Seventeen year old orphan, Jamie Harrison is a long-term resident at Alpha House, a shabby council run assessment centre in south west London. As the film opens, Jamie, along with best friend Leanne Dixon is involved in looting during the riots. An ambitious and driven new care worker, Kate Linton, recognizes Jamie has an overlooked singing voice and talent for songwriting. Leanne sees Kate’s presence as a threat, but before she can drive Kate away, Leanne is sent back to prison. Feeling vulnerable and lonely, Jamie breaks down. In a bid to help, Kate invites Jamie to join her community choir, and through their shared love of singing they start to bond. Set against the backdrop of the 2011 UK summer riots, Urban Hymn follows a toublesome young female offender who possesses a remarkable voice and a determined social worker, Kate who inspires her to become a singer.