DID YOU KNOW? Urban Futures are Specialists in employability support, skills training & SME services
About Urban Futures Urban Futures Venues, Training Facilities & Key Contacts Vision Statement Chair’s Statement Chief Executive Statement Our Brands Urban Futures Service Offers DWP Work Programme Haringey Education Business Partnership Youth Services Department Urban Futures 10th Anniversary North London Arts Temporary Gallery Statement of Financial Activities Contact Urban Futures
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Urban Futures is a ‘not for profit’ regeneration agency with a team of experts dedicated to providing integrated management and delivery of regeneration and welfare to work programmes and contracts. Through delivering solutions for complex regeneration issues, Urban Futures aims to increase social and economic wealth in some of the most disadvantaged areas of London.
In the 2011/ 12 financial year, Urban Futures managed major regeneration programmes and projects on behalf of the London Development Agency (LDA), Skills Funding Agency (SFA), the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and a number of Local Authorities and other public, private and voluntary agencies.
We particularly specialise in employment, skills work, business support and development but continue to expand our services where opportunities present themselves, such as Apprenticeships for young people. We take a brand approach to our service offers and operate under the following: Business Futures; Construction Web; Employ; Heathrow Academy 2012; Stansted Employment & Skills Academy; Urban Futures Consultancy
Subsequently, we have included: North London Arts Partnership and the Haringey Education Business Partnership
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Urban Futures Head Office Unit A012, The Chocolate Factory Clarendon Road, Wood Green London, N22 6XJ, 0208 352 5900 Lanmor House 370 - 386 High Road Wembley, Middlesex HA9 6AX 0208 795 1537
Stansted Employment & Skills Academy Room B045, Enterprise House Bassingbourn Road Stansted, Essex, CM24 1QW 01279 661 007
1st Floor Regus Offices Highbridge Estate Oxford Road Uxbridge 01895 876 499
Britannia House 1-11 Glenthorne Road London, W6 0LH 0208 748 6539
Facilities
Heathrow Academy Newall Road, Hayes, TW6 2RQ 0208 759 5978
Steve Delaney
Chief Executive
020 8352 5923
steve.delaney@urbanfutures.org.uk
Garba Sani
Director of Finance, Human Resources & Central Services
020 8888 9539
garba.sani@urbanfutures.org.uk
Russ Patrick
Operations Director
020 8352 5908
russ.patrick@urbanfutures.org.uk
Liz Davies
Operations Manager (Employment 020 8352 5900 & Skills)
liz.davies@urbanfutures.org.uk
Anita Garrard
Stansted Academy Employment & 012 79 661124 Skills Manager
anita.garrard@urbanfutures.org.uk
Dean Heath
Acting Operations Manager
dean.heath@urbanfutures.org.uk
020 8888 9539
Parma House Clarendon Road, Wood Green, London, N22 6XJ, 0208 888 9539
Fully air conditioned training rooms – DDA compliant Fixed PC points – internet enabled Interactive Smart Boards Fully qualified Tutors / Trainers TVs/DVDs/OHP
Accreditations Certified certification OCR Basic Skills Levels 1 and 2 EDI – VRQ / NVQ Level 1&2 CSCS
Service accreditations Customer First UK Matrix Eco Step Investors In People
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DID YOU KNOW? Urban Futures have supported over 5,000 customers into sustainable careers Vision Statement:
Mission:
To support and bring added value to public agency (and others) strategic economic and social interventions and strategies particularly in relation to employment creation and employment support, and to increase prosperity and positive change for the people of London with a particular focus on North & East London.
To develop, promote, deliver and broker services on behalf of the London community (with a particular focus/ emphasis on North & East London) to raise the achievement and quality of life of residents and further the achievement of economic, environmental and social development particularly in relation to employment creation and employment support.
Objectives: 1. Equipping local people for a 21st century economy by contributing to a 21st century workforce able to play a full part in, and receive maximum benefit from, economic growth & regeneration . 2. Business Development: improving the long term competitiveness and sustainability of London and beyond (with a focus/ emphasis on North & East London) through the growth of businesses, new and old.
