2020-08-26-accounts

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

We help children and young people between the ages of 10-18 years, in southeast London, to reach their full potential and empower them to take responsibility for their lives. At the same time raise their aspirations, improve their social skills, keep them in education and prepare them for the world of work. This in turn helps to deliver a diverse talent pipeline.

Urban Synergy | Registered office: 2 Lewisham Hill, Lewisham, London SE13 7EJ England Registered number: 07358294 | Registered in England and Wales. Registered Charity No. 1138802

Message from the Founder & Managing Director

I am so pleased to share Urban Synergy’s Annual Report covering the period from September 2019 to August 2020. It will set out our achievements over the last year and our future plans for our supporters, volunteers, donors and potential friends.

Your donations are providing young people with the life chances they need to reach their full potential. We wish to thank you. Because of your generosity, Urban Synergy continues to reach hundreds of young people between 10-18 years of age and enable them to be enthusiastic about their future, by broadening career horizons and enabling them to succeed.

We do this by delivering our comprehensive outcome focused mentoring programmes, building life skills, delivering inspirational seminars and work experience opportunities.

These programmes and events are only possible with the support of the huge network of support we have built up, with each of our Mentors, Role Models volunteers and

Urban Synergy - Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

Supporters providing essential time and guidance to the young people we meet.

We must acknowledge two significant events that have influenced the path of Urban Synergy during this reporting year. Firstly, the global pandemic that, in March 2020, triggered lockdowns, school closures and exam cancellations. Our programmes until this time had been face to face, and this was no longer possible, due to the restrictions enforced by the Government to keep people safe.

The students we helped were in more need than ever to have support, so we had to pivot our operations online and deliver our programmes virtually through video conferencing software. This brought new challenges, but as you will read in this report, we are no longer restricted by geography and have reached even more young people for 1-2-1 mentoring.

Our funding was also greatly impacted by the limitations on face-to-face contact, as we’d run in person fundraising in the past. We changed our model, reached out to our community, and applied for new grants helping us to stabilize.

Secondly on the 25th of May 2020, George Perry Floyd Jr., an African American man, was murdered by a police officer during an arrest after a store clerk suspected he may have used a counterfeit $20 bill in Minneapolis, USA. This triggered a global call for change and reignited the Black Lives Matter movement globally.

For Urban Synergy it triggered huge numbers of colleagues, partners, and supporters to contact us and see what we could do collectively, to help young people from Black Minority Ethnic backgrounds. It has helped us to secure funding, volunteers, and opportunities for the young people we support.

This was a truly difficult time for all of us in our community, but by coming together, working hard and taking action, we will realise a more equitable future.

Leila Thomas, Managing Director

Urban Synergy - Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

Message from the Chair of Trustees at Urban Synergy

This has been a significant year for Urban Synergy, and I must address the influencing factors. The Global Pandemic and the death of George Floyd have changed our course and led the charity to adapt to continue to support our community. We have actually reached beyond, to support our partners and create new partnerships, as more companies have wanted to realise impactful change to benefit the Black Minority Ethnic community.

We thank our very generous supporters which include Bio-therapeutic, Capgemini UK Plc,Catch 22 Charity, Citibank, FE fundinfo, the Lord Mayor’s Office, Newable Management, Refinitiv, Thomson Reuters Ltd, The Rothermere Foundation and UK Power Networks for all of their assistance. Their support has enabled our team to grow

Urban Synergy - Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

and for them to reach more young people. But why is it so important for us to reach more young Londoners?

On the 13th of February 2020 Oliver Wyman in partnership with the London Mayor's office, published a report; “One City Two Worlds'’ which investigated social mobility opportunities for young people in London. It said, “On the surface, London provides a very positive environment for young people, due to its strong academic attainment and dynamic job market. But under the surface, young people in London experience two worlds in one city.”

We at Urban Synergy are continually striving to provide young people with the skills, training and opportunities they need to be successful, as well as opening their eyes to the vast number of jobs, roles and industries available to them.

