Motiv8 to be rebranded as Connect Young People as part of a wider expansion of the service in Wiltshire

We are expanding our service in Wiltshire to include young people up to 25 as part of a major new partnership.

DHI Motiv8 is working with leading health and social care providers Turning Point, Julian House and The Nelson Trust to provide a one stop service for people of any age struggling with alcohol and/or drug use. Commissioned by Wiltshire Council DHI Motiv8 will now operate under Connect - Wiltshire substance use service which strikes a balance between early intervention, education and treatment, offering free, flexible, person-centred support to Wiltshire residents of all ages.

The key focus of the new service is to ‘meet people where they are’, providing tailored support in the community, with a particular focus on the rurality of Wiltshire, recognising that not everybody can make the journey to a hub. The service will be innovative and adaptable, responding to local needs and ensuring that individuals can access treatment at any stage of their journey. As part of the Connect - Wiltshire substance use service, DHI’s support for children and young adults up to age 25 aims to ensure there is consistency and those who use the service stay engaged throughout.

Children and young adults will be supported in their communities, schools, colleges and homes. We will provide advice and guidance to young people who want support with their drug or alcohol use. The service is free and confidential and aims to provide a flexible and non-judgemental space for young people to be open about the problems they are facing. Like Motiv8 the service will continue to include brief interventions, individual sessions, outreach and group work, harm reduction information and advice and signposting to other services.

We will also deliver workshops and training for both young people and professionals.

Rosie Phillips, CEO of DHI, said: “DHI has an incredibly successful track record of working with young people in Wiltshire since 2014 and we are delighted that we can now build on those strong foundations in extending our work to young adults. Working with Turning Point and Wiltshire Council on Connect - Wiltshire substance use service enables us to continue making a big difference to more young people’s lives in the county. “It is extremely important to invest in young people in the community at this early stage so that they can recognise their own potential and be open to opportunities. This puts them in control of their own decisions, equipping them for life and therefore increasing their resilience against the harms associated with drugs and exploitation. In turn the need for more serious interventions later in life is reduced.”

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Public Health, said: “As a council our business plan has a clear focus on prevention and early intervention, so we’re really pleased that these leading health and social care providers have partnered up to provide a vital and enhanced service for people of all ages. “These organisations are experts in their field and together, with support from ourselves and other partners, people will get the support they need”