An exciting new grant of £160,000 will enable 80 unemployed young people to benefit from highly effective coaching that supports them into work.  

The youth employment charity Spear, formerly known as Resurgo, is delighted to be one of five Global Recipients of the 2026 True Inspiration Awards, an annual grant programme from restaurant company Chick-fil-A.  

The awards celebrate the work of impactful nonprofit organisations making an inspiring difference in their communities. This year, more than 2,600 organisations applied, with just 56 selected to receive awards across the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom and Singapore.  

Spear CEO Iona Ledwidge said: “We’re delighted to be recognised for the work we do at our 18 centres across the UK. But more importantly, this generous grant means more young people will be able to benefit from the Spear Programme.  

“Over 70% of those who complete Spear get into work or education and are still there a year later.  

“This grant could not have come at a better time. Around 1 in 8 young people aged 16-24 are not earning or learning in the UK. This has created a crisis of hope - half of these young people say they feel hopeless about their future.   

“With this grant, we will be able to support 80 young people to find a path to a better life.”  

According to a poll by The King’s Trust TK Maxx Index 2025, 50% of young people not in work or education say they feel hopeless about their future due to being unemployed.  

The Spear Programme consists of four-to-six weeks of group and individual coaching, followed by up to a year of one-to-one support.   

The programme offers free support to young people aged 16-24 who are not in work or education, and have at least one barrier to employment, such as having low qualifications or coming from a low-income household.  

Spear rebranded from Resurgo in early 2026 to reflect its total focus on the Spear Programme.  

In 2026, Spear will work with more than 1,200 young people. Since it was founded in 2003, Spear has worked with more than 11,500 trainees.