The report concluded “Our research has demonstrated that, for many young people, London is not sorted. Despite the popular narrative that our capital is a social mobility engine, too many young Londoners grow up in a separate world and are not fulfilling their potential. The whole of London suffers as a result. As shown in this report, poverty and funding for support are major issues. But there are other powerful actions that London can take now. We call on those that can make change happen, to commit to making it happen.”

We have known of this imbalance for many years but this research provides context to the work we are doing and motivates us to do even more. We are realising positive change and positive outcomes for the young people we work with and hope to gain further funding so we can again widen our scope to help more young people to write their own future.

We are still active in primary, secondary and sixth form colleges and through the Mentoring and Seminars moving online, we will be able to reach schools outside of our traditional Lewisham and surrounding borough reach.

Together we make a difference.

Dr. Courtenay Griffiths Q.C. Chair of Trustees - Urban Synergy

Urban Synergy - Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

Our Programmes

Role Model Seminars

We have continued to deliver our ‘Top Tips to the Top’ Role Model Seminar programme from September - February (until the lockdown started) and are pleased to have reached 883 students. These ran in schools, colleges and corporate offices, broadening career horizons, for primary, secondary and sixth form students.

The Role Model Seminars covered many industries including Arts, Publishing, Fashion, Sports, Entrepreneurship, Law, Banking and Finance, Technology, Project Management, Hospitality, Architecture, Aviation/Aerospace, Consultancy, Defence/Forces, Education, Chemical/Pharmaceutical and Academic.

Prendergast Hilly Fields, Lewisham	5th September 2019	Secondary	Secondary Role Model	Yr 12 age 16-17 yrs
Sedgehill School	19th September 2019	Secondary	Secondary Role Model	Yr 11 age 15-16 yrs
John Roan Secondary School	25th September 2019	Corporate Seminar (R)	Refinitiv Corporate Seminar	Yr 9 & Yr 10 age 13-15 yrs
Gordonbrock Primary School	3rd October 2019	Primary	Primary Role Model	Yr 5&6 age 9-11 yrs
Addey & Stanhope School	17th October 2019	Corporate Seminar (TR)	TR Corporate Seminar	Key stage 3 age 11-14yrs
Haberdashers Aske’s Knights Academy	18th October 2019	Corporate Seminar (Citi)	Citi Corporate Seminar
Kender Primary School	13th November	Primary	Primary Role Model	Yr 5 & 6 age 9 - 11 yrs
Christ the King Sixth Form College	19th November	Secondary/ Sixth Form	Sixth Form Role Model	Yr 12 & 13 age 16 - 18 yrs
Haberdashers	5th December	Corporate	Refinitiv	Yr 7 & Yr 8

Urban Synergy - Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

Aske's Knights Academy	2019	Seminar (R)	Corporate Seminar	age 11- 13 yrs
Haberdashers Aske's Knights Academy	29th January 2020	Secondary	Refinitiv Corporate Seminar	Yr 11 age 15-16 yrs
Eliot Bank Primary School	12th February 2020	Primary	Primary Role Model	Yr 6 age 10-11 yrs

Student Feedback

“I wanted to become a historian, but now I want to work for Refinitiv because they inspired me”

“Take advantage of the opportunities and contacts you make.”

“Take advantage of the opportunities and contacts you make.”

“Thank you very much to show us we can be amazing people like you"

‘I learned that a long time ago people were sexist and racist about most jobs. I will always be resilient, even in the face of doubt and always be ready and give my all.’

‘The role models inspired me and motivated me by showing me that I can be anything I want to be in life.’

‘I will be ambitious and try to achieve my goals. The Data scientist inspired me as he made robots and was really creative.’

‘You have to have a dream to be successful. I will study harder and be on time for school.’

