The Lighthouse

Refugee Education UK

Former high street bank transformed into an education centre for young refugees

In common with towns across the country, one of the most prominent buildings on Harlesden’s high street, a large four-storey bank, sat closed and vacant. Built in 1891 and standing opposite the town’s landmark Grade II-listed Jubilee Clock, the former bank is located in Harlesden Conservation Area and High Street Heritage Action Zone and was identified as a heritage asset in the Harlesden Neighbourhood Plan.

A local charity, Refugee Education UK, bought the building in 2020 with two key aims: to provide a permanent home and national headquarters for the charity and their work helping refugee and asylum- seeking children and young people access education; and to create a flexible space and community hub for local charities and social enterprises. The building needed significant redesign and renovation to deliver this vision, including conversion of the basement and attic, completed in late 2023. The renamed Lighthouse is now a beautiful light-filled space, providing a safe and welcoming place for young people, housing the charity, and hosting their partners.

In 2020, the AHF awarded Refugee Education UK a major Transformational Project Grant towards capital works and professional fees. The project has also been supported by a wide range of additional funders, including Brent Council, Historic England, the Constable Educational Trust, the Garfield Weston Foundation, and many individual donors. The Lighthouse officially opened its doors in June 2024.

www.reuk.org

AHF Funding

Transformational Project Grant - £305,574 (2020)