Help is needed in Carlisle to support children in need during the summer holidays.

Carlisle Youth Zone has issued a call for volunteers to help feed children in the city during the summer holidays.

Volunteers will help the youth zone in ensuring that 75 children who usually get free school meals, or who are in need, will not go without throughout the holidays.

Help could come in any number of ways, from helping to serve the breakfasts or preparing lunches during the week, to working in the Youth Zone cafe on a Saturday.

Matt Williams, volunteer coordinator at Carlisle Youth Zone, said: “We’re ensuring that while they’re attending our holiday provision, they are continuing to get food at no cost.

“Summer is a long, long time for a lot of families and young people - given the weather as well- to go without quality food or a guaranteed meal each day.”

Child poverty has been set out as a quickly growing problem across the country.

It is estimated that 5,934 children are currently living in poverty across Carlisle - this makes up 30 per cent of the child population.

Across Cumbria, there are approximately 28,048 children living in poverty.

Some areas of Carlisle have an even higher rate of child poverty, for example Upperby has an estimated child poverty rate of 42 per cent.

“It can be a huge stress for young people to even say to someone ‘Can I have this, or can I have that food-wise, but do you know what, I don’t have any money’,” said Matt.

“You’ll hear certain kids just trying to get the message out but they don’t have the confidence or are embarrassed or they will just go without, or they’ll ask their friends to borrow some money.

“They shouldn’t need to be in that position for a start, so if we’re there and we’re able to provide that, that’s one less thing for that child or young person to be put through, which in this day and age is absolutely shocking.”

Summer HITZ, the holiday club, gives children between the ages of eight and 12 a place to go during the holiday where they can take part in activities relating to science, art, cooking, or sport.

Volunteers play a large role in supporting the children and making their time at the Youth Zone positive.

Matt said: “We’re a small team and volunteers bring a huge amount more engagement and value to what we do with the children.”

Carlisle Youth Zone isn’t just looking for people to volunteer with meals.

They are also looking for people who are skilled in music, art, drama, video, and photography to share their skills with the children.

There is also a need for volunteers who can work with young people who require additional support.

Volunteers should have the confidence to be a positive role model and can show that they are willing to invest in the children.

“We want to ensure that not one child is missed when they come through the door,” added Matt.

Call 01228 516280 if you can help.