"Much-needed" female-only substance abuse clinic opens in Essex
The clinic at The Nest in Colchester is staffed by female healthcare professionals
A "much-needed" female only clinic has been set up in Colchester for domestic abuse victims struggling with substance abuse.
The Essex Specialist Treatment and Recovery Service (STaRS) have worked alongside substance recovery charity, Open Road, to open two women-only clinics this year for those suffering with substance abuse.
The newest opened on 31 March 2025 at The Nest, a support accommodation unit for domestic abuse victims.
Team lead Gareth Thomason tells Greatest Hits Radio there was a "real need".
"Many of the women who have used our clinics say they feel safer in a separate, female-only location."
"We found women weren't attending substance abuse recovery clinics because they were afraid of bumping into perpetrators of domestic abuse.
The new clinics offer one-to-one support and advice, counselling and relapse prevention from addictive substances.
The female-only community clinic recently opened by Essex STaRs in Colchester regularly sees "up to 70 women at a time".
Mr Thomason says the new clinic at The Nest has much fewer spaces available.
The Nest is a trauma-informed accommodation unit provided by Next Chapter, a charity supporting women to lead lives free from domestic and substance abuse.
Sally Harrington, Director of Adult Services and Deputy CEO at Next Chapter said: “We feel very fortunate to be able to host an in house clinic for our residents.
"Not only does this provide a safe and secure environment for our women who are all domestic abuse victims, it also enhances the partnership working between ourselves, Open Road and STaRS which really enhances the joint working approach for the benefit of all.”
The fortnightly clinic at The Nest is staffed by female healthcare professionals wherever possible.
Mr Thomason said: “We hope to make it as easy as possible for people to speak to someone from our team and mental health or homelessness services if they need to."
“Holding a clinic within the supported accommodation means women who have escaped domestic abuse don’t have to leave in order to travel to a community clinic.”
"Quite often substance misuse is the catalyst for financial, mental health and physical health issues.
"We want to provide a safe space for people to safely report and discuss domestic abuse incidents with a professional.
"Hopefully with those continuous conversations will more people feel comfortable coming forward."
In addition to more tailored support for women, the north east Essex STaRS team is planning to develop new clinics to provide drug and alcohol support for people with mental health issues, and experiencing homelessness.
Anyone with substance misuse issues in Essex can access support via the charity Open Road.
People can call or walk in to their local centre to be assessed and supported.
Find out more at www.openroad.org.uk.