Independent domestic violence and abuse charity, Leeds Women’s Aid, has launched a summer social media campaign, #OurOwnSafeSpace, which encourages individuals and families to create and share safe spaces to highlight how for families experiencing domestic abuse, nowhere feels safe.
The campaign aims to raise donations for Leeds Women’s Aid’s project to build a new Children and Young People’s Hub for families staying in its refuge accommodation.
Leeds Women’s Aid will be collaborating with Yorkshire-based family and lifestyle influencers to bolster the #OurOwnSafeSpace campaign on Instagram and reach new audiences. Members of the public can show their support throughout the campaign by creating fundraisers on Instagram to go towards the hub.
Fundraising & Marketing Director at Leeds Women’s Aid, Samantha Lightfoot, said:
“We have up to 100 families in our refuge accommodation at any one time, with most women who come to our refuges bringing at least one child who has experienced or witnessed domestic abuse.
“The campaign aims to draw attention to our project to build a dedicated hub for children and young people in refuge. We are challenging people to support us by ‘building’ and sharing their own safe spaces, this could be a pillow fort or den in the garden or even a Lego house. We hope this will be a fun activity for families to do together during the school holidays, whilst supporting our important cause.”
Leeds Women’s Aid supported 3,500 people from 2023-2023 through its domestic violence and abuse services which include a 24/7 telephone helpline, webchat, emergency refuge accommodation, drop-in services, healthy relationship programmes, legal support and advocacy and specialised support for children and young people.
The new Children & Young People’s Hub will provide the young people with their own safe space to play, relax and socialise, aiding their recovery from domestic abuse.
Supporters can also learn more about the hub project and donate directly at: localgiving.org/appeal/LWAYoungPeoplesHub
If you would like to build your own safe space, please tag @LeedsWomensAid on Instagram and use the hashtag #OurOwnSafeSpace.
This post is based on a press release issued by Leeds Women’s Aid
While you’re here, can we ask a favour?
South Leeds Life is published by a not-for-profit social enterprise. We keep our costs as low as possible but we’ve been hit by increases in the print costs for our monthly newspaper which have doubled in the last two years.
Could you help support local community news by making a one off donation, or even better taking out a supporters subscription?
Donate here, or sign up for a subscription at bit.ly/SLLsubscribe
