Help women and children live in safety

Summer 2018

I am delighted to be CEO of Leeds Women’s Aid in its celebratory 45^th Year of Services. Since 1973 when a group of feminist activists persuaded Leeds City Council to allow us to rent a property (at a peppercorn rate) so that women experiencing domestic violence might have somewhere safe to live, LWA has gone from strength to strength. We are now the largest women’s charity in Leeds and have worked with thousands of women and children across our services and lead on 2 consortia projects. I am proud of our achievements and services, staff and volunteers, trustees and service users.

Best wishes,
Nik Peasgood

An Exciting Year for Leeds Women's Aid

2018 is an important year for Leeds Women’s Aid. Not only is it 45 years since we opened our first women’s refuge, we've also launched our new website this summer and we’ll be marking our anniversary by hosting an extra special supporter’s event this October. Over the past 45 years we've provided safe refuge accommodation for thousands of women and children in Leeds. Have a look at our timeline to discover some of our key milestones.

1973 – Although LWA formed in 1972, our 1st refuge was opened in Burley by a group of women activists in 1973 with the help of Leeds City Council. This was the 1st women’s refuge in Leeds and the 1st in the UK outside of London.

1990 - LWA was now the biggest women’s refuge in the country with places for women and children across three sites.

1994 - HALT was set up as a pilot project in Leeds to provide practical and legal help, support and advocacy to victims of domestic abuse.

2006 - Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs) began in Leeds. A MARAC is a victim focused information sharing and risk management meeting attended by all key agencies, where high risk cases are discussed.

2011 - Leeds Domestic Violence Service was formed by LWA, Behind Closed Doors and HALT to deliver the local authority’s community based Domestic Violence and Abuse contracted services in partnership for the first time.

2015 - The Leeds Women’s Aid Charity Shop was officially opened by our patron Rachel Reeves MP.

2016 - Women’s Lives Leeds was launched as a unique partnership between 12 women and girls organisations in Leeds, including LWA as the lead partner. This is funded by the Big Lottery Women and Girls Initiative for 4 years.

2017 - LWA merged with HALT making us the biggest women’s organisation in Leeds and enabling us to offer a wider range of improved services.

2018 – Leeds Women’s Aid celebrates 45th years of providing refuge and other services.

Support Us

We rely on the generosity of our supporters to help fund our domestic violence and abuse support services. If you can make a donation to help us continue our vital work, you can donate online through GlobalGiving and our website www.leedswomensaid.org.uk

You can also donate items to our charity shop and refuges. Have a look at our website to find out more about which items you can donate.

We’re currently looking for volunteers to assist the manager with the daily running of the shop. If you can spare a few hours a week, please contact Harriet on 0113 258 4111 or email LWACharityShop@leedswomensaid.org.uk