We are leaving Bluesky. Instead you can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Linked in. Follow us on these platforms to see the rest of our #16DaysofAction campaign and other updates about WHM!

Day 6 of #16DaysOfAction: The mountain that wasn’t love. Love bombing can make control look like care, and harm feel like love. Over time, it builds confusion, self-doubt, and guilt - powerful barriers that keep women trapped and afraid to reach out.

Day 5 of #16DaysOfAction: Every brick tells a story. Not all abuse leaves bruises - sometimes it builds quiet walls of fear, control, isolation. Leah began to see patterns: the ways abuse can silence, distance, confine. Those walls might look like “pulling away”, but Leah was not free to reach out.

Day 4 of #16DaysOfAction: Small changes, big differences. “They looked at me like I was the problem. No one asked what was really going on.” Reaching out for help takes courage - but too often, the systems meant to protect women can make it harder to be heard.

Today on Day 3 of #16DaysOfAction we hear from Leah on the wieght of gendered epxectations.

Day 2 of #16DaysOfAction: The Myths That Stop Us Asking for Help: Many survivors tell us that before they reach out for support, they’re held back by powerful barriers - shame, fear, self-blame, and the belief that what they experienced “wasn’t serious enough".

Today is Day 1 of #16DaysOfAction - a global moment to come together against gender-based violence and to stand beside every woman who deserves safety, dignity, and peace. Our campaign was created with women from our Breathe Free project and third-year Visual Communications students at @leedsartsuni

Free Confidential Sexual Health Drop In!👩⚕️ Friday 28th November 11am - 3pm at Leeds Kirkgate Market

Cuppa & Connect, come along for a friendly cuppa, chat and some relaxed activities. ☕💬💕

We have a new project! DigitALL Women 👩💻💜 This project aims to empower women to use technology safely, confidently and independently! www.womenshelathmatters.org.uk/contact-us

Baby Week Leeds begins this Friday!🍼💜🤗 This years Baby Week Leeds celebrates it's 10th Birthday.🎂 This year the theme is Healthy Parent, Healthy Baby. It focusses on low/no-cost events, activities, wellbeing and health talks all over Leeds, aiming to reduce barriers and inequality.

Anti-Bullying week is the 10th-14th November. Tomorrow, let's all wear odd socks to celebrate what makes us unique!

Join WHM's free Creative Wellbeing Group for women aged 16-25. It's a safe, supportive environment for women to come together, unwind, get creative, learn new skills and nurture your wellbeing 💛🎨⭐ Spaces are open now! Make a referral www.womenshealthmatters.org.uk/contact-us

"I feel supported and able to reach out for advice and support in a way I haven't before with other services." - From our Annual Client Snapshot Survey 2025

Our Naya Rhythm Project has finished. This was a group for women seeking asylum and refugees that aimed to improve fitness through Indian dance! ✨🎶 This project has been great! We want to thank facilitator Minoti Parikh, the National Lottery and Sport England for making this project a success!

Our new Blog is live! Meet Our New Trustees! Follow this link to read www.womenshealthmatters.org.uk/bitsandblogs

It is Trustees' Week 2025! Here are Women's Health Matters our trustees are invaluable. They bring a wealth of professional and personal experiences to their voluntary role. We would not be here today without them. A big THANK YOU to all of our trustees for their commitment, guidance, and expertise

With National Stress Awareness Day approaching, this weekend is a great opportunity to think about the effects of stress, physically and mentally and how we can manage feelings of stress. 💜

As of yesterday, the morning-after pill is now free on the NHS from high-street pharmacies across England. 👩⚕️ To find out more 👉 www.england.nhs.uk/2025/10/free...

Have your child's car seat checked for free! Tuesday 28th October, 10am-3pm at Tesco Extra Car Park, LS14 6JD Friday 31st October, 10am-3pm at Sainsbury's Car Park, LS17 5NY

"After a storm comes a rainbow"🌈 "WHM is always there for us"🤗 "Love is Power"💜

From @womenfriendlyleeds: "As the clocks go back, we’re stepping forward to demand a safer, fairer West Yorkshire for everyone! Join us at Reclaim the Night – Sunday 26th October – 5:30pm outside Leeds Art Gallery. Speakers from 5:30pm, march at 6pm. Open to everyone!"

Did you know there is a pill that can project you from HIV? It is called HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis or PrEP. To find out more visit 👉https://leedssexualhealth.com/prep-and-pep/

Today is World Menopause Day!💜 This is an opportunity to shine the spotlight on the challenges facing women during the menopause transition and highlight improvements in research, education and support.📖 This years theme is Lifestyle Medicine, exploring how our lifestyles can affect menopause.

