As Burnley responds to the impact of Boohoo’s closure, Work Well has been quietly helping former employees navigate the change.
Boohoo’s decision to close its Burnley distribution centre has created a real challenge for the town; not only for the more than 1,000 people directly affected, but for the wider local economy too. Understandably, many people have been left feeling uncertain about what comes next, and the loss of such a major employer has been felt across the community.
As soon as the news was announced, we started hearing from people who needed advice, reassurance, or simply someone to talk things through with. Since then, former Boohoo employees have continued to get in touch, and we’ve been supporting them as they adjust to what, for many, has been an unexpected and difficult situation.
Throughout the redundancy period, Work Well coaches attended weekly drop-ins at the Boohoo site so people could speak to someone face to face. Many told us that having a friendly, informed person on hand to listen, answer questions, and help them make sense of their options made a tough time feel a little more manageable.
So far, we’ve supported 16 people who were made redundant into new jobs. Others are still working with us while they explore opportunities. Support has ranged from updating CVs and helping with job searches, to rebuilding confidence, speaking with employers about suitable roles, and arranging funded training such as FLT licences.
We’ve also covered Up and Active sessions through Burnley Leisure for people wanting to focus on their wellbeing, routine, and confidence while they look for work.
We know the closure of the site is a setback for both individuals and the town, and we’re doing what we can to play our part. We’re not the whole solution, far from it, but we’re here for anyone who needs support, whether they’ve already been made redundant or are still at risk.
If you’d like support from Work Well, you can contact us at workwell@burnleytogether.org.uk or call 01282 686510.
You can also complete our online referral form by clicking here.
