Hello and a warm welcome!
"...so happy that you listened and helped...felt like someone was actually listening and it made a big difference!
...you can tell when it's more than a job for people [AT BURNSIDE], it shows when you go the extra mile."
- service user feedback after focused support 2024
We had an uplifting experience at the book launch of a trusted external consultant, Kerry Nottingham from A Brilliant Thing CIC.
Burnside staff are doing a lot of transformation work around moving from trauma informed practice to what Kerry Tottingham terms, Healing-Centred Design where compassion, pain and powerful agency can drive transformational change! https://brilliantthing.co.uk/2025event/
We're beyond excited to be in the final design stages of our community Forest School with BA and Master students!
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May 2025 has been such a creative month at Burnside, working alongside the talented and inspiring students has been a joy for us. The design session with our Pre-School students was a highlight for all involved. The final designs will be complete and presented towards the end of the month!
To see all the amazing project in detail please visit: https://live.msa.ac.uk/2025/group/29/ We're fully committed to bringing our community Forest School concept to life, pushing what's expected of grass roots provision, widening the accessibility to Forest School...and we have some very exciting news about next steps, coming soon! |
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We've began our Healing-Centred Workplace journey!
April 2025 kicked off with our first staff workshop designed and facilitated by the wonderful Kerry from A Brilliant Thing CIC! https://www.brilliantthing.co.uk/
Burnside's staffing team worked through where they see themselves, our service users and stakeholders within this framework of care, healing and navigating trauma. In May we had our second workshop, focusing on leadership and understanding impact.
Reflections from Burnside Manager, Kerry:
"The word trauma is a reoccurring one within our frontline work, and while the whole team is very skilled, having attended a wealth of workshops and are, what you would call 'trauma informed' - we wanted to explore this area further, and reflect back on how we deal with trauma, what that means for us as individuals working at Burnside, and what supporting people here looks like, alongside its wider societal impact."
Burnside's staffing team worked through where they see themselves, our service users and stakeholders within this framework of care, healing and navigating trauma. In May we had our second workshop, focusing on leadership and understanding impact.
Reflections from Burnside Manager, Kerry:
"The word trauma is a reoccurring one within our frontline work, and while the whole team is very skilled, having attended a wealth of workshops and are, what you would call 'trauma informed' - we wanted to explore this area further, and reflect back on how we deal with trauma, what that means for us as individuals working at Burnside, and what supporting people here looks like, alongside its wider societal impact."
Our Pre-School children had a fantastic time creating a special creature which might come to life within Truffet Park very soon! (March '25)
Update...WE WON! Our Truffet creation is going to be brought to life and hopefully inspire lots of children for years to come. Sincere thanks to everyone at Truffet Park Together, who also kindly brought round a basket full of craft items put together by local organisation M24 Arts.
We're looking forward to thanking, in person, all local National Lottery Players with Tea & Cake, week beginning Monday 17th March 2025!
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All National Lottery Players are welcome to visit us here at Burnside, to speak to staff about the work made possible with their support.
While on your visit please take a tour of our building and have some tea & cake while you visit! Please visit the National Lottery official website for full details as there are fantastic offers of thanks right across the country! Here is more details about our offer: https://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/open-week/offers/burnside-centre-free-tea-cake-17-21-march |
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Special thanks to Cash for Kids for supporting our children and family support over the festive period - we have had a fantastic time in 2024!
Black History Month October 2024
Burnside Manager, Kerry, will be doing a Keynote speech at this year's event at Rochdale Town Hall. Special thanks to the organisers 'Caring and Sharing' for this opportunity!
"Kerry is the Manager of award-winning community organisation, Burnside Centre based in Middleton. She started at Burnside 20-years ago as a volunteer and has progressed her professional knowledge to become an expert in Human Resources and People Management – securing her Master of Science degree at MMU.
Born and raised within a working-class family in Ashton-Under-Lyne, as a 3rd generation grandchild of Jamaican and Irish immigrants, with English and Indo-Jamaican ancestry – she has a rich and often complex view of her own narrative.
Kerry is passionate about people, our history, stories, connections, and the complexities of the human experience!"
Born and raised within a working-class family in Ashton-Under-Lyne, as a 3rd generation grandchild of Jamaican and Irish immigrants, with English and Indo-Jamaican ancestry – she has a rich and often complex view of her own narrative.
Kerry is passionate about people, our history, stories, connections, and the complexities of the human experience!"
£450,000.00 INVESTMENT FROM THE NATIONAL LOTTERY FUND SECURED FOR ROCHDALE COMMUNITY CENTRES!