Urban Synergy - Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

Head teacher Feedback

“What an inspirational start for the next two years”

“We have been fortunate enough to work with Urban Synergy for a couple of years now. This has included having two Role model seminars here at Sedgehill which have been extremely enjoyable and productive. We were very impressed with the wide range and calibre of speakers that came to the school to engage with our students. On both occasions we had large numbers of students choosing to attend and reporting that they found them to be extremely valuable evenings. We now consider this annual event as a key milestone in our work with Year 11. We found the evening inspired many of our students to work hard and aim to achieve high GCSE grades which was exactly what we wanted to achieve by engaging with the programme”

As the Assistant Head Teacher and Phase Leader for Years 5 and 6 at Eliot Bank Primary, I was blown away by the impact of the Urban Synergy sessions with the children across both year 6 classes. The way the speakers captured their attention and spoke with the children was fantastic and weeks after the event, the children recall the morning with fond memories.'

Urban Synergy - Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

ROLE MODEL QUOTES You need to think abour all the opportunities out there- You need to think abcNJi what you like and what you're good at" ry hard doing the things you like and try even harder with the ihings you don't like- 41 Alex Cesar, Gl¢)b¥l Head Enlerprl8o D•t8- Refinltlv. CTO- WIBF.. Wom•n In Buslno88 S Flnane• "l)0 not be jealous of anyone,ju8t find your own path. "Ambrtion 1$ good, but be realisiie about your own shortcomings" "Be kind and give back as much if not more than you take. 'GTOW well and develop always. Charlle Easmon. Mèdkal Dlr•ctOf. YEHS (Your Ex¢ellenl Heallh S•r¥le•) "Be very aware of how you are to people you don't know, be very kind and be very authentic" 'Always be authèntic, always be yourseir 'Whalever your do sland out" 'Always hold your own, be proud of who you are... be injeio yourseir Carina Whitè. Hèad of Busm#s Affoirs & Partnerships ot Tongue Tled Medla l UaTI knlyl 1SI¥y I￿1￿al ILY IIV. l i ￿E1VV Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

e-Seminars

We have also been developing a plan for online Role Model seminars, following the webinar we piloted over the summer. We feel it will be a welcomed addition to our offering in schools and can also be broadcast to students that are home learning. We have pilots planned for September 2020.

1-2-1 Mentoring

We postponed our face to face 12-month 1-2-1 mentoring programme because of resource and funding constraints. This was a tough decision, but with the financial constraints we were facing it was the best option.

e-Mentoring

We did however, in June launch a virtual Covid-19 Emergency Response e-Mentoring pilot and programme. This project was designed to connect disadvantaged Year 11 and 13 children directly affected by the COVID19 pandemic school exam cancellations to mentors virtually. The e-Mentoring programme continued to support young people with career soft skills, knowledge and practical activities like CV creation and Interviewing. This programme made it possible to roll out in South London and also cover broader areas of London and the UK.

e-Mentee Student Feedback

“In regard to the questions, for me personally, contacting my mentor weekly has been very helpful. The tasks have been very useful so far, the CV I have completed and now know what to do and put on it when I have to apply for other jobs. My presentation has taught me how to do research and find new and innovative ideas. I don’t believe that there is anything needed to be improved. I am very happy with my mentor (Michael Lee) and honestly couldn’t have asked for a better one.”

“I must say that I believe that the mentoring is definitely useful and vital for my future in the working world. I enjoy working with and talking to my mentor Courtney as he clearly highlights my strengths and weaknesses and helps me on how to improve them. I can't think of anything that needs to be improved.”

Urban Synergy - Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

Parent Feedback

“ Please send my Thanks to Simon, Charlie enjoyed chatting to him and I have to say he really inspired Charlie to aim high. Charlie gets bored very quickly, but he stuck with this each week not wanting to let Simon down.

Also, I’m not sure if Simon is interested, but just to say Charlie is doing well at the

academy, studying for his retakes, and really focused on his training.

He’s grown with confidence in himself since taking part with the mentoring program and it has been fantastic to watch. Thank you.” Patricia

Mentor Feedback

“I really enjoyed the medium of e-mentoring and would volunteer to do it again!”

“I loved doing the mentoring. Charlie had a great attitude and it's fantastic to see how happy and proud he is to get his place at the NFL academy. That was his own doing (he seized an opportunity and went for it) but I think the programme provided that extra boost to his confidence at a crucial moment in his life!”

