Women play a crucial role in today’s society. They not only take care of the home and raise children but also contribute financially. However, it is not always easy for one woman to handle all these responsibilities, and this can often lead to health issues. Today, we will talk about a charity that supports women’s health in Leeds and the surrounding areas — Women’s Health Matters. You can read more on the website leedska.com.
About Women’s Health Matters
Women’s Health Matters was founded in 1987 by a group of women in Leeds. They recognised that many women in the city were facing challenges such as mental health issues, domestic violence, poverty, and isolation. That is why they came together to create a safe space where women could receive help and rebuild their confidence.
In 1993, Women’s Health Matters became a registered charity. While the team and projects have evolved over the years, the organisation’s mission has remained unchanged — to support and protect women and girls.
Why Support for Women Matters
Between 2023 and 2024, Women’s Health Matters worked directly with more than 1,550 women and girls. Of these, 1,219 received intensive support through group or one-to-one sessions, while around 335 were supported on a lighter-touch basis. Additionally, the organisation supported 387 children through programmes focused on motherhood and family support.
Over the year, Women’s Health Matters delivered 1,221 group sessions, 2,712 one-to-one sessions, and more than 2,400 lighter-touch contacts. Their work spans 28 different services, including art therapy, pregnancy and birth support, assistance for those experiencing domestic abuse, digital skills courses, energy and motivation programmes, refugee support, and specialist services for women with additional needs.
A significant focus of the organisation is supporting women who experience domestic violence. In Leeds alone, over 21,000 incidents of domestic violence are reported each year — and experts believe the true number is even higher. This is why Women’s Health Matters not only provides crisis intervention but also helps women regain control over their lives and rebuild their confidence.
The organisation has a board of around 10 trustees, many of whom have personal experience of violence, giving them deeper insight into the needs of service users. Around 70% of staff members have shared their own stories, fostering an environment of empathy and support.
Support Provided by the Organisation
Women’s Health Matters is a strong and active organisation in the Leeds area. It offers the following support to women:
- Psychological and emotional support: Individual counselling, group therapy, and art therapy for women who have experienced trauma, including domestic violence.
- Mental health services: Help with managing stress, anxiety, depression, and crisis situations, as well as prevention of self-harm.
- Physical health education: Information and support on reproductive and sexual health, pregnancy and maternity services, nutrition courses, and healthy lifestyle programmes.
- Support for women in difficult circumstances: Crisis accommodation, legal advice, support during divorce or domestic conflicts, and more.
We hope this article has been informative and has helped you learn more about your city and the support available to women facing difficult life situations.