laura buckland
My Story
Hi im Laura, i completed the Spear programme nearly 2 years ago, and i can whole-heartedly say it changed my life for the best. I am doing this run to give back to a charity/programme that has helped my life so much. heres my story..
Before the spear programme, i was in the worst mental headspace i had ever been in. having suffered from depression and anorexia/bulimia for 2 years it took a toll on my university work and i had to defer my health sciences course.
During the year of 2022, i heard about the spear programme at my church and decided to join the programme. During the programme i developed key skills in confident communication and effective teamwork. the spear course helped me gain confidence that i didnt have before and also made me realise that i have lots of skills that i personally wouldnt say i had before. Also the Spear team were very understanding and helpful when i wasn't feeling great.
After the Spear programme, i managed to go to interviews and held down a job at a cattery for a year, while going back to online university aswell.
heres a short overview of what the Spear programme does...
We believe each young person has huge potential, no matter what barriers to employment they face. On the Spear Programme, we help our trainees realise this potential, by coaching them with the mindset and skills they need to both get into work, and thrive once they’re there.
As an overview, we work with young people for one year, starting off with an initial six-week foundation programme, followed by a year of follow up career support. In the first six weeks, we meet in the afternoon 3-4 times a week to help build up structure and routine again whilst focusing on all the practical things they need for work like a CV, Cover Letter, Interview practice, career job matching and application support. We also focus on going deeper and exploring what mindsets or behaviours could be stopping them from getting back into work or education. We meet for a combination of group sessions and 1:1 sessions in Clifton. We then stay in contact for the following 12 months to help them continue to apply for jobs until they are in work and then provide in work support to help them stay there.
Since launching in Jan 2022, on average 81% of the young people we have worked with, have got into work or education and are still there a year later.