Growing Business In Burnley

On Friday, 18th October, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Council for Voluntary Service (BPRCVS) held a spotlight lunchtime event at The CVS Centre for our UK Shared Prosperity People and Skills Steps to Employment project where we showcased a range of the newly created Burnley-based micro businesses that have been supported through passive income sessions.
Project participants received support from BPRCVS to generate their own business ideas, sharing thoughts and inspiration to get the ideas off the ground and into a functioning micro business generating a small income.
Petals and Polishes, Frame Fusion Studios, Alternative Knitwear by Paula, and Chrissy’s Crystals were the four businesses represented on the day. Since the project started in April this year, BPRCVS has helped 14 people to set up their own micro business.

All participants are economically inactive, often very far away from employment. We work on self-esteem and resilience to enable participants to see, through tiny steps, they can make this work, taking away barriers and enabling them to work around those commitments which prevent entering traditional employment.


This maybe caring or childcare commitments, disabilities, or studies. We have seen in the case of those on disability benefits, who are regularly told they don’t need to work but want to, this project provides the means to create routine and develop ambition which is paramount for positive health and mental wellbeing. We offer sessions in the community to reach residents in Burnley we traditionally may not reach.

​
The project coordinator, Lisa Ross, said of the event, “This was a great opportunity to showcase the amazing and inspirational stories of our clients. We are so proud of the ongoing achievements. Where this project succeeds is the wrap around support BPRCVS offers our clients, enabling them to do training, volunteering and connect with their community during their journey. We offer employment support through wellbeing, confidence building and developing ambition. The results speak for themselves. It’s a great honour to deliver this project to our fantastic residents.”

Kelly from Petals and Polishes, said of the project, “The project was a great opportunity and chance to change my future. I felt I was in a safe space, where I could develop my micro set up. It has boosted my confidence and self-worth through volunteering, training and developing my focus. The event was a wonderful opportunity that gave me a chance to show off my creative venture. It was amazing meeting our MP and seeing how far I have actually come.”

The recently elected Burnley MP, Oliver Ryan, attended the spotlight event and was thrilled to see so many new businesses given start up support, and the level of employment support on offer to the people of Burnley through the Burnley Together Steps to Employment.

Oliver Ryan MP, said of the occasion, “I was pleased to be invited to join the graduation event and congratulate the recent graduates on their successful new small businesses. Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Council for Voluntary Service brilliantly supports so many local people back into the workforce and is a shining example of what community organisations can achieve.


My heartfelt congratulations again to those graduates I had the pleasure to meet, and the best of luck with their future endeavours.”

The event was catered for by Burnley-based On The Kerb, and printing was supplied by Burnley-based Nu Age Printers.

This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Click here to download the Press Release

Check out the gallery down below to see some photos from the event!