2. 2. New Staff
3. Introduction from chief
executive
4. North London Youth Jobs
Summit
5. Victor’s Story - In his own
words
6. Interview with Mandy
Neilson
7. Goodbye to Russ Patrick —
Director of Operations
8. A Spotlight on Stansted
Employment and Skills
Academy
10. Interested in becoming self
employed?
11. Haringey Jobs Fund
12. Trailblazers update
13. Hammersmith Office
Moving
14. Current Offers & Services
15. Innovation Fund
16. Connect with Urban
Futures
Urban Futures welcomes new staff
Natejpal Singh Bhogal - New starter Admin & support
Daryl Gaudin – Trainee Administrative Officer
Lester Hutchinson - Trainee Finance/Admin Officer
Lisa Turner – Employment Advisor
Toni Davison – Training Coordinator
Shahnaz Hamid – Trainee Receptionist
Joseph Andrews – Trainee Administrative officer
Derrick Omole – Trainee Administrative Officer
Shanice Vigilant – Trainee Receptionist
Keleigh Britton – Trainee Administrative Officer
Kamila Cubrevic – Trainee Receptionist
Chericea Tuitt – Trainee Administrative Officer
Robert Walpole - Trainee Administrative Officer
Elias Osman – Employment Advisor
Shukri Hashi – Employment Advisor
Jasmine Matthias – Employment Advisor
Foyz Unur Miah - Careers Advice Instructor
Mark Humphreys - Careers Advice Instructor
Adrian Reid (Heathrow) - Outreach/Recruitment Officer
Jason Payne—Youth Outreach & Support Worker

3. What a difference a few months make as we
move from a long and cold Winter period into
the Spring and Summer months. We say a
warm welcome to 2013 and let’s hope it’s all
change for our staff and customers alike and
the cold winds of recession and difficult
economic times that we have endured for so
long have sufficiently passed us by.
Welcome back to Urban Futures for those we
haven’t seen for a while and if you are new to
our services then I hope that we can provide
you with a quality service that meets your
needs and expectations and firmly sets you
on the road to economic prosperity and
sustainable employment. Our service
offerings today have never been greater and
we seek to continue to work on quality and
other specialist services meeting the diverse
demands of our multi-cultural and multi-
faceted customer base.
This is now our 3rd
edition of our Newsletter
aimed at both staff and customers alike. We
are striving to ensure that we use this
publication as a means for highlighting
exciting initiatives and services we deliver; to
ensure that we are showcasing excellent
service, staff teams and individuals; and are
providing a mechanism for all to contribute to
relevant issues for the company – I hope you
can contribute now and in the future so
please get in touch with the Marketing team
if you have an issue you would like to raise.
This
Newsletter
highlights an
increasing
role for the
company in
sponsoring
events such
as the Youth
Jobs Summit
hosted by the
North
London Strategic Alliance (NLSA) and featuring
David Miliband, MP and our own Tottenham
MP David Lammy. This was a hugely successful
event held in the heart of Tottenham and we
are rightly proud to be showcasing events of
this calibre and highlighting the scandal that is
youth unemployment in an economy as vibrant
as the UK’s, particularly here in London.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom and we
have successfully supported thousands of
customers over the past year both in terms of
their skills progression and securing
employment. I hope you get a sense of this
from this Newsletter and you can celebrate our
successes with us as we continue to move on.
By the end of the calendar year we will have
supported over 10,000 people in 2013 either
through training, Information, Advice &
Guidance, or indeed by supporting them into
employment. If you are reading this publication,
then perhaps you yourself are one of our valued
customers.
Steve Delaney
Chief Executive

4. On Thursday 22 November 2012, a range of
local stakeholders met for the first North
London Youth Jobs Summit as convened by
the Association of Chief Executives of
Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO), the North
London Strategic Alliance (NLSA) and proudly
sponsored by Urban Futures.
Among the speakers present were Rt. Hon
David Miliband MP, Rt. Hon David Lammy
MP and representatives from the Greater
London Authority. There were also Leaders
from North London’s local authorities,
businesses and key figures from the
Community and Voluntary Sector.
The Summit was built on the work of
ACEVO’s Commission on Youth
Unemployment to address the key questions
in a region with some of the highest levels of
youth unemployment in the country.
The Summit was an enormous success and
aimed to establish a cross-sector
commitment to better prepare young people
for work, help young people in the transition
to work and consider the most effective way
to help the young unemployed to find work.
The event offered a platform to showcase
good practice in North London and debate
how to work together to offer innovative and
collaborative approaches.
A resounding highlight of the summit was
Victor Stephenson, a 22 year old apprentice
currently working at Urban Futures as a CSCS
Coordinator. Victor was asked by David
Miliband MP to detail his own experiences
and difficulties leading up to and eventually
finding employment and whether or not he
believed enough is being done to tackle youth
unemployment in London.

