Harringay Online

Harringay Online is a hyperlocal social network based in the neighbourhood of Harringay, north London.

History

Started on 1 July 2007, Harringay Online was one of the first neighbourhood websites to be set up using social media technology.
/ref> It was established with the stated aim of strengthening the community in the neighbourhood of Harringay in the north London Borough of Haringey. The site aims to achieve a blend of web-based and real world neighbourhood interactions.
/ref>

Harringay Online explains its aims as achieving four main outcomes:

* Building a sense of place in a neighbourhood – an understanding and appreciation of the neighbourhood to encourage a feeling of belonging and regarding a place as home.
* Building social capital in the neighbourhood – building networks, norms and trust that enable people to act together more effectively to pursue shared objectives – simply put building community spirit or neighbourliness.
* Empowering local people to take action to shape their neighbourhood – working to improve local people's ability to influence local decisions and affect local circumstances.
* Engaging people in local democratic processes.

The site's main structure is:
* Main Page - summarising and linking to all content.
* Forum - for discussions on local and sometimes non-local issues.
* Gallery - pictures & videos including an extensive series of film footage and photos on Harringay's history.
* Local Information - a wide range of local links and information including weekly updates.
* Events - calendar of local events.
* Local History - a well-established local history resources including thoroughly researched articles in the History Group, an extensive gallery of images and posts on history in the forum
* Special Interest groups, including Gardening and a very authoritative

The site is a well used local site and receives between 1500 and 3000 unique users per day. An email update is circulated weekly to all members.

Harringay Online is regularly referenced around the world as an exemplary, community-led, hyperlocal website, being referred to recently b
Urban Initiatives
as "the gold standard for community websites". It has been recognised by two national awards and was awarded a Judge's Special Commendation by the Prime Minister in the UK's 200
Catalyst Awards
In June 2009 it was highly commended in th

In 2010 it was a focus for the UK-based study on local websites
the ''Online Neighbourhood Networks Study''

With a stated target population of 22,500, by 2018, it had signed over 12,500 members.

References & notes

{{reflist

;General
* Referenced i
''Joining the Conversation: a guide to neighbourhood media'', a paper jointly published
by the Young Foundation, IDeA and the Local Government Association.
* Section on Harringay Online i
Promising Practices In Online Engagement
by Public Agenda.
* Referenced i
''Making The Connection'' report
from the Carnegie Trust
* I
''Local by Social publication''
by IDeA

Harringay Online in the ''Online Neighbourhood Networks Study''

Harringay Online on BBC London News

Harringay Online on BBC Technology
* In The Guardia
Social media can help riot-hit communities recover
* Referenced in the Sydney Morning Heral

* Referenced i
The Connected Community:Local Governments as Partners in Citizen Engagement and Community Building, Arizona State University (pp 80-85

Harringay Online on the European Union's best practice website

Harringay Online used by Smithsonian as an archive resource


by the Library of Congress
* Referenced in NESTA's report on UK Hyperlocal medi
Here and Now

External links

Harringay Online

Harringay Online at National Council of Archives

Harringay Online
on Facebook

British social networking websites
Technology in society
Local mass media in England
Media and communications in the London Borough of Haringey
Hyperlocal media
English websites
Social networks for social change
Harringay
2007 establishments in England