Established in 1999 the Octopus Community Network is a group of pioneering community organisations working collaboratively to provide services and opportunities that support the most deprived communities in London.

Our principal objectives are:

• To promote the benefit of the inhabitants of Greater London by associating local authorities, voluntary organisations and other agencies and inhabitants in a common effort to advance education and provide facilities to improve social welfare, recreation and leisure-time occupation.
• The promotion of the voluntary sector for the benefit of the public.

The Octopus Community Network shares five goals, to:

• Engage: diverse communities in meaningful activities and services by reaching out to and supporting those most in need.
• Inspire: our communities by developing activities that raise aspiration and a ‘can-do’ mentality to advance social and economic integration.
• Motivate
  our communities to live life to it fullest potential
• Equip
  our communities with the skills, confidence and competence to seize a meaningful and rewarding place within society.
• Support
  our communities into positive and relevant activities to ensure a better quality of life and greater opportunities.

Which are achieved by:

• Developing high quality demand-led services.
• Maximising resource utilisation across the network to foster more effective ways of working.
• Spearheading, sharing and implementing best practice to facilitate a wide range of ‘grass-roots’ services.
• Conceiving and implementing innovative services that build skills and create routes out of poverty and social and economic isolation.
• Working together to actively avoid the duplication of services and establish strategic partnerships and joint-fundraising initiatives.

The Octopus Partners are:

• Caxton House Community Centre, 129 St John’s Way, N19 3RQ
  www.caxtonhouse.org
• Elthorne Learning Centre, 7 Elthorne Road, Archway, London N19 4AJ
  www.elthornelearningcentre.co.uk/
• The Factory Community Project, 107 Matthias Road Newington Green, N16 8NP
  www.thefactorycommunityproject.co.uk
• Hanley Crouch Community Association, Sparsholt Rd, N19 4EL
  
• Hilldrop Community Centre, Community Lane, Hilldrop Road, N7 0JE
• Holloway Neighbourhood Group, 84 Mayton Street, N7 6QT
  www.hng.org.uk
• Hornsey Lane Estate Community Centre, Hazelville Road, N19 3YJ
• Whittington Park Community Centre, Yerbury Road, N19 4RS
  www.wpca-london.org

If you want to find out more about Octopus or how to join all enquiries should be via our admin office – see contact details.


Funders 2008-2009:

City Parochial Foundation
Islington Council
Big Lottery

For more information on the Octopus Community Network, details of how to join or any of its services please contact:

Julie Parish
Octopus Development Manager
Caxton House
129 St. John’s Way
London N19 3RQ

Tel.: 020 7263 7095
E-Mail: julie@octopusnetwork.org.uk