Persian Advice Bureau (Charity No. 1163147)

2026

Synagogue of Sanctuary

The Persian Advice Bureau was delighted to attend the celebration of Finchley Progressive Synagogue becoming the UK's first Synagogue of Sanctuary. We are proud to be one of the community partners recognised as part of this achievement. Congratulations to everyone involved on this well-deserved recognition.

Refugee Week Art Exhibition (15th June)

To mark Refugee Week 2026, PAB hosted an Art Exhibition at Middlesex University celebrating this year's theme: Courage.

The exhibition brought together local residents, community organisations and partners to share stories, showcase creative talent and celebrate the contributions of refugees and asylum seekers. We were delighted to welcome the Lady Mayor of Barnet, Zahra Beg, alongside other local representatives and supporters.

We would like to thank Middlesex University, The Finchley Charities, Finchley Progressive Synagogue, Yaran Women's Club and Parsa Productions for their support, as well as everyone who attended and helped make the event such a success.

PAB Hate-Crime Preparedness Workshop (12th May)

PAB was awarded funding from the London Communities Emergency Partnership (LCEP) to host a Hate Crime Preparedness Workshop. In preparation, PAB staff attended a “Train the Trainer” session to strengthen their facilitation skills.

Delivered in collaboration with local police, the workshop included guidance on identifying and reporting hate crime, alongside information from Sarah Conway and council representatives about the Victims Hub and available support services.

Attendees also took part in a scenario-based group exercise led by PAB, designed to increase preparedness and confidence in responding to hate crime within their communities

Norouz

Happy Norouz from the team at PAB!
نوروزتان پیروز
We were delighted to see our local MP, Sarah Sackman, share a Norouz message with the Finchley and Golders Green community on Instagram. The post included a lovely photo with our founder and reflected on hope and new beginnings for the year ahead.

PAB's International Women's Day (11th March)

PAB was proud to host a special event to mark International Women’s Day, bringing our community together to remember the Iranian lives lost and to celebrate the strength, resilience, and achievements of women around the world.

The event included speeches from members of PAB, Mehri Zomorodnia, and Barnet Councillor Zahra Beg, as well as a beautiful performance of traditional Iranian music by Mehri and her band. Guests also enjoyed lunch, a raffle, and henna, making it a meaningful day of remembrance, community, and celebration.

Sarah Sackman, MP for Finchley and Golders Green visited PAB (6th March)

We hosted Sarah Sackman and Councillor Zahra Beg at our office to discuss how they can support the Iranian community, particularly within the constituency of Finchley and Golders Green and the Borough of Barnet. Acting as a voice for their constituents, they met with members of the community to hear their experiences and concerns in an open and honest discussion. The visit concluded with a reflective moment at the memorial wall, remembering those killed or missing in the current conflict.

PAB Mental Health in Exile Talk (6th March)

Following the success of our first talk, we hosted a second session welcoming members of the Iranian community to discuss coping with the ongoing crisis in Iran. Dr Hassan Farhangi once again led an open and heartfelt conversation, allowing participants to share experiences and support one another.

Barnet Council's International Women's Day (2nd March 2026)

The Persian Advice Bureau was honoured to be invited to celebrate International Women’s Day with Barnet Council. This year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” focused on the power of supporting one another through mentorship, collaboration and community. A posthumous Special Recognition Award was also presented in honour of Hadiya Masieh, recognising her lasting contribution. It was a meaningful event and a great opportunity to come together and celebrate women’s achievements.

PAB Featured on ITV: Mental Health and Wellbeing of Iranians in Barnet (2nd March 2026)

We were pleased to speak with ITV (British television network) about the mental health and wellbeing of Iranian residents in the Borough of Barnet. At PAB, supporting the emotional wellbeing and resilience of our community remains a key priority, particularly during times of uncertainty and crisis.

PAB attended Middlesex University Iftar (26th February)

PAB attended an Iftar at Middlesex University, organised by the Student Union. The evening was a wonderful celebration of culture and community, with 200 people of mixed faiths coming together from across the borough.

Mental Health and Coping with the Crisis in Iran talk (6th February)

We recently hosted a discussion on mental health and coping with the crisis in Iran, led by Dr Hassan Farhangi. Despite the pouring rain, 32 people attended and helped create a warm, supportive space. Thank you to everyone who joined us and we look forward to organising more events like this in the future.

2025

Menorah Lighting Ceremony (16th December)

We attended a beautiful ceremony which brought members of the community together through a public menorah lighting at Hendon Town Hall on 16 December.

Cooking Club (Jan 2025 ongoing)

At the beginning of 2025, we started our Cooking Club, bringing asylum seekers and refugees together to cook, share stories, and enjoy a sense of community. Through food, conversation, and fun activities, participants have the chance to relax, connect, and feel part of a welcoming group.

Children's Activity Class.

Our Children’s Activity Class ran every Saturday, giving asylum-seeking children living in contingency hotels a joyful space to express their creativity. A huge thank you to the Young Barnet Foundation for the funding to make this possible.

Connect with Barnet (2nd May)

On Friday 2 May, we took part in Connect with Barnet, an event run by Barnet Council in collaboration with local agencies to support asylum seekers and refugees. We hosted a beauty stall offering nail painting, temporary tattoos, and board games, creating a relaxed and welcoming space for people to connect.

Easter (5th April)

We celebrated Easter on the 5th of April by sharing Easter eggs with children living in contingency hotels. It was a simple way to bring some joy to children and families during the holidays.

Eid Al-Fitr (31st March)

On 30 March, we marked Eid Al-Fitr by distributing things such as baklava and Arabic and Iranian leaf tea boxes and shoes to residents living in asylum contingency hotels. This small gesture helped share joy and celebrate an important occasion with asylum seekers.

Nowruz - Persian New Year (21st March)

On 21 March, we celebrated Persian New Year (Nowruz) at Christ Church North Finchley with food, dance, and community spirit. Organised by PAB alongside the church, the event brought together asylum seekers, refugees, and members of the congregation. We were delighted to be joined by Barnet Councillors Zahra Beg and Anne Hutton for this joyful celebration.

International Women's Day (8th March)

In March 2025, we celebrated International Women’s Day in collaboration with Saracens! The day was full of creativity, music, delicious pizza, inspiring talks, and even some pampering. It was a wonderful opportunity for women to come together, have fun, and connect with each other in a welcoming space.