For more than a decade, Victoria Llewelyn has dedicated her career to supporting young people and families through the charity Motiv8. After joining 11 years ago as a family support worker, she has taken on a variety of roles, from frontline community work to leadership. Today, she runs a team of six from her office in Gosport, helping to steer projects that make a lasting difference to the young people of Gosport and Fareham

“Motiv8 supports young people and families in and around Gosport with their wellbeing,” Victoria explains. “That might be through youth mentoring, youth hubs, or access to our youth skills programmes such as bike maintenance, cooking, swimming, a range of different sports or gardening. We also work closely with schools that refer students to us for extra support as needed.”

Motiv8 was first founded in 1998 in Portsmouth before expanding into Gosport and Havant in 2011, filling a vital gap where little support existed for young people. The organisation’s work provides safe spaces, the right provision at the right time which is right for each individual young person wherever they are on their journey of requiring additional support.

Alongside its staff, the charity is powered by volunteers. “In the Gosport team, we currently have six volunteers and six sessional staff,” says Victoria. “They’re all essential in helping us deliver the projects and support that young people need.”

Young Carers programme

One of those projects is the Young Carers programme, which provides respite and opportunities for children who care for family members. “It’s completely child-focused,” Victoria explains. “We have a lot of young people who are caring for their siblings or parents, and we also offer youth hubs and activity days that give them a chance to connect with other young carers.”

At the heart of Motiv8 is its strapline: “Providing life chances for young people”. When I ask Victoria about this, she reflects: “Sadly, some young people do not have access to opportunities which enable them to thrive. They need guidance, a safe space, and the chance to build trusted relationships. That’s what we’re here for.”

From youth mentoring to parent coffee mornings 

The charity’s work covers eight strands, ranging from youth mentoring for ages 8–18 to youth hubs for children as young as seven. Parents are supported through coffee mornings, while young people are encouraged to have a voice in shaping their community. “Youth Voice and Influence is a strand I’m really proud of,” Victoria says. “It’s where young people tell us what matters to them – and that’s one thing that we do well – we listen.” 

Motiv8 prides itself on shaping projects around what children and teenagers ask for and need, rather than simply deciding for them. “In the new Motiv8 strategic plan we made a commitment to young people that we would involve them in every decision we make that has an impact on them,’’ explains Victoria. 

A great example of this is the Summer Passport Scheme, which Motiv8 supports in partnership with Gosport Borough Council. “We supply four expert youth workers throughout the summer holidays,” Victoria explains. “They’re there to make sure activities are safe, engaging, and that young people feel supported.”

The scheme gives local young people access to a wide range of activities, from sports and outdoor adventures, to arts, crafts, and music – all designed to keep them active, social, and connected during the long summer break. It also creates opportunities to build friendships, learn new skills, and grow in confidence.

“Across all our areas we supported around 1,500 young people last year,” says Victoria proudly. “About 850 of those were through our youth hubs, and 365 through youth mentoring. In total, that added up to 5,458 interactions across all eight strands of our work, which equates to an incredible 14,866 hours of youth support.”

Victoria says that by being out there in the community and talking to young people directly, they find out what’s important to them. “That way, we’re not just running activities for the sake of it – we’re responding to what they tell us they need. And that makes the programmes more meaningful.”

Motiv8 is also fantastic at bringing people together through community events and fun activities. One shining example is their involvement in Leesland Park Fest, a vibrant celebration that combines music, stalls, games, and family activities. Events like this not only give young people and families a safe, welcoming space to enjoy themselves, but also strengthen community spirit and create opportunities for connection.

Victoria explains that these events are about more than just fun: “When we support community events like Leesland Park Fest, it’s about giving young people something positive to be part of.”

The Impact of Motiv8

The numbers speak volumes about the positive change Motiv8 creates in Gosport and Fareham:

• 65% of young people showed an improvement in their behaviour in education after receiving emotional well-being support.
• 95% reported feeling more confident in their self-esteem and wellbeing after just six months of support.
• 65% of families noticed better relationships at home once their young person was supported.
• 55% of young people said they had overcome a barrier to feeling safer in their communities after working with Motiv8.

Motiv8 also plays a vital role in supporting young carers. According to the most recent school census data, there are around 450 young carers across Gosport and Fareham. And since January alone, Motiv8 has received over 50 new referrals for assessment and support, helping to give these children and young people much-needed respite, opportunities, and understanding.

“The impact of our work is phenomenal,” says Victoria. “Since the Covid pandemic we have grown our services for young people. Our impact has also grown significantly, with a rise in wellbeing for those attending our workshops and sessions, alongside a reduction in social isolation. 

Victoria stresses that the support Motiv8 offers is voluntary and built on relationships. “We work with young people when they are ready, and at any stage of their lives.” Victoria gives an example of those who have just finished their GCSEs and perhaps they didn’t receive the grades they hoped for. “We’ll now be running sessions for young people who didn’t get the results they needed for their college course of choice. We can help with advice on next steps, building CVs, and boosting their confidence.”

For Victoria, the rewards are deeply personal. “I love bumping into a former attendees a year or so later and hearing how they’ve turned things around. They want to share their positive changes, and I find that very humbling. Many of the young people we encounter are more than they initially appeared. We see them, we support them, and with time they recognise that we are a stable presence in their lives.”

Looking ahead

What does the future hold for Motiv8? “I would love to continue building our community partnerships,” says Victoria. “We’re always looking to start new things. For example, this October we’re launching a new bike hub at Rowner Community Centre, where young people can get their bikes repaired, learn bike maintenance, and access safe routes. We’re also working on receiving donated bikes for those who don’t have one.”

From building confidence to creating opportunities, Motiv8 continues to be a vital part of the Gosport community, offering not just support, but hope and a brighter future.