Next Chapter Scotland

🟡 Did You Know? | Week 9: Stigma Still Shapes Lives Stigma doesn’t end when a sentence does, it lingers in workplaces, communities, and even families. At Next Chapter Scotland, we believe in support, not shame. 👉 Find help: 🔗 nextchapterscotland.org.uk/topic/communit… #SupportNotStigma

📢 Research Opportunity PhD candidate Alex Burgess is exploring prevention of sexual harm. Seeking voices of professionals + those with lived experience. Confidential. Strengths-based. 📩 [email protected] #SupportNotStigma #ResearchMatters

📝 New Blog: A Journey to Self-Employment What happens when jobs won’t give you a chance? You make your own. One of our community shares their honest story of rebuilding after a conviction. 🔗 nextchapterscotland.org.uk/blog/a-journey… #SupportNotStigma #LivedExperience

🟡 Did You Know? | Week 8 🎓 Some colleges & courses still ask about convictions even for spent ones. It’s confusing, but your past shouldn’t block your future. We’re here to help you learn with confidence. 🔗 nextchapterscotland.org.uk/topic/education #SupportNotStigma

Taking the first step is the hardest. But it might just lead to the small, steady kind of change you need. Listening Ear is about real people, real chats, real support. 💛 If you’ve been thinking about reaching out, this is your sign.

🏠 Finding housing after a conviction can be tough rejection, confusion, judgement. We’ve pulled together clear info to help you know your rights and get the support you deserve. 🔗 nextchapterscotland.org.uk/information/ho… #SupportNotStigma #NextChapterScotland

🟡 Did You Know? | Week 7: Volunteering Isn’t Always Straightforward Even unpaid roles can involve disclosure checks and spent convictions might still appear. We’re here to help you understand your rights and options. 🔗 nextchapterscotland.org.uk/topic/voluntee… #DidYouKnowSeries…

📝 New blog now live: Chasing Myself From a departure lounge, Mark reflects on grief, identity + the lasting effects of a wrongful conviction. “I’m chasing someone I’m not sure even exists anymore…” 🔗 nextchapterscotland.org.uk/blog/chasing-m… #LivedExperience #NextChapterScotland…

Our Listening Ear service is here for those quiet moments when you just need someone on the other end of the phone. No pressure. No judgment. Just kindness. 📞 One hour a week. One human connection. 👉 Get in touch to find out more.

🆕 New blog: “Mum, can Dad come?” A powerful look at how ordinary questions carry extraordinary weight for families living under the Sex Offenders Register. 🔗 nextchapterscotland.org.uk/blog/mum-can-d… 📚 New school resources now live too — find them on our site. #SORAwareness #LivedExperience…

🟡 Did You Know? | Week 6 Even after a conviction is spent, the internet can keep your past alive, headlines, court reports, old news. We’re here to help you deal with the online impact and move forward. 🔗 nextchapterscotland.org.uk #DidYouKnowSeries #DigitalFootprint…

Our wonderful helpline team are having a break from the 30th June to 4th July. Email and WhatsApp support will still be available. We'll be back on the phones from 10am on Monday 7th July 😊

🟡 Did You Know? | Week 5 💼 Starting your own business doesn’t always avoid disclosure issues. Some licences & insurances still require background checks. We’re here to help you understand the rules. 🔗 nextchapterscotland.org.uk/topic/self-emp… #SupportNotStigma

Yesterday we brought together policy makers, academics & lived experience voices to talk justice reform. The stories shared during our Platform were powerful, honest & moving and proof of why change is urgent. More to come 💛 #AmplifyingVoices #NextChapterScotland

🟡 Did You Know? | Week 4 – Travel Can Be Limited A criminal record can stop more than just job offers — it can block travel too. ✈️ Some countries (like the USA) may deny entry, even if your conviction is spent. We help you understand your rights + plan ahead. 🔗…

We’re building a Next Chapter Music Playlist 🎶💛 What songs lift your spirits when the day’s been tough? Drop your feel-good favourites below, we’d love to add them! #NextChapterScotland #CheerUpPlaylist #MusicHeals #SupportNotStigma

💛 We’re a small charity with a big mission, to support anyone affected by the justice system in Scotland. Help us keep going. Your donation supports our helpline, peer work & more. 🔗 Donate or learn more: nextchapterscotland.org.uk/donate #SupportNotStigma #NextChapterScotland

🎙️ Using our voices for change. We stand with those speaking out against injustice and unfair trials — especially when lived experience is so often silenced. 🟡 Every voice matters. #AmplifyingVoices #JusticeForInnocentMen #SupportNotStigma

🟡 Did You Know? Insurance isn’t always straightforward if you have a conviction. 🏡🚗 Some providers ask about spent + unspent convictions — leading to higher costs or refusals. We help people navigate this: 👉 nextchapterscotland.org.uk/topic/insurance #SupportNotStigma