This year is Basis Yorkshire’s 30th anniversary!
In 1989, a few church volunteers came together to support sex workers in Leeds by forming Genesis Leeds. But in 1995, Genesis Leeds became constituted as a charity, and in 1997 a young people’s service was established to support young women and girls being sexually exploited. In 2015, Genesis Leeds was renamed Basis Yorkshire to become a non-faith based, more inclusive organisation.
Today, we have more staff and volunteers than ever before. With specialists in sex work, sexual exploitation, child sexual exploitation/abuse, transition years, domestic violence, mental health, housing, homelessness, LGBTQ+ and group work.
Over our 30 years, we have supported countless people to challenge stigma, overcome trauma, navigate complex and often exclusionary systems and lead the life they want to live. Over the past year alone, we have supported 299 people (both adult and young people).
Our work isn’t possible without our supporters. Basis Yorkshire is made up of donors, funders, regular givers, volunteers, trustees, frontline staff, administrators, researchers, activists, policy makers and many more.
While this is an occasion to celebrate the achievements of those we support and the work Basis Yorkshire has achieved, it’s also a reminder of the unfortunate need for these services. Discrimination and inequality continue towards sex workers and those sexually exploited, and Basis Yorkshire will continue to work towards ending stigma, creating safety and promoting empowerment for as long as it is needed.
We will be looking at the history of Basis Yorkshire over the next several months. If you would like to contribute any memories, whether than be stories, quotes, photographs or something else, please get in touch with us.