Our annual UShine Awards & Fundraiser event took place on Tuesday 2nd December, bringing together teachers, mentors, partners, and young people to celebrate youth empowerment and those who go above and beyond to ensure that no one’s background holds them back.
Stories of achievement & impact
Hosted at WTW, the evening was truly special. Being in a room filled with inspiring young people and committed partners who believe in youth empowerment created an atmosphere of energy and positivity, with plenty of moments of laughter and celebration along the way.
The evening was not only a celebration of individual achievement, but also a moment to reflect on the collective progress made over the past year. CEO and Founder Leila Thomas spoke powerfully about the impact of Urban Synergy’s work, highlighting findings from the 2025 Alumni Survey. The data revealed that young people who took part in both mentoring and work experience through Urban Synergy are twice as likely to be in full-time employment.
Chair of the Urban Synergy Board, David Craig, shared his gratitude with the audience, emphasising the importance and impact of Urban Synergy’s work. He encouraged guests to take part in The Big Give campaign, which launched that evening and offered match funding opportunities through partner funders.
Urban Synergy’s Youth Council Chair then delivered a warm and inspiring message, sharing her personal journey and reflecting on the difference Urban Synergy has made in her life. She spoke passionately about her vision for the role, highlighting the importance of young people’s voices in shaping the organisation’s future. She then invited her fellow alumni to stand and be recognised by the room, receiving a warm and enthusiastic response from the audience.
This year’s award winners
The hosts for the evening, Darae Palmer and Eddie Nestor, kept the atmosphere lively and uplifting, while also creating poignant moments that captured the true essence of the night. Troy the Magician amazed the audience with his remarkable feats of illusion, adding a touch of wonder to the celebrations. Meanwhile, Kris Griffiths, a WTW apprentice, gave an in-depth interview, sharing his personal journey and experiences in the workplace reflecting on the impact of social mobility and the opportunities Urban Synergy provides also via the DreamBig programme, a joint initiative with WTW and Urban Synergy .
The award ceremony was the highlight of the evening, with each winner receiving a special award in recognition of their outstanding achievements.
Congratulations to all of our well-deserved winners and nominees!
- Emmanuel Agyemang from Christ the King Sixth Form College received the Teacher Advocacy Award
- Star Mentee Award went to Kessena Uwejeyah
- Outstanding Role Model was awarded to Nicole Onye of M&G Investments
- Mentor Award went to Ben Pessok of Protocol Education
- Work Experience Hero was awarded to Sarah Lavender from ITN
- Paul Lawrence Award was presented to Success Morrison of M&G Plc Urban Synergy Youth Council Chair and Alumni
Each of these remarkable individuals embodies the spirit of mentorship, youth empowerment, inspiration, and dedication that makes Urban Synergy’s work possible.
A huge thank you also goes to all of our judges, who had the difficult task of selecting winners from an outstanding group of nominees. We are grateful to Paul Brooks, Senior Editor at Thomson Reuters; Matt York, Global Head at Bloomberg; Bryn Thomas, Vice President at Deutsche Bank; Nadine Dyer, Senior Manager at Deloitte; and Saye Mkangama, Partner at PwC, for lending their expertise and insight to the judging process.
The evening brought together so many incredible people, each connected to the charity in different ways and united by a shared belief in youth empowerment within their own spheres and communities. We are also immensely grateful to our sponsors; WTW, SQS, M&G, TheCityUK, and Moody’s, whose generous support helped make the night truly unforgettable.
Discover how Urban Synergy is creating opportunities and empowering the next generation. Join us whether as a mentor, partner, or supporter and help turn barriers into bridges for young people.