Steph Mallas, Deputy CEO, WomenCentre
Reclaim the Night has always been more than just a walk. It is a statement. A reminder that everyone has the right to feel safe, wherever they are, whatever the time of day.
The event was timed to coincide with the end of British Summer Time (BST) and the clocks going back, in recognition of women reporting feeling more unsafe as the nights get darker. For women, darker evenings can often mean limiting how we live our lives. Over the years, many of us have been told to simply “stay indoors” to stay safe, as though the problem lies with our presence rather than the behaviour that threatens it. Reclaim the Night challenges that message, reclaiming not just physical spaces but also the confidence to move freely within them.
LEVEL was proud to take part. Our team joined hundreds of others, the banners got a bit soggy but our chants for change and the right to feel safe were loud and proud.
This year, the event took on special meaning as part of the West Yorkshire Mayor’s wider park walk initiative, a commitment to safer streets and ending violence against women and girls. The Kirklees walk took place in Greenhead Park in Huddersfield, and although the weather gave us a bit of a challenge (it was certainly wet and windy), the atmosphere was anything but dampened. The energy was brilliant: determined, hopeful, and full of solidarity.
Many organisations were there too, all united in their mission to make our communities safer and more inclusive. From services offering advice and support to those sharing safety resources (and some great freebies), the event was a real showcase of what partnership and shared purpose can look like.
It was especially heartening to meet members of the LGBTQ+ community who came out to support the event. Their presence reflected exactly what LEVEL is all about, creating spaces where everyone feels seen, valued, and included. Safety and belonging are not privileges; they are rights that belong to us all.
Despite the rain, spirits stayed high. There was laughter, conversation, and a strong sense of connection. That, to me, is what Reclaim the Night represents, community strength in action.
As we move through the winter months, events like this remind us all that visibility matters. When we come together to walk, speak out, and show up, we send a clear message: these streets, these parks, these spaces belong to everyone.
LEVEL will continue to play its part in that mission, supporting safer, more inclusive communities across West Yorkshire where everyone can live, work, and walk without fear.
Sometimes, standing up for change means walking together through the rain. And that is exactly what we did, loud, proud, and unstoppable.
With West Yorkshire Mayor, Tracy Brabin
With MP for Spen Valley, Kim Leadbeater