Leeds has officially turned 400 years old this July, and to celebrate this important milestone, we are aiming to raise 400 hours of funding for our online chat service.
At Leeds Women’s Aid, we are proud to have been supporting victim-survivors of domestic abuse for the last 54 years of Leeds’ history, and our online chat service offers a vital lifeline for victim-survivors to access support.
The online chat service was launched in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as a safe and discreet way for women to reach out for support when they may not be able to call safely.
Over the last six years, the demand for digital support has grown significantly, with many women telling us they do not feel safe using the phone. In 2025 alone, the service received almost 300 contacts for support.
Support the campaign
Just £15 provides one hours’ worth of support, so 400 hours of the service could provide an incredible 150 opportunities for women and families to access safe, specialist support when they would not otherwise feel safe to contact us by phone.
The main way to support the campaign is by making an online donation on the campaign JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/400hoursofsupport
There are various other ways you can get involved, why not set up a fundraiser, take on a personal challenge, or host an event!
Download some branded resources below, and contact [email protected] and our team will support you every step of the way.
About the service
Our online chat service is available on this website Monday to Friday, 1pm–4pm, alongside 24/7 secure messaging, and is staffed by experienced Domestic Violence and Abuse Support Workers offering tailored support in complex and often dangerous situations. Learn more about the service on the Immediate Support page.
Help us celebrate 400 years of Leeds with purpose.