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“I left Cumbria Gateway in 2022 after living in a house of multi occupancy for around 9 months. My Support Worker helped me to work through some barriers and I began gardening. I found a new hobby that I really enjoyed. I went on to complete the front garden and this was praised a lot by staff and visitors. I then was referred by my support worker to volunteer and I still volunteer there to this day. This spurred my passion for gardening/cultivating plants/flowers. I have a two bedroomed property with a garden. I have also been offered a Part Time Employment position and I volunteer at Cumbria Gateway on occasions.”
“My Cumbria Gateway story begins on 11/11/21 as I was diagnosed with clinical depression as a homeless person right here. I have been living in Carlisle for 10 years I had a partner with whom I have two children our relationship was falling apart in front of my eyes. Over time, my well-being started to drop dramatically, and I started mixing alcohol with marijuana. It helped me to relax in the short run. Until I just got to the clinic. At Cumbria Gateway I got a room with a bathroom I slowly began to stabilize my life; I was meeting the children. Cumbria Gateway arranged to help my family with social service. So that I can contact the children and make sure they are safe. Cumbria Gateway helped me organize my housing association house which has 2 bedrooms and 2 gardens, many tips, and a good word, it also helped me get out of debt. And keep my kids safe. I do not wish anyone to go through such a hell, and certainly not to any child. Now everything is well on the way children also have contact with their mother and most importantly the children are happy. Thank you.”
“I came to Cumbria Gateway following a relationship breakdown and substance misuse. I was given a room in a shared house, with an en suite, and I shared the communal areas with 4 other men. I went to appointments with my support worker and worked through my barriers to housing. I was also sign posted for mental health support and substance misuse support. I want to thank the staff at 160 Warwick Road for their kind support and their ability to put you at ease, at the worst point in life. I am now substance free and I am working towards achieving being substance free for a year. I have a permanent address now and I was able to take some donated furniture which helped me out in my flat to start with. I was also given some funding from the council (Ways to Welfare) and the Vicars Relief Fund paid my first weeks rent deposit. Thank you all at Cumbria Gateway. I am now living a happier and healthier life.”
“I was evicted from my property due to rent arrears. I always struggled with my finances and I would bury my head in the sand. When my wife died I began gambling and spent a lot of my money on Football bets. I lost too much money and this just seemed to escalate to the point that I lost my rented accommodation and my job. My support worker helped me set up my benefits with Universal Credit and made sure that I kept on top of my appointments and responsibilities. I was given advice on how to control my finances and I was also able to talk to my support worker about my wife’s death. I was sign posted to bereavement counselling at a private counselling service and this helped me process the loss of my wife. I now have accommodation and I am glad to be where I am. I can still access the support if needed as Cumbria Gateway staff have said the door is always open. I now do not worry about maintaining my tenancy as I know, if needed, the support is there.”