5. “Whilst at secondary school, I made some
wrong decisions resulting in me leaving with
no qualifications. I managed to get into
college but chose to drop out as education
was not for me, so I started working for a
small company based in Finsbury Park.
Sadly the company went bankrupt and I was
made redundant. I had no choice but to sign
on and for 8 months was left feeling hopeless.
During this time I was desperately seeking
employment, but my lack of qualifications
were a consistent barrier. In February of
2012, I was referred by the Job Centre to
Urban Futures through the Booster +
programme, where I was made aware of
Urban Futures’ Apprenticeship scheme. Since
that time I have developed new skills and
have successfully acquired Level 1
qualifications in English, Maths and I.T. I am
currently nearing completion of my Level 2
Business Administration Apprenticeship.
I am ever grateful to Urban Futures for giving
me the opportunity to start my career and
aiding in my professional development
despite my lack of experience and
qualifications.”
Pictured from Left to Right: Cllr Del Goddard,
Victor Stephenson, David Miliband MP

6. Q1. What is your job
title and role in the
company?
A1. My title is UF
Training Manager and
my role is to lead and
co-ordinate the
training across all
Urban Futures offices;
ensuring effective
performance, delivery
and evidencing of all
training.
Q2. How long have you worked at Urban Futures?
A2. I have worked at Urban Futures for 7 years.
Q3. How has your role changed in the company
over the years you’ve worked here?
A3. When I first came to Urban Futures my job title
was ‘Construction Web Administrator’ which also
involved supporting employed/unemployed
beneficiaries in gaining their CSCS qualification which
was a legal requirement that came into force in April
2007.
I have been fortunate enough to do different roles
and learn new skills since starting here.
Q4. How do you feel the company has evolved in
the years you’ve worked here?
A4. I have seen a dramatic change within the
company since I started working here in May 2006,
the biggest change has been the growth of Urban
Futures, all the new offices and the variety of
contracts that we now deliver.
Q5. How are your new apprentice team?
A5. The apprentices that work directly with me have
all nearly finished their apprenticeship and are all
doing well. I have seen a big change in their
confidence and the way they carry out their day to
day tasks.
Q6. Fill us in with your day to day tasks
 A6. To provide the day to day management of
the training and the delivery team; and work
collaboratively with all stakeholders to meet
the agreed key performance indicators.
 To work closely with the Business Managers
and training leads in all UF offices to ensure
that UF policies and procedures in relation to
training are followed robustly.
 To work closely with the Quality Manager to
develop the delivery models and ensure
performance reporting requirements (training
numbers) are met in a timely manner.
 To work across Urban Futures to ensure that
any new training offers and opportunities are
delivered in line with UF procedures.
Q7. How are the projects you’re involved in
currently doing?
A7. I currently deal with all of the compliance
processes and procedures for any training that is
undertaken, at present the recruitment process
has been a challenging issue but we now have
extra resources in place which will hopefully
increase the training numbers as we need to meet
our performance targets with Barnet and
Uxbridge Colleges.
Q8. What are the best things about working at
Urban Futures?
A8. The best things about working at Urban
Futures over the years has been the variety of
work that I have been able to undertake, also the
opportunity to progress within the Company and
work my way up to a Managerial position which
has expanded my knowledge and skills.
Q9. If you won £10,000,000, what would you buy
first?
A9. If I won 10,000,000 I would most probably
invest in property and make sure my immediate
family were financially secure. I would also donate
money to two charities that are very close to my
heart which are Breast Cancer Research and St
Francis Hospice in Havering.
For more Information please contact
mandy.neilson@urbanfutures.org.uk

