16 Days of Action

Leeds City Council and partners have supported 16 Days of Action in Leeds since 1999, taking the opportunity to raise awareness of all forms of domestic violence and abuse, and to make sure anyone affected by domestic violence and abuse gets the help they need.

This year, Leeds City Council is working with West Yorkshire Police to help more people recognise controlling and coercive behaviour as domestic abuse, and to encourage people to tell someone if they are worried about themselves or someone they know. You can download campaign resources from the ‘Related Pages’ section of this page and support the campaign on social media by following us @_YourCommunity using our hashtags #TellSomeone and #16DaysOfActionLeeds.

See what organisations are doing this year…

2Gether Restorative Early Support Team

Join the 2Gether RES Team for a selection of workshops and the chance to find out more about a range of Leeds-based domestic violence and abuse services including Women’s Health Matters, Behind Closed Doors and West Yorkshire Police.

Thursday 30th November
Technorth, Harrogate Road, LS7 3NB

Monday 4th December
Bangladeshi Centre, Roundhay Road, LS8 5AN
More information (PDF 422KB)

Alwoodley, Roundhay and Moortown Children’s Centre Group

Stay and Play
Monday 27th November & Monday 4th December, 9:30-11:00
Moortown Children's Centre, Lidgett Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS17 6QP

MAMONI (BME Women's-only group)
Wednesday 29th November & Wednesday 6th December, 9:30-11:30
Moortown Children's Centre, Lidgett Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS17 6QP

Messy Play
Thursday 30th November & Thursday 7th December, 13:00-14:30
Roundhay Children’s Centre, Brackenwood Drive, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS8 1QA

Tots and Tinies
Friday 1St December & Friday 8th December, 10:00-11:30
Moortown Children's Centre, Lidgett Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS17 6QP

These sessions are geared toward Universal Families with a child under 5 years old who accesses the groups Stay and Play sessions and BME women who have children under 5.

www.armccgroup.org.uk

Asha Neighbourhood Project

Asha Neighbourhood Project will be holding an awareness-raising event on Honour Based Abuse and Forced Marriages. The session is open to local residents as well as anyone across the South East of Leeds wishing to have increased knowledge and awareness of honour based abuse and forced marriage.

Thursday 7th December, 10:00-12:00
Asha Neighbourhood Project, 43 Stratford Street, Leeds, LS11 6EG

Behind Closed Doors

Members of Behind Closed Doors will be holding a staff sponsored walk on Monday 27th November, contributing to the 2Gether RES Team workshops on Thursday 30th November, 13:30-14:30) and participating in Women’s Lives Leeds Events and Activity throughout the duration of 16 Days of Action.

www.behind-closed-doors.org.uk

Boston Spa and Wetherby Children’s Centres

Parents and carers who use the children’s centres groups are invited to participate in making a good/bad behaviour-themed wall display which will depict a bird cage. Participants will be able to choose which behaviours to encage and which should be set free.

Monday 27th November
Early Learners, invite only group. Wetherby CC.

Wednesday 29th November, 10:00-12:00
Bumps and Babes group. Boston Spa CC.

Thursday 30th November, 9:30-11:00
Moving On group. Boston Spa CC.

Carr Manor Children’s Centre

In recognition of 16 Days of Action, Carr Manor Children’s Centre is inviting women from their local community to enjoy an extended ‘Stay & Play / Coffee Morning on 5th December. The aim of the event is to raise awareness of all aspects of domestic violence and abuse and the impact it has on the family. Guests from local agencies who specialise in domestic abuse will be present to offer any further advice, support or signposting. As this is an extended Stay & Play, there will be activities for under 5s facilitated by family outreach workers. Alongside this there will be a focus on the importance of wellbeing and women taking care of themselves and each other with ten-minute demonstrations of mindfulness and back, shoulder and hand massage.

Tuesday 5th December, 10:00-11:30
The Bungalow, Carr Manor Children’s Centre, Carr Manor Road, Leeds, LS17 5DJ
More information (PDF 229KB)

Feel Good Factor

Feel Good Factor will be hosting three open days on which visitors can contribute to a collaborative piece of artwork to raise awareness of 16 Days of Action. Two pieces of artwork will be created in total, one of which will be displayed at a domestic violence event and in the Feel Good Factor’s community building, and the other of which will take pride of place in Feel Good Factors community garden. This is an open event for anybody to attend. Please note, a BSL interpreter will be available upon request.

