At just five years old, Kelly was taken into care after a court order was issued due to persistent neglect.
Her early life was marked by instability: frequent short-term foster placements, disrupted contact with her birth mother, and, eventually, bereavement. When her mother passed away when Kelly was 12, she was left to navigate adolescence carrying the weight of childhood trauma.
By 16, Kelly had moved into semi-independent living. Like many young people leaving care, she struggled with the sudden responsibilities of adult life – managing bills, cooking meals, attending appointments, and maintaining her wellbeing without consistent support. Although help was technically available, Kelly wasn’t yet in a position to accept or engage with it.
That changed when, at the age of 19, she was referred to youth charity Motiv8, one of the three organisations funded through HIWCF’s dedicated Care Leavers Programme. Working one-to-one with a trusted Youth Support Worker, Kelly began to open up about her past, develop practical life skills, and reimagine her future saying: ‘’Before I joined Motiv8, I didn’t believe I was worth anything or had anyone to talk to’’.
The bigger picture
Kelly’s story is far from unique. Across Hampshire, more than 2,500 young people aged 18 to 25 are classed as Care Leavers, many facing their adult years without the family networks, stability, and opportunities their peers take for granted.
Recognising this challenge, HIWCF launched a three-year funding programme for Care Leavers at the end of 2024. Delivered in partnership with LAMIT (a group of Local Authorities working through HIWCF’s investment firm, CCLA) and generously matched by Sovereign Network Group (SNG), the original £99,000 fund was doubled to provide tailored support for more young people across the region.
The programme supports three frontline organisations offering a mix of mentoring, life skills training, and wellbeing support. Motiv8, commissioned to lead the Hampshire Care Experienced and Child in Care Councils, plays a key role in ensuring Care Leavers like Kelly have the support they need not just to survive – but to thrive.
Before I joined Motiv8, I didn’t believe I was worth anything or had anyone to talk to... Now I believe I can achieve anything I put my mind to and be a good role model for others that need it.
A Holistic approach to support
Motiv8’s work extends beyond Council meetings. Over the past year, they have seen a sharp increase in Care Leavers self-referring for additional support – seeking help with housing, cooking, budgeting, emotional wellbeing, and building meaningful relationships. The majority of referrals are no longer coming through Personal Advisors, but directly from young people themselves, an important sign of trust and growing awareness.
The most urgent concern for many has been housing stability. In each case, Motiv8 provided practical and emotional support, communicating with landlords, helping navigate benefits and utility issues, and rebuilding relationships with services when breakdowns had occurred.
This person-centred approach was instrumental in Kelly’s progress. She learned to budget, plan meals, and care for herself in ways that felt achievable and meaningful. A standout moment came at Christmas, when Kelly was supported to plan, cook, and serve Christmas dinner for eight other Care Leavers and three staff members, an event she led from start to finish. The sense of accomplishment she felt that day still resonates.
Sustained engagement, growing confidence
Without this tailored, consistent support, engagement with the Care Councils often drops when young people face personal challenges. Motiv8’s approach helps sustain involvement during these difficult periods. As CEO of Motiv8 and Co-Chair of Gosport Local Children’s Partnership, Kirsty Robertson explains:
“Motiv8 has supported 18 young people aged 18–25 over the life of the HIWCF grant. Crucially, all 18 remain actively engaged with the Care Experienced Councils in some capacity. We’ve seen young people grow in confidence, re-engage with education or employment, and even begin to shape policy – one young person now sits on the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Youth Board.”
To track progress, Motiv8 uses the evidence-based Outcome Star tool, which maps development in areas like confidence, relationships, housing, and emotional wellbeing. Young people complete the Star at the start, midpoint, and end of their support. Kelly’s growth across these areas has been tangible, moving from a place of instability and self-doubt to one of participation, planning, and purpose.
In response to rising demand, Motiv8 is expanding its model. Alongside individual mentoring, the next phase of work will include group sessions focused on core life skills: cooking, budgeting, social connection, and managing a household. These workshops will be promoted via social media and through existing networks, making them as accessible and engaging as possible for young people across Hampshire.
Motiv8 has also found that once they feel confident and supported, many Care Experienced young people are eager to give back by volunteering, supporting their peers, and contributing positively to their local communities. Kelly is no exception. As well as her continued involvement with the Council, she is now working towards a long-held personal goal: writing her own book, drawing on her lived experience to help others.
Looking forward
Thanks to HIWCF’s collaborative funding approach, Motiv8 and other frontline organisations are now better placed to meet the complex, evolving needs of Care Leavers in Hampshire.
For young people like Kelly, the difference has been transformative: ‘’Now I believe I can achieve anything I put my mind to and be a good role model for others that need it’’.
This is what happens when targeted funding meets committed, community-rooted support: young people begin to believe in themselves, take back control of their lives, and look ahead with hope.
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