Burley Lodge Centre

Initially BLC  ran services and activities from an end of terrace house about 200 metres from where we are now. In 1995 the building that we now operate from, 42 – 46 Burley Lodge Rd, was acquired by Leeds City Council in a derelict state, but with lots of potential for the creation of a purpose built centre. An initial refurbishment was completed in 1997 and a further major facelift that included the installation of a lift and the creation of a second floor was completed in 2007.

A large community event was held to celebrate the re- launch of the centre, after the refurbishment, At the event, Chief Executive Officer, Taira Kayani said:

"This is an exciting time for the Burley Lodge Centre, as we finally see the fruition of all the hard work over the past three years.  We’re delighted with the refurbishment of the building and it allows us to continue supporting the community as well as offer community businesses a base and expert advice in setting up their businesses; we will be encouraging entrepreneurship, ensuring that the Burley Lodge Centre will continue to be at the centre of the regeneration on this area”.

Cllr David Morton wrote, following his visit to the launch:

'The area is very lucky is to have such a facility. Perhaps lucky isn't the right word as yesterday (the launch day) demonstrated its all down to the hard work of local people. The event was held over 8 hours and I got there late on as I had been working. Most events like this would have been winding down but a riot of colour and activity hit me as I walked through the door.’

BLC is a thriving membership organisation with a committed Board of Directors working within the North West Leeds area. Members include individuals, families, volunteers and partners who are key to our success and are involved in every aspect of the organisation.

BLC is a financially stable charity, with funding from a mixture of grants, contracts and generated income. Income generating activities include room hire, office services (e.g. photocopying, printing etc), consultancy and training.

Both the staff team and the Board of Directors are engaged with wider VCFS (Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector) forums to advocate the needs of the community including;

Leeds Infrastructure Consortium,

Voluntary Sector Strategy Group,

Children’s Services Scrutiny Board (representing Leeds Youth Work Partnership),

Children Leeds,

Inner North West Youth Work Network (INWYN),

The Burley Network,

Burley Sure Start Board.

BLC chairs the North West Youth Work Partnership and hosts the newly established West/North West Worklessness Strategy Group, and other learning, health and leisure networks.

BLC Key Projects

Burley Lodge Opportunities - is a successful volunteering scheme (awarded Investors in Volunteers quality mark in 2007) providing high quality volunteering roles to over 100 people a year. Volunteers develop individual training plans, access training,supervision and support. Volunteering experience with the project is helping people to access further education or increase employability.

Kids United & United Youth - work with children, young people and their families holistically to build their confidence and resilience to pressures of modern day living. We provide opportunities to learn about themselves, others and their environment through play, groups and activities. We have established a number of children’s and youth groups, youth led projects and partnerships that offer opportunities and support.

Burley Lodge Centre Advice Service (BLCAS) is a Community Legal Service accredited generalist advice service. The Centre is the third largest provider of advice in Leeds and uses a client centred holistic approach to assist in the areas of money/debt casework, welfare benefit and housing, grants and services.

BLC is the provider of a wide range of additional health and social welfare activities ranging from small scale social groups, targeted partnership work to large scale community and VCF Sector events and conferences and consultations. In addition-  BLC has considerable experience of delivering family support, training and employment related programmes and projects. Qualified staff have devised and delivered high quality accredited and non-accredited programmes.

To view a copy of our  BLC Equal Opportunities Policy, please click here.