OCTOPUS COMMUNITY NETWORK

Octopus is a collaboration of community centres working together to develop and deliver innovative community-led health and well-being activities, informal and non-formal learning projects, growing and bio-diversity projects, skills and back to work programmes.  In working together we achieve greater synergy avoiding unnecessary duplication, and maximum resource utilization.

Plant an orchard, grow a gift for the generations to come. Join us to plant three new orchards in the Tufnell Park area. These training and upskilling workshops are free and open to all with no prior experience needed. This workshop is a hand-on session learning about how to make jam and chutney. Join the full programme, with workshops taking place on the first Tuesday of every month from September 2025 to February 2026, with additional workshops in January for tree planting days. Workshop series:2nd September: Orchard introduction7th October: Fruit: a hands-on workshop (Hilldrop Community Centre)4th November: Designing our orchards2nd December: Winter pruning techniques6th, 13th and 20th January: Tree planting days3rd February: Orchard care planning <a href="https://book.plinth.org.uk/org/qDQ1wd7bVtD1dwkgYrcB" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: inherit;">See all dates and book your place here</a>. All sessions include a free lunch! Please note, all workshops will take place at Whittington Park Community Centre apart from the 7th October, which will take place at Hilldrop Community Centre.

Orchard Planting and Training - Fruit; a hands-on workshop

Hilldrop Community Centre

Free weekly walks – all welcome! Mindfulness in Nature Walk. Join Jo on this relaxed and mindful walk around Foxham Gardens. We’ll be using our senses and nature to slow down and reconnect. A mini forest bathe for an urban park. Gentle circular walks lasting for up to an hour. Starting at one of our Nature Anchors, finishing with a chance to chat over refreshments. Step outside and connect with nature and your community. Explore green spaces, community gardens, and hidden nature spots across Islington’s Nature Neighbourhood. Why join?- Boost your physical &amp; mental wellbeing- Meet new people and build community- Discover the local area, nature and growing projects Circular walks starting at one of our Nature Anchors, finishing with a chance to chat over refreshments.&nbsp;Please bring a water bottle and comfortable shoes. <a href="https://book.plinth.org.uk/org/qDQ1wd7bVtD1dwkgYrcB" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: inherit;">View and sign up to the full list of walks here</a>, and view a calendar of events taking place across the Nature Neighbourhoods area on the <a href="https://www.octopuscommunities.org.uk/nature-neighbourhoods" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: inherit;">calendar on this webpage</a>. Nature Anchors - find us:Octopus Community Plant Nursery, N7 0EFWhittington Park Community Centre, N19 4RSHilldrop Community Centre, Community Lane, N7 0JE This walk will begin at Whittington Park Community Centre

Whittington Park Community Centre

Free weekly walks – all welcome! This walk, in partnership with Arsenal in the Community, will be led by Samir, starting at Highbury and Islington Station, and will include a Emirates Stadium tour, from 11.30 am - 12.30pm, and finally a visit to the Arsenal Museum. Why join?- Boost your physical &amp; mental wellbeing- Meet new people and build community- Discover the local area, nature and growing projects Please bring a water bottle and comfortable shoes. <a href="https://book.plinth.org.uk/org/qDQ1wd7bVtD1dwkgYrcB" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">View and sign up to the full list of walks here</a>, and view a calendar of events taking place across the Nature Neighbourhoods area on the <a href="https://www.octopuscommunities.org.uk/nature-neighbourhoods" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">calendar on this webpage</a>. This walk will begin at Highbury and Islington Station, please meet Samir there at 10am.

Highbury and Islington Station

Free weekly walks – all welcome! Gentle circular walks lasting for up to an hour. Starting at one of our Nature Anchors, finishing with a chance to chat over refreshments. Step outside and connect with nature and your community. Explore green spaces, community gardens, and hidden nature spots across Islington’s Nature Neighbourhood. Why join?- Boost your physical &amp; mental wellbeing- Meet new people and build community- Discover the local area, nature and growing projects Circular walks starting at one of our Nature Anchors, finishing with a chance to chat over refreshments.&nbsp;Please bring a water bottle and comfortable shoes. <a href="https://book.plinth.org.uk/org/qDQ1wd7bVtD1dwkgYrcB" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: inherit;">View and sign up to the full list of walks here</a>, and view a calendar of events taking place across the Nature Neighbourhoods area on the <a href="https://www.octopuscommunities.org.uk/nature-neighbourhoods" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: inherit;">calendar on this webpage</a>. Nature Anchors - find us:Octopus Community Plant Nursery, N7 0EFWhittington Park Community Centre, N19 4RSHilldrop Community Centre, Community Lane, N7 0JE This walk will begin at the Octopus Community Plant Nursery

Octopus Community Plant Nursery

Plant an orchard, grow a gift for the generations to come. Join us to plant three new orchards in the Tufnell Park area. These training and upskilling workshops are free and open to all with no prior experience needed. During this workshop we'll begin to design the orchards we'll be planting in three spaces within the Tufnell Park area. Join the full programme, with workshops taking place on the first Tuesday of every month from September 2025 to February 2026, with additional workshops in January for tree planting days. Workshop series:2nd September: Orchard introduction7th October: Fruit: a hands-on workshop (Hilldrop Community Centre)4th November: Designing our orchards﻿2nd December: Winter pruning techniques6th, 13th and 20th January: Tree planting days3rd February: Orchard care planning <a href="https://book.plinth.org.uk/org/qDQ1wd7bVtD1dwkgYrcB" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: inherit;">See all dates and book your place here</a>. All sessions include a free lunch! Please note, all workshops will take place at Whittington Park Community Centre apart from the 7th October, which will take place at Hilldrop Community Centre.

