3) Understanding autistic burnout

Author: Dr Dora Raymaker

Dr Dora Raymaker, Research Assistant Professor at Portland State University, discusses research exploring autistic people’s experiences of autistic burnout. This includes what autistic burnout feels like, why it might happen and what can be done to prevent it.

Autistic people often talk about autistic burnout as a source of distress, but it’s just starting to be recognised in wider conversations. Academic Autism Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education (AASPIRE) conducted a qualitative study to better understand and define autistic burnout (Raymaker et al. 2020). The study involved interviews with autistic adults and analysis of public internet sources.

Definition of autistic burnout

From what we learned we created the following definition of autistic burnout.

Autistic burnout is a syndrome conceptualised as resulting from chronic life stress and a mismatch of expectations and abilities without adequate supports. It is characterised by pervasive, long-term (typically 3+ months) exhaustion, loss of function, and reduced tolerance to stimulus.

Characteristics and impact

The research participants describe the experience of autistic burnout as chronic exhaustion, loss of skills, and reduced tolerance to stimulus. They described it as affecting every part of their lives and lasting for long periods of time. Many first experienced autistic burnout during puberty, graduation from secondary education, or at other times of transition and changes in developmental expectations.

Autistic burnout had many negative effects on their lives. Many highlighted difficulties with their health, especially their mental health. They talked about struggling with independent living, loss of self-belief, and being frightened that the loss of skills from the autistic burnout might be permanent. They also talked about a lack of empathy from neurotypical people, who had difficulty understanding or relating to the autistic person’s experiences. Some people related an increase in suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviour.

Reasons why autistic burnout might occur

People described a collection of life stressors.

Masking their autistic traits, for example by suppressing autistic behaviours, pretending to be non-autistic, or working very hard to act in a non-autistic way.
Difficult or unreachable expectations from family, school, work, or society in general.
Stress from living in a world not set up to accommodate autistic people, for example managing the stress of having to be in noisy environments.
Life-changes and transitions that are stressful for anyone, for example transitioning from school to work, experiencing a mental health crisis, or the death of someone close.

They also described barriers to getting support or relief from the stress.

Gaslighting or dismissal when attempting to describe the autistic burnout, for example being told that everyone has these experiences, that they just need to try harder, or that they are making it up.
Poor boundaries or self-advocacy with respect to saying no, taking a break, or asking for help. This may be due to trauma, fear, lack of assistance in learning how, and a history of negative responses from others when they tried.
Inability to take a break from stress that is so pervasive (“How do you take a break from life?”).
Insufficient external resources and supports, for example inadequate disability services, lack of useful social support.

Together, the life stressors contributed to a cumulative load of stress and the barriers to support meant they were unable to get relief from the stress. At some point, the expectations on the person far exceeded anything they were able to do. Every part of them gave up and autistic burnout resulted. Or, as one study participant summarised:

‘‘Autistic burnout is a state of physical and mental fatigue, heightened stress, and diminished capacity to manage life skills, sensory input, and/or social interactions, which comes from years of being severely overtaxed by the strain of trying to live up to demands that are out of sync with our needs.’’

Reducing or Preventing Autistic Burnout

Participants told us about ways that they found to relieve or prevent their autistic burnout, and advice they have for others.

Acceptance and support – interacting with others who could accept them for who they were, without any need to masking or pretend. This could be one-on-one with family members or friends; on a community level of groups with accepting cultures; or on a peer level, especially finding other autistic people who could validate their experiences and offer information and emotional/social support from lived experience.
Being autistic – attending to autistic needs like stimming and spending time with intense interests and comfort items, unmasking, using autistic strengths or doing things in an autistic way.
Formal supports – receiving reasonable adjustments at school or work, physical support like someone to provide groceries, and mental health support.
Reduced load – taking time off, more breaks, reducing social activity or other types of more stressful activities.
Self-advocacy and health – learning how to set healthy boundaries and expectations from others, and what to do when others aren’t respecting boundaries. Learning how to ask for help in a way others might be responsive to, and leading as healthy a lifestyle as possible (for example participants described how exercising, sleeping, eating well, and doing things that made them happy helped them out of autistic burnout once they had enough energy to do them).
Self-knowledge – learning how to recognise and act on the early signs of autistic burnout (for example by cancelling social plans to have more rest), having an autism diagnosis, and understanding one’s own patterns of behaviour and feelings.