3. The Environment: to contribute to a physically, economically and socially vibrant and sustainable economy. 4. As a Company, to maintain and develop a reputation as an urban regeneration agency at the cutting edge of sustainable regener-
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The 2011 - 2012 financial year was the company’s first full year of delivering performance related contracts across the board and perhaps not surprisingly it was a difficult financial year. The company has had to adjust to payment structures which don’t pay out until at least 6 months after the activity has taken place and even then we only get paid if our customers sustain in work for a further eighteen months - not an ideal business plan structure particularly for small and medium sized company’s such as ourselves with limited resources. However, we have adapted, survived and are now moving significantly forward. Our portfolio of employment and skills work is continuing to increase and our workforce continues to change to meet the requirements of our customers and the marketplace. Whilst it has been hard going, we are now able to plan on a solid basis of likely performance targets and income having had the past year s performance as a benchmark for the future. We now deliver a greater variety of services and Skills Funding Agency (SFA) training now contributes up to 40% of our turnover whilst significantly supporting our welfare to work customers as they seek to get back into sustainable careers. Our Work Programme delivery, now across 4 sites in north and west London, is performing well considering the recession that the country is going through and will continue to grow in the future. And we are now delivering new welfare to work programmes such as the Jobcentre Plus Flexible Support Fund in the north London area and have recently agreed a new contract to deliver the Day One Work Placement Programme for Maximus as a Prime contractor to the DWP.
DID YOU KNOW? We have managed over
50 high profile partnership consortiums
In September 2011 we held a 10 year celebration event attended by senior local politicians, partner agencies, former recipients of our services and Urban Futures staff. At this event we laid out priorities for the forthcoming decade and focusing on young people. I am delighted to say that we have made good on this promise and have now created a new Young Peoples Services department which has already secured contract work through the Youth Contract, NEET contracts, and other complimentary Young Peoples contracts. We fully expect this department to grow significantly over the forthcoming decade ensuring that Urban Futures continues to meet its obligations contained within our terms as a ‘not for profit’ social enterprise, namely supporting disadvantaged individuals, and communities. Dave Wyatt, Chair. 6
It continues to be all change here at Urban Futures as we seek to continually adapt to the performance related market place that is now the employment and skills sector. The past year has been extremely difficult for the company in terms of income generation and investment but we are now well on the road to recovery. We now operate form 8 sites across London and including Stansted airport in the heart of Essex and we are now a major deliverer of Training Services, Welfare to Work Programmes, Youth Services, European Social Fund (ESF) Employability Programmes, whilst continuing to operate a small business support function. From November 2012 we also opened our first Enfield office in the Enfield Business Centre fulfilling a long term ambition that we operate from all boroughs in the Upper Lea Valley (ULV), our heartland area in London. The company now has over 80 staff spread across all our sites and this is set to continue. We continue to recruit industry leading Employment Advisors to support our customers into work and are now specialising in adult recruitment, young people recruitment, and specialist areas such as Learning Difficulties and Disabilities. Indeed we will soon be delivering a new programme solely focused on these vulnerable people particularly young people and we are set to rapidly expand our services for young people in general. Apprenticeships, NEET employability programmes, Youth Contract, and services for vulnerable people will now form the bedrock of our delivery as we move forward.
DID YOU KNOW? We have
commissioned and delivered over
50,000 training weeks
However, we will also expand our services in the general mainstream welfare to work sector fully complimented by our significant training services and all of this is realisable from the work we conducted in 2011 - 12 as we laid the foundations for moving forward. We fully established our Work Programme teams and implemented our Booster Plus programme successfully and we are now realising the income from these programmes. Continued successes will ensure that these programmes earn us additional income for a number of years. And we are also one of the delivery partners for the new DWP/ JCP Day One Work Placement Programme in north London. Whilst this is a potentially contentious programme, with young people expected to be on work placement with no remuneration, the programme is a ’pilot’ and it is essential that Urban Futures remains in the vanguard of new initiatives in the sector. Steve Delaney, Chief Executive.
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Operating under a brand approach, Urban Futures can offer services directly to funders and clients. Our brands deliver integrated management approaches with client facing services and wider partner organisation’s service delivery. Through the different brands, teams can focus on specific projects and continue to concentrate on quality. Providing tailored business support to SMEs including workshops on Business Planning, Setting Up in Business, Marketing and Accessing Finance. Offering SMEs Environmental Improvement support, Environmental focused workshops and one-to-one advice.
Delivering Apprenticeships, Pre-vocational and vocational training, Basic Skills Qualifications, job search, job brokerage, CV advice, support to new employers.
Delivering CSCS training and testing, pre-vocational construction courses, support for local Labour and training schemes (including Section 106 Agreements) and support for construction SMEs.
Delivering Pre-vocational and vocational training, Basic Skills Qualifications, job search, job brokerage, walk in service, CV advice and support to new employers. Delivering Pre-vocational and vocational training, Basic Skills Qualifications, job search, job brokerage, walk in service, CV advice and support to new employers. A cross sector network aiming to support and drive the creative arts sector in North London. Core activities include re-establishing working relationships.
