On Thursday 25 July, 2024, Lewisham Mayor Brenda Dacres announced Urban Synergy as the borough’s Charity for the year 2024. This local award-winning youth empowerment charity has been selected to receive the Mayor’s support for their outstanding work in helping over 27,000 young people to unlock their full potential.
At the Full Council meeting on 17th July, Mayor Brenda Dacres shared the news of Urban Synergy’s selection as the Mayoral Charity for 2024. She praised the charity for their tireless efforts in ensuring that young people aged 9 to 24 have access to opportunities that they would otherwise not be able to. Through their programmes, Urban Synergy inspires, guides, and ignites the ambitions of young people.
“I have seen firsthand the difference their work makes to the lives of young people in Lewisham,” said Mayor Brenda Dacres. “They provide outstanding mentoring, school programmes, and work experience opportunities. They focus on early support to build confidence and connect young people with aspirational yet relatable role models, mentors, and industry-leading companies. I am pleased that through this partnership, we can continue to provide opportunities for young people in Lewisham.”
The Mayor also presented a cheque for £22,848 to the previous mayoral charity, Lewisham Foodbank, as a result of the generous donations from local people. This money was raised through various fundraising efforts, including donations at the Pantomimes held at the Broadway Theatre, Christmas Carols, and contributions from Lewisham Council staff who ran the TCS London Marathon.
Leila Thomas, CEO and founder of Urban Synergy, expressed her gratitude for being chosen as the official mayoral charity partner. “I truly appreciate your dedication to empowering young people,” she said. “Thank you for believing in the next generation. Your kindness and action today will give young people the opportunities that they deserve to make us proud. They are the future.”
Representatives from the previous mayoral charity, Lewisham Foodbank, also expressed their appreciation for being chosen as the Mayoral Charity for 2023. Sarah Vitty, Project Manager, stated, “We are grateful to have been Lewisham’s Mayoral Charity for 2023. We have been busier than ever, and our staff and volunteers have felt the increased demands on our foodbanks because of the cost-of-living crisis. We are so thankful to Lewisham Council for the money they have raised, which has served us well in our commitment to alleviating food poverty in the borough.”
For further information about the Mayor’s New Charity, please contact CivicEvents@lewisham.gov.uk.
Lewisham is a vibrant and culturally diverse borough, reflected in all aspects of daily life. The community has rallied to support the most vulnerable residents during the pandemic, and there are over 170 languages spoken in homes, schools, and businesses. As a Borough of Sanctuary, Lewisham is recognized for its work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.
As plans are made for the future, Lewisham Council is committed to creating a fairer, greener, healthier, and more economically sound borough for all. This means continuing efforts to tackle climate change and ensuring that good health and wellbeing are accessible to everyone. The council is also dedicated to safeguarding local jobs and providing residents with the tools they need to succeed. Building on the community spirit and activism that have helped the borough through the pandemic and cost of living crisis, Lewisham Council is determined to create a Future Lewisham that everyone can have a part in.
Founded in 2007, Urban Synergy is an award-winning youth empowerment charity that has helped over 27,000 young people to reach their potential. Their approach focuses on early support to build confidence and show young people what is possible. They connect young people with role models who are aspirational yet relatable, industry-leading companies, and mentors. Urban Synergy works collaboratively with valued partners to empower young people to write their own futures and create an equitable world. They tailor school programmes, mentoring, and work experience to enable young people to fulfill their ambitions. More information about Urban Synergy can be found on their website.
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