JohnFollowing the roaring success of their DIY SOS: Big Build, Getaway Girls has submitted planning to redevelop a new centre where their story began.
The proposals, submitted by Love Design on behalf of the charity, include redeveloping their four-storey building on Bayswater Grove, in the heart of Harehills.
The vision aims to create open and safe spaces where people can convene and collaborate, as well as increasing the workshop space for the growing number of young women who use the service.
The new design will provide a much-needed safe space for vulnerable girls and young women living in Leeds. They’ll be able to access support and advice and have access to residential space.
Rooms will be opened to create inclusive, accessible spaces, echoing the values of the Getaway Girls charity. The garden will also be rejuvenated, giving users of the service access to a green and tranquil space.
Jo Love, Creative Design Director at Love, said: “With the help of businesses, trades, design and building professionals, we hope to replicate the success of the DIY SOS: Big Build in Harehills. We want to design and refurbish another inspiring, social and safe environment for Getaway Girls to facilitate all the amazing work they do. Our ambition is to meet more young women in this area and empower them to flourish in today’s world.”
Founded in 1987, Getaway Girls has supported over 20,000 young women to learn new skills, build confidence, resilience, and aspiration across over 1,000 projects and almost 30,000 workshops.
Flavia Docherty, CEO of Getaway Girls, comments: “Since 2022, when we moved into our new building at Seacroft, we have flourished. We’re supporting more young women and girls than ever and are continually expanding our services.
“Seeing the positive impact that the environment can have on the women who enter our service made me realise it was time to refresh our original space. With the help of Love Design and Places for People, we’re excited to see another new project come to life.”
To date, the project has been awarded funding through the Places for People Foundation Fund and The Resilience Programme, a Fusion 21 Foundation, Clarion Futures and Places for People collaboration, and pro-bono consultancy support.
The team is once again looking for support to make the vision a reality.
Jamie Dickinson, Group Head of Social Impact at Places for People said: “As a long-term partner of Getaway Girls, and the UK’s leading social enterprise, we see the positive impact that they have on young women’s lives. Through their projects and programmes, they give young women the opportunity to thrive – something that we prioritise in all that we do. To support the team in fulfilling their vision, we are calling out to our supply chain partners and local firms to volunteer their services to this magnificent cause.
“If you have a trade, skill, material or time to spare, we want to hear from you.”
Flavia Docherty added: “Long-term, we would like to collaborate with businesses that can not only financially support our work but also inspire our young women with role models and opportunities.”
- To volunteer your time to the latest Getaway Girls project, you can email LeedsInfo@placesforpeople.co.
uk to register your interest. Once planning permission has been accepted, Getaway Girls will be in touch to advise of the build dates and check availability.
