As the year starts to wind down, we’ve found ourselves doing what most people do at this time of year - looking back and trying to make sense of everything that’s happened. For everyone at Leeway, 2025 has been one of those years that made us pause more than once. Some days were difficult, some were genuinely uplifting, and plenty sat somewhere in between. But through all of it, we kept coming back to the same realisation: the work we do is absolutely essential, and the need for it isn’t going away.
One of the things we’re especially proud of is the growth of our Healthy Relationship service. This was the first full year of delivering it, and it has already made a real difference to young people across Norfolk. Helping them understand what a healthy relationship looks like, to recognise red flags early, and how to trust their instincts - it’s work that feels more important than ever. Young people are exposed to a lot online, and not all of it is positive. Influencers who promote harmful or misogynistic views have made our job harder at times, but the team has stepped up to that challenge with patience and determination. The conversations they’ve been having in schools and groups this year have been invaluable.
Our involvement in NIDAS has also continued to grow. Breaking down the barriers that stop people from accessing support is something we think about constantly, so seeing that service develop further this year has been encouraging. Being able to reach people sooner, and in ways that feel approachable, makes a huge difference.
A big change for us came in November when we welcomed our new Chief Executive, Jools Ramsey-Palmer. It’s always a significant moment when leadership changes, and we’re excited about the direct and energy she brings with her.
Outside of our services, this year has also been shaped by our time spent out in the community. Our Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at the Bishop’s Garden was one of those days that just make you smile - families enjoying themselves, people chatting, children running about, and behind it all a shared sense of support for the work we do. The Royal Norfolk Show and Suffolk Show were equally rewarding. Being able to talk to people face-to-face, answer questions, and raise awareness in such a direct way is something we always value.
And then there’s the generosity we’ve seen. Our Christmas Campaign, in particular, left us incredibly moved. The kindness shown by individuals, businesses, and groups across our area has been overwhelming, and every contribution - large or small - helps people in ways that aren’t always visible, but are always deeply felt.
Across all our services combined, we supported more than 19,500 people this year. It’s a number we’re proud of because it means people reached out, spoke up, and found support. But it’s also a reminder of how widespread domestic abuse still is, and how much work there is left to do. We’ve spoken a lot this year about the experiences of young girls in particular. Too many are dealing with sexism, misogyny, and pressure in their day-to-day lives, and it’s something we feel very strongly about continuing to highlight.
Looking ahead, our goals for 2026 are quite straightforward: keep improving what we do, keep pushing for better access to support, and keep building relationships with organisations and businesses that can help us reach people who might otherwise fall through the cracks. We’re also exploring new initiatives - nothing we can announce just yet, but there will be updates throughout the year on our website and social channels.
As we approach Christmas and the New Year, we know this time of year can feel especially difficult for anyone living with or worried about domestic abuse. We want to reassure you that our telephone helpline is open 24 hours a day throughout the entire Christmas period, so if you need to talk to someone at any point, you can call 0300 561 0077 and one of our team will be there to take your call.
Our offices aren’t fully staffed over the festive season and a few of our services, including the website chat feature, may be limited. If you need to contact the office or one of our refuges, these are the reception opening hours for this Christmas:
Office Contact Times
Even when the office building is closed, our staff remain contactable by email and phone.
Refuge Contact Times
If you need immediate help at any time, please call 999.
If the festive season feels difficult, try to keep yourself as safe as possible. If it’s something you can do safely, let a trusted friend or family member know what’s going on. If you’re worried about someone else, a simple message or check-in can sometimes be the thing that gives them the courage to reach out.
We also want to take a moment to acknowledge the people who have supported us this year. Whether you volunteered, donated, helped at an event, shared our posts, or simply took the time to talk about domestic abuse and challenge harmful attitudes - you’ve played a part in helping us support people who needed it. And to our staff and volunteers: thank you. Your compassion, dedication and resilience and resilience are felt in every part of this organisation.
