Lewisham’s Urban Synergy, the chosen charity of the Mayor for 2024/25, has emerged as the winner of the London New Year’s Day Parade (LNYDP), bringing home the first victory for the borough since 1998. Despite the relentless rain, Lewisham’s float, titled “A Brighter Tomorrow: Powered by Youth and Innovation”, impressed judges and spectators with its showcase of the creativity, talent, and community spirit of the borough’s young people.
The highly anticipated parade, watched by millions around the world, saw Urban Synergy’s dynamic float designed by local and independent artists from Goldsmiths University, and brought to life by Mahogany Carnival Arts, Lewisham Youth Theatre, and other community groups. The parade lorry was generously provided by SQS.
The win comes with a significant prize, which will go towards supporting Urban Synergy’s mission to help 50,000 young people by 2027 through mentorship, skills development, and work experience programmes.
Leila Thomas, CEO & Founder of Urban Synergy, expressed her excitement, stating, “Winning this prestigious prize is an incredible way to kick off the year. Despite the pouring rain, our young people, artists, and community partners showed their resilience and determination. This win is not just for Urban Synergy, but for Lewisham and young people in urban areas as a whole. We’re excited to use this prize to create more opportunities for people aged 9-24 years of age to reach their full potential.”
The Mayor of Lewisham, Brenda Dacres, also shared her joy, saying, “This win is a triumph for Lewisham! It’s a reflection of our borough’s creativity, resilience, and community spirit. Urban Synergy has done us proud, and I’m thrilled that this prize will help them continue their vital work with our young people.”
CEO of Lewisham Youth Theatre, Victoria Shaskan, praised the young performers who led the parade, describing them as “bursts of sunshine on a wet day” and sharing their excitement at interacting with the audience and bringing joy to the spectators.
The Urban Synergy float showcased a vision of a brighter future powered by youth, featuring a bold design and energetic performances that highlighted innovation and ambition. The parade’s organisers praised the float for its energy and creativity, standing out even in challenging weather conditions.
The float was a collaboration between local groups and featured young people and multi-generational performers from across the borough, including mentees and mentors from Urban Synergy, Lewisham Young Mayor’s team, and Lewisham Youth Theatre. The colourful float, designed by Goldsmiths University and independent artists Morgan Tucker, Yumeng Kuai, Alma Tischlerwood, and Saskia Olde Wolbers, also featured the logo of Lewisham council and a molecule man made from recycled local elements, representing the uniqueness and interconnectedness of the borough’s diverse population.
Together, the float and its performers created an immersive experience that merged traditional parade excitement with a forward-looking twist. The organisers also thanked the drivers and sound technicians who helped bring the float to life.
Urban Synergy is a mentoring charity that has supported over 33,000 young people from underrepresented communities, equipping them with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to achieve their full potential. For further information, visit www.urbansynergy.com.
Lewisham Council is committed to creating a fairer, greener, healthier, and more economically sound future for all in Lewisham. This means continuing efforts to tackle climate change, ensuring equal access to health and wellbeing, and creating opportunities for employment and upskilling. The borough, known for its vibrant and culturally diverse community, is proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary for its work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.
The win at the LNYDP is a testament to the community spirit and activism in Lewisham, and a great start to the new year for the borough’s young people.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.