Our Vision
Our Mission
Achievements
Getaway Girls has empowered girls and young women in Leeds for over 30 years.
We have supported over 13,500 young women to learn new skills, build confidence, resilience and aspiration.
To hear about how we’ve positively impacted the lives of young women for over 30 years, download our 30 Years 30 Stories booklet.
Our Core Values & Principles
Empowerment
Equality
Passion
Integrity
Compassion
Respect
Collaboration
innovation
inclusion
Our work is underpinned by the principles of Women’s centred empowering holistic approaches
Girls and young women are at the heart of our work.
We work with young women and listen to gain understanding of what works for young women.
We have an understanding of young women’s needs and their lives
We empower young women potential as individuals and in collaboration with other young women to recognise and build on their power to voice and influence change in the community, Leeds and nationally
All our paid staff, trustees, volunteers and peer educators are women who are positive role models
We are welcoming and inclusive
We work within a safe, creative, flexible and supportive environment
Quality, Professionalism and confidentiality are at the core of how we work
Equality, diversity and inclusion are very important to us
Young women’s participation in decision making is embedded within our work from the leadership, co design , delivery and evaluation
We co create with young women- a safe, creative, vibrant, flexible and supportive environment
We work in collaboration with young women, communities, other services
We are proud of and celebrate all young women’s achievements.
Our journey
Getaway Girls was set up in 1987 and became a registered charity in 1990 originally to introduce young women to outdoor activities/ adventure education. It was felt that this was a male dominated area of work and in order to redress this Getaway Girls set about developing exciting opportunities for young women who may otherwise have a chance to try these activities.
Due to the changing needs of young women and new funding becoming available Getaway Girls expanded quickly. Getaway Girls has striven to remain flexible in its approach and as a result grew from being a small team to an organisation employing 18 staff and an active team of volunteers delivering a variety of projects. Our committed staff team have continued to offer a high quality service ensuring that Getaway Girls continues its reputation as an excellent organisation working with young women within Leeds.
Meet the team
At Getaway Girls I support young women with their basic needs, for example support with housing needs, food banks, somewhere to stay for the night, financial help, getting back into education, employment and more.
What I like about working at Getaway girls is supporting our young women and the staff all work well together as a team. I got involved in Getaway Girls as a volunteer, and when a role became available for the Hardship Crisis team I applied and got the job and have been working here for almost two years and it’s been great, I have supported many young women in crisis and I’m so happy to be able to make a difference.
Education: I am also currently studying for my last year at Uni doing my degree in Youth and Community Development, and I will graduate this year!
Hobbies: My hobbies outside work are going to the gym.
My favourite quote is from Michelle Obama: ‘Success isn’t about how much money you make it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives‘
My role as a Vocal Girls Coordinator within the Women Friendly Leeds team is to ensure that girls voices and views remain a focal part of the movement. We support girls aged 13-25 to form campaigns to make positive changes in Leeds.I help to connect the girls with change makers in the city and try to ensure that a diverse range of girls voices are heard.
I like working for Getaway Girls because it just feels like home as I've been a part of the project for around 8 years now. It feels great to be a part of the team as I know on a personal level how beneficial the work is.
Education: I studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics at the University of Nottingham
Hobbies: I love listening to music.
My favourite quote is from Mrs. Obama: "Whether you come from a council estate or a country estate, your success will be determined by your own confidence and fortitude."
My main duties include running Vocal Girls sessions and ensuring that young women's voices are heard within the wider WomenFriendly Leeds Movement.
I started the job at the start of lockdown and everyone has been very welcoming and friendly, it's a really fun and relaxing work environment. Also, it's a great team, you learn so much from the other workers.
I wanted to get into youth work, specifically with young women and I came across the work Getaway Girls does within the Women Friendly Leeds movement and wanted to get involved!
Education: I went to the University of Leeds and studied BA Politics (IND).
Hobbies: Photography, visual arts, music, skateboarding and watching films. I also enjoy cooking and baking.
