SHC Hire has donated over 230 hire products, including tools, wheelbarrows, scaffolding and materials to Getaway Girls from Leeds, featured on the BBC One series ‘DIY SOS: The Big Build’.
The building equipment and materials from the Skipton-based business were used to deliver a life-changing transformation of the Getaway Girls new charity headquarters.
SSD (Skipton Self-Drive) also kindly loaned SHC Hire a van free of charge to deliver and collect the items.
Getaway Girls has been providing support and empowering young women in Leeds for over 30 years. At its core, this charity seeks to ‘empower girls and young women to support each other, build confidence and resilience, raise aspirations, and take positive risks.’
The charity’s work is as important now as it has ever been, but their existing facilities are no longer fit for purpose. And the lack of available space is hindering the support they can offer. With a ground-up new development, Getaway Girls will be able to offer many more girls and young women support, counselling and opportunities for creativity and learning. As well as the practical help, companionship, and opportunities for adventure that the girls and young women of Leeds so desperately need.
SHC Hire’s managing director Neil Bravery, says: “We were more than happy to get involved in this fantastic and worthwhile build. And SHC Hire is proud to have been a part of creating a lasting legacy that will be benefit the girls and young women of Leeds. It’s an incredible new purpose-built facility that will enabling the Getaway Girls to thrive for a very long time.
“We’re huge fans of this show too so it was great to meet the team.”
A large local homebuilder gifted Getaway Girls the piece of land in Seacroft where the facility was built. Along with the support of local trades, suppliers and volunteers, DIY SOS constructed a purpose-built timber frame headquarters for the charity, to include a multi-purpose activity space, creche, music/media studio, counselling rooms, office spaces and a full kitchen – as well as a garden area and parking.
Flavia Docherty, CEO of Getaway Girls, says: “At Getaway Girls we have been helping girls and young women in Leeds to have happy, safe, and fulfilled lives for the last 30 years. We help them to build confidence, create opportunities to try new activities, build friendships and, most importantly, have fun!
“We also want girls and young women who face barriers - such as bullying, mental health, identity, body image, relationship abuse and exploitation to name a few - to have someone to talk to about what’s going on in their lives, and the support they need to navigate their way through these issues. That’s why we want a young women’s space in Leeds where they can feel safe, join in with creative, exciting activities, build confidence, and enjoy themselves!”
The build, filming and ‘big reveal’ took place during August and September.
