Camden celebrates the opening of Highgate Newtown Community Centre, offering modern facilities, family services, and new council homes for local and refugee families.
Camden Council has officially opened the new Highgate Newtown Community Centre, a landmark facility designed to bring together children, families, and residents under one inclusive roof. The modern hub offers a vibrant mix of public services and activities for all ages, supported by a wider development that also delivers new affordable housing for refugee and local families.
The state-of-the-art building, now managed by Highgate Newtown Community Partners (HNCP), represents the culmination of a multi-year transformation in the area. The centre now houses a broad range of facilities: from a multi-use sports hall and a cookery school to a laundrette and even a local hairdresser. Crucially, the upper floors have been dedicated to Camden’s youth and children’s services, offering speech and language support, mental health programmes, and parenting courses – all designed to foster healthier, more resilient families.
Speaking at the launch event, Nadia Shah, Cabinet Member for Voluntary Sector, Equalities and Cohesion, highlighted the importance of the centre as a social and support lifeline. “We’re proud to work with Highgate Newtown Community Partners to deliver vital services for residents. Whether it’s youth support, parenting advice or help with mental health, this centre represents a major step in strengthening community ties.”
Anna Wright, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care, echoed that sentiment: “Highgate Newtown Community Partners have waited patiently for this new home – and what a home it is. This space isn’t just bricks and mortar, it’s a foundation for connection, wellbeing and opportunity for generations to come.”
As well as providing wide-ranging support services, the centre will host an array of community activities – from pottery and creative workshops to shared meals, children’s playgroups, and fitness sessions for older residents. These are designed to foster interaction, reduce loneliness, and encourage healthier living.
The centre also serves as the new base for Camden Integrated Youth Support, which will provide young people with everything from homework help and music production classes to accredited learning, fitness activities, trips and residentials. Crucially, it also offers one-on-one mentoring, guidance, and support to help teens stay engaged in education or employment. The youth offer will be available both after school and during holidays.
Andrew Sanalitro, Director of Highgate Newtown Community Partners, said the official opening was a “pivotal moment” for their work in Camden. “Building relationships and creating connections is at the heart of what we do. This new hub gives us the tools to reach every corner of our diverse community – whether that’s through partnerships with schools, faith groups, or libraries. Our aim is simple: reduce isolation and help people lead more fulfilling lives.”
Beyond the centre itself, Camden’s Community Investment Programme has also delivered 36 new family-sized council homes as part of the wider redevelopment of the site. Originally intended for private sale, the homes were brought into council ownership through additional government funding – and are now being used to house Afghan refugee families in need of permanent housing, as well as other Camden residents waiting for social housing.
Nasrine Djemai, Cabinet Member for New Homes and Community Investment, emphasised the dual achievement: “Not only have we delivered a fantastic new space for the community, but we’ve also ensured that families who’ve sought refuge in the UK now have safe and stable housing. These homes are a lifeline and a long-term investment in our borough.”
The launch event was attended by a host of local leaders, councillors, MPs, and residents. A highlight of the day included musical performances by local school choirs from Channing School and La Sainte Union, while guests enjoyed hands-on activities like pottery, pizza-making, and tasters of programmes offered through Camden’s Children’s Centres and Family Hubs.
Camden’s Children’s Centres and Family Hubs, operating from the new centre and other locations across the borough, offer free support from pregnancy through to the teenage years – or up to age 25 for children with disabilities or special educational needs. Services include parenting advice, mental health support, financial guidance, and enriching activities for children and young people.
With its official opening, the Highgate Newtown Community Centre marks a significant milestone in Camden’s ongoing investment in people and place. It offers not only much-needed facilities and housing but a promise: to serve as a space where everyone, regardless of background, can feel connected, supported, and part of a thriving community.
