Norwich Connect
Spurgeons Norwich Connect was developed and funded by SafeLives to provide unique assistance for individuals, couples and families affected by domestic abuse. Norwich Connect also trains 1,500 other professionals a year on issues of domestic abuse.
Due to Covid-19 some activities we usually provide have been suspended but we are finding safe ways to continue service delivery in new ways.
''It has helped [me] to feel stronger as a woman and in the mind...no matter what [perpetrator] might say I keep the IDVA (Support Worker) in [my] head.'' -Survivor, Norwich Connect
''I have found it invaluable having someone to talk to, and feel that there is someone there that I can go to for help. I am more aware of what domestic abuse looks like, and how to keep myself safe through safety planning with my IDVA (Support Worker).'' - Survivor, Norwich Connect

Spurgeons' Norwich Connect is a finalist in the 2020 Children & Young People Now Awards for the Early Intervention category.
Norwich Connect, run by Spurgeons, helps individuals, couples or families who have been, or are still in harmful relationships.
We support people living in Norwich who have been affected by domestic abuse. We can work with individuals, couples or families regardless of gender, sexuality, age or disability. We have lots of different ways we can help you or your family. See below for more details on what that help might look like for you.
What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse is not just about being physically hurt by a current or previous partner or family member. It also includes any type of emotional, sexual, psychological, financial or coercive and controlling behaviours. It can happen to anyone, no matter who you are, where you're from or whatever your background. If you are being forced to change your behaviour because you are scared of your partner or your family member's reaction, it's likely that you are being abused.
We believe that every survivor of domestic abuse, and their family, deserves the right response, at the right time, to make them safe, sooner.
Over the next three years, SafeLives is working with partners from the Norfolk County Community Safety Partnership to pilot a Beacon site of best practice in Norfolk for victims of domestic abuse. Norwich Connect, which is delivered by Spurgeons, is one element of this and aims to improve the response for individuals, couples or families (with or without children) experiencing domestic abuse.
If you are a professional who would like to refer a client or would like more information about our service, see our professionals' section below.



Information for Professionals
If you would like to make a referral for your client, please download our referral pack and complete our referral form.
We are a standard-to-medium-risk holistic, whole family support service for individuals, couples and families affected by domestic abuse, regardless of gender, sexuality, age or disability, including victims, perpetrators and children/young people.
We are funded to work with clients living within the Norwich City Council boundaries. We have developed a postcode checker tool which is a quick and simple way to check whether your client lives within our funded area. This tool is available in our referral pack.
Our model includes:
- A multi-skilled team delivering direct services to individuals, children and families.
- Programmes that provide:
- Whole family work
- Peer mentoring
- Survivor groups: domestic abuse awareness, recovering and skills development
- One-to-one and group work with perpetrators who have been assessed as motivated to change
- A co-ordinated, multi-agency approach, working with relevant services
- Training other agencies
- Online support and therapeutic approaches
- Survivor-led service review and improvement.
To download a copy of our guide to support, which provides further information about our interventions, click here.
Referral pack for professionals
This pack includes some further information about our service, an outline of our referral pathways, our postcode checker tool and the latest version of our referral form.
Click here to download the pack.
Training for professionals
We run a variety of free practical training courses for professionals across Norfolk. They are designed to give you skills and knowledge to improve your practice when working with clients affected by domestic abuse.
We currently offer the following courses:
- Developing a Culture of Engagement
A full-day workshop for professionals about why it’s vital to work with whole families around domestic abuse and how to take a whole family approach.
- Trauma Informed Practices
A full-day workshop about the importance of understanding trauma and how to work effectively with individuals impacted by traumatic experiences.
- DASH Risk Checklist
A half-day workshop for professionals to increase understanding and confidence to accurately assess risk within domestic abuse.
For more information about these courses, upcoming dates or to book your free place, click here.
We can also deliver these courses to your team and we can provide shadowing opportunities and additional training on the practical tools used within Norwich Connect to work with those affected by domestic abuse. To enquire about these opportunities or if you have any further queries, contact us at NorwichConnect@spurgeons.org
Volunteering
We are looking for Group and Peer Support volunteers to provide both one-to-one and group support for those affected by domestic abuse, to help build their confidence and self-esteem.
As a volunteer, your work will help make a direct positive difference to the lives of those affected by domestic abuse. We provide full training and on-going support to ensure our volunteers feel confident and prepared for the role.
For more information or to apply, click here.
To stay up-to-date with Norwich Connect, you can sign up to our mailing list here.
For any more information about our service or for any queries, please contact the office at 01603 628122 or email norwichconnect@spurgeons.org.
News and Blogs
Read the latest news and blogs from Spurgeons Norwich Connect Service