Jack

Jack was referred to Motiv8 by a personal adviser at Connexions because he was not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET). After an initial meeting Jack agreed to take part in the Motiv8 Entry To Employment (ETE) programme. This includes weekly group sessions and outdoor activities as well as the offer of one-to-one support.

When we first met, Jack was a quiet, extremely self-conscious young man with little confidence and found it difficult to form friendships. In a review meeting Jack admitted that his confidence was so low that he’d always approached job interviews convinced that he’d be unsuccessful.

As well as the regular weekly sessions, Jack got involved with the more frequent activities offered by Motiv8 in holiday periods. Here he found himself a much respected and popular member of the group and quickly gained in confidence.

Jack continued with the Motiv8 ETE programme where he was always punctual, helpful and often encouraging and motivating others on the day to try new things. Through this regular contact Jack accepted the offer of weekly one-to-one support where he completed a personal plan to explore his issues and set clear goals for the future. After the holiday period he also got involved in regular evening social activities such as snooker.

In the past three months since completing his first personal plan Jack has managed to gain full-time employment and is saving money so he can secure his own accommodation. Jack is still in regular contact with Motiv8 and has also been put forward as a candidate for Motiv8’s Young Leaders programme.

Lisa

Lisa from Copnor was referred to Motiv8 while in year 10 at school, where she was disruptive. In addition, along with her friends, they were getting into trouble with the police and community wardens during the evenings and at weekends.

Initial engagement with Lisa was through one-to-one sessions from which she went on to attend a girls’ group run one evening per week. During this time Lisa focused on seeking to address behavioural issues and received support to gain a work experience placement with an architectural firm – the career that she wants to get into when she leaves school. She was also supported in making a pact with friends to improve their behaviour in class.

Lisa has made great progress and is now looking forward to doing well in her GCSEs.

Daniel

Daniel from Bridgemary was referred by the Youth Inclusion Support Panel and got to know Motiv8 workers through engaging in a holiday scheme during the summer holidays. The referral was made as Daniel’s aggressive behaviour was having a negative impact on his younger siblings at home and had caused him to be excluded from school on a number of occasions.

At first Daniel’s behaviour was too erratic for him to engage in group activities, so a personal plan of one-to-one support was put in place. After a few months focusing on his behaviour, communication skills and peer relationships Daniel started to integrate in some group provision. The first group session that Daniel attended was a karaoke party where he was also able to celebrate his thirteenth birthday with young people his own age.

Since then Daniel has engaged regularly in one-to-one sessions and has taken positive steps to improve his behaviour. Both his mum and his school teachers have commented on the positive progress he has made.