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

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

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.

“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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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…

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.