Volunteering Focus: Carlisle Key

Julie Taylor

One of the many things that makes me incredibly proud to be part of the psychology and working with children and families team at the University of Cumbria is the number of ways in which our students support the community. They volunteer their time and skills across so many different organisations from the National Trust, Circles of Support and Accountability to Helping with Family Days at Haverigg Prison.

A charity that is particularly close to our hearts, especially in winter and around the festive season, is Carlisle Key.

‘Carlisle Key works with young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness’

Carlisle Key help young people move towards independent living by providing assistance and support within a drop in service to alleviate the hardship and distress caused by homelessness, housing, financial and other related difficulties.

The services they provide include ...

Homeless Advice

Housing Advice (housing searches, choice based lettings etc.)

Money Management

Welfare Benefits Advice

Support with Form Filling

Tenancy Advice and Advocacy

Computer Access

Use of Telephone

Counselling Support

Employability Advice and Guidance

1 to 1 External Support (to attend appointment/ in home support)

Referrals to other Agencies

Practical Support, such as food parcels,toiletries, clothing, small household items

Some of our students volunteer in the drop in centre, others organise fund raising events and some co-ordinate and make donations. In whatever capacity they contribute they make a positive difference to others and themselves; their efforts help Carlisle Key continue its important work; it makes them feel good and it makes us intensely proud.

What we do and why...

Elaine Watson

"Since starting my job here I have helped co-ordinate the donations and the delivery of items to Carlisle Key.  Meeting the amazing people at Key is the highpoint. I love being involved, I am helping out in some small way to set someone on the right path and to make their day a little brighter" - Elaine Watson (Psychology Technician)

"Life is not always straight forward, people find themselves in situations that they cannot always help. Therefore, it's places like Carlisle Key that are there to provide the support they need. Without them the young people who use the service would have no one to turn to. I found myself wanting to raise money for Carlisle Key because I thought about how I would feel if I was homeless, especially in the winter months and with it coming up to Christmas time. It is important they know there are people out there that care about their well-being. I would help because I like to feel like I am making a difference to others, I find it very rewarding and would hope others would do the same for me if I was in that situation" - Harley Day (Psychology Student)

What can you do?

You can support us to provide some gifts for young homeless people at Christmas. If you think that this is something you could help with then please purchase a gift that is suitable for either a male or female and would fit into a gift bag.

Take it along to Carlisle Key at 29 Fisher Street Carlisle CA3 8RF or email Elaine.Watson@cumbria.ac.uk or Julie.Taylor3@cumbria.ac.uk for more information.

Suggestions for gifts: 

Toiletry sets for men and women

Sweets or chocolate 

Make-up

Shaving kits

Small board games

Thank you for making Christmas Special!