Recommendations and next steps

We recommend increasing awareness about autistic burnout, and connecting with the autistic community and peers that understand autistic burnout. The experiences of people who describe being in a state of autistic burnout should be validated, whether they use the term or not. We recommend that therapists and clinicians learn to recognise autistic burnout in clients and offer strategies for relief.

In general, we recommend others be aware of the potential dangers of teaching autistic people to mask or suppress their autistic traits. Suicide prevention programs may want to consider the potential role of burnout. We strongly support interventions to decrease the discrimination and stigma associated with autism and disability in society, and to improve access to reasonable adjustments and acceptance.

Though an important start to the conversation, our findings are from a small qualitative study of a non-random sample. They are also limited to autism; we feel that this may be a broader experience of people who experience disability. Therefore we highly recommend more research in this new and urgent area, especially in collaboration with autistic people who can contribute the expertise of their lived experience.

2) Dr Jacqui Jackson answers some questions on sensory differences and needs in people with autism

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7JV57RLAPk

What exactly are these sensory differences and how do they manifest in individuals with autism?

Can I just start by premising everything I write and say with a hard fact…. when you have met one individual with autism, you have done just that. You have met that one individual with autism! No two individuals are the same, regardless of how their brain is wired.

However, people with autism, along with many other neurodivergences, perceive sensory input in a different way to others. Whilst these differences are often given a nod to and recognised, there is a misconception that these are merely quirks and people can get over them. However, that is not the case!

Sensory differences refer to an atypical way to which a person perceives and processes sensory information from the environment around them. Some individuals with autism may be hypersensitive to sensory stimuli. My son Luke used to describe it as ‘sounds seem louder, light seems brighter and smells are smellier’. Of course, touch and taste and movement are also experienced differently and all of these experiences can be overwhelming and sometimes painful. Do you or your child or person you care for or teach, like to wear tight clothing, be squashed tightly under quilts or be spun round and round? It is likely that they are hyposensitive and have reduced sensitivity, actively seeking out sensory stimuli. My son Joe still wears a disproportionate number of layers of clothing. He also doesn’t feel pain in the way others do or notice sensory input that others find particularly noticeable and even painful. Some people with autism however have a mix of both and react in a hypersensitive way to some stimuli and yet be hyposensitive to other stimuli.

From an outsider’s point of view, this can result in behaviour that can challenge others such as screaming, running off, covering ears or eyes or freezing as the sensory overload is too great. By finding the experience of going out of a familiar environment because of sensory differences, people on the autism spectrum and others with sensory needs can suffer from even more isolation and feelings of desperation and loneliness. As autism is a difference in communication and social interaction, imagine how these are exacerbated by overwhelming sensory input!

So, what can we as individuals do to help and how could a shopping centre help visitors with sensory issues?

As individuals I cannot stress enough how important it is to be compassionate and recognise that all people have value and deserve to be seen and heard. By debunking misconceptions of a ‘them and us’ we can begin to foster a culture of inclusivity and acceptance. I am seriously impressed with how Charter Walk is not only recognising and embracing differences in people with autism but going above and beyond to find ways to help and make the shopping experience as pleasurable as possible. Something as seemingly simple as going to the toilet can be so challenging for both people with physical disabilities and those with hidden ones too. The accessible changing room and the sensory room provided by Charter Walk take away the stress of these issues that so many of us take for granted. ‘Budding Burnley’ is such an inspiring example of how people that could feel alienated and marginalised, can be creative, useful and help the wider community by growing food. Being outside, nurturing plants from seeds to harvest whilst being in a secure and accepting environment is something we all need and does wonders for the soul.

Why would a shopping centre care for people with sensory differences?

The simple accommodations for people with sensory needs can not only benefit the individual but also benefit the shopping centre and all who work in and around it! By welcoming ALL individuals to the shopping centre and creating a sensory–friendly environment, shopping can be a positive experience which in turn creates a loyalty to the Charter Walk and a desire to come back. We are in times of economic crisis and shoppers, shopkeepers and managers alike are all feeling the stress of our current economy. Increasing the footfall to the shopping centre, providing training for all of the staff working in to truly understand differences in people they encounter and making the centre a pleasurable place to shop, to eat, to take the children or to just sit and chat, of course benefits the shopping centre and Burnley as a town.

