Charities are supporting one another to help homeless young people get back on their feet.

Vita Collins, who heads up Project Linus in the Brampton area, handed over 40 handmade quilts to Carlisle Key for the residents in their new house which is due to open soon.

There are 24 large quilts of all colours and patterns as well as 16 smaller quilts for little boys and girls which they will be able to keep as their own when they move into their own house.

Maria Holmes, a drop-in supervisor at Carlisle Key, said: “We’re really grateful to Project Linus and all the quiltmakers because that is going to be fantastic for our young people.”

“It’s really important because our young people are from not very privileged backgrounds, they have had a rough start to life quite often.

“To find yourself homeless when you’re young, from 16 plus, is a really difficult situation.”

Project Linus is a charity that makes bespoke quilts for children and young people in need.

The project between the two local charities began in May when Vita committed her groups to make 11 quilts.

Instead, they made well over this.

Vita said: “The nice thing about this project is that this will be their first personal item that is cozy and personal that goes with them because a piece of furniture, you can’t hug, while a quilt you can.

“In a way, we’re quite privileged to be involved and I hope it makes them feel that little bit better about their situation.”

The two new houses will be used by Carlisle Key as a way to help people get back on their feet.

They can house 11 homeless, or at risk of homelessness, people who are in need of a safe place to stay.

Whilst there, volunteers from Carlisle Key will be on hand to give practical advice on how to manage a household and finances, as well as other life skills.

“We’re used to being in our families, we’re used to being kept on the right path but often our young people haven’t had that,” said Maria.

“So they are coming to Carlisle Key to get advice around housing, money management, they get practical support.

“They are going to be moving into the house and they’ll be finding their own place for the first time ever where they’re safe, comfortable.”

“The Project Linus blankets may well be the first object that they have of their own.

“Our intention is that they will have starter packs that they will be able to take with them when they move on to get some kind of housing of their own.