prison through "e-mail a prisoner" service costs 68p, small, but life-changing.

Help us keep this vital connection alive. Every 68p keeps hope flowing. 💛

👉 www.nextchapterscotland.org.uk/donate

#NextChapterScotland #HopeInside

Yesterday one of our student social workers visited the Family Centre at HMP Low Moss 💛

They spoke with families about how we support people in prison.

Every conversation helps break stigma and build hope. 🌿

#NextChapterScotland #JusticeSupport #FamilySupport

📊 Scotland’s prison population is rising again even as early release rules change under the Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Act 2025.

Real reform needs real support.
We’re here for those rebuilding life after conviction.

🔗 gov.scot/publications/prison-population-information-note-october-2025

Next Chapter Scotland | Blogs and reflections

“Language shapes reality and how we see one another.”

Our latest blog dives into the words we use when talking about justice, stigma and humanity.

Because words don’t just describe the world, they build it.

🔗 Read here: www.nextchapterscotland.org.uk/blog/reflect...

#SupportNotStigma

👉 Been convicted of a sexual offence? You’re not alone.

Our new online training, Surviving the Storm, is built by people who’ve been there. Learn your rights, understand the system, and rebuild your future with confidence.

ℹ️ Details here: www.nextchapterscotland.org.uk/training

Next Chapter Scotland latest blog Next Chapter Scotland latest blog

Our latest blog, The Silence Between Headlines, explores what happens after the news cycle moves on, the quiet aftermath of a wrongful conviction.

🔊 Available now in written and audio versions.
👉 www.nextchapterscotland.org.uk/blog/the-sil...

Organ donation Week Get involved in Organ Donation Week this September to help save lives and support those waiting for transplants, the waiting list has never been higher. Organ Donation Week starts on the 22nd of Septe...

💚 It’s #OrganDonationWeek.

For us, it’s personal, one of our team donated his kidney to save his dad’s life. A powerful reminder of what donation means: more time, more love, more life.

👉 Learn more: www.organdonation.nhs.uk/get-involved...

#GiftOfLife #NextChapterScotland

💬 Not a fan of phone calls? We’ve got you.

You can now access our Listening Ear support via Facebook Messenger, a safe non-judgmental space with trained psychology students.

📲 Message us on FB to get started.

#NextChapterScotland #ListeningEar #SupportNotStigma