Skylarks Charity, St Margarets & Hounslow

Hounslow, Richmond upon Thames

Skylarks is an independent charity based in SW London, founded in 2006 by a group of volunteer parents. It has grown into a lifeline for over 6,000 children and young people with disabilities and additional needs, as well as their families. Architecture:WK (AWK) helped to develop their new purpose-designed headquarters in Hounslow in addition to retaining space at their St Margarets premises.

"“Sam runs locally based architecture firm AWK, and is responsible for some great local community projects. She is committed both to sustainability and ensuring the space works for our families’ needs. We are delighted to work closely with AWK, who fully comprehend our brief and are maximising the available space to capitalise on its full potential." Aaron Guiver, Skylarks MD"

Skylarks hosts flexible, welcoming spaces where families build relations, enjoy activities, and receive the support they need to thrive. Skylarks also provides online services, including educational advice, webinars, and peer support groups, which are available nationwide.

When Skylarks reached out to AWK to discuss repurposing an existing building into the new charity hub in Hounslow, AWK were thrilled to get involved and find out more.

With a commitment to community projects, AWK is passionate about delivering sustainability in construction and upgrading existing structures wherever possible.

Hounslow is a rapidly growing area of need, so Skylarks is expanding at a crucial time for under-supported families. In opening the new site, they will further extend their reach to help more families and offer practical advocacy, free family-friendly activities, and SEND education advice.

Aaron Guiver, the MD at Skylarks, told us, “More often than not, Families of children with additional needs are unfortunately finding it commonplace that support services are being actively withdrawn. Skylarks intends to step up and actively engage with more families in need of help.

“With the recent closure of charities in Hounslow, Skylarks is creating a new centre designed specifically for children with additional needs and their families, providing a space to play, develop and thrive.

“Skylarks is about community, and when we met architect Sam Kamleh we knew Sam and her team were the right people for the refurbishment."

AWK’s Founding Director, Sam Kamleh, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Skylarks - a charity that is close to our hearts - and to be involved in bringing a tired building back into such good use. The upgrades to the fabric and the vision that Aaron and his team had for the space were very much in line with our biophilic design intentions, and sustainability ethos, with a building appropriately set in a park. We’re excited to see the building in use!”

Despite enormous funding challenges and rising community needs, Skylarks is growing. With no statutory contracts, their impact is powered by dedication, innovation, and community strength.

From the outset, our vision for our practice was to deliver good design, sustainable in all meanings of the word, in a human way: Our designs will always incorporate careful consideration of environmental factors; those relating to sustainability in construction, factors relating to the usability and longevity of spaces and buildings, and those relating to the sourcing of appropriate products and services.

Architect and Builder at Skylarks Charity Opening event