There is lots of support available to vulnerable people in Burnley who cannot pay for essentials. This information outlines some of the support which is available and how you can get support for the families you work with.
Please note that for certain services, individuals cannot apply directly and must be referred by partner agencies.
Department for Work & Pensions
Cooking courses and workshops for everyone whether families or people who live on their own. There is a focus on cooking on a budget, batch cooking and slow cooker meals. Activities can take place at Down Town in the cookery school or out in our communities. If you are working with any groups or individuals who would like to get involved, please get in touch:
For more information: Cheryl Goodman cgoodman@blcgroup.co.uk
Advice about money and debt, including where to access support and how to improve a households financial situation.
The money coaching course is a free service designed to empower individuals with the knowledge, budgeting skills, tools and confidence to better manage their finances. Anyone can benefit – from seasoned budgeting experts to those struggling to get to grips with their spending.
Life skills courses - How to practically improve your financial situation, including how to build a budget and low-cost recipes.
Regular drop in sessions in community venues.
For more information: Katy Oehring katherineoehring@capuk.org https://capuk.org/moneyand-debt-advice
Independent Community Advocacy Network North (ICANN) is a Lancashirebased charity offering crucial advocacy services throughout Lancashire and the North West and across the UK via our phone service. We can help with related benefits including
• Personal independent payments (PIP)
• Employment support allowance (ESA) applications
• UC50 capability for work
• Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Please note that this service is free for Burnley residents as it is funded through HSF6.
Sessions will be delivered at Down Town, Valley Street and Burnley zone. For more information: Emma Wilson emmaw@i-cann.org.uk www.i-cann.net
FREE consultation call 01772 746 061
A huge range of support is available to vulnerable Burnley residents who cannot pay for essentials, thanks to funding from HSF6. This includes:
• Energy related goods: slow cookers, air fryers, oil filled radiators, fridge freezers, washing machines
• Home packs: cleaning packs, toiletry packs & household starter packs
• Winter warmer packs: gloves, scarfs, blanket, slippers, hand warmers and hot water bottle
• Baby starter pack: essentials for a newborn up to approx 6 months
• Paid on memberships and shops at the community grocery at Down or Valley Street
• Transport: support with cost of travel with bus passes
• Uniform fund: for essentials that cannot be picked up in the Relove the preloved shop such as high school blazers or shoes
• Relove the preloved shop with school uniform, sports equipment and winter warmers
Individuals cannot apply for this fund directly and support must come from a supporting partner agency only
For a copy of the referral form email contact@burnleytogether.org.uk or call 01282 686402
Individuals can apply directly to the household support fund (HSF) 6 is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions to support those most in need with food costs, energy or water bills, wider household essentials or to provide preventative support such as advice about debts. Before completing the applications individuals should read the frequently asked questions to ensure they are eligible.
There are two community groceries in Burnley, one at Down Town and one at Valley Street. They are run by the Message Trust in partnership with the Life Church.
Additional information on eligibility and how to apply: Household Support Fund - burnley.gov.uk
The aim is to bridge the gap to supermarkets and move people on from the foodbank. People can do a shop of varying sizes with a range of food, household and toiletry items on offer. It will cost a fraction of a usual shop at the supermarket.
Individuals can come in and sign up for £5 a year and start to shop. If people do need help with costs we can ask our friends in the Burley Together hub. We want to make sure that we are putting the right things on our shelves. Please ask your customers to scan the QR code and complete this short survey so we can stock this in our groceries:
We are not just a food bank but a food distribution hub! We support families with one parcel per month but also coordinate food donations from Kellogg’s and Warburtons to support school breakfast clubs and other organisations who run food clubs or luncheon schemes.
If you know any individuals who need direct support through the foodbank please ask them to call Burnley Together on 01282 686402
If you are an organisation and you think the food distribution hub may be able to help you with food please get in touch with Nathan n.norris@burnleyfc.com
Our im is to help people save money and educate on menstrual wellbeing to enable inactive people be active. This will create sustainability by using re-useable products which will last them years of menstrual cycles. Products are available for free.
If you’d like the Period Coach to come and teach anyone about period poverty and how to save money please get in touch with Sam periodcoach@gmail.com
Life Skills - tax, wages, the laws around wages, employment contracts, paying tax/tax codes and National Insurance. The risks associated with loans, understanding APR percentages,, benefits and entitlements and how to apply and different banking options.
Careers Support: CV writing, interview skills, application form filling, strengthening personal and work-based skills.
For more information: Lynne Blackburn lynne@participationworks.co.uk
for qualifying households in Burnley.
Range of works to be included:
• Small repairs – putting up curtain rails and shelves, rehanging doors, fitting washing machines, advice on damp, filling rat holes
• Safety measures – fitting smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors
• Home security – door and window locks, door chains and door viewers
• Energy efficiency: home energy surveys: room by room advice, radiator foils, LED lightbulbs, secondary glazing, window seals, draft excluders and some warm packs.
Residents can submit an enquiry to the handywoman service and other services by completing an enquiry form.
Online Referral Form 2024
For more information visit.
The Home Improvement Agency (HIA) is dedicated to helping older, disabled, and vulnerable residents of Burnley live safely and independently in their own homes. If you need assistance with repairing, maintaining, or adapting your home, the HIA is here to support you.
Available Grants:
• Disabled Facilities Grants: For adaptations like level access showers, stairlifts, and more.
• Safe and Secure Grant: For installing new window and door locks to improve home security.
• Affordable Warmth: For services such as boiler servicing and draught proofing to ensure your home stays warm and energy-efficient.
• Dementia Grants: For home adaptations and equipment to support individuals living with dementia.
• Heating Rebate: For replacing your boiler or installing central heating for the first time.
• Hospital Discharge Grant: To help with home modifications or repairs when you are discharged from hospital.
• Handyperson Service: For smaller jobs at a rate of £10 per hour.
For more information about any of these grants, including eligibility criteria, please visit the Home Improvement Agency Grants web page
How to refer: You can also complete the online enquiry form for assistance form
For more information: Phone: 01282 477234
Email: housinggrants@burnley.gov.uk
We have drop-in sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 9-12noon.
We offer advice on: Debt, Benefits, Consumer, Housing, Energy, Immigration, Employment.
Our Debt Team also has drop-in sessions across Burnley and the whole of East Lancashire.
Adviceline: 0808 278 7909 0 Debt Team: 01282 616750