After lots of workshops, strategy meetings, planning sessions, bid writing...plus lots of hopes, dreams and hard work! We are finally here in July 2024 with the secured funding needed to truly begin the joint vision created, with thanks to the players of the National Lottery and the National Lottery's Reaching Communities Fund.
This project involving 8-community organisations across Rochdale Borough, aims to create a new space, a new way of thinking about how community engagement, co-creation and partnerships are developed for the betterment of all people.
This project involving 8-community organisations across Rochdale Borough, aims to create a new space, a new way of thinking about how community engagement, co-creation and partnerships are developed for the betterment of all people.
Our Community Green Space from reclaimed wasteland at the side of our building, is coming together!
It's been a long developmental journey, including many moving-parts, set-backs, wins and practical challenges. We are delighted that things are finally coming together to create an open access green space for local residents.
We can't thank all our funders and supported enough for believing in what we as a community were trying to achieve!
To see more of our story please visit the GM Green Spaces Fund video about Burnside's green space project:
https://youtu.be/Pp4Bff16v7s
Congratulations to staff member Jenna, for successfully completing her Forest School Level 3 course! (May '24)
We're delighted to welcome the RAASS Team back to Burnside!
Special thanks to CleanUpUK
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Hello and thank you to Rochdale Town Hall! (March '24)
Over 2022/2023 we were part of a number of co-creation projects with the renovation team at Rochdale Town Hall and we're delighted to have been invited to the official launch.
It was amazing to hear the stories we told, the are work created being showcased within Rochdale Town Hall. It was a great honour to play a small part in celebrating the rich fabric Langley and the wider Borough of Rochdale.
It was amazing to hear the stories we told, the are work created being showcased within Rochdale Town Hall. It was a great honour to play a small part in celebrating the rich fabric Langley and the wider Borough of Rochdale.
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Rochdale Walk All Over Cancer Roadshow!
11am-3pm Thursday 14th March 2024
For all the details please visit: https://www.rochdale.gov.uk/events/event/690/rochdale-walk-all-over-cancer-roadshow---burnside-community-centre
The Rochdale Walk All Over Cancer Roadshow is here to help prevent late diagnosis of cancer and help you to understand the importance of accepting invites for cancer screenings!
Burnside continues to work in partnership with Rochdale Council Public Health Team to be a 'Warm Welcome Space' - offering a warm space to sit, have a brew and seek support.
Burnside staff members Joanne and Kerry will be running a Tombola stall at this year's All Saints & Martyrs Church Christmas Fair. Make sure to visit us and say hello! Nov '23
Burnside is delighted to be part of this year's Culture Camp by A Brilliant Thing CIC! (Oct '23)
Culture Camp 2023, is a FREE online summit celebrating diverse, creative, and supportive organisational cultures across the UK.
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What: Culture Camp 2023 - FREE Online Summit hosted by A Brilliant Thing CIC
When: Starting at 8am on 26th October 2023 Where: Online – Access from the comfort of your home or office How: Register for free to gain access to a wealth of resources Duration: Content will be released every hour, and you can watch live conversations, access informative videos, and dive into our culture-making workbook. Access: Free for 3 days! You can watch along in real-time or return later at your convenience. During the live conversations you can connect with people who are passionate about developing supportive work cultures. Register for free by clicking this link: Brilliant Thing - helping people who care make things that matter |
Burnside is exploring the possibility of becoming a registered Duke of Edinburgh's Award accredited provider! (Sept. '23)
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Burnside's Project Development Co-ordinator James, attended a DofE information event in central Rochdale with other local voluntary sector agencies. We're very excited about this prospect and look forward to Beth (DofE Operations Officer - Community Engagement) visiting Burnside this October for further discussions!
"Since day one nearly 54 years ago, we have been made up from our community and want to remain locally active, accessible and engaged. We can only do this effectively by having difference pathways to hear the voices which make up our rich and vibrant community.
While an Annual General Meeting is one of our more formal annual activities, it's still a great way to see how we work, challenge why we do things, ask questions of us and also help shape the future work we do!"
Kerry Edwards MSc Assoc. CIPD
Burnside Centre Manager
While an Annual General Meeting is one of our more formal annual activities, it's still a great way to see how we work, challenge why we do things, ask questions of us and also help shape the future work we do!"
Kerry Edwards MSc Assoc. CIPD
Burnside Centre Manager
Tackling Loneliness in Rochdale '23
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As an organisation that has been awarded funding from the 'Know Your Neighbour' The National Lottery and Department for Media, Culture and Sport fund, we were delighted to be part of the regional Loneliness learning programme delivered by Civil Society Consulting in partnership with Action Together.