“Online approach worked very well and is less demanding on time, as traveling is not involved. This means you can do more with the Mentee.”

The pilot was successful and in July we launched our online e-Mentoring programme to help young people to reach their full potential, by connecting them to corporate role models, to help young people to write their own future. The e-mentoring replaced our face to face 1-2-1 mentoring programme.

With support from corporate partners, we have piloted a successful e-Mentoring model with a focus on year 11-13 students (16-18 years old) who have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Year 11-13 students are in vital transition years and have been greatly impacted. By connecting them with a professional person, mentoring them for 7 sessions over 3 months, we can help them to refocus and plan for their future careers. Helping the young people with CV, presentation and interview skills as well as presenting them with work experience opportunities.

Urban Synergy - Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

Why Mentors and Role Models Sign up?

Essentially because it feels good! We have an established programme, with a clear process that makes it easy for our Role Models and Mentors to work in their local communities and give back. As a result, we have had overwhelming support and feedback from our mentors with many coming back to mentor year after year. Many of our Role Models share what they are doing with Urban Synergy and introduce new role models from their networks, who tell us that they enjoy using their spare time for a greater good.

Through the Urban Synergy network, they have also found new connections, helping them to advance their own careers as well as make new friends. When we talk to our volunteers they tell us, they wish that Urban Synergy had been around to help them when they were young.

Why do corporate partners get involved?

Diverse teams deliver better performance and our partners tell us there are benefits to the staff, in developing their coaching and communications skills, as well as the team building opportunities it brings. They have seen improved staff morale and it helps them to reach their own sustainable development goals, which are often focused on good health, well-being and reduced Inequality, as well as Diversity & Inclusion.

Urban Synergy provides an easy way of using volunteering days to work directly with their local communities to positively influence young people. Many of our partners give their staff 1 or 2 volunteering days each year.

Work Experience

From the 27th of January to the 31st we delivered a work experience week in partnership with Refinitiv. The work experience hosted 8 Year 10 students aged between 14 and 15 years. We started the week with a ready for work coaching session, followed by many different sessions with the students enabling them to see the vast variety of roles available in a corporate company. They met with teams across the business including the Legal, Sales, Technology and News. They took part in a role model seminar and were challenged to conduct a presentation on their final day, relating to Business.

Urban Synergy - Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

The students learned a lot about being organised as they had to navigate through their days, being in the right place at the right time for their next presentation.

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Student feedback

“I really enjoyed the work experience as I met new people and learnt about the range of possible careers that I could go into.”

“It has helped me gain an insight into the world of work and helped with my confidence. I am now more open to talking to more people and being professional.”

“I will focus more in school and work harder because I learnt that hard work is the path

of life.”

Urban Synergy - Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

“I enjoyed the work experience because I learnt a lot of life lessons and things I could take out of the working world and also it made me more certain of what I am intending to do in the future. I also learned teamwork, listening skills, leadership, public speaking skills”

Unfortunately our planned work experience week over Easter (30th March - 3rd April) had to be cancelled due to the pandemic and the restrictions that were put in place.

Urban Synergy - Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

Highlights of the Year

Youth Board

In September 2019, we formed a Youth Board made up of our alumni of mentees, our Young Ambassadors who take the lead role of being a voice for the young people in the community and provide us with valuable feedback on our programmes. Our young Ambassadors benefited first-hand from Urban Synergy’s mentoring programme and now give back by contributing to the ongoing development of the services that Urban Synergy offers to young people behind them.

Our young ambassadors take an active role providing feedback to improve our programmes and also actively volunteer by:

• Peer mentoring - supporting young people at seminars/mentee activities

• Fundraising - taking part in sponsored activity challenges

• Assisting with PR - creating positive media stories of young people who have benefited from our mentoring programme

• Raising awareness of the charity - being the voice of young people’s successes to inspire

• Co-hosting events

Urban Synergy - Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

Boxathon

On September 14th we partnered with Balham Amateur Boxing Club to run a Boxathon community outreach and fundraising event. The charity boxathon was a 12 hour event, where throughout the 12 hours at least one member of Balham ABC was skipping and shadowboxing. In the afternoon there was a display from Balham ABC members, showing off their talents with technical sparring and pad work. The local radio station arrived further amplifying the work Urban Synergy are doing in the community as well as Eddie Nestor, actor and radio broadcaster and Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, Labour MP for Tootling.

