Supporting Leeds’ Getaway Girls charity in creating their new home
Did you catch DIY SOS on BBC Children in Need this year?
It was the show’s annual ‘Big Build’ and for 2022, in aid of Children in Need, Nick Knowles and his team set up camp in Leeds to build the Getaway Girls a brand new, much-needed social space to call home.
For those that haven’t yet heard of Getaway Girls, their story is like nothing else…
This incredible charity has been empowering vulnerable girls and young women in Leeds for over 35 years, helping them to learn new skills and build confidence in areas they wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to.
Getaway Girls currently works with around 800 young women from different backgrounds, delivering crucial support to help them face challenging situations and overcome barriers which might be holding them back. They provide access to activities such as residential weekends, music sessions, sport and more, all of which help to improve mental health and raise their aspirations to build a better future.
“It’s truly an inspiring story and we were so pleased to be able to support Getaway Girls by donating lighting to make their main social space that little bit more special.”
Ally Dowsing-Reynolds, CEO, Dowsing & Reynolds
In just 10 days, Nick and his team, along with hundreds of volunteers and suppliers, transformed a derelict site in Seacroft into this incredible new base designed by interior designer Jo Love. Featuring vibrant mural artwork from the talented Jan Erika, along with our Bubble Cloud chandelier and Umage Feather pendants, the building provides a safe space for girls and young women who rely so heavily on Getaway Girls for support.
They can now enjoy a music and media studio with state-of-the-art equipment, make use of counselling and activity rooms along with office spaces for staff and volunteers, and there’s a creche and garden so that mums have a safe space to bring their children.
So many other companies, local and national, chipped in by donating products, and labouring day and night, to get this build completed, so a huge thank you to them as well.
Head to Getaway Girls to find out more about the incredible work they do for girls and young women in Leeds.