I work for Women’s Lives Leeds (WLL) and I’m managed by (and based at) Getaway Girls. I provide specialist, intensive support for young women aged 13 – 25. I provide personally tailored sessions according to the young woman’s individual needs and circumstances. I’m based at Getaway Girls as it’s the organisation within WLL that fits best with my specialism. It gives myself (and the young women I support) access to all the fantastic initiatives at Getaway Girls, such as training opportunities, support, fun activities, trips and voice and influence work.
I started working at Getaway Girls doing my most favourite EVER project in my working life, working on the Changing Labels Heritage Lottery project in 2013. I supported a group of young women into researching teenage fashion over the years...it was a fantastic project and I loved every minute of it. I then had a break, but moved back to Getaway Girls as Specialist CSE (Child Sexual Exploitation) worker and following this I successfully applied for the post of Complex Needs Worker and I’ve been in this post since February 2017.
Education: I studied Community & Youth Studies at Leeds Beckett, gaining a BA (Hons) First in 2010. I’m also a qualified ISVA (independent Sexual Violence Advisor) and gained this qualification in 2019. Hobbies: In my spare time, I go to the gym and I love hiking up mountains. I’m passionate about fashion and interiors – doing both on a shoestring (mainly pre-loved)... I only ever buy new if I absolutely can’t find what I want second-hand! I also LOVE live music and exploring the Lakes and Dales (it’s the only way I can recharge my batteries)!
I started working for Getaway Girls back in 2012 as Finance and Office Manager. I handle the finances at Getaway Girls, including planning project budgets, making payments and more. I produce reports necessary for monitoring and evaluation purposes. I’m also responsible for the smooth running of the office. I work closely with Flavia and assist my colleagues as and when required.
Before Getaway Girls, I’ve had a few jobs over the years, but when I started working in the community I knew that’s what I wanted to do. It is great to work for a charity that inspires young women and gives them a voice.
Hobbies: I’m potty about my dog Alfie, I spend most of my free time walking him with friends, it’s a great time to catch up, but it also keeps me fit. My husband joins me walking Alfie at the weekend, we love to find new walks and dog friendly café’s. I also enjoy going to the gym and meeting up with friends for lunch.
One of my favourite inspirational quotes comes from Malala Yousafzai “We realise the importance of our voices only when we are silenced.”
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My main duties involve supporting young women with low-medium level CSE risk, I plan and deliver group work in both primary and secondary schools, I facilitate the 13-16 girls group at Getaway Girls and also facilitate the Black Girl Magic forum.
What I love the most about working at Getaway Girls is firstly my team, who are all very supportive and the support, challenge and fun that we offer to young women in Leeds. Knowing the impact it has makes the organisation a great place to work.
Education: After leaving school I attended college and achieved a National Diploma in performing arts, this has always been something I have been very passionate about.
Hobbies: My hobbies are going to the theatre, socialising and spending time with family and friends, listening to music or attending concerts with some of my favourite artists. I love to do drama, dance and any other type of performance led work. I love to read, I enjoy doing yoga and meditating and the list goes on..!
My favourite quote is from Maya Angelou: “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”
My role is to support young women aged 16-25yrs with developing their confidence, skills resilience and aspirations so that they can reach their potential. The Inspiring Futures Project proactively works with young women who face discrimination and barriers to help them to meet their potential. Through offering one to one individual support and group work, my role involves helping young women access training, work experience, volunteering opportunities. I will also look at supporting them to gain good interview skills, produce a good CV, making applications for jobs and then will support them during the transition into the world of work.
I love working at Getaway Girls because we offer support to young women in a very positive and unique way. We are a charity that does grassroots work and we reach diverse groups of young women. This is also reflected in our staff team. I feel passionate like all of my colleagues about supporting young women, facilitating their growth and creating a positive impact in their lives and therefore in the wider community! I started working at Getaway Girls after a career break to bring up my children. As a teenager, I was part of a local youth group run by Flavia, Getaway Girls now director. I remember the difference that that work had made to my life (as the child of new migrants to the UK) and the positive experiences I had as a young person. I felt Getaway Girls represented the difference that I wanted to make to the lives of others, having had first-hand experience of this myself!