There was a raffle all day as well as an auction. There was a brilliant community feel with many of the boxers giving training to the volunteers and the community attendees. The event raised £1120.

Urban Synergy - Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

-￿ fil•. rT Urban Synergy- Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

Corporate Mentoring

In December 2019 we worked with Barclays volunteer mentors to support the corporate mentoring programme - Barclays RISE programme 14 students from Christ The King Sixth Form attending a number of workshops at Barclays in Canary Wharf. Led by members of the Embrace Black Professionals forum, there were workshops on workplace values, CV/Interview skills, Python coding and guest speakers talking about their own career journeys and entrepreneurial endeavours. The mentors also provide inspiration and valuable advice on academic and professional career paths to the participants.

Street Smart

We also ran a Street Smart and well-being workshop in December for mentees at Refinitiv Canary Wharf where mentees were made aware of the dangers on the streets and the outcome if they become involved in illegal activities. Students were also made aware of Stop and Search by a Sergeant from the Metropolitan Police Service.

But what do all these life skill activities mean to the young people in our programmes? Read their feedback below:

What action will you take to be successful after attending this workshop?

I will engage appropriately with the police and say no to freebies I will be more understanding with the Met Police I will not be reluctant towards the police I will not carry a weapon I will be more peaceful and more aware to the police I will make sure I follow the law and won't get into trouble I will be careful of the company I keep I will comply with the police when getting stopped and searched I will be vigilant

I will be more aware of my surroundings

What was learnt?

I learnt that grooming is not good and the true purpose of Stop and Search We have rights and boundaries

I learnt that young people can be groomed by older people in order to sell drugs and make them money

Many people have mental health issues

Urban Synergy - Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

Outcome	Percent Responses
Rated the Workshop Good / Very Good	100%
Felt more confident after attending the workshop	80%
Felt more informed after attending the workshop	90%

Urban Synergy - Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

Salesforce

In April 2020, we implemented Salesforce for Nonprofits, as a full customer relationship management solution, for tracking the Role Models, Mentors, Students, Schools, Parents, Partners, Donors and Leads.

Salesforce brought us significant benefits:

• Centralised repository of all Volunteer, Mentee and Parent details

Urban Synergy - Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

• Improved data capture of Programme impact

• Single source of truth, making planning and reporting easier and more efficient.

• Improved constituent engagement

• Comprehensive reporting and analytics

• Improved security and sharing

• Streamlined processes and increased productivity

2.6 Challenge

In May we were seeing the true impact of the Pandemic on our fundraising streams as well as the young people we supported. The weight of home learning was heavy for many young people and really impacted morale and motivation. We as a team were under pressure to maintain income, whilst looking for alternative ways to support young people. The team came together and created the 2.6 challenge, this challenge was a call to our community for our supporters to challenge themselves in fun and imaginative ways to complete their own personal challenge that related to the number 2.6. This number was chosen as a reflection of the cancelled London Marathon.

The fundraiser lasted two weeks and Role Models, Mentors and the Urban synergy team took part, by cycling, skating, walking and even doing a live bush tucker trial, raising over £6,000 for the charity.

Urban Synergy - Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

Black magic awards

On Monday 10th June, Urban Synergy’s Young Ambassadors and Mentees were invited to attend the Black Magic Awards in Piccadilly, London.

It was a wonderful opportunity for our mentees to meet and network with inspirational role models. The evening made a huge impact on the boys and will leave a lasting impression on them, raising aspirations, building their confidence to reach their full potential. One of our mentees said it was "Enjoyable and Empowering!" and it left them feeling proud.

