Committee:

Panayiotis Yiakoumi (President)
Panicos Eracleous

Website: www.greekparentsassociation.co.uk
Address: 39 Winkfield Road, Wood Green, London, N22 5RP
Tel: 020 8889 1872
Email: [email protected]

About

The Greek Parents Association (GPA) was established in 1952 by the Cypriot poet Tefkros Anthias and a small group of Cypriot immigrants.

The GPA’s original aim was to promote the welfare and education of what was then the first generation of the Cypriot immigrants to Britain. In its early days the GPA provided:

  • A focal point for assistance and free advice and counselling on range of issues including welfare, health, housing, employment and personal problems.
  • Tuition in the English language and customs to the newly arrived Cypriots.
  • The first Greek Community School in London at Camden square in Camden Town.

Over the years the GPA has adapted its services to match the changing needs of the Cypriot community. The need for advisory and teaching English that was so important in the early days has now diminished. The GPA now focusses on assisting British-born Cypriots to maintain their connection to Cyprus and become more confident about, as well as understand, their backgrounds. This is done through Greek schools which teach culture, language, history and customs.

By providing these services to our community, the GPA is able to help the Cypriots in London to realise their full potential through provision of language skills, instilling of cultural awareness, promotion of racial harmony and developing a sense of social responsibility to enable them to become fully involved, responsible members of society in Britain. These services are in a sense a long-term investment in people, enabling them to develop a sense of inclusion and engendering a greater social responsibility and self-improvement.

Over the last 64 years the Association has grown substantially and now comprises of the GPA community Centre, together with 9 schools and Youth Clubs throughout London.