Rossendale Works, an employment support project delivered by Active Lancashire on behalf of Rossendale Borough Council, has launched a new volunteering opportunity at New Hall Hay Cricket Ground, made possible through the support of ISSE.
Building on the success of its recent Works Party at Bacup Borough Football Club, Rossendale Works is expanding its provision to offer more opportunities for people to gain practical work experience while supporting the improvement of local physical activity spaces across the borough.
Taking place every Thursday from 9am to 11am, the Works Party will see volunteers cleaning, maintaining and developing New Hall Hay Cricket Ground in preparation for a series of physical activity sessions due to take place at the venue this summer, delivered by Rossendale Works. The initiative provides volunteers with hands-on experience to strengthen their CVs, alongside the opportunity to connect with members of the community.
In addition to volunteering, participants can access a wide range of support through Rossendale Works, including personalised employment guidance, training and qualifications, and wellbeing services. Jake Catt, Employment Support Officer at Rossendale Works, said: “This opportunity is about more than maintaining a space – it’s about helping people build confidence, gain real-world experience and take positive steps towards employment.
“We’ve seen first-hand how powerful these projects can be, and we’re really excited to bring that same impact to New Hall Hay Cricket Ground.”
Humayun Islam, Director of ISSE Ltd, added: “We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Rossendale Works and Active Lancashire for their invaluable support in helping us establish and grow the ISSE Cricket Community Hub.
“Your commitment to community development and inclusive sport has made a real difference, and we are truly grateful for the guidance, resources, and encouragement provided throughout this journey.
“A special thank you to Oliver and Jake for their hands-on support and dedication — your efforts have played a key role in making this initiative a success. We look forward to continuing this positive partnership and creating even more opportunities for our community through cricket and wider engagement.”
Rossendale Works is a unique employment and wellbeing service that uses physical activity as a tool to support residents who are not in employment, education or training (NEET), helping them to improve their wellbeing while progressing towards sustainable employment. For more information on the Works Party or Rossendale Works’ provision, please visit www.activelancashire.org.uk or email JCatt@activelancashire.org.uk