I studied a BA (Honours) in Sociology and studied this at the University of Greenwich in London. I studied many interesting subjects during my studies including Third World Studies, Introduction to Counselling and Criminology which have shaped my own view of the world.
Outside of work I love spending time with my family, my siblings, my nieces and nephews. I love learning so I am always enrolled on courses and trying to improve my understanding of the world. I also enjoy going to the gym and travelling when I can!
An inspirational quote I love from Serena Williams….
“The success of every women should be the inspiration to another. We should raise each other up. Make sure you’re very courageous: be strong, be extremely kind and above all be humble”
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Ultrices neque ornare aenean euismod elementum nisi quis. Vel elit scelerisque mauris pellentesque pulvinar pellentesque habitant morbi tristique. Elementum nisi quis eleifend quam adipiscing. Cursus in hac habitasse platea dictumst quisque sagittis.
Metus vulputate eu scelerisque felis. Adipiscing elit pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et. Id venenatis a condimentum vitae. Nulla posuere sollicitudin aliquam ultrices sagittis orci a scelerisque. Libero volutpat sed cras ornare arcu dui vivamus arcu felis.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ultricies mi eget mauris pharetra et ultrices neque ornare. Amet nisl suscipit adipiscing bibendum est ultricies integer. Duis convallis convallis tellus id interdum velit laoreet id. Enim blandit volutpat maecenas volutpat blandit aliquam etiam erat velit. Volutpat maecenas volutpat blandit aliquam etiam.
Ultrices neque ornare aenean euismod elementum nisi quis. Vel elit scelerisque mauris pellentesque pulvinar pellentesque habitant morbi tristique. Elementum nisi quis eleifend quam adipiscing. Cursus in hac habitasse platea dictumst quisque sagittis.
Metus vulputate eu scelerisque felis. Adipiscing elit pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et. Id venenatis a condimentum vitae. Nulla posuere sollicitudin aliquam ultrices sagittis orci a scelerisque. Libero volutpat sed cras ornare arcu dui vivamus arcu felis.
I have worked at Getaway Girls for the past 11 years and have had many different roles. I currently work on the Safe Space Service as a specialist Child Sexual Exploitation worker. My work offers support to young women aged 11-18 in Leeds, working on a 121 basis, group work and detached outreach sessions looking at keeping safe and reducing the risk of harm.
What I did before
Before working at Getaway Girls; as a teenager I worked in catering. I especially like working at the Elland road stadium for the football matches as the atmosphere is fab! Whist I was studying at University for my degree in Youth and Community Development, I have worked in various jobs in retail, clubs and bars, and as a carer for people suffering with dementia. I love meeting new people and I’m very passionate about the work I do and continuing my professional development.
A bit about me
I’m from Leeds and love living and working here!
I have three young children who keep me extremely busy at home with various sporting activities, board games, reading and baking. When I have a bit of me time I love to read or catch up with friends for a nice meal and a giggle. One thing I’d like to do in the future is travel and visit & see as much of the world as possible! A road trip through Europe in a campervan would be an ideal start.
A quote that inspires me is from Maya Angelou:
We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty. This quote reminds me why I love working at Getaway Girls, we have the pleasure of witnessing the young people evolve, grow and develop their individual strengths and passions, within a safe structured environment with fun encompassing the work involved.
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Ultrices neque ornare aenean euismod elementum nisi quis. Vel elit scelerisque mauris pellentesque pulvinar pellentesque habitant morbi tristique. Elementum nisi quis eleifend quam adipiscing. Cursus in hac habitasse platea dictumst quisque sagittis.
Metus vulputate eu scelerisque felis. Adipiscing elit pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et. Id venenatis a condimentum vitae. Nulla posuere sollicitudin aliquam ultrices sagittis orci a scelerisque. Libero volutpat sed cras ornare arcu dui vivamus arcu felis.
