Finding Space and Support: A Message for the Holiday Period

aneira5
Dec 19, 2025
3 min read

As we reach the end of December, we here at Women’s Health Matters want to take a moment to check in with you. While the holiday period is often portrayed as a time of uninterrupted joy, we know that for many women we support, it can bring a unique set of pressures, from financial strain to isolation and complex family dynamics.

Our message to you during this time is simple: Your well-being is the priority.

Whether you’re navigating the holidays alone, with family, or managing difficult relationships, we want to ensure you have practical strategies for looking after yourself and clear information on where to turn if you need help.

Looking after ourselves: three permissions you can grant yourself

The holidays often come with a weight of expectation. We encourage you to try these three strategies to help protect your peace and mental health over the next couple of weeks.

Give yourself permission to pause.

The pressure to “be cheerful” or attend every gathering can be overwhelming. Give yourself permission to say no. If a tradition, event, or conversation causes you stress, it is healthy to create distance. Think of it as “pausing”, treat it as an act of self-care. Even taking 15 minutes a day to sit in a quiet room, to take a walk, or listen to music can act as a vital reset button.

Connect on your terms

Loneliness isn’t just about being alone, its about feeling disconnected. If large gathering feel unsafe or exhausting, focus on small, meaningful connections instead. Text a friend, or plan a quiet coffee date. If you’re feeling isolated, remember that connection doesn’t have to be in person; it can also be found over the phone.

Release the “Perfect Holiday” Myth

As the holidays arrive, there is immense pressure for everything to be “magical”, from the food to the mood; everything feels like it has to be perfect. If your reality feels messy, quiet, or difficult, that’s ok. You are under no obligation to put on a brave face for the sake of others. If you find yourself comparing your life to the “highlights reel of others”, try stepping away from social media for a few days. Remind yourself that there is no “right” way to get through this period; it is enough to simply get through it in whatever way feels right and safest for you.

A Year of Resilience: Looking Back at 2025

This practice of self-care and setting boundaries is something we have championed all year long. While the holidays can be a testing time, we are constantly reminded of the incredible strength found within our community. Looking back on 2025, that resilience has been the common thread in everything we have achieved together.

This summer, that spirit was on full display as Team WHM tackled the Leeds 10k. It was a powerful moment of solidarity, with staff and supporters running through the heat to raise vital funds for our Inside Out and Rosebuds groups.

Our commitment to building a safer Leeds also grew through our training packages. By educating professionals across the city on trauma and domestic abuse, we are helping to create a network of support that understands the real lives of the women we support.

This year also saw the launch of several impactful new projects that celebrate the whole woman: Naya Rhythm brought the joy of dance to women seeking asylum, Art of Her provided a creative sanctuary for young women’s wellbeing, and DigitALL Women empowered us all with the tools for digital safety and confidence.

As we look toward 2026, we are preparing for exciting changes that will allow us to deepen our impact even further. While the road ahead is always evolving, our mission remains steady: supporting every woman to live a safe and healthy life.

Thank you to our staff, volunteers, and funders for making this work possible. To the women we support: we see your strength, and we walk alongside you.