I am unashamedly repeating myself here when I say that the aim is to accept difference, foster inclusivity and create an environment where we can all feel comfortable, empowered and valued. By creating sensory spaces such as the Sensory Walkway in Charter Walk, this not only gives a place for people with sensory needs to stop and take a breather, but does the same for everyone regardless of age and ability. After all, who wouldn’t like to sit and smell lavender, listen to bird sounds and look at the flourishing allotment of fruit and veg?

By creating clear markings to delineate how to navigate the shopping centre, providing accessible seating and places where people can take a rest before becoming overwhelmed with sensory stimuli, the whole shopping experience can actually become an enjoyable experience for people with sensory differences and not just something that has to be endured.

What advice would you give to parents of autistic children who are struggling to navigate their child’s sensory differences?

Parents of children with autism need to listen to their child and not just the words they use but specifically, their behaviour in various settings. Does your child play up in a typical sensory environment with bubble tubes etc? Maybe the lighting isn’t right, maybe the buzz and hum of projectors and equipment is overloading? Is your child behaving differently in different settings? Calm at school and then playing up at home or vice versa? Look at the sensory input they are receiving. Often children don’t realise what is affecting them so parents, caregivers and teachers need to be detectives. Try things out, look at the tools on offer and look, listen and learn.

Practical help such as noise cancelling headphones, fidget toys, weighted blankets, visual aids, sensory swings and aromatherapy may help but don’t try all at once and the most important thing is to watch and listen.

A word of advice from one parent to another, every individual has a different sensory profile so don’t just spend a fortune and hope for the best…I learned the hard way that one size just does not fit all! Often just the simple things like changing the colour of lighting at home, moving a child from a less distracting place at school can make a world of difference. By planning your journey in advance and explaining with pictures through the App that can be downloaded, following the easy to navigate routes and of course stopping and taking a break at the Sensory Walkway, shopping and meeting others at Charter Walk can be an inclusive and enjoyable experience

A final word about the importance of celebrating diversity?

Just as biodiversity is celebrated for the beauty and richness it brings to our planet and shows the wonders of nature in all of its forms, neurodiversity invites us to celebrate the diversity of human minds and abilities. By recognising the value of each individual’s unique way of experiencing the world around us we not only deepen our appreciating of the complexity and richness of life, but move towards a move inclusive, resilient and harmonious society for us all to live.

The ‘Happy to chat’ benches at the Sensory Walkway provide a place for people to sit, meet others and chat and so give people struggling with loneliness, mental health issues and just needing a break from the daily grind. Life can be hard and for those with sensory differences, a different way of looking at the world, physical issues, family issues and any kind of hardship, a kind word and a smile from a stranger can be life changing.

It’s time for us all to make that difference!

1) Helping young people to understand their autistic identity

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/professional-practice/autistic-identity

Helping young people to understand their autistic identity

Published on 17 February 2023, National Autistic Society

Author: Rebecca Duffus

Rebecca Duffus is an Advisory Teacher working with students and educators in mainstream and specialist schools, plus local council and education services. Here, Rebecca discusses the importance of supporting young people to understand their autistic identity.

Research shows that having a positive understanding of your autistic identity is an indicator of higher self-esteem and wellbeing as an adult. (Corden, Brewer & Cage, 2021 and Cooper, Smith, & Russell, 2017). Yet, when do we teach this?

So often, autistic young people are told to stop stimming, taught neurotypical ‘social skills’ and disciplined because of characteristics directly related to their autistic identity. We need to be actively promoting autistic pride and creating communities where autistic young people can understand their strengths and have their needs catered for.

What is autistic identity?

Many autistic individuals discuss the term ‘autistic identification’ as affirming and valid, in place of ‘diagnosis’, which is steeped in medicalised language (and often difficult to access) (Sandland, 2022). Referring to autistic identity means an individual can acknowledge all the parts that make up their identity as a whole, and the core autistic characteristics that are integral to who they are.

There is also strength and solace in a shared identity. Much of what has been shown to increase wellbeing and reduce anxiety is finding your place in a community of like-minded people, such as with other autistic or neurodivergent folk.

However, so often I will meet a young person who is at crisis point, and ask the team around them if they have an understanding of their autistic identity, to be told ‘No’. They may have been told about their diagnosis but been given little support to understand what this means, nor had the opportunity to meet other autistic young people, therefore being left feeling isolated, which can also impact their mental health.

