Refugee Week 2025: Celebrating Karel Vogel with young refugees

This Refugee Week, we're celebrating the work of refugee artist Karel Vogel, and his ability to inspire today's young refugees.

Refugee Week is the world's largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees.

Last year, Heritage of London Trust restored Karel Vogel's Leaning Woman statue in Hammersmith. A beautiful piece of public art, Leaning Woman was commissioned by the London County Council in 1958. Artist Karel Vogel had arrived in Britain from Prague in 1938, escaping Nazism.

As part of the award-winning restoration, young refugees have taken part in Proud Places youth engagement projects, learning more about the artist, the sculpture and the importance of public art and the heritage of Hammersmith.

Of all the young people engaged in Proud Places projects, 15% are refugees.

Young refugees visit the Leaning Woman statue in Hammersmith as part of the Proud Places youth engagement programme

'I found it interesting that the sculptor came to London from Czechoslovakia because World War II started and it wasn’t safe. But now he’s become part of this history and culture,' said Lysander, age 18.

'I really liked visiting the Leaning Woman and learning about Karel Vogel. I found his story really inspiring,' added Assan, age 16.

As well as being inspired by the artwork and learning about the site's history, the students benefitted from engaging in related art projects, including working with clay and testing their skills at stonemasonry. Importantly, the workshops were accessible to everyone who took part, irrespective of language differences.

'People like us who come from other countries know the historical sites in our countries, but it's good to see what's here in the UK so we can learn about different traditions and civilizations,' said Vicky, age 18.

'This art is meaningful to me, because it was made by a refugee,' added Hasti, age 18.

The students from West London college enjoyed their visit to Karel Vogel's statue

This Refugee Week, we're thrilled that thanks to HOLT's restoration work and Proud Places, Karel Vogel's exquisite artwork can continue to inspire young refugees.

Restoration begins on historic Surrey Street drinking fountain

The London Stone Conservation team on site at the historic Surrey Street drinking fountain

Restoration work has begun on the historic Surrey Street drinking fountain in Croydon this week.

This historic Victorian fountain has been out of repair for many years, offering no fresh water for local residents and passers by. We have started work this week on a full restoration project: cleaning, poulticing, repairing joints and returning drinking water to the lion’s mouth, via a new push-button above.

The fountain was originally erected in 1896 and unveiled by the Mayor of Croydon, Frederick Thomas Edridge (1843-1921). Surrey Street is one of the oldest street markets in the UK dating from 1276. This drinking fountain on its junction with Croydon’s High Street was part of the Victorian redevelopment programme to widen the street. Heritage of London Trust’s focus on Surrey Street was one of the catalysts for a major Croydon Council redevelopment and investment programme in the market. The scheme aims to drive growth, reactivate empty shops and spaces so they can be used by culture, arts and community groups and create safer, greener public spaces.

We’re thrilled the historic Surrey Street drinking fountain can be part of this wider regeneration programme.

The project, supported by Croydon Council and the Jones Day Foundation, takes place through June 2025. Local young people will be involved in the restoration through our youth engagement programme, Proud Places.

Proud Places young ambassador speaks at the House of Lords

Dr Nicola Stacey, Ife Davies, John Phillips, Destine Pinzi, Sir Laurie Magnus and Zoe Craig

Destine chats to Nicola Stacey after completing her My Maiden Speech presentation

Destine shows off her My Maiden Speech certificate from the Speakers Trust.

Proud Places ambassador Destine Pinzi gave an inspiring speech about her work with Heritage of London Trust at the House of Lords last week.

‘Proud Places demonstrates the difference acts of support can make. It has helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect, such as speaking in a room in Parliament, and leading workshops.

Destine supported HOLT as a volunteer in 2023 and 2024 and was made a Proud Places ambassador in 2024.

‘One of the most powerful experiences I’ve had through the Proud Places programme was leading a workshop on The Leaning Woman in Hammersmith. I learned about its sculptor, Karel Vogel, a refugee who fled to the UK during World War II. He rebuilt his life here and found success through art. Like me, he knew what it felt like to be out of place, and his story showed me the strength in resilience and self-expression.

‘During the workshops, I saw young students come in shy and unsure, and leave with pride and confidence. They didn’t just learn about Vogel; they related to him. They created art, wrote poems, and uncovered stories about their own area they’d never known. Watching that transformation reminded me how powerful it is when people feel seen, supported, and proud of where they come from.

‘The Proud Places programme helped me connect with my community by sparking my interest in local events and the history behind where I live.’

Destine took part in the My Maiden Speech event, organised by the Speakers Trust, an opportunity for talented young people to represent different youth charities and speak on a subject they are passionate about. Each attended a workshop about writing and delivering speeches and were provided with the tools, feedback and tips to develop their speeches ahead of last week's event. Destine’s speech was greeted with warmth and admiration by members of the audience who instantly came to share their love of their own local heritage with her.

Eleven young speakers from charities such as London Wildlife Trust, Lord's Taverners, Just Like Us, Voice 21 and The Brilliant Club spoke on a range of topics including mental health, diversity and participation in education and sports. In the audience were Members of the Lords, MPs, community leaders, business leaders and young people.

Congratulations to all the inspiring young people who took part. Special thanks to the Speakers Trust for developing this event; to the Westminster Foundation for their support; and the Jones Day Foundation for their support of the Proud Places programme.