New Era Enterprises celebrates 30 years of success

A company born to help the communities of East Lancashire reflected on 30 years of success at a celebration event held in Burnley.

Staff, partners and recipients of New Era Enterprises Ltd services gathered at Burnley Football Club to reminisce on three decades working on vital projects within the area and with a wide range of awarding bodies, sponsors and networks.

New Era was set up in 1986 to support local unemployed residents into training and employment.

Its aim then, and still today, was to provide a service supporting the growth of skills and networks, so that people were able to initiate and participate in personal and community development

Ann Marie Wrigley, director, gave a presentation on the evening to some 40 guests who joined the New Era team to remember 30 years.

She said: “When we started to prepare for our celebratory event, we began to collate a timeline of projects we have gained funding for and delivered over the decades.

“It was quite humbling to see how many people we have helped through our crèche service, nursery, childminding network and childcare and our learning and development qualifications.

“Our 30 years have not been without difficulty, as policies of the changing governments inevitably lead to funding cuts and increased hardship for many of the families in our community.

“Yet we have forged on regardless and with a dedicated team we have continued carry on vital work for the benefit of East Lancashire and will continue to do so for many years to come.”

Current New Era projects include The Blossom Tree Project, funded by the Big Lottery, offering children and families free help in dealing with issues they find difficult to deal with themselves and courses funded by the Skills Funding Agency to develop and deliver training opportunities from entry level to level 4 with a specialism in childcare.

New Era Childcare Services including a crèche agency, a nursery and childminding services. New Era also provides an extensive repertoire of first aid, safeguarding and bespoke training. Guests at the event were given a booklet featuring these projects and timeline of New Era’s activities over the years to take home, along with homemade New Era cupcakes.