What can we do to increase understanding of autistic identity in young people?

When a young person gets a diagnosis, the parents may be offered parent programmes, and the school may be offered training, but what does the actual autistic person get? In many cases, young people are not given the opportunity to explore their autistic identity. In an ideal world, a young person would be aware of autism at the start of their autism assessment process and then be able to build their understanding on this topic gradually and over time, with the support of understanding adults.

It is never too late to support a young person in developing a better sense of self. I have worked for a number of years doing just this, through clearly structured sessions, together creating a personalised book all about them. The Autism, Identity and Me Workbook for young people was created to become the individual’s unique story, using visual prompts to positively explore their personality and interests, feelings of difference and what this means to them. The book also features other autistic individuals, providing peer representation, and a template toolkit.

When to have these conversations?

Children have different rates of cognitive development, and ‘identity’ is an abstract concept that can be challenging. Many children will start to notice differences between themselves and their peers and this often shows they are ready to have these discussions, but some children, won’t ever talk about this.

Claire Sainsbury states ‘any child who is old enough to understand a simple explanation…. is old enough’ (Sainsbury, 2010). Likewise, research has found that when children know nothing about their diagnosis, they can have a very negative perception of themselves (Miller, 2015 and Punshon et al 2009).

Who is best placed to have these conversations?

If you are the young person’s parent or carer, it is likely that you will have your own thoughts and feelings about this whole process. You may have battled for years to try and get an autism assessment or are carrying the weight of comments from ‘well-meaning’ family members or professionals. There may be layers of guilt or worry over whether you are doing the best for your child. I have worked with many, many families over the years and I can tell you this is all ‘normal’, whatever that means!

Remember our emotions are often contagious: if we are feeling highly anxious, those around us may well mirror these feelings or behaviours. Always consider whose needs you are meeting – if you are doing this because you feel you ought to, but really don’t feel prepared – it might be best to let someone else take the lead (perhaps someone from school), while you access support and develop your own understanding of autism. The Autism, Identity and Me Guidebook explores this in detail and could be a good starting point.

It is important that the supporting adult is able to keep calm, give enough processing time and speak about autism very positively.

The role of the chosen adult should be:

a reassuring presence (with reduced verbal input)
to support with processing (providing additional visual tools or methods that work for that young person)
to provide examples to help the young person identify with the features discussed.

If you are a professional leading these conversations (in advance of the session), you should start planning and information gathering alongside parents. The resources section of the Guidebook has tools which can be used in an informal meeting with parents/carers and key adults.

Top tips to consider:

Choose the right time: if the young person is absorbed in their interests, or
focused on something that has happened, it may not be the right time.
Allow processing time
Don’t talk too much
Use the young person’s name to cue them in
Sit side by side
Consider the environment: would they prefer to be somewhere familiar? Think about the sensory input such as lighting and sounds.
Use visuals to support complex concepts
Use specialist interests to engage your child/young person in the topics
Have a plan for follow up questions : It’s OK to ‘park’ the question or give the young person a kind of ‘holding message’ – better this than to give a rushed answer that they later find confusing or unsettling.
Adapt your plan for your young person: consider concentration and processing times. Some young people may prefer to sit down for an hour, others may want short 10-minute bursts of information. Be flexible!

Giving young people the space and time to explore and embrace their autistic identity, in a way that is positive and empowering, is essential for their sense of self and belonging.

Further information

Autism, Identity and Me: A Practical Workbook and Parent/Professional Guide to Empower Autistic Children and Young People Aged 10+

Charter Walk wins big at Britain in Bloom awards!

Burnley’s premier shopping destination, Charter Walk, swept awards at the Burnley in Bloom ceremony.

The shopping centre’s vibrant floral displays have captured the attention of Britain in Bloom award judges, leading to an impressive collection of accolades for the mall.

Not only did Charter Walk secure the gold award in the Large Retail/Commercial/Industrial Park category for the North West region, but they also clinched the title of Best Large Retail/Commercial & Business Park.

Additionally, their dedication to enhancing the local community through initiatives like Budding Burnley earned them a Level 5 Outstanding award in the It’s Your Neighbourhood category during the awards ceremony. Charter Walk’s commitment to beautifying their surroundings shone brightly, earning them well-deserved recognition.

