Key Unlocking Futures, a charity based in Leyland that provides support services across Lancashire, raised £3000 for its Magic Key Christmas 2023 fundraising campaign.

The aim of the campaign is to raise much needed funds for the charity to enable them to continue helping and supporting young people experiencing homelessness, throughout the festive period and beyond.

Demand for Key’s drop-in service which supports young people between 16-25 years experiencing homelessness, is always high. The reasons people become homeless are often extremely complex but some of the known reasons young people have disclosed to Key in the past are, poor mental health, poverty, addiction, disability, sexual orientation and domestic abuse. Many young people have told Key they feel safer on the streets than they do at home.

Fundraisers like Magic Key allow the charity to continue to support young people in South Ribble and Chorley with a safe roof, food, clothing, and showering facilities.  A safe place for young people to drop into where they can receive advice and support and genuine help from Key staff who will listen without judgement and offer practical support delivered in an asset-based way to help them to get back on their feet.  Where possible, Key may be able to provide family mediation to move them back home or where this is not possible help them to find accommodation and support to offer guidance during the early months of getting a tenancy.  Key helps young people to visualise a more positive future and to build better lives.

Jayne Allison, Business Development Manager from Key said, ‘fundraisers like this are always difficult but especially during these difficult economic times, when both businesses and families are often struggling.  We are very grateful to everyone who donated to the campaign but a special thank you must go to Identity Consult who donated £1000 to the initiative.

Russell Gallagher, Project Manager from Identity Consult visited Key’s offices to collect their very own ‘magic key’ and it allowed an opportunity for the charity to offer a personal thank you for their support.

Russell said, 

“We as a business are really pleased to be able to support Key who provide brilliant services to young people across South Ribble and Chorley during difficult times. On a personal level as a resident of Chorley I am delighted that we have been able to get behind this campaign and I understand the direct positive impact that this donation will have within the local communities.”

Anyone wishing to find out more about the work of Key Unlocking Futures can contact Jayne Allison at jaynea@keycharity.org.uk