Read our latest blog!✨ This blog is all about our annual Celebration Event last week!💜 Read here👉 www.womenshealthmatters.org.uk/bitsandblogs

Last week, we had a wonderful day at our annual WHM Celebration Event✨📅 We wanted to share a few lovely photos from the day. ❤️💜💙💚

11-18th October is National Hate Crime Awareness Week. 📢 Here at Women's Health Matters, we stand united against all forms of hate. Together we can confront hatred and build a world where everyone is treated with dignity and kindness.🤝💚 #HCAW #LeedsCommunity

Today is World Mental Health Day🌎💙 For more information visit 👉 www.mentalhealth.org.uk Remember, help is available: In an emergency always call 999 Samaritans offer free 24/7 support for anyone in crisis, call 116 123

9th - 15th October is Baby Loss Awareness Week💙 This is a time for remembrance, raising awareness, and driving change To find out more 👉 babyloss-awareness.org #BabyLossAwarenessWeek #BLAW

It is Dyslexia Awareness Week. ✨ This years theme is Raising the Volume.📢 This week is an opportunity to raise awareness of dyslexia and to challenge common misconceptions. Find out more 👉 www.bdadyslexia.org.uk

October is Menopause Awareness Month This years theme is Lifestyle Medicine Highlighting how everyday choices, like food, movement, sleep, stress, and self-care can make a real difference to how people experience menopause. If you have any questions or concerns about menopause, contact your GP.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2025💜 DVAM aims to raise awareness about the issue of domestic violence, promote resources for survivors, and encourage prevention efforts. Help is out there: National Domestic Abuse helpline 0808 2000 247 Leeds Domestic Violence Service Helpline 0113 246 0401

Breathe Free is a is a 20-week course for women aged 16 and above who’ve experienced domestic violence and abuse (DVA) and complex trauma. The course is co-delivered with a recent Breathe Free course graduate, a woman with lived experience of DVA.✨ #DVAawareness #LeedsCommunity

Stronger Together✨ Some lovely cards members of our team made at the staff wellbeing session on Wednesday💜

Before becoming a part of Naya Rhythm, 76% of attendees never, rarely, or only occasionally participated in social activities. But now, the Naya Rhythmprovides an opportunity for women to be a part of a social activity.💜 Thank you to facilitator @minoti.parikh, The National Lottery & Sport England

Being You Leeds provides groups for community wellbeing across Leeds💚 There is a new monthly Online Journaling for Women, the first session will be Sat 27th September 10.30am. For more info contact Kim on 07484515528 or [email protected]

It's Black Maternal Health Week UK 2025✨🧡 This years theme is 'Making Black Mothers Visible' Black Maternal Health Week is organised by The Motherhood Group and is dedicated to raising awareness about metal health challenges faced by Black mothers across the UK. Visit themotherhoodgroup.org #BMMHW25

“I feel empowered being around so many survivors and staff with lived experience. It has made me feel normal, not crazy or overreacting” - from our Annual Client Snapshot Survey 2025🧡

New Blog✨ From Pain to Power: A story of resilience, hope, and transformation. Read here: www.womenshealthmatters.org.uk/bitsandblogs If you work with/support women affected by trauma, you may be interested in our Survivors' Voices Training. Sign up: www.womenshealthmatters.org.uk/survivors-vo...

It's Sexual Health Week 2025!💙 There is no better time than now to make your sexual health a priority. This years theme is chronically online, exploring how this affects our attitudes and behaviours around sex and relationships. Visit www.brook.org.uk/shw/ to find out more

Leeds International Festival of Ideas is soon Some of the WHM team are attending the event: Why do we need to talk about domestic abuse? The panel of survivors and experts will explore why starting the conversation about domestic abuse is critical. leedsinternationalfestival.com/event/why-do...

💛 World Suicide Prevention Day 💛 Today is dedicated to raising awareness about suicide and reducing stigma around mental health. Remember, help is always available for yourself or someone you know: 💚 Visit the Samaritans website www.samaritans.org or call 116 123 💙 Text 'SHOUT' to 85258

💬 “I’ve finally found a group of women who wholeheartedly understand how I feel. It’s made me feel a lot less lonely.” 💙 From our annual client snapshot survey 2024/25, 93% agree that support received has improved their mental wellbeing. #MentalHealthSupport #Empowerment #PeerSupport

Leeds is hosting the Baton of Hope tour on Wednesday 10 September - which is also World Suicide Prevention Day. Find out more on the MindWell website: www.mindwell-leeds.org.uk/about-mindwe... #SuicidePrevention #SuicideAwareness #BatonOfHopeUK #LeedsEvents

September is Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month💜 To find out more, visit the Macmillan website 👉 www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-aware... If you have any concerns, contact your GP. #GynaeCancerAwareness

📢 Important information: A UK-wide emergency alert test will sound on all mobile phones at this Sunday (7th September) at 3pm, even if they're on silent. Remember, you CAN opt out of this test. If you need to turn off alerts for safety reasons, follow these steps: www.gov.uk/alerts/optin...

💙Bluebirds💙 Our 4-week online trauma recovery group for women who want to better understand trauma and its effects, taking place on Monday afternoons on Zoom. Want to find out more, or make a referral? Visit our website www.womenshealthmatters.org.uk/bluebirdshtt... #TraumaRecovery #GroupSupport

💻📱Need help with anything digital? We're here to help! Our Digital Support Sessions are back this September - come and join us for friendly advice and practical tips. 👉Check out the schedule and join in!

Survivors' Voices: Domestic Abuse Awareness Training. A full-day, in-person session on Monday 13th October. It is designed to equip professionals with the knowledge, tools and confidence to support victim-survivors of DVA. Follow the link to book your place www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/survivors-...

💜 Our Feel Good group, for women with learning difficulties, meets weekly to explore self-care, safety, healthy relationships, and body confidence in a safe, supportive space. 📍 Visit our website to make a referral: www.womenshealthmatters.org.uk/feel-good