Urban Synergy - Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

Urban Synergy- Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

Work Human Interview

In July 2020 Leila Thomas and Jacquline Alcindor were invited to feature in an interview video for Work Human, a company that leverages the power of human connection to build resilient, high-performing teams – no matter where those teams happen to be.

Steve Pemberton, their Chief Human Resources, led this episode of their “Keeping Work Human” series. He was pleased to welcome Leila and Jacquline and talk about the benefits of mentoring, how essential role models are for everyone, especially young people and the true cost of the pandemic on young people.

Black voices ITV

In July Leila Thomas was invited to record a short video for the ITV Black Voices website. It was also broadcast on national Television to raise awareness of the lived experiences of Black people in the UK.

Black Voices was created to give Black people a platform to share experiences, stories and ultimately to educate. These are important stories to tell so that we can begin to

Urban Synergy - Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

head towards real equality. Black voices said; Black people deserve to be heard now more than ever. So, the hope for this platform is that it will create debate and much needed discussion about racism and how we can all be part of the solution. ITV believes it’s important to listen, learn and make lasting changes. Because Black lives matter.

Leila received praise and support after her video appeared on television. Will I Am rapper and tv personality and David Lammy MP were also amongst the featured videos. All videos can be found https://www.itv.com/blackvoices/

Doughty Street Chambers Diversity Webinar

In July 2020, Doughty Street Chambers led a discussion relating to Black Lives Matter, addressing the question “Can a leaderless movement be a force for change?” Looking to see if misinformation, distraction and fear tactics played a part.

It was the first in a series of virtual events and Leila was asked to join the panel which included. Althea Brown and Dr. Tunde Okewale MBE of Doughty Street Chambers, and David Lammy MP. They discussed tried and tested methods grassroots organisations can use to build lasting, positive change, and the hurdles they should expect along the way. The session was open to all, and included guests from grassroot organisations to discuss this topic, and offer insights on how recommendations are formed, and the process required to secure implementation.

Urban Synergy - Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

Leila was well received and we had mentors and sponsors reach out on the back of the event.

Bright Horizons Pilot Launched

In July 2020 we launched a pilot of the Bright Horizons “externship” work experience programme with our partner Refinitiv. (An “externship” is an online internship). It was a six-week paid internship programme offered to 1 student around 15/16 years of age to focus on essential skills needed in the future job market. It also provided exposure to international high-profile initiatives that aim to fight financial crime. The candidate was selected from the underrepresented community through Urban Synergy. They worked with very senior leaders at Refinitiv for approximately 10 hours a week around their studies.

It was opened up to all the graduates of the e-Mentoring programme and who were interviewed, short-listed and then interviewed again by a panel at Refinitiv.

Ava Tambala secured the Bright Horizon externship and her time on the programme was spent working in a senior team and completing challenges. She spoke to 35 individuals during the internship, learning something from each of them. She got to feel what it was like working in a private corporate environment. Initially she was unsure what would come of it, however her "misconceptions about working in the private sector were broken down" . She got to see that the team was "multifaceted" , and each team member had different backgrounds.

Both the mentoring and internship programme were a very positive experience for Ava. They were extremely flexible and were fitted around her studies, the only con was not being able to meet people in person.

Ava initially felt uncertain and was unsure of which university course to study and she wanted to feel confident in her career choices. From the mentoring she was able to "finetune her future pathways" and has now decided which courses she wants to study. She also learnt how to deal with certain situations and that "there are always two sides to the coin" .

Urban Synergy - Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

Ava wrote a paper on The Rise of Green Crime, for one of her challenges, that has been published by Royal United Services Institute. Ava has also been offered multiple jobs from two companies when she has finished her studies through the connections she has made.

The Bright Horizons programme has been analysed and it was a success so will be rolled out on a wider scale.

Exam Results Day 2020 Webinar

In August 2020 we hosted ‘Exam Results’ Webinar for pupils affected by the COVID 19 pandemic exam cancellations. It was to help prepare pupils, and enable them to manage their calculated exam grade expectations, as a result of all GCSE and A-level exams being cancelled. The Webinar covered exam results - what to expect, parental support and well-being, retakes, careers /destinations i.e. apprenticeships, university, University preparation and UCAS (clearing), Appeal process and career top tips.

