C’s story: “The Youth Zone helped me to become independent”

Meet C, a member at Carlisle Youth Zone. 

I have been a member of Carlisle Youth Zone for 12 and half years, I was 12 years old when I started. I have been a regular member of the Inclusion Club sessions on a Saturday morning only missing a few Saturdays through that time. I love that I have been part of the youth zone for over 12 years, it makes me feel good. 

I was excited when I first started coming, I could not wait to make new friends. It was my first experience of being part of a club and socialising without the support of my parents. 

I have enjoyed many different activities, arts and crafts, sports, learning to climb, trampolining and remote-control cars.  I enjoyed the remote-control cars so much that I got one to practice at home. I also loved the baking and cooking sessions, making scones and cakes.  

I learnt many skills at the Youth Zone, they allowed me to help in the cafe restocking the drinks fridge, serving the food and managing the till. They would not mind if I made a mistake. This led to me take part in a work experience programme, where I would go to different places and help in the cafes in the local community. I had a fantastic time, and I wouldn’t have been able to do that if it wasn’t for the Youth Zone. It gave me opportunities to learn the skills I needed. 

The Youth Zone helped me to become independent and I have used this confidence to attend university for a year. I had someone there to support me, Amber. They would help show me where I was going and helped me to settle in. I was there with all the other students, they got to know me and I got to know them, it was a great time. I tried different forms of art, graphics and fashion.  I enjoyed it and I had my own art studio. It was so helpful, and I grew more independent.  

I have done so much independently that I did not think was possible outside of the Youth Zone. Without the support and encouragement from everyone I do not think I would have had the confidence to go to university, work and interact with people in the cafes I have worked in or have learnt so many skills. The Youth Zone has been a place that helped me to have a place to go to outside of my home, socialise, grow and I have always been included.  

Mum’s story.  

The Youth Zone has been a fantastic place that has helped her to grow in confidence and learn so much. It has been a place that has allowed her to experience a variety of things, and take part in so many different activities that other social settings would say due to her age she was not allowed to take part in. The sense of inclusion and understanding of individual needs has always been there and has made everyone including our family feel included. 

The clubs and staff have been so welcoming towards parents and carers. When we started attending the sessions at the Youth Zone I would stay there for support. I would sit with the other parents near the café, and I could see the support and encouragement the team offered towards the young people and how they were there for everyone. I would come and be there until she turned 16 and allowed her to have her independence. I knew she was safe, experiencing new thing and socialising. The team would check in after the session and talk about how she had been. It was reassuring and helpful to have that time to communicate with them.