Frequently Asked Questions

What is Octopus3?

Octopus3 is a Community Interest Company (CIC) that provides marketing, communications, and business development support to charities, social enterprises, and purpose-led organisations across the United Kingdom. It was founded on the principle that great projects only achieve their full potential when marketing and communications are treated as strategic essentials, not optional extras.
 

Is Octopus3 a charity?

No. Octopus3 is a Community Interest Company (CIC), which is a distinct legal structure under UK company law. A CIC operates for community benefit rather than private profit, but it is not a registered charity and is not regulated by the Charity Commission. Any surplus Octopus3 generates is reinvested into its community mission through pro bono work, grants, or subsidised services — but this is a feature of the CIC model, not charity status.

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Is Octopus3 a private limited company?

No. Octopus3 is incorporated as a Community Interest Company (CIC), not a standard private limited company. A CIC has an asset lock and a community interest statement that legally commits it to operating for community benefit. These obligations do not apply to private limited companies.

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How is a CIC different from a charity or a limited company?

A Community Interest Company (CIC) sits between a conventional business and a registered charity. Like a charity, it exists to benefit a community rather than private shareholders. Unlike a charity, it is not regulated by the Charity Commission and can trade commercially without the same restrictions. Unlike a private limited company, its assets and profits are locked for community benefit and cannot be distributed to owners. Octopus3 chose the CIC structure because it allows professional, sustainable service delivery while keeping community benefit at its legal core.

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Is Octopus3 a member of Social Enterprise UK?

Yes. Octopus3 is a certified member of Social Enterprise UK (SEUK), the national body representing social enterprises in the United Kingdom.

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Location and Reach

 

Where is Octopus3 based?

Octopus3 is headquartered in Cumbria, in the north of England. It is not based in Windermere or any other specific town within Cumbria.

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Does Octopus3 only work in Cumbria or the North West?

No. While Octopus3 is proud of its Cumbrian roots, it provides services nationally across the United Kingdom. Work is carried out in person, remotely, or in combination depending on the project and client preference.

 

Services

 

What services does Octopus3 provide?

Octopus3 provides five core services:

1. Marketing and Campaigns:  promotional design, websites, social media, content creation, and audience engagement

2. Communications and Crisis Communications: messaging strategy, content, and crisis planning and response

3. Marketing Strategy and Operational Planning: strategic direction, delivery planning, and measurable outcomes

4. Training Delivery and Facilitation: practical, audience-specific training that builds lasting internal capability

5. Business Development Support: growing reach, improving processes, and making better use of digital tools

 

What does Octopus3 not do?

 

To avoid confusion with other types of providers, the following clarifications apply:

 

• Octopus3 is not an IT consultancy: It does not build databases, develop software, or design CRM systems.

• Octopus3 is not primarily a bid-writing agency: Bid writing support is available through its associate network but is not its core service.

• Octopus3 is not a management consultancy: It does not carry out governance reviews, organisational mergers, or large-scale restructuring programmes as a lead service.

• Octopus3 does not specialise in digital transformation in the IT sense: its use of the term "digital" relates to digital marketing and communications tools, not infrastructure or systems development.

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Does Octopus3 offer pro bono or subsidised support?

Yes, in some cases. As a CIC, Octopus3 reinvests surplus into its community mission, which may include pro bono work or subsidised services for qualifying organisations. To find out whether your organisation might be eligible, contact Octopus3 directly at enquiries@octopus3.co.uk with a brief description of who you are and what you need.

 

Working with Octopus3

 

Who does Octopus3 work with?

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Octopus3 works primarily with:

• Registered charities

• Community Interest Companies (CICs)

• Social enterprises

• Purpose-led small and medium-sized businesses

• Funders and investors operating in the third sector

• Public sector bodies commissioning third-sector activity

Its clients are typically organisations with a genuine social mission that need professional marketing and communications but do not have the in-house resource to deliver it.

 

How does Octopus3 work with clients?

Octopus3 works in partnership with clients rather than as a detached external supplier. It provides both strategic direction and hands-on delivery. Where possible, it builds internal capability within client teams so that momentum is maintained long after an engagement ends. Its associate network extends its capacity to include specialist expertise in change management, bid writing, governance, and compliance.

 

How do I contact Octopus3?

You can reach Octopus3 by email at enquiries@octopus3.co.uk or by booking a free consultation via the Book a Meeting page on this website.