The webinar was hosted by Paul Laurence, Author and Entrepreneur, Urban Synergy Trustee and founding member of the 100 Black Men. He hosted the expert panel of volunteers made up of Dr June Alexis, Author and Dr of Education, Dr Keith Davidson, Author, Dr of Education and Christine Hodes Education Specialist and Juliet Alexander Careers Lead.

We had very positive feedback from the webinar and will consider one for August 2021 if exam disruptions continue.

Urban Synergy - Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

Pilot of Big School - transition

In August we launched our pilot of Big School, a new Group Mentoring programme working with Six Year 6 students to help prepare them for transition into secondary school. Big School was a series of workshops to help through the transition phase starting in August and running until December 2020.The programme aimed to provide:

• A head start

• Resources for the child and their parent / carer

• A fresh start, an opportunity for the child to begin the next phase of learning positively

• Awareness - the child is given an opportunity identify and or be reminded of their talents and excellence; peer assessment and feedback

• Goal setting and the resilience required to achieve goals and remain on track (thinking positively, problem solving, thoughts, feelings etc.), development of motivation strategies

• Enrichment, creating an appreciation for learning

• A method for removing barriers/ self limiting thoughts behaviours so that children can access and engage in the curriculum.

• Group work enabling the child to see that, whilst they are unique their, fears, challenges, and development needs are the same as their peers

• Broaden Career Horizons - Gatsby

• Positive environment - Collaboration with parent, child, school

The programme has got off to a great start, and will run through to the end of 2020.

Urban Synergy - Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

Outcomes for our Alumni

Urban Synergy is an outcome focused charity. We continually monitor the outcome of mentees who embark on our programmes and document successes through case studies to show the impact that the charity has made to that young person’s life.

Indiana Thompson

Indiana joined our 1-2-1 mentoring programme lacking confidence and was at risk of exclusion. With the support of her mentor Viv, she has been working to focus her energy and time on positive ways to broaden her interests, stretch and develop her skills so that she can be more confident and self-assured.

Indiana, 14, recently won an essay competition at her school and she also independently applied and secured a place on a Fantasy Wings programme, provided to her by her mentor Viv. The Fantasy Wings programme supports young people from Black and Minority Ethnic communities to understand more about the careers in the aviation industry.

A year ago, she would not have dreamed of entering the school essay competition or applying for the Fantasy Wings programme.

Indiana has now also been asked to run a school newspaper with a small group of other young people in the school, which has in the past normally been done by the teaching staff and is now also on the school council.

Harry Enright

Harry joined our 1-2-1 mentoring programme as a frustrated young man, feeling depressed and lonely. He was having difficulties at school struggling to express his emotions to teachers not completing set work or homework and dealing with dyslexia.

His mentor Simon worked with Harry to draw out the things he was good at and his passions. Harry’s main passion was horse riding and he dreamed of going to the British Racing School.

Though Harry had the additional challenge of being born with one hand. This didn’t stop him from horse riding, but to become a jockey he needed to get a new bespoke prosthetic created to enable him to ride safely.

Urban Synergy - Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

Harry, now 17, didn’t give up and worked hard at school to show the British Racing school he was determined to achieve. He has now been accepted into the British Racing School as an apprentice jockey and hopes to continue his riding career. Since starting at the British Racing School he has passed his level 1 diploma in horse racing and care.

Harry also decided to join the army cadets and received the Detachment Commanders Commendation for best recruit. This would never have been possible before his mentor encouraged him to get stuck in and take on new challenges.

Lerkai Fearon-Bennett

Lerkai aged 16, joined our 1-2-1 mentoring programme, at risk of exclusion and with low aspirations. During his primary school years he had a passion for Law and wanted to become a lawyer, but a rocky start to secondary school saw Lerkai lose his aspirations and disengage.