Orchard Planting and Training - Designing our Orchards

Plant an orchard, grow a gift for the generations to come. Join us to plant three new orchards in the Tufnell Park area. These training and upskilling workshops are free and open to all with no prior experience needed. During this workshop we'll learn about how to look after our orchards by pruning them over winter. Join the full programme, with workshops taking place on the first Tuesday of every month from September 2025 to February 2026, with additional workshops in January for tree planting days. Workshop series:2nd September: Orchard introduction7th October: Fruit: a hands-on workshop (Hilldrop Community Centre)4th November: Designing our orchards2nd December: Winter pruning techniques6th, 13th and 20th January: Tree planting days3rd February: Orchard care planning <a href="https://book.plinth.org.uk/org/qDQ1wd7bVtD1dwkgYrcB" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: inherit;">See all dates and book your place here</a>. All sessions include a free lunch! Please note, all workshops will take place at Whittington Park Community Centre apart from the 7th October, which will take place at Hilldrop Community Centre.

Orchard Planting and Training - Winter Pruning Techniques

Plant an orchard, grow a gift for the generations to come. Join us to plant three new orchards in the Tufnell Park area. These training and upskilling workshops are free and open to all with no prior experience needed. Join us for the first of three planting days to create three new community orchards! Join the full programme, with workshops taking place on the first Tuesday of every month from September 2025 to February 2026, with additional workshops in January for tree planting days. Workshop series:2nd September: Orchard introduction7th October: Fruit: a hands-on workshop (Hilldrop Community Centre)4th November: Designing our orchards2nd December: Winter pruning techniques6th, 13th and 20th January: Tree planting days3rd February: Orchard care planning <a href="https://book.plinth.org.uk/org/qDQ1wd7bVtD1dwkgYrcB" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: inherit;">See all dates and book your place here</a>. All sessions include a free lunch! Please note, all workshops will take place at Whittington Park Community Centre apart from the 7th October, which will take place at Hilldrop Community Centre.

Orchard Planting and Training - Tree Planting Day 1

Plant an orchard, grow a gift for the generations to come. Join us to plant three new orchards in the Tufnell Park area. These training and upskilling workshops are free and open to all with no prior experience needed. Join us for the second of three planting days to create three new community orchards! Join the full programme, with workshops taking place on the first Tuesday of every month from September 2025 to February 2026, with additional workshops in January for tree planting days. Workshop series:2nd September: Orchard introduction7th October: Fruit: a hands-on workshop (Hilldrop Community Centre)4th November: Designing our orchards2nd December: Winter pruning techniques6th, 13th and 20th January: Tree planting days3rd February: Orchard care planning <a href="https://book.plinth.org.uk/org/qDQ1wd7bVtD1dwkgYrcB" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: inherit;">See all dates and book your place here</a>. All sessions include a free lunch! Please note, all workshops will take place at Whittington Park Community Centre apart from the 7th October, which will take place at Hilldrop Community Centre.

Orchard Planting and Training - Tree Planting Day 2

Plant an orchard, grow a gift for the generations to come. Join us to plant three new orchards in the Tufnell Park area. These training and upskilling workshops are free and open to all with no prior experience needed. Join us for the final of three planting days to create three new community orchards! Join the full programme, with workshops taking place on the first Tuesday of every month from September 2025 to February 2026, with additional workshops in January for tree planting days. Workshop series:2nd September: Orchard introduction7th October: Fruit: a hands-on workshop (Hilldrop Community Centre)4th November: Designing our orchards2nd December: Winter pruning techniques6th, 13th and 20th January: Tree planting days3rd February: Orchard care planning <a href="https://book.plinth.org.uk/org/qDQ1wd7bVtD1dwkgYrcB" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: inherit;">See all dates and book your place here</a>. All sessions include a free lunch! Please note, all workshops will take place at Whittington Park Community Centre apart from the 7th October, which will take place at Hilldrop Community Centre.

Orchard Planting and Training - Tree Planting Day 3

Plant an orchard, grow a gift for the generations to come. Join us to plant three new orchards in the Tufnell Park area. These training and upskilling workshops are free and open to all with no prior experience needed. Now we've planting three new orchards, during this final workshop we'll be learning about and planning maintenance and care. Join the full programme, with workshops taking place on the first Tuesday of every month from September 2025 to February 2026, with additional workshops in January for tree planting days. Workshop series:2nd September: Orchard introduction7th October: Fruit: a hands-on workshop (Hilldrop Community Centre)4th November: Designing our orchards2nd December: Winter pruning techniques6th, 13th and 20th January: Tree planting days3rd February: Orchard care planning <a href="https://book.plinth.org.uk/org/qDQ1wd7bVtD1dwkgYrcB" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: inherit;">See all dates and book your place here</a>. All sessions include a free lunch! Please note, all workshops will take place at Whittington Park Community Centre apart from the 7th October, which will take place at Hilldrop Community Centre.

Orchard Planting and Training - Orchard Care Planning

OCTOPUS COMMUNITY NETWORK

OCTOPUS COMMUNITY NETWORK

Orchard Planting and Training - Fruit; a hands-on workshop

Nature Wellbeing Walk - Mindfulness Walk

Nature Wellbeing Walk - An Arsenal Tour!

Nature Wellbeing Walk - Autumn Trees

Orchard Planting and Training - Designing our Orchards

Orchard Planting and Training - Winter Pruning Techniques

Orchard Planting and Training - Tree Planting Day 1

Orchard Planting and Training - Tree Planting Day 2

Orchard Planting and Training - Tree Planting Day 3

Orchard Planting and Training - Orchard Care Planning