Labels for Cares are in the centre!

Local Cancer Charity Donates £250,000

BURNLEY, 16th OCTOBER: CANCER ASSESSMENT RAPID EARLY SUPPORT (CARES), a local cancer charity committed to purchasing preventative cancer equipment, proudly announces a groundbreaking donation of £250,000 to East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) Burnley General Hospital. This substantial contribution, the largest to date by CARES, is the third generous donation from the local charity and will be used to purchase an OLYMPUS EVIS EUS endosonography. This is an advanced, state of the art, endoscopy scope with ultrasound technology. It accurately identifies stage cancer and aids with gaining tissue samples giving diagnoses accuracy and aids the appropriate surgery and chemotherapeutic intervention.

“This is an advanced state of the art diagnostic endoscopy with the help of ultrasound waves and other associated technologies to accurately identify, define and stage cancer and also help with obtaining tissue samples which would aid in accurate diagnosis and appropriate surgical and chemotherapeutic interventions,” explained Doctor Venkat Mahesh, Clinical Lead for Endoscopy at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT). “This is particularly suited for cancers of pancreas, bile duct, liver, oesophagus and gastric cancer.”
Medical Director at ELHT, Jawad Husain, added: “We are immensely grateful to the support of CARES. Every cancer diagnosis is devastating for patients and their families and everyone at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust is working each and every day to treat cancer as quickly as possible and save lives.
“This donation will help fund new equipment that will assist us in the detection and identification of cancer and help ensure patients receive appropriate treatment.”

The official cheque presentation took place at a Labels for Cares (CARES’ fashion designer outlet) Ladies Day event attended by customers from the stores, ITVs Weather star Jo Blythe (Charity Ambassador) and Lukman Patel (Burnley Council’s new CEO) and Shelley Wright (Director of Communications at East Lancashire Health care Trust.

The donation follows CARES’ donation in October 2020, which facilitated the purchase of two endoscopy machines for Burnley General Hospital. Anthony Fairclough, co-founder of Labels for Cares, highlighted the impact, stating, “Building on the success of the two existing machines that have scanned thousands of people in East Lancashire, this new addition underscores our commitment to providing swift results and leveraging cutting-edge technology.”

CARES recognizes the critical role played by its supporters and donors, including the community and contributors from charity events. “This wouldn’t be possible without our great customers, staff, supporters, donations that come from differing events like the recent climb of Mount Kilimanjaro by a supporter of the charity who raised over £10K,” added Mr Fairclough.

To get involved and support the cause through sponsored challenges or other activities get in touch for interviews: 07800 714202, Match Media Ltd

About CANCER ASSESSMENT RAPID EARLY SUPPORT (CARES):

CANCER ASSESSMENT RAPID EARLY SUPPORT (CARES) is a local charity dedicated to advancing early cancer assessment and support for individuals in East Lancashire. The charity focuses on leveraging cutting-edge technology and community support to make a meaningful impact on cancer detection and treatment. This record donation to ELHT Burnley General Hospital demonstrates CARES’ ongoing commitment to improving healthcare outcomes in the region.

About LABELS FOR CARES

Labels for Cares is the main fundraiser behind the Charity, the charity has two stores and two concessions which are Designer Charity shops and sell brand new clothing with donations from Boohoo Group Karen Millen, Coast, Warehouse, Temperley and others.

Community Down Town point!

The cost of living crisis is effecting many of us and now we are coming into the winter months most of us will be having to find ways to cut back. The Down Town Community Grocery which is located above New Look allows you to do just that and is available for absolutely anyone who just needs a helping hand to get by! How it works-

You sign up for £5 to become an annual member of the Community Grocery, giving you access to multiple food shops each week.
Suppliers provide the Community Grocery with redistributed surplus food, including fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as packaged and canned goods.
Members can come and shop for their whole family at the grocery giving them access to food for less and helping us all reduce food waste.

