Abuse survivors tell recovery stories in Wiltshire art exhibition
The Next Chapter has art from men, women and children who've suffered domestic abuse
Last updated 5th Mar 2025
Survivors of domestic abuse are telling their stories through an art exhibition in Wiltshire.
The Next Chapter exhibit is being displayed at County Hall in Trowbridge ahead of International Women's Day on 8th March.
It showcases the courage and resilience of the survivors through their handcrafted art, with contributions from women, men and children.
This years event has been set up by Wiltshire Council and builds on a similar project last year by refuge charity, Julian House, which operates in Wiltshire.
Ruth Sweeney from the charity told us that project was inspired by one of their clients who used art as part of her recovery journey.
She said that event had been such a success that they wanted to make this year's event bigger, by including other organisations, such as FearFree and The Nelson Trust too.
Ruth said: "It's about them finding a way to express the journey they've been on, and it's been quite an uphill journey for all of them and this is an opportunity for them to tell their story."
She added that art is a great platform for people to express themselves.
"It's incredibly therapeutic, the whole act of actually producing the work itself, getting to sit there, going through a conversation with our workers, about why are you producing this today?" she said, adding: "Lots of them are trying to show us where they've come from and showing us how far they've got. So it's an expression of journey for them."
Adam Sturgess from FearFree told us they were excited to be involved in the exhibition.
"Through art, people express themselves much more freely," he said.
He added that the vibrant colours that had been used 'blew him away', saying that the pictures are full of hope.
He's also hopeful that the exhibition encourages others to reach out for help too.
"Domestic abuse is still very much behind closed doors. It's still very much a taboo subject and we want to change that. We want everyone to feel comfortable to reach out and have that hand reached back because it is there, we're waiting to reach back."
Issy Westwood from Wiltshire's Public Health Team told us the exhibition shows the power of positive coping strategies.
She said: "Creativity and painting and writing, those are all healthy coping mechanisms that definitely can help people who are experiencing sort of adverse situations like domestic abuse as well as other related issues like mental health or substance use."
She added: "We want this to be a celebratory event, which is really sort of exciting and engaging, we're really happy to have a very vibrant exhibition."