Call our domestic abuse advice and support line on 0800 4700 280 Mon to Fri 8.30am–5.30pm, Sat 9.30am–1pm
Our mission is to empower people to live independent lives free of abuse and stigmatisation. We want to see people thrive, not just survive.
Our mission is to empower people to live independent lives free of abuse and stigmatisation. We want to see people thrive, not just survive.
Who are we?
Next Link provides domestic abuse safe accommodation and community support across Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.
We have an excellent reputation for high quality, trauma informed and innovative services and now offer a range of diverse, tailored and specialist support to adult and child survivors.
We have 87 safe house bed spaces for families, single women, women with complex needs and dedicated spaces and support for LGBTQ+ survivors, children, male victims, those with disabilities and families who are black or from a minortised ethnic community. Many victims and survivors are also supported in the community by our Independent Domestic Violence Advocates, children’s and adult support workers and counsellors.
In Bristol and South Gloucestershire, Next Link Plus brings in a range of specialisms through [collaboration with] a number of partners including Off The Record, Nilaari, Bristol Drugs Project, St Mungo’s, Victim Support, Sign Health, Womankind and 1625 Independent People. With a single point of contact, this has meant that victims and survivors can access a range of dedicated support that meets their diverse needs.
Next Link was established in Bristol in 1999 and is part of Missing Link.
Call our domestic abuse helplines 0800 4700 280 Mon to Fri 8.30am–5.30pm, Sat 9.30am–1pm
Help is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on the National Domestic Abuse helpline – Freephone 0808 2000 247
Our impact
Last year, Next Link supported 5,182 adult survivors and 1,998 children
It’s estimated* that support from specialist domestic abuse services can save the public purse £159,407 for each person supported*
*Women’s Aid. (2023) Investing to save: the economic case for funding specialist domestic abuse support. Bristol: Women’s Aid.
62% of children living in domestic abuse households are directly harmed by the perpetrator of the abuse, in addition to the harm caused by witnessing the abuse of others
Contacts to our duty triage by region:
Bristol 5,059 (2,549 children whose parents received support from our services)
South Glos 2,741
North Somerset 1,901
enquiries online 114
Our policies
Click on the links below to read our policies
Our impact
Last year, Safe Link received referrals for 1,494 adult survivors and 389 children
In 2023 Safe Link won the national Limelight award for INNOVATION awarded by LimeCulture, the national ISVA accreditation body.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 18 men have been raped or sexually assaulted as adults
Dedicated support services:
19% of survivors came from the LGBTQ+ community
66% of victims had a substance misuse or mental health need
11% of victims were from a black or minoritised community
9% of victims were male
What other support do we provide?
The connections between mental ill health, domestic abuse and sexual violence is well evidenced, which places our services in the unique position of offering a range of support options that draws on the combined skills of the three services.
All three services have been influential in raising public awareness of the needs of women with mental ill health and victims and survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, whilst challenging myths and stereotypes that create barriers for women and survivors accessing support that works for them.
What other support do we provide?
The connections between mental ill health, domestic abuse and sexual violence is well evidenced, which places our services in the unique position of offering a range of support options that draws on the combined skills of the three services.
All three services have been influential in raising public awareness of the needs of women with mental ill health and victims and survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, whilst challenging myths and stereotypes that create barriers for women and survivors accessing support that works for them.