Where does the food come from? Lots of the items the grocery source are classed as surplus and have been rescued from supermarkets and food suppliers before being redistributed to their groceries. There are many reasons why food finds its way to the groceries. Common reasons are that there are packaging mistakes, supermarkets have made errors with ordering, or that the food that ends up too close to or just past its ‘best before’ date for them to sell. As a result, some of the items in the grocery have recently past their best before dates but are still perfectly safe to eat and often taste just as good! All our ‘past best before’ products are regularly checked for quality and we’ll never stock anything that’s past it’s ‘use by’ date. As the grocery are reliant on distributing whatever surplus food becomes available each week, they can’t guarantee what items they will have in stock for you on each visit, so you may find that you need to top up your shop from their little extras section. Their little extras will contain items that they haven’t been able to source through their surplus links and so purchase these direct from wholesalers in bulk passing on as much of the savings as they can. Once you become a member you can visit the grocery as many times as you like to do a £5 shop that will let you buy 12 items, including fresh fruit and veg, tinned food, bread, snacks and fridge items. Customers can also ‘Pay it Forward’ which means they can pay £5 at the till which means that somebody who cant afford it, can go along and receive a free shop so they don’t go without food. For more information or if you would like to contact the grocery, click here Message Community Grocery

Sustainable fit-out at Pioneer Place’s Nando’s

Burnley’s first Nando’s opened on Wednesday 20^th September at the Pioneer Place leisure complex. Its recipe for success doesn’t just come down to its famous chicken flavours, Nando’s are also ahead of the game when it comes to sustainability.

When it comes to interior design, their buildings are not only beautifully green and sustainable, they’re also beautiful to look at. Each restaurant has a plethora of sustainable, high-tech features. From supporting young people in sustainable careers, to being the biggest collector or Southern African contemporary art in the world.

The Employability Trust and Hill Cross Furniture has given young people the chance to get back into work by refurbishing the restaurants external furniture. This opportunity has provided 197 young people a pathway into sustainable employment, which has resulted in over 6,740 pieces of refurbished furniture being put back into over 175 Nando’s restaurants – including Burnley’s!

As well as supporting young careers, Nando’s supports the career development opportunities for professional South African artists through partnering with Spier Arts Trust. This partnership hopes to make a real difference to the lives of the artists they work with, by running programmes that help them build successful art careers. These also include The Creative Block, Qubeka Bead Studio, and the commissioning of site-specific, architectural-scale artworks, to name a few. All the beautiful art on display in every Nando’s restaurant has been created by talented artists in Southern Africa, and sent over to the UK for patrons to enjoy! The interior walls of the Burnley Nando’s are lined with colourful and dramatic artwork that is part of the extensive collection of contemporary Southern African art.

Every year, several artists from South Africa come to visit London and exhibit their works during the 1:54 African Art Fair in Somerset House, and Feast Your Eyes – Nando’s own Pop-Up Gallery. They’re great opportunities for artists to exhibit their art to a wider audience, make new connections and also visit some restaurants where their art is displayed. Nando’s also make sure to loan their art to exhibitions across Europe so that artists can benefit from the exposure.

Climate change is a huge issue in the modern world and Nando’s are doing everything they can to lessen their impact and carbon footprint. Every aspect of the restaurants has been considered and constructed with sustainability in mind. Thinking about their waste, the lamp shades within Burnley’s first Nando’s restaurant have been made by people in South Africa using old Nando’s uniforms! Even the table cadies which hold the menus are made by people in South Africa.

Nando’s Burnley can be found at Pioneer Place, Curzon Street, BB11 1FB, and is open from 11.30am to 10pm seven days a week.

New Luxury Fashion Destination Arrives in Burnley

Burnley’s fashion scene just got a significant upgrade with the grand opening of FLANNELS, the luxury fashion retailer known for its exquisite selection of designer brands. The highly-anticipated store, which officially opened its doors on Friday, September 13th, 2023, promises to be a game-changer in the town’s shopping landscape.

FLANNELS, part of the Frasers PLC portfolio, has quickly made a name for itself by offering a curated collection of high-end fashion from renowned brands like Gucci, Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Boss, Represent, Ralph Lauren, Hugo, and Paul Smith. This premium fashion emporium caters to both men and women, ensuring that everyone in Burnley can find their ideal style.

Located in the heart of Burnley’s Charter Walk Shopping Centre, FLANNELS has taken over the former Tessuti premises in Market Square, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for this retail space.

Founded in 1976 as a men’s fashion store in Knutsford, Cheshire, FLANNELS has since evolved into a premier luxury retailer for men, women, and children. With 65 stores across the UK, FLANNELS has become synonymous with high-quality fashion, offering a wide range of clothing and footwear from the world’s most prestigious brands.

