Support group for vulnerable and special needs adults in Burnley announces shutdown due to coronavirus

Manager Sharon Lees said it was with 'great sadness' that the decision had been made to close TEAM RISE for a while but the health of members and volunteers had to be the priority.

Sharon said: " I will keep in touch with everyone and hope these sad times pass very quickly.

"We will all come back from this and when we do we will have the biggest celebration ever. In the meantime, please stay well and safe and if I can do anything at all to help anyone please ring.

"Our members can ring me anytime even if it's just to say hello and we will be keeping in touch with them by phone, social media and good old-fashioned letters."

Sharon added that a series of planned fund raising events for the year would be postponed and not cancelled adding: "I have no doubt it is going to be a difficult time for everyone, but we will get through this."

Team Rise, which stands for Standing Together Everyone Achieves More Respecting Individual Skills and Experiences, is situated in the heart of Burnley town centre and exists to give individuals the opportunity to develop, socialise and explore their ideas and goals through a wide variety of educational, social and practical activities.

This can be anything, from dancing lessons and quizzes, to cookery classes and days out.