A panoramic cityscape with a mix of modern and historic buildings, green hills, and a partly cloudy sky in the background.

Early Break:

Blackburn

With Darwen

Local Youth & Family Support

Specialist substance use support for young people and families in Blackburn & Darwen

Early Break delivers local support in Blackburn and Darwen through advocacy, family programmes, peer groups, and training, right at the heart of the community.

We provide specialist support for young people and families in Blackburn with Darwen affected by substance use!

Blackburn with Darwen is a vibrant borough in Lancashire, home to approximately 155,000 residents, with a rich heritage.

From the textile mills to Witton Country Park, and a diverse, youthful population (37% under 18, 36% from Asian or Asian British backgrounds).

Early Break is committed to supporting this community through inclusive, culturally responsive services.

Our Services in Blackburn with Darwen

  • Icon of a laboratory flask with a marijuana leaf in front of it, representing cannabis or marijuana research.

    Advocacy

    Supporting positive change around substance use

    Confidential, person-centred support for young people with drug or alcohol-related needs, offering both short and long-term interventions tailored to individual goals and circumstances.

    Click here
  • Outline of three people with an open hand underneath, suggesting care or support.

    Holding Families Programme

    Whole-family support through substance use challenges

    Comprehensive support for families affected by parental substance use, with two pathways, both creating space for children's voices and empowering positive family change.

    Click here
  • An outline of a human head with a heart shape inside it

    Emotional Health & Wellbeing Groups

    Comprehensive support for mental wellness

    A range of services for children, young people and families, including mindfulness sessions, counselling, wellbeing groups and family support, all delivered with a flexible, person-centred approach in accessible community settings.

    Click Here
  • Simple outline of a person inside a shield symbol, representing protection or security.

    SafeZones

    Supporting young people through crisis moments

    A flexible, tailored service for 5-18-year-olds experiencing crisis, offering 5-7 sessions to help you move from crisis to safety.

    Click Here
  • Icon of a globe with a location pin on it.

    Community Outreach

    Supporting Young People in Their Communities

    Early Break’s community outreach team supports young people in the places they spend time: parks, youth clubs, schools, events, and local neighbourhoods. We provide a friendly face, trusted advice, and a link to services, without pressure, judgement or formality.

    Click Here
  • Outline of two hands clapping together

    VCSE Navigator

    Bridging support after CAMHS treatment

    Short-term support (5-8 sessions) for 5-18 year olds in Bury and Rochdale who have been discharged from CAMHS but still require assistance in maintaining progress with their emotional wellbeing.

    Click Here
  • Icon of a person with an upward arrow above them, surrounded by two smaller figures, representing growth or leadership.

    Local Support Groups

    Our local support groups offer safe, welcoming spaces for young people

    These groups focus on emotional wellbeing, identity, recovery, and peer support, often shaped directly by young people’s voices and lived experience.

    Click Here
  • Two person icons with a graduation cap icon in front of them.

    Training Courses

    Evidence-Informed CPD for Professionals

    Explore Early Break training courses for professionals. Build confidence in drug, alcohol, wellbeing and therapeutic support through CPD-accredited sessions.

    Click Here

Why Work with Early Break in Blackburn with Darwen?

We…

  • Serve a community of over 154,900 people, including a high youth population and diverse heritage

  • Are embedded in local landmarks—from Witton Park to Blackburn Town Hall

  • Partner with key youth providers like Youth Zone (4,500+ members, 46% BAME)

  • Tackle local needs: mental health, poverty (1 in 2 youths in top deprivation)