So, if you’re in the mood for a fashion upgrade or simply want to explore the best in high-end style, make sure to pay a visit to Burnley’s newest fashion hotspot. Come and experience it for yourself!

Pioneer Place has opened in Burnley!

The long-awaited flagship development, Pioneer Place, has officially opened its doors in Burnley, and it’s already making waves in the town centre.

Icaro Lounge takes pride in being the very first establishment to welcome customers in the impressive £23 million Pioneer Place project. Catering to diverse tastes, Icaro Lounge boasts an innovative menu featuring a wide array of options, from delectable tapas and salads to mouthwatering burgers and buttermilk fried chicken. Additionally, the establishment is keen on accommodating various dietary preferences, offering vegan and gluten-free menus. Families are especially welcomed, as the venue provides a selection of games, books, colouring pencils, and pads. To cater to families with young children, the Lounge also offers high chairs and baby-changing facilities.

Icaro Lounge is open from Sunday – Thursday, 9am – 11pm, and Friday – Saturday 9am – 12am.

As part of the Pioneer Place excitement, Starbucks has also joined the ranks, creating 15 job opportunities in the area. To celebrate the grand opening, Starbucks offered goody bags and discount vouchers to the first 100 customers. The event included a ribbon-cutting ceremony and delightful food and coffee tastings. The store’s contemporary design offers customers a cozy environment to savour their handcrafted cup of coffee while enjoying free Wi-Fi. Emphasizing sustainability, Starbucks proudly serves a variety of dairy alternative options at no extra cost, and customers who bring reusable cups receive a 25p discount on their beverages.

The new Starbucks store welcomes customers from 6.30am until 8pm, Monday to Saturday, and 7am until 7.30pm on Sundays.

Celebrating Customer Service Excellence!

What a fantastic evening of celebrations at Burnley’s first ever Customer Service Awards by Burnley BID!

Retailers from across the town centre came together to celebrate the towns finest in customer service and enjoyed a fabulous Christmas Party , in July!

The evening took place at the spectacular Burnley Mechanics Theatre and was full of festive entertainment and and showcased some well deserved winners!

Independent Retailer of the Year

Winner – Sweet William Florists

Highly Commended – Burnley Home Brew

Best Service Provider of the Year

Winner – Barclays Bank

Highly Commended – Skipton Building Society

Best National Retailer of the Year

Winner – Boots

Highly Commended – Iceland

Best Food Retailer of the Year

Winner- Little Barista

Highly Commended – 1855 Bistro & Bar

Best Long Serving Business of the Year

Winner- The Swan

Highly Commended – Country House Gallery

Ambassador of the Year

Winner – Sweet William Florist

Highly Commended – William Hill

Employee of the Year

Winner Shoaib Durrani (1855 Bistro & Bar)

Highly Commended – Patrik Firman ( Little Barista )

Best Overall Business of the Year

Winner – Barclays Bank

The Centre Pays it Forward!

For Volunteer’s Week, members of Charter Walk’s team took time out of their day to lend a helping hand at Down Town’s Community Grocery! Volunteers Week takes place 1-7 June every year. It’s a chance to recognise the fantastic contribution volunteers make to our communities and say thank you.

Community Grocery at Down Town was established to help local residents with their weekly food shops by bridging the gap between food banks and supermarkets.

The aim of the site is to bridge the gap between food banks and supermarkets by helping struggling people with their weekly food shops.

A £5 membership allows members to get multiple £5 shops a week, each consisting of 12 products across shelf items, fridge and freezer section, fruit and veg, and the bakery.

Over the week, a number of staff members took their time to pay it forward at Down Town’s Community Grocery store. At the store anyone is welcome to pay it forward, their gift can help pay for a shop for a family, whilst also giving them access to a membership for their family meaning they can shop at the store all year!

Luis, our cleaning supervisor has taken on our challenge and visited the Community Grocery at Down Town to pay it forward! Luis very kind donation means that someone who can’t afford it can have a free shop!

We continue to challenge our fellow retailers and local community to go along to Down Town and donate anything they can, so someone doesn’t go without.

Debbie Hernon, Charter Walk’s Centre Manager, and Vicky, our Centre Administrator, both visited the shop to pay it forward to allow someone to have a free shop!

