With the new building extension just completed, the outside space at Motiv8’s Toronto Place was a neglected muddy wasteland. Motiv8 sessional worker, Jordan Bollard, decided to seek help from his employers, Amey, who provide highways maintenance for Hampshire County Council.
Jordan knew that Motiv8 had raised funds for the building of the extension and that there was no funding for landscaping the outside space. Jordan works evenings supporting young people at the Motiv8 youth clubs in Gosport but his day job is a groundworker for Amey.
Amey has a community programme which means that all staff are entitled to one day’s paid volunteering to support a local charity or community group. Jordan’s employers at Amey welcomed the idea as part of the community programme. They offered machinery for free, and Jordan’s co-workers volunteered their labour.
The outside space has now been tarmacked and is a valuable area not just for car parking but more especially for young people to enjoy team games such as basketball.
Wilson & Scott, lining contractors, also supported the project by lining the parking area. They have a long history of joining Amey on their community projects.
Motiv8 in Gosport can now offer improved facilities and reach out to more local young people in need of support.
Paul Anderson, Amey Account Director, says: “We’re delighted to support such a worthwhile organisation as Motiv8. Our support is part of our community programme which aims to give local charities and community groups help where it is most needed.”
Mike Hand, Amey Assistant Site Manager, says: “The team really enjoyed helping Motiv8 on this project. Our team really enjoy our community projects and making a real difference to young people’s lives.”
Motiv8’s Gosport & Fareham Services Manager, Kirsty Cremer, says: “We are all so grateful that Amey have supported us. There were about fifteen of their workers who volunteered to help and it was during some of the hottest days of the year that they were laying the tarmac. Having the area tarmacked means extra space for team building games but it also looks good and just makes the whole area neat and tidy.
“The new extension gives us a room to support young people in a confidential environment, and this room will also be used for meetings and is available for use by other organisations. The local youth offending team use it one afternoon a week.
“A new reception area means visitors no longer interrupt the groups in the work room, and the extension also gives us office space and frees up the old office for use as a media suite for our young people to access training, education and employment opportunities.
“We are so grateful to everyone in the community that has either bought a brick or fundraised for the extension. If anyone would like to support young people in Gosport & Fareham please continue to support BUY A BRICK at our Virgin Money Giving page http://tinyurl.com/njlaxae or Facebook: motiv8south.org
“The new look Toronto Place means young people have the best support now, and a better future.