Community Development, Planning & Consultation Programme & Project management Outreach & Recruitment Information, Advice & Guidance (IAG) Finance, monitoring & appraisals Basic Skills Testing CSCS mocks & Testing Non Accredited Training (First Aid, Health & Safety at Work) Accredited Training (VRQ Levels 1 &2/ NVQ Levels 1, 2, & 3) Welcome to Excellence / Welcome Host Welcome International Mentoring Employer Engagement Business Development & Support Facilities Management Schools Visits (Stansted Airport) DID YOU Training Room Hire KNOW? Skills for Life (SfL) Urban Futures Apprenticeships constantly updates DWP Work Programme its products & Retail Skills Academy Partnership building services Day One Work Placement Youth Contract/ NEET Programmes 8
Case Study: Kojo Maduako Job title: Urban Futures has been successful in securing a number of Work Programme contracts with Primes to deliver Tier 1 ‘end to end’ service provisions in the West London contract area.
Warehouse delivery assistant What was the main obstacle challenge you faced in finding employment? I was out of work for over 4 years
The Work Programme provides tailored support for claimants who need more help to undertake active and effective job-seeking. Participants receive support to overcome barriers that prevent them from finding and staying in work.
What did you find as a result of working with Urban Futures? They helped me improve my CV They supported me in practiced interviewing skills They found me a job
Delivery has been secured in the London boroughs of; Haringey, Hillingdon, Brent, and Hammersmith & Fulham. Urban Futures is the only Tier 1 organisation (end to end provider) to hold contracts with all 3 Primes in the West London contract area (Ingeus, Maximus and Reed in Partnership).
What Specific features did you like most about the service and consultations received? I enjoyed the practical workshops on improving my skills at interview and making sure DID YOU my CV was up to date.
Urban Futures commenced delivery of the Work Programme on 1st June 2011. Working with these new Prime contractors will provide a solid basis for further growth and innovation in the future.
What benefits did you receive from using the services provided by Urban Futures? To not be nervous at interviews Dress smart Act confidently
Programme Starts
Information, Advice & Guidance 4,500
Job Starts
1,500 (to end March 2012)
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KNOW?
Urban Futures have had nearly 2,500 Clients for the Work Programme alone (Dec 2012)
Would you come to Urban Futures again? Yes, they supported me through my period of unemployment. 9
Case Study: Victor StephensonHenshaw
A flagship Urban Futures Young People’s Services initiatives and promoted extensively by central government, Apprenticeships offer young people a structured pathway into the world of work through supported training, on-site mentoring, vocational qualifications and a career start pathway. Urban Futures Young People’s Services offer a range of apprenticeship opportunities accredited through EDI and delivered as part of a sub contract with Ixion Holdings and Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College. In 2011/ 12 Urban Futures delivered a total of 25 Apprenticeships both in house and with external providers in:
Retail Business & Admin Customer Service
In 2012/13 Urban Futures will add Health & Social Care to its sector coverage.
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, and 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. Victor recently represented Urban Futures at the North London Youth Employment Summit (Nov 2012). Pictured, Cllr Del Goddard LB Enfield Victor Stephenson-Henshaw Right Hon. David Miliband MP.
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DID YOU KNOW? UF are working with 4,000 highly disengaged 16-25 year olds a year
Young People’s Services is a new department within Urban Futures and encompasses working with a separate company called the Haringey Education Business Partnership (HEBP). This department draws together a number of different services aimed at young people aged 14 – 24 and straddles school children, youths and young adults. By definition, therefore, there are varying services specific to age groups within the department and Urban Futures recognises that each age group is unique and requires support services bespoke to their requirements.
In the 2011—12 financial year, however, Urban Futures service delivery was limited to 3 programmes that had only started late in the year. These were Apprenticeships within Urban Futures itself, our CfBT (contractor) NEET programme, and our Reed in Partnership NEET programmes. All of these programmes were focused on young people with little or no qualifications and aged between 16 to 19 years and delivery was limited in scope and numbers:
Apprenticeships NEETS recruited NEETS into volunteering NEETs into EET
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Delivery in the 2012 - 13 is set to increase fourfold across the whole range of UF youth services.
