A free exhibition in our cafe brings together a collection of photographs, archival materials, and objects specially selected by the Oxford House team and Trustees. Each piece has been rediscovered from our archives or found within the building itself, offering glimpses into the life of Oxford House and the communities it has served.

Founded in 1884 as a settlement house for University of Oxford graduates, Oxford House was part of a wider social reform movement in East London. Volunteers lived and worked here, offering practical support through legal advice, youth and working men’s clubs, and adult education, responding directly to the challenges of urban poverty and inequality.

Over time, Oxford House has continued to adapt to the community’s needs. During the Second World War it provided refuge and shelter, evacuated children to safety, and expanded its youth work. In the years that followed, it became a community centre and, from the 1970s onwards, a home for grassroots activism, supporting campaigns for racial justice, pensioners’ rights, and social change.

Today, still based in our original Grade II listed building on Derbyshire Street, Oxford House remains a vibrant hub for creativity, support, and connection, with spaces for performance, arts and heritage, learning, and gathering.

The items displayed here reflect this long and layered history, traces of social action, community life, creativity, and care. Together they tell the story of a building shaped by the people who have passed through it. Each team member and Trustee has chosen a piece that feels meaningful to them, sharing their own reflections and connections.

On until 5 June 2026.