2024 Shortlisted Nominee
Lifetime Achiever Award
In 2006, Leila Thomas noticed that children in Lewisham, South London, could see the City and Canary Wharf from their bedroom windows but rarely had the chance to work there as adults. As a young mother advancing in fintech, she recognised the potential of corporate volunteering hours to benefit the community. This led to the founding of Urban Synergy, which pairs at-risk students with volunteer mentors from various professions.Urban Synergy trains these mentors and ensures their DBS checks. The impact on children includes thousands achieving graduations, high GCSE results, and securing placements at top universities. Leila personally monitors each young person's progress. The charity brings inspirational role models into urban schools, encouraging students with similar backgrounds to strive for success. Urban Synergy bridges education and career paths, empowered by Leila's lifelong commitment to youth empowerment and diversity advocacy.