Testimonials

“As a part of Haringey Prevent programme Mentivation Services delivered their 6-session workshop programme, entitled ‘Gang Activity and Extremism’ to our level-one student’s… The feedback from the students were very positive indeed. The information was presented in a non-judgemental or condescending way that allowed students to discuss and think more critically about the choices that lead to negative and violent activities and their consequences. Our students found the material and subject matter relevant and current and relatable. The students on the programme were fully engaged and felt comfortable to discuss, debate and share their opinions with the facilitators from Mentivation Services. This is testament to the facilitators professional yet young person-centred delivery style.”

“Mentivation delivered 3 sessions as part of Hackney's Weapons Awareness Programme. Their content was relevant and engaging and sparked curiosity in the young people's minds, which was evident in their feedback of the sessions. Mentivation are clearly experienced in engaging with young people and promoting a respectful culture and atmosphere. They used a good mix of visual aids and discussion to make sure the session supported the different learning needs of the young people and kept their focus. Their sessions included exploration of youth violence and gang culture, victim awareness, joint enterprise and understanding the law in not just a legal context, but in terms of rules at home, school etc. I'm incredibly grateful for the support that Mentivation have provided for the programme. I thoroughly recommend them and hope we can work together in future.”

“I would like to say a massive thank you to yourself and Maashes on behalf of us all at Feltham for delivering your programme, sharing your personal experiences with us all, and getting the message across in such a productive way. You definitely had an impact on the boys and empowered them to make the right choices in life. I want you to know that we appreciate the time and effort you made in coming here and encouraging these young adults to take notice of what really matters in life, how important their futures are, and how discipline, determination and dedication will help them progress in times ahead. You really hit home on the importance of education, and how learning equals earning a legit way of life in so many ways.”

“The Fix Up Community Safety Awareness programme was an excellent resource for our school. The choice of topics was very relevant to the issues in the lives of our young people and the media stimuli selected were hard-hitting and effective. Consequently our students engaged throughout the programme. The facilitators had a great ability to quickly connect with students and were able to draw out details of student’s own experiences and connect these to programme material. I believe that the impact of the learning not simply felt during the course of the programme, but I am sure that many of the key moments and lessons will be remaining with the students a long time into the future. I would not hesitate to book Mentivation again for our school.”

“The students at Haringey Sixth College were very fortunate to take part in 3 two hour workshops that were facilitated by Mentivation Services. The workshops were very informative and at times very hard hitting, as they had to get the point across that the streets are no joke. They were very realistic in their delivery and made the young people know that they themselves are in touch with young people who are or were involved in ongoing court cases that include murder. I learnt very much about what is going in society and the tough choices some young people are being forced to make. I really had no clue about the adverse circumstances that some youngsters are living in or facing. They also focused on getting the young people to make the right choices in their lives and that what they are now is not who they will necessarily be in the future. I believe that the Mentivation Services should be mandatory in all schools and colleges."

“The feedback from the young people, coaches and executive head teacher who attended the group workshop programme was very positive and encouraging. The young people responded very favourably to the content, format and delivery style of the facilitators as Mentivation Services. Their skill at engaging young people, some of whom are deemed as being hard to reach, was especially impressive. The programmes delivered by Mentivation Services has made a significant impact in changing many of the young people's attitude, decision making mindset around issues that could negatively affect their lives.”

“I’ve always been surrounded by friends and family who have been involved in criminal activity. My area has a lot of gangs and there have been a few serious incidents close to where I live. I was referred on to the Mentivation gang awareness programme by one of the Arsenal coaches, who told me that it would be good for me to attend. At first I wasn’t really interested in going to another programme that basically tells young people not to join gangs. But out of respect for the coach, I said I’d go to the first session. When I went, the facilitators stated they’d worked with young people in some of the more gang-affected areas: Southwark, Lambeth, Lewisham and Hackney. They also said that if we felt they were talking rubbish we could leave at any time. Within an hour I could see they knew what they were talking about – it was clear they’d worked with some of the most dangerous and influential gangs of the last five years. I ended up going to all six sessions, which were two hours each over six weeks. They knew how to relate to young people and how to keep us engaged.”

