One hundred years on...

Monday 13th August, 2012, marks the centenary of the death of Octavia Hill, the Victorian social reformer, founder of Octavia Housing and namesake of the Octavia Foundation. 

Octavia believed that communities were about the people living in them and not just the buildings that they lived in. Her principles, which continue to resonate, included a commitment not just to good housing but to a wider sense of responsibility to those she housed.

The Octavia Foundation was established in 2005 by Octavia, the housing association formed by Octavia Hill, over one hundred years ago, to continue and to develop Octavia Hill's vision for individuals and communities in London.

The centenary of Octavia's death is an opportunity for us to remember and to celebrate her incredible life and work and to remind ourselves of the philosophy, vision and principles of our namesake that guide our work in London today.

More than 150 years after Octavia Hill started her work with the poor of London, in Marylebone, we think that her ideas are still relevant and they influence all of our work in the community.

Nobler and Better Things

'Nobler and Better Things - Octavia Hill's Life and Work' by Jenny Rossiter is a short biography published by Octavia as part of the activities we have planned to mark the centenary.

The book explores the steps in Octavia Hill's life, as well as the impact she made through her work in housing, open spaces, art and culture, social work, clean air, employment, volunteering and youth work.

Author Jenny Rossiter is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing and has an MSc in International Housing Studies. She regularly runs guided walks on the history of social housing in London.

Nobler and Better Things' is available to buy for £4.99 within the Octavia Foundation charity shops or by contacting us. All proceeds from the book will go to support the work of the Octavia Foundation.