DID YOU KNOW? Urban Futures has 6 programmes for NEETS (end Dec 2012) 11
A programme of support and training tailored around your needs to get you the job you are looking for. “Booster+” is a bespoke programme aimed at giving individuals aged 18 to 24 who are unemployed the right type and level of support to get them into work and support them for the first three months of employment. Total Numbers Of Starts To Date 284 Case Study—Luke Neal “Whilst at secondary school , I never seemed to focus during lessons and got distracted easily however i did seem to get a couple GCSE mainly in the ICT sector, after secondary school I went to college for a year to study a level 2 qualification which I never enjoyed despite that I passed my units so I decided to leave. I was unemployed for 6 months I tried everything to find a job but wasn’t finding anything, Eventually my JCP Advisor referred me to the booster + programmes which I attended. During my time at Urban Futures I learnt that Urban Futures offer apprenticeships. I’ve always wanted to do an apprenticeship so i applied. The following week attended a customer service role interview, and received a phone call saying I’ve been accepted and from then on i was doing reception work , throughout my time at Urban Futures I’ve achieved a level 1 in both English and maths (functional Skills). Recently I’ve changed roles to an Administrator. However I’ve nearly completed my customer service level 2 qualification. Ever since my first day I’ve enjoyed working and will be forever grateful to Urban Futures for providing me with this great career chance and therefore hopefully kick-start my working career.
New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) is one of the ‘Get Britain Working’ measures and is aimed at helping eligible claimants to start their own business or enter self employment. NEA aims to help eligible claimants move into self employment or start their own business by matching them with a volunteer business mentor who will help them to produce a business plan.
DID YOU KNOW? We have guided over 150 start ups a year, helping local residents to turn ideas into viable businesses
Urban Futures has been delivering NEA since December 2011 and a massive 38 new businesses have been set up.
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The Urban Futures Recruitment Team at the Retail Academy support the retail business who face severe challenges in recruiting and retaining people with the right skills. In retail we draw 80% of staff from five neighbouring boroughs and found that many areas close to Heathrow have low skills levels, relatively high levels of unemployment and low economic activity. Our Pre-employment training programme ensures that Heathrow retailers have access to pre screened work ready applicants and our team and its services are well recognised amongst the Heathrow retail community and key associates, such as Skills Funding Agency (SFA), awarding bodies EDI, local councils and other government agencies. This service is free of charge and can support retailers with recruitment needs - from entry to supervisor level. With funding through the Skills Funding Agency and part funded by the European Social Fund we can support employers by offering learning and development opportunities for staff.
From April 2011 to March 2012
334 candidates have undergone Pre- Employment training.
290 into work
207 were in sustained employment.
Stansted Employment & Skills Academy works in partnership with London Stansted Airport Ltd (STAL) to provide a one stop shop for recruitment at the airport; working with over 120 employers based at the UK’s 4th busiest airport and the largest single site employer in the East of England. The Academy provides a free service to the employers and advertises all employment opportunities via its website www.stanstedairportacademy.com; it also provides a walk-in service where customers can view vacancies on the office notice boards and be put forward for the vacancies. The Academy also provides a link with education and careers events; hosting visits to the airport for schools and colleges and attending careers events across Essex and Hertfordshire. STAL provides funding for the academy to provide these services and works closely to ensure that we In 2011/ 12 Stansted Academy delivered: Preparation for Employment courses . Hosted 25 College visits to the airport Attended 10 careers events at various locations across Essex and
Hertfordshire. Over 4,000 people have walked through our doors to access jobs at Stansted Airport Over 50,000 hits on our Stansted Academy Website Filled over 400 jobs Hosted over 40 education visits for local and London schools
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In September 2011, the Haringey Education Business Partnership (HEBP) was integrated into the Urban Futures network and moved to the Wood Green HQ.
The political and economic context within which HEBP has developed over the year dramatically changed with the General Election held in May 2010. The work of HEBP has now been affected by both Government cost saving activities and a radical change in education policy direction for young people aged 14 -19. The recent Wolf Review recommended the removal of the statutory requirement for Work Related Learning at Key Stage 4; hence schools are now rethinking their strategy to provide all pre 16 students with work experience
HEBP was taken under a new Urban Futures management regime from September 2011 and the original Members and Board of Directors of HEBP were replaced in an agreement with Urban Futures as both retained similar characteristics and Aims & Objectives though Urban Futures offered a wider range of services. HEBP staff relocated and now share the office facilities with Urban Futures, though the company remains a separate viable and sustainable organisation. Significant can be realised in flexibly utilising operational bases, utilising staffing skills and numbers across organisations, and centrally sharing services wherever possible. Whilst HEBP will remain a stand-alone company, the operational activities of the company will increasingly be synchronised with the operations of Urban Futures (parent company) to provide a number of services complimentary to both organisations current delivery portfolios and ensuring that services can be delivered
The HEBP Haringey schools Work Experience programme continues with over 1,600 pre-16 students and 250 post 16 students placed in working environments Work Related Learning projects including Interview Skills, Enterprise activity, Careers and FE Fairs were delivered to over 1,000 learners HEBP will further develop and deliver specialist ‘buy back’ services for schools and or services for ‘at risk’ students HEBP will deliver Apprenticeships and mentoring services on behalf of Urban Futures in a sub contracting arrangement HEBP are working on a volunteering programme for NEET students HEBP are delivering ESF NEET work on behalf of a range of partners such as BEP Support development and delivery of UF Foundation Learning services
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The Youth Contract
Young People with Learning Difficulties and or Disabilities A small and specialist programme funded through the European Social Fund (ESF) and delivered in Haringey and Enfield only, this programme seeks to support a small cohort of young people aged 16 – 24 years who have a learning difficulty or disability into either, Further Education, sustained employment or employment with accredited training attached. This programme, in partnership with the Leonard Cheshire Disability charity as lead and accountable body, will recruit, support and engage young people with learning difficulties ensuring that they have had a comprehensive needs analysis and personalised action plan bespoke to their needs and requirements. Participants will then enter Further Education courses aimed at their agreed actions or employment opportunities both with and without accredited in work training. Potential participants can either self refer, or can be signposted by existing support agencies or indeed through local authority channels.