Tuesday 5th December, 13:00-16:00
Thursday 7th December, 10:00-13:00
Friday 8th December, 10:00-13:00

All workshops to be head at Feel Good Factor, 53 Louis Street, LS7 4BP
www.fgfleeds.org

Gipton Family Service Team

Visitors of Gipton Family Service Team’s session will take part in creative activities such as making lavender bags and scented hand scrubs and decorating leaves on which they’ll write something they are proud of before hanging it from a celebration tree. As of 12pm, complimentary hand massages and free food and drink will be on offer.

Monday 4th December, 11:00-13:30
Henry Barran Community Centre, Amberton Grove, Leeds, LS8 3JR

Leeds Beckett University

Follow Leeds Beckett University during 16 Days of Action for interesting and thought-provoking facts, figures and blogs around domestic violence and abuse.

www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/student-wellbeing-team/

Leeds City Council Domestic Violence Team (LDVS)

LDVS will be holding two coercive control briefings for Leeds City Council employees. The workshops will focus on raising awareness and understanding coercive and controlling behaviour.

Springfield Healthcare: Seacroft Grange Care Village and Seacroft Green Care Centre

Springfield Healthcare will be hosting afternoon tea in their Bistro where the local community and staff from both their care homes can enjoy a cup of tea and a bun. They’ll have the chance to read and learn from relevant material including posters and flyers.

Thursday 7th November, 14:00-15:30
Bistro at Seacroft Grange Care Village, The Green, Leeds, LS14 6JL
More information

West Yorkshire Police in partnership with Ruth for Women Organisation, Leeds Refugee Forum, Women's Lives Leeds, White Ribbon Campaign and Leeds City Council

There will be a range of creative and informative activity taking place at this event, including:

• National and international guest speakers
• Stalls and workshops
• Dance performances
• Children’s activities
• Threading and massage
• Cultural food and refreshments

The event aims to empower, support and inform women and men who have been affected by domestic violence and abuse.

Saturday 9th December, 10:00-15:00
Ramgharia Sports Centre, 8-10 Chapeltown Road, LS7 3AP
More information (PDF 250KB)

White Ribbon Day

This years’ #WhiteRibbonLeeds event will see a dedicated ‘White Ribbon’ First Bus park up at Dortmund Square acting as an information point for members of the public wanting to learn more about the campaign and Leeds’ domestic violence services.

Dance and theatre performances choreographed to convey the campaign’s important messages will take place throughout the day and specially designed selfie boards will be available for members of the public to make a visual pledge against violence and abuse towards women and girls.

Saturday 25th November
Dortmund Square, Leeds
More information

Women’s Lives Leeds

Minnow and Sabina from Women’s Lives Leeds will be holding a stall at the Dewsbury Road Community Hub on Friday 1st December. The stall will offer information on domestic violence and as well as signpost visitors to Women’s Lives Leeds’ key partners that provide support and advice to women and girls affected by domestic violence. Women’s Lives Leeds encourages woman and girls to come along to their stall that aims to break taboos and empower them to talk about their experiences. Friends, family members and anyone else that might benefit from the event are also invited to attend.

Friday 1st December, 9:30-14:30
Dewsbury Road Community Hub, 190 Dewsbury Road, LS11 6PF

Women’s Lives Leeds will also have a presence at:

Thursday 30th November, 12:30-14:30
Old Gipton Fire Station

Saturday 9th December, 10:00-15:00
Ramgharia Sports Centre

Monday 4th December – 9:30-16:00
Bangladeshi Centre

Wednesday 22nd, 29th, 6th and 13th, 9:00-11:00
St James hospital antenatal clinic

Zest Health for Life, in partnership with Space 2

On Thursday 30th November, Zest Health for Life in partnership with Space 2 and other local women’s groups, will run a free wellbeing afternoon for female professionals in Leeds. The event will celebrate female wellbeing and raise awareness of domestic violence and abuse. Visitors can expect to experience a safe space for expressing thoughts and airing concerns, all whilst enjoying a buffet and a range of activities including informative talks from local agencies such as Women’s Health Matters and Forwards Leeds, and pampering!

Thursday 30th November, 12:30-14:30
Old Gipton Fire Station, Gipton Approach, LS9 6NL (Space 2 studio in the Annexe)
More information