Burnley Football Club have announced signing a partnership agreement with Burnley Together, roping it in as their Official Community Partner for the 2024/25 season.
Burnley Together, which is a group of local organisations providing a host of services to the community in the region, will thus work with the club on several community initiatives.
The partnership is based out of Down Town, a community-based shop that features a grocery store, a pre-loved school uniform shop, a book exchange area, and a café.
Scott Parker, Manager, Burnley FC, said:
“It was pretty humbling. In certain moments, in the world we live in, no one wants to see aspects of what people are going through. This place is full of incredible people, volunteers, people who are here with nothing but big hearts wanting to help the town. What has been set out here is a really special place to be fair, nothing but real pride at what the people here are achieving and what they do is so special.“
Nicola Larnach, Coordinator, Burnley Together, said:
“Down Town came to fruition two years ago in the town centre, where we started with the pre-loved uniform shop and the Burnley Together partnership had always just been virtual before that. Now what we have is amazing, the partnership is so important because together in Burnley, we can do everything together. Everybody that comes in has their specialities, so by coming through the front door somewhere that’s soft facing, they might just be coming for groceries, they then might approach us for help or support and guidance on absolutely anything.
“People can come to Down Town for anything they need, whether that be for school uniform, winter warmers for the colder months. We also have the café and community grocery, where anybody can become a member and use the café but also use our ‘pay forward’ method.This is where you can pay forward in the shop, when we can gift a membership or food shop to someone that might be struggling at that particular time.“
Helen Gurman, CEO, Burnley FC, stated:
“Burnley Together are a fantastic partnership of a number of organisations within Burnley. They all come together to support the people most in need in the town. As part of the partnership we have ourselves Burnley FC in the Community, Burnley Council, Burnley Leisure, Calico and the Community Grocery. I think it’s really unique for all these partners, who are so diverse, to come together with one goal which is to support everyone in the local community.
“In Burnley, the town is integral to the football club, we know the football club is the heartbeat of the town, and the club recognises their position and ability to really change lives. At Burnley FC in the Community, we want to be able to use the power of football to support those most in need in the town.“
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