More information can be found here: https://www.civilsocietyconsulting.co.uk/loneliness #KYN #DCMS |
Thanks to Lovell Homes and Designer Contracts! July '23
We're incredibly grateful to Lovell's Community Engagement Manager Laura for making this happen. Designer Contracts have been amazing throughout and we are blown away by their amazing donation of £4k safety flooring which will see us through the many years ahead!
https://corporate.lovell.co.uk/newsroom/2023/july/local-businesses-team-up-to-give-much-loved-burnside-centre-a-boost/
We're delighted to be launching our new Invest in Play parenting course this coming September '23!
Burnside staff members Trisha and Lisa completed their facilitator training this past March and are now recruiting for the first set of training! To find out more information and/or to register a place please get in touch.
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Best of luck to staff member Jenna as she undertakes her Masters Degree in Psychology of Education this coming September '23!
Our first community litter pick in partnership with Cleanupuk was fantastic and we were so grateful to everyone that took time to come along! (June '23)
https://www.cleanupuk.org.uk/hubs/the-burnside-centre
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Our Green Space Final Designs Have Arrived and We're Delighted! (May '23)
Special thanks to the 'Deep Roots' team at Manchester School of Architecture for their talent, creativity and vision.
It's been a total joy to work with this team of MA students in partnership with the MSA Live annual program to help co-create a unique space for the community!
Check out the project blog to see the starting point to final designs: https://live.msa.ac.uk/2023/group/24/
It's been a total joy to work with this team of MA students in partnership with the MSA Live annual program to help co-create a unique space for the community!
Check out the project blog to see the starting point to final designs: https://live.msa.ac.uk/2023/group/24/
Burnside welcomes MA students from the Manchester School of Architecture to help design and support the co-creation of our green space! (May '23)
Check out the project blog: https://live.msa.ac.uk/2023/group/24/
Community consultation - all welcome: Friday 12th May 2023 1pm at Burnside Centre
Community consultation - all welcome: Friday 12th May 2023 1pm at Burnside Centre
Burnside becomes a registered Place of Welcome (Jan '23)We're delighted to officially be part of the Place of Welcome scheme. Our doors are open to all; with the aim of being a safe, warm and welcoming space for people to enjoy, feel valued, listened to and thrive within.
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Burnside has been a place of safety, warmth & c are for decades
therefore, it was a pleasure to be part of the local authority drive to have designated 'warm spaces' to support the cost of living crisis and the challenging times people are facing (Nov '22)
For a detailed list of warm spaces across Rochdale please click on the link: https://www.rochdale.gov.uk/directory/30/find-warm-spaces-in-the-borough-of-rochdale
Fresh off the press...Our annual fundraising 2023 calendar is here!!
Only £7 per calendar with all funds raised going back into the weekly Everyone Matters health & well-being session and The Tea Cosies community Afternoon Teas. Dec '22
The Living Wage is needed now more than ever.
Burnside is proud to be an accredited member of the Living Wage Foundation, ensuring our staff are paid a fair days pay for a fair days work. Nov '22
https://www.livingwage.org.uk/
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Well done to the children who entered our Flag Design competition in partnership with Taylor Wimpey Homes!
It was great to spend the morning with the winner and runner-ips. Thank you to the great staffing team at Taylor Wimpey. Oct '22
https://www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/news/our-manchester-team-awards-the-winner-of-welcome-flag-competition-in-middleton
We are thrilled to annouce our official accreditation as a Forest School Provider! Aug '22
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Full congratulations to staff member Joanne who led the accreditation process and well done to all staff members who worked hard and supported this achievement.
This award recognises Burnside Pre-Schools commitment to good practice and children's opportunity to learn, develop and play within the Forest School specialised approach. Our pre-school setting has been committed to the concept of Forest School for many years. With the financial investment we made on staff training to become certified in delivery of the Forest School - we knew that this nationally recognised accreditation was the missing piece to all our unpinning work of the past few years. https://forestschoolassociation.org/membership-options-page/ |
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Taylor Wimpey Manchester is offering a fantastic chance to design the winning flag for their East Hollinsfield housing development! Aug 2022
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Please download the info sheet below for tips on what design works best: keep it bold, simple and big! All designs need to be in portrait orientation in A3. A3 paper can be collected for free from Burnside.
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In celebration of Manchester Pride, we are delighted to announce that staff members requested training on LGBT+ topics and we were able to invest in a full training package delivered by the LGBT Foundation Manchester!
The catered training sessions covered areas of advocacy, LGBT+ rights, trans and non-binary inclusion, intersectionality, discrimination, LGBT+ inclusive workplaces and leadership! Aug '22. |
QUALITY IN ACTION 2022! Well done to staff member Trisha who guided our organisation through Action Together's regional quality assurance award.
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We are delighted to announce that Burnside Centre has achieved the Quality in Action Award from Action Together.
