About Us

Urban Synergy is a charity founded in 2006 that has helped more than 27000 young people aged 9-24. Support starts with children aged 9. We find inspirational role models - people who look and sound like them - and invite them into their schools in urban areas.

These role models have overcome similar barriers to them, and they excite our young people about succeeding. They offer them a path to follow, and pass on the confidence to believe in themselves.

In Secondary schools, Youth & Basketball clubs we provide young people with mentors, hold online career seminars, and take them into companies to bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace.


Press releases

Urban Synergy is thrilled to announce the nominees for the 2024 Urban...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE London, November 2024 — Urban Synergy is thrilled to announce the nominees for the 2024 Urban Synergy UShine Awards... read more

12.11.2024 • By Urban Synergy

Recognise the heroes in your own community

As we mark Black History Month 2024 , Leila Thomas, CEO & Founder of Urban Synergy admits she is deeply moved by this year’s theme of reclaiming... read more

23.10.2024 • By Urban Synergy

Mentoring excellence praised by grassroots charity

A Message from our CEO & Founder, Leila Thomas How do you begin to say thank you to a company and the individuals inside of it - who live and... read more

30.09.2024 • By Urban Synergy

Work experience uncovered

To celebrate the record number of young people doing work experience at its corporate partner companies, CEO and Urban Synergy founder Leila... read more

09.09.2024 • By Urban Synergy

Charity’s new offering reveals the value of “knuckling down”

Award-winning youth empowerment and social mobility charity Urban Synergy believes that self-esteem grows when you see people like yourself... read more

15.08.2024 • By Urban Synergy

First class degree holder shares secrets of success

From Catford to Cambridge The CEO and Founder of the award-winning youth empowerment and social mobility charity, Leila Thomas,... read more

25.07.2024 • By Urban Synergy

London borough announces Urban Synergy as official Mayoral charity partner

Lewisham Mayor Brenda Dacres announces Urban Synergy as the borough's Charity for 2024 Local award-winning youth empowerment charity, Urban... read more

25.07.2024 • By Urban Synergy

“Underachiever” describes his path to success

Imagine teaching someone you know is bright but underachieving. Or being 14 years old and believing that you’ll never “amount to much”.... read more

20.06.2024 • By Urban Synergy

Top executives share their wisdom with young people

Sixth form students aged 16-17 years, from Christ the King Sixth Form in Lewisham and Sidcup, travelled from South London to The City of London... read more

10.06.2024 • By Urban Synergy

Don't miss the vote! Charity encourages civic participation

Urban Synergy is urging its young people to register for the chance to vote in July’s General Election before 18th June. The award-winning... read more

10.06.2024 • By Urban Synergy

No drama: Pupils and volunteers channel their inner Idris Elba and Adjoa...

Some 26 Urban Synergy volunteer role models got “into character" with 150 sixth form students aged 16 to 17 from Christ the King Aquinas Campus... read more

07.06.2024 • By Urban Synergy

Make golf more inclusive, says inner city charity

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The award-winning social mobility charity Urban Synergy has declared its support for golf as a sport for young people but... read more

14.05.2024 • By Urban Synergy

White paper reveals dilemma at the heart of many business “diversity...

New research by Urban Synergy shows pupils at schools with higher than average levels of free school meal recipients aspire to work in... read more

20.03.2024 • By Urban Synergy

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