“Mentivation's workshop on 'Road and Radicalisation' for staff and parents, facilitated by Michael and Maashes, was an entirely engaging and enlightening experience. I have worked with young people in Hackney affected by these issues for the past two years, and learnt so much more than I thought I knew in one single workshop. I felt like I got right into the mindset of some of the reasons why someone might join a gang and remain in a gang, no matter how negatively it affects their and their families' lives. Radicalisation as a psychology concept made so much sense to me as presented in bite-sized building blocks by Michael and Maashes.”

“Mentivation's workshop on 'Road and Radicalisation' for students, facilitated by Michael and Maashes, was truly outstanding. I had already attended the staff/parents eversion of this session so knew the content, but was amazed at how different it was delivered to hit all the right notes for the target audience. The workshop was well paced, slowly presenting small splices of information that students could comprehend. These pieces of information were built upon and built upon until the whole point of the workshop is revealed: being in a gang is a form of radicalisation.”

“Mentivation Services has been working in collaboration with the Concorde Centre in supporting our young people by educating them about the perils of gang culture. Their approach has been second to none. They talk with a confidence that both professionals and young people can fully understand, without it sounding forced or contrived. The material they used in their Fix Up! Gang awareness workshop programme was all relevant and current, with references that the young people could relate to. They also communicated to the young people by talking with them and not at them.”

Mentivation Services have proved to be a valuable resource for the Well Centre and our young people over recent months. We originally commissioned Mentivation Services to support our young people during a period when our core service was short staffed. The team at Mentivation Services did an excellent job of understanding the needs of our service and our young people’s needs, with excellent communication between us we were able to provide an integrated service providing a high level of support of young people. Although our service is now fully staffed, we still continue to use Mentivation Services on an occasional basis. We particularly recognise their skill and experience at working with young people with low self-esteem who can be challenging to engage into a service without some regular ongoing support.

“Mentivation Services recently visited Whitefield School and delivered a 4 hour workshop, to 15 of our more vulnerable year 10 students, entitled Gang Awareness. This was the second time they have delivered this programme and again the impact was significant. Like most schools our students work in a supportive and harmonious multi-cultural environment, however, they are exposed to negative gang influences in their local communities and in their interaction with the media. The Gang Awareness programme aims to challenge some of the misconceptions which young people may have about the gang lifestyle. Student evaluations of the programme have been very positive. Response have commented on its importance in informing them (such as legal matters) and also making then reconsider some of the risk which they may at times expose themselves to.”

“The staff team felt that the workshop program was enlightening, well presented and delivered, covered all the relevant content and encouraged staff participation. Due to their vast knowledge and experience in working with young people the facilitators at Mentivation Services were able to use real life examples to illustrate key points and offered practical solutions. The staff-training programme was very educational and dealt with not only with the issues surrounding young people but also challenged our own perceptions thus allowing us to work more effectively with our client group.”

“Hackney Integrated Gangs Unit has commissioned Mentivation Services since 2015 to deliver specialist interventions to people who have been identified as either being engaged in, or potentially becoming involved in, street gangs. They were commissioned to deliver a variety of services, ranging from workshop programmes to primary schools, secondary schools and pupil referral units, as well as one-off workshops and one-to-one support for young people. Mentivation Services have also been very proactive in engaging with young people in the community to deter them away from gang activity as part of the IGU’s Outreach programme. Mentivation Services deliver their services in a variety of settings including primary and secondary schools, youth clubs and one-off workshops to parents and professionals. They have a particular strength in designing for and delivering to an array of age ranges, being able to adjust their delivery accordingly.”

“Mentivation Services have been working with Lambeth Young & safe since 2009 when they were a number of suppliers selected through a competitive commissioning round. Mentivation Services were commissioned to deliver the six week Fix-Up Gangs Awareness Programme but have also delivered adapted version of this, one off workshops and follow on one to one support when required. They have consistently shown their ability to engage with the young people, and this is evidenced by attendance and feedback reports from participants. We have consistently positive feedback from communities and professionals about the impact of the programme on the young people attending, their reflective reaction, improved behaviour and understanding of their impact on others.”