Ending deprivation,
one person at a time.
Nelson Community Foundation helps people across Pendle and Burnley overcome hardship, improve their wellbeing and build more secure futures through practical support, counselling, employment, enterprise and community action.
Looking for Support?
You do not need to face hardship alone
Get help with food and financial hardship, emotional wellbeing, refugee support, employment or starting a business. You do not need to know which service is right for you. Our team will listen without judgement, understand your circumstances and help you identify the right next step.
Our Impact
Local action. Measurable change.
Behind every number is a person, a family and a story. Our impact in 2026 so far:
0+
Hot meals provided
0
Emergency food parcels distributed
£0
Distributed to support vulnerable individuals and families
0
Unique people supported through our programmes
0
People supported into employment in the past three months
0
New businesses established in the past three months
Our Offer
A five stage pathway from hardship to hope, opportunity and prosperity
We help people overcome hardship, rebuild confidence and create opportunities for a better future.
Through one connected pathway, we bring together emergency support, emotional wellbeing, employment, enterprise and community action. Rather than providing one-off support, we help people make lasting progress towards stability, independence, prosperity and community contribution.
Support → Stabilise → Strengthen → Prosper → Contribute
Our Five-Stage Pathway
Everyone's journey is different. Some people need emergency support, while others need help improving their wellbeing, finding employment or starting a business. People can enter the pathway at the stage that best matches their needs and move forward at a pace that is right for them.
Support
Immediate support during times of hardship.
Stabilise
Improving wellbeing and creating greater stability.
Strengthen
Building confidence, skills and resilience.
Prosper
Achieving employment, enterprise and greater financial independence.
Contribute
Giving back through volunteering and community action.
Our Programmes
Connected support for every stage of the journey
Each programme supports one or more stages of our pathway. Together, they provide joined-up support that helps people move from hardship to hope.
Foodbank & Community Kitchen
Hardship Fund
Ansaar Project
Counselling
Addictions Support
Employment Coaching
The Prosperity Hub
Good in the Hood
Why Choose Nelson Community Foundation?
Local trust. Connected support. Lasting change.
Service Users
Compassionate support that helps you overcome hardship and move towards greater independence.
Partners
Trusted local relationships and connected support for individuals and families across our communities.
Funders
Measurable impact that addresses immediate hardship while creating lasting social change.
Volunteers
Meaningful opportunities to use your time and skills to make a difference.
Stories of Change
From hardship to hope
"I was struggling with anxiety and needed food parcels. Nelson Community Foundation provided food and other essentials, but they did not stop there. I also received counselling and help with my CV, job applications and interview preparation. Today, I am in full-time employment, no longer rely on food parcels and feel confident about my future."
Adam
Name used with permission.
Get Involved
Make an Impact
Need Support?
Find the right support for yourself, your family or someone you are helping.
Donate
Your generosity helps provide practical support, emotional care and opportunities for people facing hardship.
Volunteer
Give your time, skills or experience and help transform lives across our communities.
Partner With Us
Together, we can create lasting change
We work with local authorities, businesses, charities, schools, healthcare providers, faith organisations and community groups to strengthen support across our communities. Whether you want to make a referral, fund a programme, share your expertise or develop a partnership, we would love to hear from you.