Resurgo is excited to announce the launch of the Spear Programme in Cheltenham.
Delivered in partnership with Trinity Cheltenham, Spear aims to support hundreds of local young people to overcome the challenges they face and be equipped with the skills and mindset they need to thrive in employment.
Despite pockets of wealth, Cheltenham is a polarised town that also has areas of real need. According to the latest English Indices of Deprivation, it is the third most deprived district in Gloucestershire1. Local partner Trinity Cheltenham is located just streets away from neighbourhoods placed in the highest quintile of education, skills and training deprivation in the country2.
With the number of local 16–24-year-olds claiming unemployment-related benefits not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels3, Resurgo is pleased to be working with Trinity Cheltenham to offer support to those who need it the most.
Following 19 years of successful delivery of the Spear Programme across multiple locations, Trinity Cheltenham is playing an exciting role pioneering a new phase in Spear’s development, by delivering a new and streamlined version. This was launched in 2022 following intensive testing and piloting, with a view to having great impact but at lower cost – making the programme more accessible to a wider spectrum of partners, and in turn young people who may otherwise not be able to access the support they need.
Young people will receive four weeks of in-depth employment coaching, focussing on practical skills such as interview preparation and CV writing, as well as transformative coaching around mindset and attitude. This is followed by a further six months of personalised follow-on support.
Christopher Wagstaff, Centre Manager, says, “We are so excited to be launching Spear Cheltenham in January. We cannot wait to start welcoming young people and to work with them to realise their potential.”
Jo Rice, CEO of Resurgo, says, “I am delighted that Resurgo is partnering with Trinity Cheltenham to deliver the Spear Programme, and by the potential this new partnership affords to support young people in need in the local area. This launch marks an impressive milestone in the national expansion of the Spear Programme, which is now operating in six locations outside of the capital. While we lament the enduring need for employment support for young people experiencing disadvantage, I am encouraged by what is made possible when we come together which the common aim of transforming society.”