7. Russ Patrick, Director of Operations for
Urban Futures will be leaving the company
at the end of March 2013. Russ will be
leaving to take up a two year placement
with the Voluntary Service Overseas. He has
been instrumental in the development of
the organisation for the past six years and
has significantly contributed to what the
organisation is now. Through Russ’
developmental work, Urban Futures won
our first large training contract with
Uxbridge College and he was also solely
responsible for the introduction of our
welfare to work programmes. We shall
sorely miss his input and contributions to
our on-going development but he leaves his
successor a very solid and positive platform
to build on.
As part of the process for the placement, Russ
had a fundraising target to meet. The first of
these was a 10km run at Crystal. Please donate
via www.justgiving.com/Russ-Patrick
We wish Russ every success for the future.
I have really enjoyed my time
at Urban Futures especially
working with colleagues
within the company and with external
partners. I will look back on my time
here very positively. This is a major
step for me that I am looking forward
to and nervous about at the same
time! Hope to hear news as to how
well the company is doing while I face
new challenges

9. Urban Futures delivers the
pre-vocational and
recruitment service for
Stansted at the Stansted
Employment & Skills
Academy. In 2012, Stansted
Airport donated £50,000 to
the Academy. The funding
helped to build on the
existing work of the
Academy and develop a
wider range of services and
outreach activities.
The Academy works with
over 200 employers in retail,
catering, engineering,
administration and cleaning
including such brands as
American Apparel, All
Saints, Dixons and JD Sports.
Since 2012, the Academy
has helped fill 520 vacancies
across the airport and over
From left to Right: Joe, Laura, Anita
160 people have completed
training. The free vocational
training programme is for
people 19+ who are not in
employment, education or
training. It covers a range of
subjects including retail,
customer service and sales
and involves modules on
preparing for employment,
working as part of a team, CV
writing and interview
techniques. Once complete
the Academy team help
students apply for the
various roles across the
airport.
The Academy hosted three
jobs fairs in 2012. The fairs
enable jobs seekers to meet
with potential employers
face to face, obtain careers,
advice and receive guidance
about the application
process for jobs at the
airport.
The Urban Futures team at
Stansted currently consists
of Anita Garrard (Manager
of Stansted Academy); Laura
Hubbard (Deputy Manager)
and Joe Edmunds
(Employment Advisor).
“The airport will see big
expansion over the next
couple of years. The
Preparation for Employment
and Aviation courses are
one of a kind in the area, so
it’s a great opportunity for
people wishing to embark
on a career within the
airport industry.“ - Anita
Garrard, manager of
Stansted Employment and
Skills Academy.
Stansted is an important
local employer and the
Airport’s Employment
and Training Academy is
doing a tremendous job
helping to get people the
skills they need to find
work. — Priti Patel,
Witham MP
For more Information please contact
anita.garrard@urbanfutures.org.uk

10. Urban Futures provide dedicated business
support functions to help customers, both
employed and unemployed start up their own
businesses.
We offer: 1-2-1 business advice and training on
how to start and develop a business. We also
offer a free monthly business planning
workshop funded by Barclays Bank.
For our unemployed customers, all of the above
is finance through our New Enterprise
Allowance (NEA) programme – a comprehensive
and all-encompassing business support process
from business idea through to business planning
and start up stage.
Urban Futures employment advisors across all
offices will also refer clients on the work
programme to Michael if they are interested in
self-employment. Urban Futures has taken 67
successful clients to self-employment since
2011.
For more Information please contact
Michael.locke@urbanfutures.org.uk
Interview with Michael Morrison - Owner of
Sphynx Vehicle Repairs
Q1. What is your company name and what
service/s do you provide?
A1. The company name is ‘Sphynx’ and we provide
vehicle repairs, maintenance and recovery.
Q2. What did you do before you became self-
employed?
A2. I was unemployed for a long time but prior to
that I was a technician for a construction company.
Q3. What made you decide to become self-
employed?
A3. Mainly a lack of choice. I was unemployed for
so long and couldn’t find a job that covered the
bills.
Q4. How has the self-employment advice
enhanced your company?
A4. It gave me the confidence and structure to go
ahead. I’ve wanted to do this for 2 years and I
couldn’t get help anywhere else so Michael Locke
gave me the help I needed.
Q5. Where do you see your company in five
years?
A5. In the next year, I’d like to move to larger
premises to take on more work. In 5 years, I’d like
to be well known brand.