Local Partners & Agencies

  • Lancashire County Council
  • Lancashire Children's Safeguarding Assurance Partnership logo featuring stylized hands in a circle with purple, green, yellow, and blue colors and text in purple and blue.
  • A pink crown with purple circles on top, above the text "Annabelle's challenge" written in purple.
  • Bury Safeguarding Partnership logo with colorful concentric semi-circles and text in a blue box.
  • Colorful spiral logo with the words 'Bury Youth Service' next to it.
  • First Point Family Support Services logo with cartoon family and support symbols
  • Logo for NCRA Care Group with colorful text and a red heart.
  • Logo of General Motors with a house graphic and the text "Housing First" underneath.
  • Logo of NHS Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
  • LGBT Foundation logo with large text 'LGBT' and the word 'foundation' below, featuring a rainbow-colored underline.
  • Logo of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust with NHS branding.
  • Colorful logo with the word 'myno' and the slogan 'Meeting Your Needs Oldham'
  • Manchester City Council logo featuring a crest with a lion and a unicorn above the text 'Manchester City Council'.
  • Logo of NHS Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.
  • A teal-colored letter M with a light blue star on top, and the word 'Mermaids' written in blue script below.
  • NHS Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust logo with blue and black text on a white background.
  • A badge with the text "the PROUD Trust home of LGBT+ youth."
  • Logo of Rochdale Connections Trust with the initials 'RCT' and a stylized design above, with the full name beneath.
  • Logo for Living Well with the names of Heywood, Middleton, Rochdale, and Pennines communities.
  • The Kite Trust logo with a colorful kite symbol and text that reads 'The Kite Trust. Gender and sexuality Supporting young people.'
  • Logo with the word 'MAHDLO' in yellow and gray, and the tagline 'An OnSide Youth Zone' in black and green.
  • The word 'spark' written in bold red letters with a burst of radiating lines emanating from the letter 'k'.
  • Logo with a heart shape, an orange circle, and text that reads "Safeguarding Oldham" in orange.
  • Text reading 'The Children's Society Resolve@' in black font on a white background.
  • Logo with a tree and hands, with text 'Thriving Young Minds' above and 'Supporting Young People and Families' below.
  • Cover page of a document titled 'Trafford Strategic Safeguarding Partnership' with a colorful circle of various handprints.
  • Logo for Turning Point featuring a red, pink, orange, and yellow stylized leaf or flame graphic with the tagline "inspired by possibility" underneath.
  • Logo of Greater Manchester Police with blue text and crest featuring a crown and the letters E R.

Meet a few of the Blacburn with Darwen team

  • Young man with short brown hair, light facial hair, wearing a light gray t-shirt with a circular logo, standing against a purple background.

    Aaron T

    Advocacy Worker

  • Portrait of a young woman with wavy blonde hair wearing a dark, semi-sheer polka dot blouse, smiling slightly against an orange background.

    Jordan

    Holding Families Co-Ordinator

  • Portrait of a young woman with long blonde hair, wearing a black sleeveless top, standing against a purple background.

    Celine

    Advocacy Worker

  • A woman with shoulder-length dark brown hair and light skin, smiling, wearing a light-colored t-shirt with a graphic, against a solid red background.

    Carley

    Operational Manager

View Our Full Team

Get in touch

Contact Early Break Blackburn with Darwen

We're here when you need us.

43 King Street, Blackburn, BB2 2DH

For opening hours, check our group locations page

From the Blog

Here’s a selection of articles from the blog related to our Blackburn with Darwen location.

Early Break Blackburn with Darwen FAQ’s

  • We are a youth and family charity offering free, confidential support for emotional wellbeing, drug and alcohol use, and family life challenges across the North West.

  • We serve all of Blackburn, Darwen, and surrounding villages: Lower Darwen, Feniscowles, Hoddlesden, etc.

  • Approximately 154,900 people reside here, boasting one of the youngest and most ethnically diverse populations in Lancashire.

  • Peer-led sessions focus on emotional wellbeing, recovery, confidence, and identity, shaped by community insight.

  • Yes, our advocacy programme, holding families and support groups are open to self-referral.

  • Absolutely. We provide advocacy and tailored support for children in care or transitioning out of care.

  • Yes, we work closely with Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone, local schools, GP surgeries, and council services.

  • Yes, our CPD training courses are delivered locally, covering topics like substance use, emotional health and wellbeing, and safeguarding.

  • You can stay connected to Early Break in various ways listed below:

  • If you or someone you know needs urgent help, you can access our list of emergency and useful helpline numbers by clicking the Get Help Now. 

    This will open a quick-reference popup with 24/7 services and support lines for mental health, safeguarding, substance use, and crisis care.