Decision

The Director of Public
Health approves the Direct Award of a contract to Wirral MIND for
the Motiv8! programme, for the period 27 October 2025 to 26 October
2028 for a total sum of £127,716. 
 

Reasons for the decision

In
Wirral, physical inactivity among adults with mental health issues
is a significant concern, with clear inequalities evident across
different demographic groups.
 
Adults
with a limiting illness or disability—which includes many
with mental health conditions—are over twice as likely to be
inactive compared to those without such conditions.  This group faces compounded barriers to physical
activity, including accessibility, motivation, and
stigma.
 
The
Wirral Public Health Annual Report 2023/24 emphasises the
importance of supporting people with mental health conditions to
engage in work and physical activity as part of addressing health
inequalities.
 
The
Motiv8! Programme is a bespoke and specialised health, wellbeing
and physical activity initiative aimed at improving the mental
health and wellbeing of adults. The programme is delivered by
Wirral MIND and has been co-developed by service users who
expressed their anxieties about going to a gym or public exercise
class which they felt was the main barrier to even starting on
their physical health journey.  Motiv8!
aims to help those with mental health issues to find the physical
activity that is right for them, so they are able to enjoy the
physical, social and mental benefits of being active.
 
The service is commissioned in order to comply
with Public Contract Regulations and the Council’s Contract
Procedure rules.

Alternative options considered

Public
Health could choose to not commission Wirral MIND to deliver
Motiv8! In Wirral. However, Wirral MIND has a well-established
history of delivering support programmes aimed at improving mental
wellbeing and reducing social isolation and it is considered that
the benefit for residents would be maximised by this locality
approach.