New centre brings young and old together

Octavia’s brand new community hub, The Reed, was officially opened this week in the heart of Notting Hill with an ‘Open House’ event. 

The evening provided an opportunity for Octavia service users and residents, the local community, funders, and everyone who lent their support to the project to view the new development and its impressive community facilities.

Situated just off Portobello Road, The Reed is Octavia’s latest venture and is a lively and modern space for people to socialise, learn new skills and develop new interests. It brings together the expertise of a number of local partners to provide local people with a diverse range of activities and opportunities.  It is home to the Kensington Day Centre and Base@theReed, a brand new digital media facility equipped with industry standard film and music production equipment. It also has a community café and large activity spaces.

In addition to The Reed, the development includes Jane Lidderdale House, which provides 13 one bedroom flats for older people.

Guests at the Open House included Kensington and Chelsea Mayor Cllr Marie-Therese Rossi, and Richard Reed from the Reed Family Foundation, which generously supported the development project.

Speaking at the opening Octavia Chief Executive Grahame Hindes expressed the organisation’s gratitude to all partners and funders that helped make The Reed a success. He especially thanked the Friends of the Kensington Day Centre for their continued support and Richard Reed for the funding contribution from the Reed Family Foundation, after which the building is named.

“The Reed is a really great example of a number of local organisations coming together to benefit the whole community.” he said. 

Cllr Marie-Therese Rossi praised the facility for providing local people with ‘connection and inspiration’ something she said is ‘vital for all our lives’.