Rebuilding Community in a Decade of Challenge and Change  
As the new millennium approached, the communities of Burnley, Pendle, and Rossendale found themselves navigating the complex legacies of industrial decline. Once proud centres of textile manufacturing, footwear production, and heavy engineering, these East Lancashire towns had borne the brunt of post-war deindustrialisation. The closure of mills, factories, and coal depots in the 1970s and 1980s had left economic scars that were still raw in the 1990s.  
Unemployment remained persistently high, and many families who had relied on stable, skilled work across generations were now struggling to make ends meet. With limited job prospects and a welfare system undergoing major reform, the region faced an identity crisis and a growing need for support services that could fill the void left by shrinking public provision.  
Amidst this turbulence, the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Council for Voluntary Service (BPRCVS) emerged as a vital force for stability, empowerment, and hope. No longer just a coordinator of voluntary organisations, BPRCVS became a lifeline for individuals and families at risk of being left behind. The 1990s marked a profound period of growth for the organisation—not only in the services it delivered, but in its geographic reach, its social impact, and its role in shaping the wider third sector across East Lancashire.  ​

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In a decade of economic strife and social upheaval, one organisation became the steady heartbeat of local compassion and grassroots action in East Lancashire.
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Introduction: Community at the Crossroads 
The 1970s were a time of upheaval for Britain. Across the nation, economic downturns, strikes, inflation, and energy crises combined to create a climate of deep uncertainty. For Burnley, Pendle, and Rossendale once thriving centres of industry the decade marked a painful transition away from the prosperity of the post-war era. 
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Against this backdrop of national decline and local hardship, the Burnley, Pendle, and Rossendale Council for Voluntary Service (BPRCVS) emerged not only as a provider of relief but as a catalyst for community cohesion, empowerment, and innovation. 

This article traces the milestones, challenges, and remarkable adaptations that defined BPRCVS in the 1970s. 
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Check out what's on at the centre this week...

​Social Prescribing Day 2025 has come and gone, and this year’s celebration was a resounding success, shining a spotlight on the incredible work being done to connect people with vital non-medical support. It is an annual event that recognises the contributions of the people, organisations, and communities who make social prescribing possible. The aim is not only to raise awareness but also to highlight the many benefits social prescribing brings to people’s health and wellbeing.

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It has been five years since the world was gripped by the Covid-19 pandemic. For some, this time may feel like a distant memory; for others, the effects of those challenging years still feel fresh. Regardless of how we view this period in history, one thing is certain: society has changed profoundly, and we have all been shaped by this shared experience in ways we continue to understand.

​As we mark 90 years of serving the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale communities, it's a great time to look back at the incredible journey of Burnley, Pendle, and Rossendale Council for Voluntary Service (BPRCVS).

We are delivering an over 50s event at Down Town alongside BFCITC as part of the Burnley Skills and Employment Group Over 50s Employment task group.

​At BPRCVS, we’re committed to transforming lives across East Lancashire through the power of social prescribing. December 2024 has been another remarkable month, showcasing the incredible dedication of our Social Prescribing Link Workers (SPLWs) and Community Connectors in supporting individuals and communities.