Burnley Boys and Girls Club, the community saviour

By Latitude Studios

18 Feb 2021

2-2.jpeg

With over 120 years of history, a war hero founder and the huge difference they make in the community, Burnley Boys and Girls Club is something to be celebrated. 

Founded in 1899, originally titled the Burnley Lads’ Club by Henry Davison Riley, the club was a haven for boys who had fallen into the wrong crowd in the early 20th century. The club grew rapidly with over 600 members during the First World War, which sadly took the lives of the founder and many other members. 

One thing that hasn’t changed since the club began is that everyone is offered the same chance. The club is a sanctuary for kids who have nowhere else, and everyone is welcome. The club is a vital part of the community and needs the community help and support to grow and help more children.

During the pandemic things haven’t been easy and the club has been more of a lifeline than ever, with more people spending time at home and family relationships being pushed to the brink. Over Christmas the club appealed for toys to be donated so each of the children would receive a Christmas gift. At the beginning of December they had received over £4000 worth of toys donated with local business donating their time and skills to the appeal. 

The clubs mantra is that they are at the heart of the young people and this is reflected in the care and attention they put into all their daily activities. The children are given a fun release from their day lives and a space where they can learn, develop and grow before going into the adulthood. 

The children who go to the club often stay there for many years and credit it as helping them stay on the right track. This is testament to the difference they make to children’s lives within the community.

The club and the work they do has been so successful that Graham Vernon, the centre manager has now been asked to manage and run a youth engagement across the Ribble Valley. One of the issues that arises in communities is that there is nowhere for young people to go, so they hang around on the street or in the park, often causing anxiety for the local community. Graham has a very empathetic way of handling these situations and knows they need someone they can talk to and someone they can trust.

Understanding and respecting young people is at the heart of the solution. This has led Chorley Borough Council to engage regarding their youth provision, which further illustrates the reach and impact of the Burnley Boys and Girls Club's work.

More than ever the club needs the support of Lancashire businesses, and the centre itself is in need of major refurbishment. So if there are any businesses looking to integrate a social purpose into their organisation, the BBGC would be delighted to hear from them. Make contact at [email protected]

Latest news

1

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m Velocity Composites Has Announced Its Entry Into The Us Market

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m

08 Oct 2025

2

First speakers confirmed for Lancashire Business Day Dave Walker with Richard Slater at Lancashire Business Day

First speakers confirmed for Lancashire Business Day

08 Oct 2025

3

Hemmings steps down as PNE chairman as hunt begins for new investors Craig Hemmings

Hemmings steps down as PNE chairman as hunt begins for new investors

08 Oct 2025

4

Chamber calls for three council county Lancashire County Council County Hall

Chamber calls for three council county

08 Oct 2025

5

Victorian Plumbing reports strong financial performance Victorian Plumbing Leyland

Victorian Plumbing reports strong financial performance

07 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

HR Recharge: Empowering today’s workforce, transforming tomorrow’s workplace
Muted Blue (4).png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
08 Oct 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

HR Recharge: Empowering today’s workforce, transforming tomorrow’s workplace

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:30

Empowering franchise growth in the North West
TFA Event - Empowering Franchise Growth.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Oct 2025 - 09 Oct 2025

Empowering franchise growth in the North West

Forbes Solicitors Sceptre Way Walton Summit Centre , Preston, PR5 6AW

08:00 - 10:00

Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West
Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West event
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Oct 2025 - 09 Oct 2025

Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West

Forbes Solicitors, Sceptre Way, Walton Summit Centre, PR5 6AW, PR6 6AW

08:00 - 10:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th
Ai 10.10.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Oct 2025 - 10 Oct 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials
EventBrite NORi - 15th Oct 2025 Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West

Strathmore Hotel, Morecambe, LA4 5AP

08:00 - 10:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (26).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

October Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

October Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine
LBV Advert_Autumn Reset 1200 x 630px.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine

The Artistry House , Preston , PR1 3JJ

17:30 - 19:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin