The Carlisle Youth Zone is a safe haven that offers a wide range of programs and clubs for young people to meet with friends and make new ones. It focuses on catering to participants' needs through programs like an LGBT group for gay and lesbian youth, an inclusion group for youth with disabilities, and a mentoring program for young offenders. The Youth Zone also helps low-income youth by waiving fees if needed so all youth can participate. The goal is to increase volunteers to open more Youth Zones across the UK and offer more programs for young people.

1. Victor Ortiz
Carlisle Youth Zone: A Place For All Young People
Through its website, the Carlisle Zone advertises itself as a place for young people to
meet and chill out with mates while also having the opportunity to make new ones. Due to its
wide range of programs and clubs it is many times seen as safe haven for the youth in the area.
The Center focuses heavily on catering to as many participant’s needs as possible. According to
Jessica McKinley, the mentoring coordinator for the Youth Zone these programs include a
GLBT group that caters to Gay and Lesbian youth and provides them with a safe place to
socialize, take part in workshops and get involved in events while also offering sessions for
advice and a chance to discuss issues that affect them. The Youth Zone also offers an Inclusion
Group for youth with disabilities and their caretakers that offers a relaxed and less hectic
environment than other sessions and also offers support and advice for their caretakers. Other
programs offered also include the mentoring program which trains mentors to help young
offenders from the age of 11 to 18. This program is designed to offer young offenders the chance
to acquire valuable skills while also exposing them to opportunities to gain employment. The
Youth Zone even caters to youth from low income households. Even though the annual
membership charge is only £5, if someone is unable to pay, the Youth Zone will waive the fees
so that the participant is able to attend the center free of charge. McKinley stated that ultimately
their goals are to increase the number of volunteers and eventually open up Youth Zones all over

2. the U.K. The Youth Zone encourages everyone to volunteer, as a rise in volunteers also means a
rise in the variety of programs offered to the youth.