In this episode, we hear from Mert, Research and Engagement Lead at Urban Symbiotics. Mert’s story is one of resilience, perseverance, and finding purpose through community.

Growing up in a council estate in Walthamstow to immigrant parents, Mert faced challenges from an early age, from overcrowded housing to being homeless at 16 after coming out as gay. Despite these struggles, he juggled multiple jobs, leaned on the support of friends, and secured a bursary that opened the doors to higher education.

His passion for giving back and improving communities eventually led him to Urban Symbiotics, where his final year project caught the company’s attention and landed him his role. Now, he works to bridge the gap between local communities and urban planning, bringing a fresh perspective rooted in lived experience.

Mert reflects on:

- Navigating working-class identity and social mobility

- Overcoming family struggles and homelessness

- How education and opportunity shaped his path

- The pros and cons of living in London

- Why he defines working class as perseverance and community

Mert’s journey shows how determination and community can open doors, even in the face of systemic barriers.

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