Our Services
Drop-in centre
A safe place for Young People in Carlisle
For over 23 years, Carlisle Key’s drop-in centre has been a place where young people can come without fear of judgement, appointments, or long waiting lists.
The drop-in has existed in different spaces across Carlisle over the years, but the purpose has always stayed the same: to make sure young people have somewhere safe to go when life becomes difficult.
Many of the young people who come through our doors are living in crisis. Some have nowhere stable to stay. Others are struggling with anxiety, trauma, addiction, debt, poor housing, loneliness, domestic abuse, or problems with benefits and employment. Some arrive after being turned away elsewhere. Some arrive just needing a warm drink and a conversation.
At Carlisle Key, young people do not need to “fit” into a category before they receive support. We meet them where they are at.
Who is it for?
We support young people aged 16–25 who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, sofa surfing, struggling with mental health, family breakdown, poverty, isolation, or simply needing someone to talk to.
What we offer
Our drop-in centre is open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm and provides free, practical and emotional support, including:
Given me a place to stay and help whenever needed
- Young person
Housing
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Housing and homelessness advice
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Help accessing emergency accommodation
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Advocacy with landlords, social services and other agencies
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Help with travel, ID costs and tenancy set-up
Finances & practical support
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Support with benefits, debt and budgeting
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Food parcels and essential items
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Support into education, employment and training
Counselling & wellbeing
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One-to-one support sessions
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Mental health and wellbeing support
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Free counselling sessions
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Group activities, trips and community opportunities
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A warm, welcoming space to sit, talk and feel safe
Why the drop-in matters
Young people facing homelessness often fall between services. Many are told they are “not vulnerable enough” or are expected to navigate complex systems alone. Others have had difficult experiences with professionals in the past and no longer trust services.
The drop-in creates a different type of support. Young people can return as many times as they need to, whether that is for a week or for several years. Some first come to us at 16 or 17 years old and continue staying connected into adulthood as they build stability and independence.
The space is not only about crisis support. It is also about community, belonging and rebuilding confidence. Young people have joined trips to Edinburgh, Liverpool and Newcastle, attended theatre visits and workshops, taken part in campaigns around homelessness, and supported the development of the charity itself.
More Than a Service
Carlisle Key is not just a building or a project. For many young people, it becomes one of the few places where they feel listened to, respected and supported consistently.
We know that homelessness is not only about housing. It is about mental health, relationships, poverty, trauma, opportunity and feeling like you matter.
Our drop-in centre exists so young people in Cumbria know they do not have to face those things alone.
Supported accomodation
Carlisle Key’s supported accommodation began in 2019 with two shared houses created to provide safe, stable housing for young people who were homeless or at serious risk of homelessness.
We currently support 11 young people across two homes in Carlisle. The accommodation is closely connected to our drop-in centre, meaning young people receive ongoing practical and emotional support alongside housing.
Unlike larger housing providers, referrals into our accommodation are personal. Young people are usually referred through our drop-in centre after relationships and trust have already been built with staff. This allows us to better understand their needs, risks, goals and the support required before moving in.
What young people receive
Our staff work closely alongside young people while also encouraging independence and personal responsibility. Young people living in our accommodation receive:
They helped me gain access to housing services and helped me through some of the roughest times of my life!
- Young person
A home
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Safe and affordable housing
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Help managing tenancy responsibilities
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Help furnishing future homes and move-on support
Wellbeing support
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Regular one-to-one support
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Mental health and wellbeing support
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Access to counselling and the drop-in centre
Finance and skills support
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Support with budgeting and bills
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Advocacy with services and professionals
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Support into education, employment and training
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Support with benefits and independent living skills
Why supported accomodation matters
Many young people arrive with experiences of trauma, family breakdown, poor mental health, care experience, addiction, exploitation, poverty or unsafe living situations. Some have been sofa surfing, placed in unsuitable temporary accommodation, or at risk of rough sleeping.
Housing alone is not enough.
Young people often need support learning how to manage bills, maintain a tenancy, cook, budget, attend appointments, improve mental health, access education or employment, and rebuild confidence in themselves.
Our accommodation gives young people both safety and support while they begin building stability for the future.
A long-term approach
At Carlisle Key, we understand that progress is not always straightforward. Young people may move forward, struggle, and need support again. Our role is to remain available and consistent.
Over the years, young people have moved from our accommodation into social housing, university, employment and their own independent tenancies. Others continue receiving support through the drop-in after moving on.
We continue advocating for young people even after they leave our accommodation, especially when they face difficulties with housing providers, finances or mental health.
A home, not just housing
We want young people to feel safe, respected and comfortable where they live. The houses are more than emergency accommodation - they are spaces where young people can begin rebuilding routine, confidence and hope for the future.
Life skills, relationships, wellbeing and community are all part of the support we provide.
Daily life at Carlisle Key accomodation
You’ll be part of a supportive, friendly environment where young people can build confidence, routine and independence. Alongside your regular 1-to-1 support, there are opportunities to take part in group activities that help bring everyone together and build life skills in a relaxed way.
Depending on funding, we organise a range of activities throughout the year, including:
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An annual 3–4 day residential trip
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Hikes and days out in the Lake District
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Ice skating in the winter months
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Local walks and wellbeing activities
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Bike rides and outdoor sessions
These activities give young people a chance to socialise, try new things, build confidence and simply enjoy time away from everyday pressures.
Staff are based close by and available when needed, offering guidance, encouragement and support as you work towards living independently.
Counselling & wellbeing support
Many of the young people who come to Carlisle Key are dealing with more than homelessness. Anxiety, depression, trauma, family breakdown, isolation, addiction, grief and difficult past experiences are common amongst the young people we support. Some have never spoken to anyone about what they are going through before arriving at the drop-in.
We provide free counselling and wellbeing support in a safe and welcoming environment where young people can speak openly without judgement. Our counselling sessions are open-ended, meaning there is no fixed limit on how long a young person can access support for. The young person decides what support feels right for them and how long they need it.
This flexible approach is important because healing and stability look different for everyone. Some young people may attend for a few weeks, while others continue for much longer as trust builds over time.
Alongside counselling, staff also provide emotional wellbeing support through one-to-one conversations, practical support during crisis, regular check-ins and activities that reduce isolation and improve confidence. Young people are encouraged to access support at their own pace.
We believe mental wellbeing cannot be separated from housing, safety and stability. Having someone available to listen, advocate and remain consistent can make a significant difference in helping young people feel safer, calmer and more hopeful about their future.
Before I came for counselling at Carlisle key, I was unable to process and understand my emotions, I have now learned and achieved so much more than I thought I could with my mental health
- Young person
Make a referral
If you or someone you're supporting needs our help, there are several ways to reach us.
How to refer
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Fill out the online referral form and send it to admin@carlislekey.co.uk
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Visit the drop-in at Botchergate
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Call 01228 595566
Who can refer?
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Young people (self-referral)
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Family, friends or carers
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Schools, colleges and support agencies
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Professionals such as social workers, health workers or youth workers
After we receive your referral
We'11 get in touch to talk through what's happening, explore options, and match you with the right support - whether through the drop-in, accommodation, or another service.
Providing as much detail as possible helps us respond quickly and effectively.