Ovie, Lerkai's first mentor was able to keep him grounded and supported him in understanding that his future is greater than his friendship groups.

Zim, his second mentor, was instrumental in supporting Lerkai in breaking down steps to achieving his goals, in smaller, tangible and achievable steps. Lerkai was able to see that he needed to take things step by step focusing on finishing school before planning University.

Lerkai joined the Urban Synergy Legal work experience at Refinitiv and thrived, even though he was the youngest on the internship. Lerkai presented well and now is firmly set on a career in Law again. He has just completed his GCSEs and passed with great grades even though he was not able to sit his actual GCSE exams due to Covid 19.

Ava Tambala

Ava, aged 17, nervously joined our e-Mentoring programme in August. She had known about Urban Synergy for some time, but did not have the confidence to join, so when we moved the mentoring online she thought she would try it.

Her mentor, Jeramie quickly recognised Ava’s talents and confirmed she was ready for a more challenging opportunity. She encouraged Ava to apply for the new Bright Horizons programme of externships (online internships), though this meant Ava would be working with very senior leaders within the company. Four candidates were interviewed and Ava was the successful candidate and worked around her studies,

Urban Synergy - Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

giving her the opportunity to attend online industry events and get involved with real world problems.

She even wrote a paper on Green Crime, as one of the challenges, which has been published by the world’s oldest independent think tank on international defence and security; the Royal United Services Institute.

Urban Synergy - Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

Urban Synergy- Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

SEPT 2019-AUG 2020 FINANCIAL SUMMARY URWI SYNERGY Slatement rA A(viis (ind￿￿1￿ IrKxme and ExP￿re For Ihe year wxled 31 AL￿￿st 2tr20 2Ql• IB 11Ya.770 10.C 45.205 12.873 Tat 071 175.2911 1722081 11.3011 J.eo1 T4X¥ I1•con¢W￿￿{ffi Lrffvn TO1￿ Ic￿ld 19.756 TIX￿ fvn•• wrt•d lty¥¢ 43 UR8AN SYTr4ERGY A8 at 31 Aiwsl 2020 2DI11 Cash •1 bAnk 6.324 10 146.312 12.0591 Trtunth olth•chvl Tc4d lund• Urban Synergy- Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

Our future

2019 to 2020 has been a busy year. We have had many challenges, especially with the Covid 19 pandemic and George Floyd’s death, but despite these challenges we have had many successes and also identified new online programmes to support our young people, parents and the local community, extending our reach UK wide.

Urban Synergy continues to be successful and intends to expand its model, working in partnership with more corporate companies, gaining more role models, reaching more young people and delivering more positive outcomes.

Within the next three years we plan to:

• Increase our income to grow our charity

• Expand our resources and team

• Expand our online Programmes:

• e-Seminars to neighbouring boroughs

• e-Mentoring to neighbouring boroughs

• Expand our mentee activities to include additional online workshops

• Improve volunteer management and communications

• Streamline our information management system

• Create a corporate advisory board with partners

• Stabilize, become sustainable and scalable

• Expand our programmes to other schools in other cities in the UK with similar socio economic challenges

• Create a Fundraising and PR Team – promote the raising of funds and awareness of our success and ongoing funding purposes

THANK YOU

Finally, we’d like to extend a huge thank you to you, our; Donors, Sponsors, Partners, Volunteers, Role Models and Mentors. We couldn't help so many young people without each and every one of you.

Urban Synergy - Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

Urban Synergy Board of Trustees

Leila Thomas – Managing Director

Charmaine Charles, Trevor Cole, Donovan Davidson, Dr. Courtenay Griffiths, Paul Lawrence, Eddie Nestor, Garry Green, Dr. Keith Davidson and Dr. Patrick Clarke O.B.E

Urban Synergy Team:

Leila Thomas, Dianne Johnson, Nigel Williams, Trevor Cole, Kate Williams, Jacquline Alcindor, Donovan Davidson and Charmaine Charles

Urban Synergy - Registered Charity No. 1138802 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending August 2020

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