Young people's stories
"I finally felt listened to."
A young parent first came to Carlisle Key at 17 years old while struggling with housing, mental health and isolation. Over several years, staff supported her with rent arrears, benefits, emotional wellbeing, parenting support and access to activities.
When she faced issues with energy bills, staff responded immediately and helped her contact the provider to reduce unaffordable payments. She also joined trips to Manchester, Liverpool and Edinburgh, helping her rebuild confidence and reduce isolation.
She continues to access support today and now wants to give back to the charity by becoming more involved in activities and awareness work.
Ongoing support through crisis and change
A young woman first came to Carlisle Key’s drop-in service in September 2020 when she was around 10 weeks pregnant. At the time, she felt isolated and overwhelmed. The father of the baby was no longer involved, her relationship with family locally had broken down, and she had very little stable support around her. She was staying temporarily with relatives, but the accommodation was overcrowded and unsuitable for preparing for the arrival of a baby. Alongside this, she was managing significant mental health difficulties and the stress of an uncertain future.
Within days of accessing Carlisle Key, she was linked into counselling support and moved into our supported accommodation. Staff worked closely alongside her, providing emotional support, practical help and regular one-to-one sessions. The aim was not only to prevent homelessness, but to help her feel safe, settled and supported during a very vulnerable time in her life.
When she arrived at the accommodation, she owned very few personal belongings and had arrived with only a small amount of clothing. Through our welcome packs and support donations, staff were able to provide essential household items, bedding and practical items that could also move with her into future accommodation. What may seem small to others made a significant difference in helping her feel comfortable and cared for.
During her stay, staff supported her to apply for long-term housing and helped advocate throughout the process. After several weeks, she successfully moved into her own tenancy. The property was unfurnished, but Carlisle Key continued supporting her with household items and ongoing practical advice to help her settle in safely.
Since moving on, she has continued to access support from Carlisle Key whenever needed. Staff remain in touch with many former residents, understanding that support does not suddenly stop once somebody receives housing. She later gave birth to a healthy baby girl and continues to reach out during periods when she feels low or overwhelmed.
Building Confidence and Independence
A young person was referred to Carlisle Key in 2022 while living with family members who were no longer able to continue supporting them due to health issues, stress and limited space at home. They had experienced both physical and mental health difficulties from a young age, including long periods in hospital and missing significant amounts of education growing up.
When they arrived at Carlisle Key, they struggled with confidence, isolation and their mental wellbeing. They had little experience of independent living and wanted support to build daily living skills, improve their wellbeing and become more independent.
After moving into Carlisle Key’s supported accommodation, they began accessing regular counselling sessions alongside one-to-one support from staff. Over time, they developed confidence with cooking, budgeting, personal care and managing a tenancy. They also became more socially connected through activities, trips and the supportive environment within the accommodation.
Staff supported them to take part in new experiences, including hiking, ice skating and outdoor activities, which helped improve confidence and self-esteem. They formed positive friendships with other young people and became more engaged socially than they had previously been.
One year later, they successfully moved into their own tenancy and continue to receive outreach support from Carlisle Key when needed. They remain connected to the service and continue building stability and independence within their community.
Supporting a young person experiencing street homelessness
A young person first came to Carlisle Key in 2025 after being referred for support with employment and creating a CV. During conversations with staff, it became clear that they were currently sleeping rough in Carlisle after losing accommodation linked to the asylum system.
Having recently gained the right to work in the UK, they were no longer eligible to remain in asylum accommodation and had found themselves homeless with very limited support around them. They were initially quiet, withdrawn and extremely worried about family members overseas, whom they had not heard from for several months.
Following assessment and support planning, the young person moved into Carlisle Key’s supported accommodation where they began receiving regular one-to-one support. Staff worked closely alongside local resettlement services to ensure they felt safe and supported while adjusting to life in the UK.
Over time, the young person became more engaged with staff, other residents and activities within the service. They began attending English classes at college and staff supported them with homework, appointments and overcoming language barriers where needed.
As confidence improved, they started applying for jobs and were successful in securing part-time employment locally. The opportunity has helped them build confidence, improve communication skills and move closer towards long-term independence and future housing stability.
What young people say
“Made things easier to deal with while being in a vulnerable position.”
- Young person
“Made things seem better and brighter and helped me with strategies to help my issues.”
- Young person
“They have been very helpful and welcoming with any issues I may have had”
- Young person
“I've managed to improve my mental health and guided me to getting the correct support and good housing and better money management”
- Young person
“Knew I always had a place to go, even if just for a chat, felt supported and got my life back on track”
- Young person
“They helped me gain access to housing services and helped me through some of the roughest times of my life!’’
- Young person
“Life Changing”
- Young person
“Had no where else to go and they got my housing”
- Young person
“Helped me have a home”
- Young person
“Carlisle key has been invaluable to me as a care leaver I have had so much support from the service I would definitely not be where I am today without there support and help”
- Young person
“Carlisle key helped me when i was stuck in a situation that i didn't know how to get out of on my own. They offered help and advice during my time in the house and prepared me for living independently”
- Young person
“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
“Given me a place to stay and advice and help whenever needed”
- Young person
“I now have my life back together”
- Young person
“Helped me to have a better life”
- Young person