In response to the challenge of youth unemployment the Government announced a ÂŁ1billion Youth Contract to help young unemployed people get a job. The Youth Contract, which launched in April 2012, will provide nearly half-a-million new opportunities for 18-24 year olds, including apprenticeships and voluntary work experience placements.
Urban Futures will be working with a Prime provider Prevista, to deliver an element of the Youth Programme over eight London Boroughs; Enfield, Barnet, Haringey, Hillingdon, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, City; Islington. Urban Futures staff will act as a broker identifying pathways for young people aged 16-17 who have not have achieved any GCSE passes at grade C or above.
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 ever 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 reconnecting them with basic learning techniques preventing them from becoming NEET.
New Enfield Office Opening November 2012! (at the Enfield Business Centre)
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Urban Futures celebrated it's 10th Anniversary on the 28th September 2011 with a corporate event in Bruce Grove in the heart of Tottenham. The theme of the evening celebrated both past achievements and planned priorities for the future largely focusing on young people’s services.
Guest speakers included the Mayor of Enfield; Christiana During, Manager of HEBP; Derek Wheeler, Senior Commissioning Adviser at the Young People's Learning Agency; Ellen Quaye and Cabinet Member for Business and Regeneration - London Borough of Enfield; Councillor Del Goddard.
DID YOU KNOW? 200 people came to
A big thank you again to everyone who encouraged, supported and participated in Urban Futures successes.
celebrate Urban Futures 10th Anniversary
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After securing the perfect location; a derelict shop premise that had been vacant for over a year and an eyesore on Ponders End High Street, tireless work began to transform it into the first Ponders End temporary art gallery. In doing so the new gallery not only improved the appeal of the local area, but demonstrated the retail potential of a vacant shop unit.
Interest and support for the project was enormous, particularly from local residents and it quickly became clear that Ponders End has a huge artistic following. This ranged from local artists with incredible artwork who until this point had lacked a platform to display their talent to local residents who in turn simply enjoyed the art displayed and were thrilled to have a gallery in their local area. The gallery was welcomed with open arms by the local community with over 200 people viewing the displays. Its presence challenged people’s negative perception of Ponders End, provided local artists with a platform to create and display their work, made use of a vacant shop unit and restored it to a state in which it can be commercially utilised again. However, more importantly, it contributed to raising awareness and interest in the arts in North London.
DID YOU KNOW?
244 people visited the gallery from all over London
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DID YOU KNOW?
UF provided support to over 3,000 businesses This financial summary is taken from our full accounts on which the Auditors, Jeffreys Henry LLP, gave an unqualified report, and which were approved by the Directors on 17th December 2012. Full audited accounts are available at the Company’s registered office.
Total Urban Futures Income 2011/12
£2,709,251
Total Urban Futures Expenses 2011/12
£2,845,864
Total Deficit 2011/12
(£136,613)
Urban Futures Reserves (as at 31st March 2012) Total UF Staff (as at 31st March 2012)
£124,562
DID YOU KNOW? UF are working with 4,000 highly disengaged 16 - 25 year olds a year
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Urban Futures London Limited Unit A012 The Chocolate Factory DID YOU Clarendon Road KNOW? Wood Green Urban Futures has London three accredited training academies, N22 6XJ delivering over 1,000 qualifications
0208 352 5900
info@urbanfutures.org.uk
Urban Futures are more accessible than ever before…
Find us on TWITTER and FACEBOOK Or whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it on our new website www.urbanfutures.org.uk
Check out our latest vacancies at www.urbanfuturesjobs.org.uk
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