A business unit in Fratton has been transformed into a dedicated multi youth community facility with funding from Portsmouth City Council’s CIL Neighbourhood Fund. Local youth charity Motiv8 now have a young person kitchen providing warm meals and cookery skills, confidential 1- 2-1 mentoring spaces and a soundproof sensory space to support emotional well-being drop ins.
The CIL grant of £7500, alongside support from the Partnership Foundation and private donors has enabled Motiv8 to offer and enhance a dedicated young person’s kitchen and supported the drylining and sound proofing of the two new delivery rooms.
Zephra, Motiv8 Youth Worker said:
“The new kitchen at Motiv8’s youth hub has been revolutionary in allowing young people to learn about nutrition and healthy lifestyles, whilst developing core life skills and teamwork. This open, safe space has allowed young people and staff to foster positive relationships, whilst strengthening their bond through shared experiences.
I have been working with K for 6 months. K loves baking and has requested certain recipes to make in our sessions. As we are doing an activity that K loves, it has allowed her to be more comfortable in the shared space of our sessions, consequently allowing me to offer more personal and social development opportunities to better equip her when the support finishes.”
Motiv8’s new 121 rooms allow for up to three activities to happen concurrently, with private and smaller group counselling and mentoring sessions possible alongside larger youth hubs or activity based coaching sessions.
The CIL Neighbourhood Fund comes from the Community Infrastructure Levy fund (CIL), which allows local authorities to raise funds from developers who are undertaking new building projects in their area.