Admin & Finance Co-ordinator Trisha has worked hard to make this possible and it has been a valuable experience. Special thanks to Liz, Action Together's Operations Manager who facilitated and assessed our submission. Commenting on the award, Liz said, "you should be very proud of the fact that you are only the second organisation in Rochdale to achieve this award!" https://www.actiontogether.org.uk/burnside-community-centre-receive-quality-action-award For more information on Action Together's Quality in Action Award please visit this link: https://www.actiontogether.org.uk/quality-action-award |
Listen to GM Good Employment Chatter, episode 2. released 11th October 2021 features a segment with Burnside Centre Manager Kerry Edwards!
https://www.gmgoodemploymentcharter.co.uk/podcast/?utm_source=emailsignature&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=series_2
We have lots going on all year round and lots of opportunities. To check out what is currently happening please make sure to go on our 'Events, Workshops & Opportunities' page which is updated weekly.
Be sure to LIKE our Facebook page to stay in the loop! Please follow the link in the top right corner which takes you to our FaceBook page.
We hope you find all the information here helpful, and also hope that you can come into the Burnside Centre where staff are on hand to offer advice, guidance, sign-posting and support.
We are open all year round and pride ourselves on moving people forward and giving them the skills and knowledge to do so.
Be sure to LIKE our Facebook page to stay in the loop! Please follow the link in the top right corner which takes you to our FaceBook page.
We hope you find all the information here helpful, and also hope that you can come into the Burnside Centre where staff are on hand to offer advice, guidance, sign-posting and support.
We are open all year round and pride ourselves on moving people forward and giving them the skills and knowledge to do so.
"Burnside is my home away from home! They've helped me get back on track. Great people."
Previous Burnside Volunteer who gained employment.
Burnside Centre Achieves Official Member Status of the GM Good Employment Charter! 25th August 2021
In January 2021, on behalf of Burnside, our Manager Kerry made the commitment to apply for the 'Supporter' status of the GM Good Employment Charter and from then was inspired to undertake the assessments and technical reviews required by the Charter to establish that our employment practices, ethics and standards were something to be proud of.
www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/142730/burnside-centre-becomes-member-of-gm-good-employment-charter
Please see the link below to the formal annoucement of our membership to the Charter 25.08.21):
https://www.gmgoodemploymentcharter.co.uk/news-blogs/posts/2021/august/new-members-announcement/
We look forward to supporting the GM Good Employment Charter as it grows and hopefully play a small but vital role in promoting the benefits of good employment!
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Thank you to the Nigeria Community Association for inviting Burnside Manager, Kerry to take part in their wonderful Magazine which celebrates diversity across Rochdale, with this Jan '21 edition focusing on Black History.
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Burnside Becomes an Official Supporter of the GM Good Employment Charter! January 2021
National Quality Assurance Mark Awarded to Burnside Centre in May 2019!
Burnside is delighted to annouce that we have achieved the national accreditation from the Living Wage Foundation to provide a real living wage to our employees.
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Burnside Centre became an offical supporter of the Greater Manchester 'Good Employment Charter' January 2021.
As our organisation moves forward as an employer that offers The Real Living Wage to all its staff - this is a step in the right direction. We hope it clearly demonstrates our committment to best practice and quality assurance. 
Burnside Centre has achieved the Trusted Charity Mark award recognising the excellent work it does as a third sector organisation in England.
Trusted Charity is part of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and is the only UK quality standard designed to help third sector organisations operate more effectively and efficiently. Burnside Centre was assessed against the 11 standards of effective practice in Trusted Charity, including in governance, leadership and management, managing staff and volunteers and managing money, and proved to meet all standards. Burnside Centre has today (24.05.21) been accredited as a Living Wage Employer.
Our Living Wage commitment will see everyone working at Burnside receive a minimum hourly wage of £9.50 in the UK or £10.85 in London. Both rates are significantly higher than the government minimum for over 23s, which currently stands at £8.91 per hour. Kerry, Burnside Centre's Manager said “Becoming a Living Wage accredited employer has been one of our key aspirations and we have been able to implement this fantastic accreditation as a symbol of best practice, professional growth and our investment in people. We are a small, local charity working tirelessly for our community especially over the COVID-19 lockdown as Keyworkers. It is a pleasure, even after such a difficult year to clearly demonstrate through this accreditation, the continued investment we have within our staff. I firmly believe the benefits of this investment will be reflected in the high-quality work we provide.” |
Our Pledge:
- We are here for you, your family and our community
- We work hard to stay relevant to meet your needs
- We believe that people matter and provide a platform on which they can be an active part their community
- We strive to develop projects, services and activities that have long lasting benefits
- We work in partnership with agencies reflecting the same values, ethics and morals we hold, so that you get the very best service