11. Haringey Jobs Fund (HJF) is a new £3.6
million government employment programme
to get young people into employment.
Urban Futures recently recruited through the
scheme 7 new staff in our main office and 3
new staff in our Enfield branch. Each new
employee works for 25 hours a week. Job
roles range from administration, finance and
reception.
Pictured above: staff hired through the HJF
scheme at our main office. From left to right
Chericea Tuitt (Trainee Administrative
Officer), Keleigh Britton (Trainee
Administrative Officer / Receptionist), Kamila
Cubrevic – (Trainee Receptionist), Shahnaz
Hamid (Trainee Receptionist), Derrick Omole
(Trainee Administrative Officer), Robert
Walpole (Trainee Administrative Officer),
Joseph Andrews (Trainee Administrative
Officer).
At our Enfield branch (not pictured): Daryl
Gaudin (Trainee Administrative Officer),
Lester Hutchinson (Trainee Finance /
Administrative Officer), Shanice Vigilant
(Trainee Receptionist).
High and increasing unemployment is
one of the greatest challenges facing
Haringey. Following the riots in the summer of
2011, it is more important
than ever that we do all we
can to maximise opportunities
for local people.
Claire Kober MP - Leader,
Haringey Council

12. For more Information please contact
paul.dempsey@urbanfutures.org.uk
Trailblazers is day one support for
unemployed 18 to 24 year olds (Enfield &
Haringey). A new ‘pilot’ programme
operated in selected north London
boroughs and managed by Maximus UK Ltd.
Urban Futures delivers the service under
contract to Maximus in Enfield and
Haringey and will work with up to 1,500
people over a 1 year timeline securing 3
month work placements (voluntary /
community placements only) within 48
hours of referral and delivering intense job
search facilities and support to enable
young people to get a foot onto the
employment ladder.
Customers will be directly referred from
Jobcentre Plus and Maximus to the
programme. Urban Futures has so far
inducted 441 people into placements and 275
have started placements.
Success Story - Obsessions Salon
“Just a quick note to say thank you
very much for letting us have a person
doing work experience for a nice
period of 13 weeks. This has really
been beneficial for us as a small
company...”
Raul Mancera

13. From Monday 11th February our Hammersmith Office has moved to:
Threshold House, 3rd Floor, Suite 30—306 , 65—69 Shepherd’s Bush Green,
London W12 8TX
Also we recently opened our Enfield
office in November:
Enfield Business Centre
201 Herford Road
Enfield, Middlesex
EN3 5JH

15. Urban Futures is offering another exciting
venture with Prevista called the Innovation
Fund. This contract is focused on working
with school children from year 9 upwards to
ensure that they continue to maintain their
educational pathway and excel, where
possible at school.
Focused primarily on young people at risk of
becoming NEET (not in Employment,
Education or Training) and or at risk of being
excluded from mainstream education, the
programme will offer innovative ways of
supporting them to re-engage in
mainstream schooling, and reconnect with
basic learning techniques preventing them
from becoming a NEET statistic. The
programme will tackle the latter years of
childhood (14 – 16 years) ensuring that
these final years at school are as fulfilling
and engaging as possible and offer a gateway
to progress further education or career
pathway as they enter the post 16 years.
Schools will be able to engage with Urban
Futures in the programme and a young
people’s mentoring scheme will be devised to
reconnect them with the school life and
curriculum.
Supported in the delivery of the contract by
HEBP, the contract will operate in the London
borough of Haringey.
For more Information please contact
granville.barrand@urbanfutures.org.uk
Contact:
aaron.sands@urbanfutures.org.uk
or
robert.prague@urbanfutures.org.uk
Alternatively, you can contact by telephone on
020 8352 5900 or via the website and other
electronic connections detailed.
 Urban Futures working with Outward
 An Interview with Anita Garrard
 An Interview with the new Director of
Operations
 Spotlight on our Enfield Office
 Information about forthcoming events
 Meet the Urban Futures Board Members
 Meet an Urban Futures Customer
Here at Urban Futures we welcome input and
ideas from all staff and customers. If you have
any ideas for articles of interest or new design
formats then please forward these to the
marketing department.
What to expect from our next edition
Newsletter coming soon…

16. www.urbanfutures.org.uk
www.urbanfuturesjobs.org.uk
www.facebook.com/urbanfutures
www.twitter.com/urbanfuturesuk
Email: info@urbanfutures.org.uk
Urban Futures, Unit A012, The Chocolate Factory,
Clarendon Road, Wood Green, London, N22 6XJ
Urban Futures is a company registered in England & Wales.
Company registration number: 04131420.