The Community Grocery Down Town was recently awarded a 5 star food hygiene rating!

If you would like to pay it forward, just head in store and speak to a member of their lovely team!

Down Town Community Grocery is open from Monday to Friday, between 9.30am and 4.30pm.

The store is located above New Look at our Shopping Centre.

Let your pre-loved be re-loved!

Primark is making recycling look easy! As part of their ongoing commitment to a more sustainable future, they are launching a new in-store recycling scheme.

All you have to do is drop by Primark and place your pre-loved items into their blue donation box. They can recycle any clothing or textiles, whatever the brand or condition! All items collected in Primark stores will be recycled or repurposed if they can’t be reused and all profits will be donated to UNICEF.

For more information please visit Primark Instore Recycling Scheme | Primark

Located above New Look

in Charter Walk Shopping Centre, BB11 1QJ

Opening hours: Monday – Friday 9:30am-4.30pm

Down Town Community Grocery

The Down Town Community Grocery opened on Tuesday 16th May! Located in Charter Walk Shopping Centre above New Look.

The Community Grocery Burnley Down Town is here to bridge the gap between food banks and supermarkets by helping local residents with their weekly food shops. If you are feeling the financial impact of the rising cost of living then we are here to help. For an annual membership of £5 and a £5 shop you can choose 12 items across fruit & veg, shelf items, chilled, frozen and bakery.

To find out more visit www.communitygrocery.org.uk

Your £5 food shop can get you 12 items bakery, chilled, frozen, non-food, shelf & fruit & veg items.

Sensory Walkway Launched at Burnley Shopping Centre

Charter Walk Shopping Centre introduced a sensory walkway to continue in their commitment to inclusivity and diversity.

In 2019, Charter Walk Shopping Centre was awarded the ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ award in Level 5 Outstanding, for their Budding Burnley initiative. This saw a number of permanent community run planters placed throughout the shopping Centre, with all grown produce being donated to local food banks, to help combat poverty in the town.

Budding Burnley is a pioneering green initiative, which saw the transformation of an empty space at the Centre, into something environmentally friendly, and injected a new lease of life into the space. Whilst Budding Burnley has gone a long way to re-develop an unused space, the aim of the upcoming sensory walkway project is to create an inclusive, accessible and immersive environment for all shoppers and visitors at Charter Walk.

Launched on Monday 27th March, the installation is multifaceted and multifunctional, which has transformed the existing Budding Burnley allotment into a sensory walkway which puts the local community at the heart of all the activities that the Centre will host.

The installation of the sensory walkway at Charter Walk sees the Centre flourish with their efforts in being inclusive and diverse.

At the 2022 SCEPTRE Awards, Charter Walk won the Diversity & Inclusion Scheme of The Year award, with judges impressed by their commitment to becoming an inclusive shopping destination, with a particular focus on their efforts to make the Mall autism friendly. Alongside this, the Budding Burnley initiative also received recognition, being the first ever allotment in a shopping mall in the UK.

Debbie Hernon, Centre Manager at Charter Walk Shopping Centre commented:

“We are very pleased to launch the Sensory Walkway here at Charter Walk. Building on the Diversity and Inclusion SOTY award we won at last year’s SCEPTRE’s, our sensory walkway enhances the community space on offer and promotes inclusivity throughout the Centre, which is one thing we strive on.”

Kate Ingram, strategic head of economy and growth at Burnley Council, said:

“This is a wonderful addition to Charter Walk shopping centre. It supports our aim to make the centre attractive and inclusive and to draw in visitors from a wide area.”

The installation of the sensory walkway is one of the ESG initiative the Centre has implemented.

Party at Claire’s

If you’re searching for the perfect kids party venue, look no further than Claire’s…

Book your kids birthday party in-store at Claire’s — and we’ll make it sparkle! Plus, the guest of honour will receive a free gift!*

With amazing party rooms for rent, fun party themes and plenty of party games, make it a celebration to remember with Claire’s. Whether your kid is unicorn obsessed or makeover mad, our talented party specialists are on hand to help plan the birthday party or special event of their dreams! We’ll help you every step of the way and be sure to fit with your budget.

Ready to celebrate? Contact Claire’s at Charter Walk today to learn more about our kids party packages!

*Up to the value of £15, excludes piercings

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