Burnley FC in the Community is the award-winning, official charity of Burnley FC. Last year alone, the charity engaged with 24,000 people locally across community projects. These include disability sport, healthy eating, employability, female football and mental health.
The charity targets adults with mental health disorders to provide opportunity to engage in a variety of sports and physical activities. As we know there is a large body of evidence which suggests physical activity can improve people’s symptoms. This programme is open to service users and takes place in the Elite Training Centre at Turf Moor.
Due to the commitment and enthusiasm displayed from both service users and staff from Cygnet Hospital Bury they were invited to attend a Premier League game. This coincided with the charity’s annual Community Day which was celebrated at the Burnley FC v Leicester City FC fixture on Saturday 14th April 2018. For the second consecutive season, Burnley FC in the Community teamed up with fellow local charity Pendleside Hospice to deliver the themed match-day, with all proceeds raised split 50/50 between both charities.
Prior to the game all service users were given the chance to raise money for a hospice in Burnley. We were given buckets and t-shirts to wear and along with service users and staff from other services we set about getting some pennies off the Burnley and Leicester faithful.
The day was a huge success and enjoyed by all.