Young women: Express yourself

Encouraging young women to learn traditionally male sports such as football or rugby and take part in outdoor activities including kayaking, hiking and climbing is the cornerstone of the Getaway Girls project. But the group also encourages young women to express themselves using creative arts, music and dance.

Charmaine Riley, 20, who attends a weekly drop-in group at the organisation's office in Roundhay, says: "The best thing about Getaway Girls is getting out and doing different things that I never thought of doing before. I never believed I could write poetry or create music before I came here."

Sport heritage

The charity was set up in 1987 by Sue Dare, a former PE teacher, who was frustrated that girls weren't being allowed to express themselves through sport in schools. Her initial vision was to provide an environment where girls from disadvantaged or abusive backgrounds could build their confidence through learning adventure sports.