At Spear, we meet young people every day who have been underestimated or made to feel that certain careers “aren’t for people like them”.

But we know that confidence can grow when we invest in young people and open up new opportunities for them. This Social Mobility Day, we’re grateful for our corporate partners who not only support us financially, but also give many Spear trainees their first taste of professional life. We’re also grateful to all our employer partners who hire Spear trainees and consistently tell us they are among their best employees: reliable and resilient.

This year's Social Mobility Day theme, #StoriesMatter, highlights the ways our experiences shape what we believe is possible for ourselves and others. For many young people, a single conversation, piece of encouragement or opportunity can change the story they tell themselves about what they're capable of. For Priya, that moment came during a visit to our corporate partner, Bunzl Greenham.

Priya says: “I was previously quite shy and struggled with speaking up and working with new people, but these have become key strengths since joining Spear. The programme challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, building confidence through activities like delivering a presentation at Bunzl Greenham with limited preparation time. In my current role, I regularly communicate with customers and colleagues across departments, and what once felt daunting now comes naturally. Overall, the experience has strengthened my confidence, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork skills, supported by a collaborative and encouraging environment.”

Priya has now been working as a Customer Service Executive at Bunzl Greenham for just over a year. Her story is just one example of what can happen when employers invest in young people and create pathways into work.

For over a decade, Landsec has played an important role in helping young people discover new possibilities and believe in their potential.

Ollie Leggett, Social Impact Manager from Landsec, says:

"At Landsec, we're committed to creating a fairer, more diverse real estate industry, with social mobility a crucial part to helping our communities thrive. For over 10 years, our partnership with Spear has supported young people in London and Leeds to overcome barriers and move into sustained employment and education. Through funding, volunteering and job opportunities, we've built a strong partnership and we look forward to helping even more people thrive in the years ahead!"

Vikki, Regional HR Manager at Bunzl Greenham says: “A moment that really changed how I think about talent and social mobility was working with the Spear programme for the first time last year. It exposed me to a wide range of young, diverse individuals with incredible potential that often goes untapped.

“Seeing this firsthand made me reflect on how much talent can be overlooked simply due to a lack of opportunity or access. It highlighted the critical role that employers and us as leaders play in opening doors, supporting initiatives like this, and creating pathways for people to succeed.

"That experience reinforced for me that investing in social mobility isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s essential for building a stronger, more diverse, and forward-thinking organisation.”

Stories matter because they shape what we believe is possible.

At Spear, we see every day how confidence grows when young people are given opportunities to develop their skills, meet employers and experience workplaces where they can belong and thrive.

Thank you to all our partners who help make these opportunities possible. Through your support, volunteering, mentoring, workplace visits and employment opportunities, you are helping young people discover new possibilities and write new stories about their futures.