here to help
No doubt you’ll get to know the smiling faces and voices of our amazing reception team who are happy to answer any questions you might have, if we haven’t already answered them here…
do i have to be a member?
To come to CYZ you need to become a member. Membership costs £5 a year and each visit is 50p. Being a member of Carlisle Youth Zone means you can attend age-appropriate sessions for just 50p a visit. You (or a parent if you’re under 16) completes the sign-up form, and at your first visit you’ll be given a membership card which you use to sign in when you come.
We understand that money isn’t always easy to come by and we don’t ever want it to be a barrier to coming to CYZ so if you need to, just drop us a line and we’ll see what we can do – no judgement, no questions asked.
Membership renewals require a new membership form to be filled in online or in the zone.
We will let you know when it is time to renew. It is important we have up-to-date contact and medical information to keep our members safe.
do i have to book to come?
The only sessions you need to book a space for are our Wednesday Nights and Holiday Clubs. Once you're a member you can just turn up to the rest! Check our Timetable to see which sessions are right for you or your child.
what's a membership card?
Membership cards are issued at the zone as soon as we can. Often on first visit but sometimes a little later as our Reception Team get busy at sign in times! It is important to bring your membership card because it speeds up the queue and allows access to the gym. Please note: we scan the barcode when signing members in, so if you choose to get a holder, it would be great if you could make sure that the barcode is not obstructed. If you lose your membership card a replacement can be purchased from reception for just £1. Lanyards are available for £1 too. If you don't bring your membership card, you can still come in - it just takes a while longer!
what do i need to bring?
Generally, all equipment / resources needed at CYZ are provided by us. You might want to bring a coat or jumper, as we do have outdoor areas. We are always happy for members to use our landline at reception to call home, or for you to contact them through, so mobile phones aren’t essential. Our number is 01228 516 280. We are unable to accept liability for possessions brought to CYZ, so we advise that nothing valuable is brought in – all possessions remain the responsibility of the member at all times. We also have a cafe where food, drinks and snacks can be purchased. Generally, around £2-3 should be more than enough for this. Please try and avoid sending notes where you can.
what happens to lost property?
All lost property which is found or handed in to CYZ is held for a minimum of 6 weeks in our lost property department. We support thousands of young people each year so it's a good idea to name things fully (not just initial) and if something gets lost please try to be as specific as possible. Things like patterns, sizes, brands etc all help us find your item for its safe return. If an item is clearly named, then we will try and contact you to let you know that it is here. Unfortunately it isn’t always possible to reunite owners with lost property – we advise that members avoid bringing valuable, expensive, or special items to CYZ wherever possible. Please see the “What does my child need to bring?” section for more information. Please note we are not responsible for any items brought into the Youth Zone.
can I stay with my child in club?
We can’t let parents past reception in any club, apart from our Inclusion Club for safeguarding reasons. If your child needs additional support, it may be that Inclusion Club would be a good starting point at CYZ. It is a quieter environment and parents / carers are able to stay to support their child, whether that is by giving 1:1 care, or just sitting in the cafe to be on hand in case. Occasionally we can make exceptions for example where a young person requires 1:1 care, but this would have to be organised in advanced and on an individual basis. Please contact us on 01228 516 280 or email info@carlisleyouthzone.org
wHERE CAN I DROP OFF/pick up MY CHILD?
At the beginning and end of evening sessions, the car park over the road, and around the corner, can be used by parents dropping off or collecting their children. Do not park on the yellow lines outside, as it makes it extremely dangerous for young people and road users! We also advise you to come in to reception with your child, rather than dropping them off at the gate. This means if there is any issues we don’t have to try and get hold of you to come back. When picking your child up, it is important to note that we can’t let Juniors leave to meet you around the corner, over the road, beside the gate, along the street etc unless we have written consent. Seniors can (usually) leave by themselves. See our 'Can My Child Leave By Themself' section here for more details!
can my child leave by themselves?
The ‘default’ answer for Junior members is no. So unless you tell us otherwise you will need to come in and collect them. The 'default answer' for Seniors is yes. Seniors can arrive and leave on their own. You need to give permission for your Junior aged child to leave alone (or only with in specific cirumstances or with specific person/people) on the membership form. Please make sure your child knows who is picking them up! If want to change Consent to Leave arrangements you can Download Consent to Leave form (PDF) or pop into reception. Sorry but for safeguarding we need a printed signed copy!
who should i speak to if i have a concern or complaint?
Give us a call on 01228 516 280, or speak to the receptionist in person they can direct your query to the relevant person who will be able to assist you further.
If you would prefer, you can contact us in writing via email to info@carlisleyouthzone.org or by post to Carlisle Youth Zone, Victoria Place, Carlisle, CA1 1LR
