Underpinned by Resurgo Trust’s national Spear initiative, Bournemouth Spear Trust launched in 2021 and is based at St Swithun’s Church in Lansdowne. We’ve supported the charity to run six Foundation programmes per year for around 90 young people, with more than 79% still in employment, education, or training 12 months later.
Sam Rigden, Assistant Coach, explains: “Our programme is daily over six weeks, but we maintain support for a year to help people flourish, get promoted or even move into further education or training. We think a lot about mindset, attitude, and practicality – how can we work our way up to where we want to be? Are we operating in a mindset where people can support themselves as much as we support them?
“People taking part in the programme face significant barriers to work and education, including mental health challenges, families involved in crime, low educational attainment and living in supported housing. Many haven’t left home in quite some time, and often they haven’t really spoken to anyone outside of their families.
“Trainees overcome so much just to be here. They really get involved and each week they grow so much. Because the trainees take part together, there’s a real bond that develops throughout the programme.”
The Spear Programme begins with coached sessions on developing the right attitude and readiness for employment, including understanding more about the desire to work and what that means for employers and employees. In the second week, trainees work with coaches like Sam, Ella and Ben to explore communication skills and how positivity can be portrayed through body language and tone.
Sam adds: “About five months ago, we had a young person join the programme who’d never had a job before. He’d been quite isolated at home and wasn’t sure about what to do next. He worked on his confidence and a month after Spear, he got a job at a popular food chain – he’s still there enjoying it today! He says he’s never felt better, and that’s been down to the programme here.”
Young people passing through the programme have gone on to further study or apprenticeships, careers in professional sectors and employment in hospitality, retail and care. Much like trainees Grace, Harry and Hayden, who tell us more about their aspirations for the future.
Hayden: “I was hoping to study Palaeontology at university this year, but I didn’t go, so this is a gap year until I reapply. I was recommended Spear because they were looking for people to join the programme and I was having trouble finding a job. I’m here to gain interview experience and tips on how to make myself more employable – the mock interviews are just one step closer to work.
Harry: “I’ve been in and out of work since I left school, and I’ve got no formal qualifications. I was in Canada travelling earlier this year, but after I came home, I found it so hard to enter the job market. I’m sick and tired of job hunting, finding something and not liking it, and then jumping to another job. I know I have the tools to do well, it’s just that I need to build confidence and reassurance.
“My experience of school was very academic, but it didn’t really prepare me with ‘real world skills’ for life. I found Spear through my Community Prescriber; I wanted something more than the jobs I’d had in the past, even if that meant I needed to go on courses to gain experience and find roles in my chosen field of Photography.”
Grace: “I’m currently going through the army application process, but it’s been very long winded. While I had free time in between to look for another job, I’ve really struggled with it. My sister went through Spear, and she said she’d really enjoyed it, so I decided to give it a go! It’s been beneficial to build my interview, life and work skills and broaden my social circle.
“I trained for the Army via college, and now I’m trying to get a job while fitness training to prepare myself for Sandhurst, which I’m really looking forward to. I’ve got the skills; it’s just about enhancing those and giving me a sense of belief and achievement.”
Margie Fielden, a Founder of the Bournemouth Programme and Volunteer at Spear, says: “Nowadays I support with finance and admin, but I also join in with mock interviews and celebrations. I’m so fond of the coaches here and the work they do. Back in 2020, people in the church saw the vision for what Spear could do, so we set up as a charity and here we are at the end of year three!
“You start seeing the impact and what comes from it, and how for youngsters that’ve done Spear, the chances of employment are even better than for those that haven’t. It’s really inspiring to see past attendees coming back to us here to tell their success stories. Now that we’re a few years down the track, it’s not hopeful any longer – it’s real and it’s delightful!”
For 2024, the charity aims to take on more trainees across its foundation programmes; supporting even more young people to develop crucial skills that enhance future employment opportunities.
There’s so many positive knock-on effects; from building independence and confidence to improving financial situations. Gaining employment is one thing but transforming lives to leave here with confidence and positivity makes a completely different person.
— Sam Ridgden, Assistant Coach at Bournemouth Spear
