Community activities in libraries
Find a group to learn a new skill, or come along to one of our regular craft fairs.
- Belle Parole! Italian Conversation Group
- Bingo extravaganza
- Club di Conversazione
- Club del libro Italiano
- Cost of living advice project
- Curtains up! A Play Reading Group
- French Conversation Group
- ¡Hola! Spanish Conversation Group
- Mend, Make and Craft
- National Databank scheme
- Novel Steps
- Open Gaming Meetup
- Page Turners
- Reading al fresco
- Reminiscence Cafe
- Riverside Poetry Group with Babs Lee
- Transform Work Life
Belle Parole! Italian Conversation Group
Come and flex your language muscles at our friendly and informal conversation group with the guidance of a native speaker. Explore various topics and meet other learners and enthusiasts, gaining confidence as you do. Open to speakers with elementary and intermediate language proficiency.
Open to learners on levels A2 – B1.
Event details:
- Date: Second and fourth Friday of the month
- Time: 3.30 to 4.30pm
- Location: Castelnau Library, 75 Castelnau, SW13 9RT
- Price: Free, no booking required
Bingo extravaganza
Need a midweek pick-me-up? Eyes down and have a bit of fun! Weekly prizes to be won!
Event details:
- Date: Last Wednesday of each month
- Time: 2 to 3.30pm
- Location: Ham Library, Ham Street, Ham. TW10 7HR
- Price: Free, no booking required
Club di Conversazione
Practice your Italian in a small group with a native speaker. Come and join the conversation with other learners and enthusiasts and gain confidence under the supervision of native Italian speaking volunteers! Speakers of all levels are invited to participate, although previous knowledge of Italian is helpful.
Event details:
- Date:
- Second Wednesday of the month - Group for mixed ability learners
- Fourth Wednesday of the month - Group for intermediate and advanced learners
- Time: 5 to 6pm
- Location: Zoom
- Price: Free, but booking is required. Email libraryvolunteer@richmond.gov.uk to book a place
Club del libro Italiano
Practice your Italian at this monthly shared reading group.
Improve your Italian language skills and learn more about Italian culture and literature at this informal book club. You will get the opportunity to read and discuss texts together on a range of topics from literature, food, the arts, linguistics, and much more!
Event details:
- Date: Fourth Monday of each month
- Time: 5 to 6pm
- Location: Twickenham Library, Garfield Rd, Twickenham, TW1 3JT
- Price: Free, no booking required
Cost of living advice project
Citizens Advice can advise you on how to access help with the cost of living crisis such as applying for grants, checking if you are getting the correct benefits and helping you with debts.
For further advice you can visit:
- Whitton Library - Every Wednesday from 10am to 1pm
- Ham Library - Every Friday from 1.30 to 4.30pm
No appointment needed.
Curtains up! A Play Reading Group
Join other theatre enthusiasts for a reading of a chosen play and broaden your knowledge of excellent writing at this friendly and spirited reading group.
You are welcome to take part, or simply listen and enjoy the reading! Suitable for all ages, and no preparation is required.
- Date: Third Thursday of the month
- Time: 2 to 4pm
- Location: Twickenham Library
No booking required.
French Conversation Group
Join us and practise your French in a small group with a native speaker. Come and join the conversation with other learners and enthusiasts and gain confidence under the supervision of native French speaking volunteers! Speakers of all levels are invited to participate, although previous knowledge of French is helpful.
Event details:
- Date: Every Wednesday
- Time: 10.30 to 11.30am
- Location: Whitton Library
¡Hola! Spanish Conversation Group
This group is currently taking a break. Please check this page for further updates.
Mend, Make and Craft
Our Mend, Make and Craft classes take place from 10am to 12 noon every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.
- Date: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
- Time: 10am to 12 noon
- Location: Ham Library (Tuesdays and Saturdays), Twickenham Library (Wednesdays), Whitton Library (Thursdays and Saturdays), Richmond Information and Reference Library (Wednesdays).
Charges may apply - contact your local group facilitator for further details.
National Databank scheme
You may be eligible to receive free mobile phone data, texts and calls via the pilot National Databank scheme, run by libraries in partnership with the Good Things Foundation.
Find out more about the pilot National Databank scheme and how to apply.
Novel Steps
In March we will be walking along the Thames towpath from Kingston to Hampton Court while discussing The Talented Mr Ripley by Patricia Highsmith.
Voted one of the BBC’s 100 novels that changed the world, Highsmith’s 1955 introduction to Tom Ripley has become a classic of the crime genre.
Tom Ripley is struggling to stay one step ahead of the law, when an unexpected acquaintance offers him a free trip to Europe and the chance to start over. He wants money, success and the good life and he's willing to kill for it. When his new-found happiness is threatened, his response is as swift as it is shocking.
Event details:
- Date: Thursday 28 March
- Time: 10.20am
- Location: King’s Field to Hampton Court
- Price: Free, but booking is required
Book your ticket for Novel Steps
Open Gaming Meetup
Whether you are a board game enthusiast or new to the scene, come and join us for a new monthly open gaming event and have fun, meet new people and try a new game or two. Choose from the dozens of games available or bring along your favourite to share.
Sessions run from 10am to 4pm on the following Saturdays each month:
- First Saturday - Whitton Library
- Second Saturday - Twickenham Library
- Third Saturday - Richmond Old Town Hall, Whittaker Ellis Suite
This event is free and no booking is required. Please contact libraryvolunteer@richmond.gov.uk for more information.
Page Turners
Find comfort and connection through great literature.
Our weekly Page Turner sessions, delivered in partnership with The Reader. Come along to one of our friendly, relaxing Shared Reading sessions, led by an experienced Reader Leader.
At Page Turners we read an extract or short story together, perhaps even a poem, pausing to discuss and share our thoughts. There is no need to read anything in advance, just join the sessions.
Hot drinks and biscuits are provided. Everyone is welcome.
Choose a session to suit you. No need to book.
Session details:
- Date: Wednesdays
- Time: 2 to 3.30pm
- Location: Twickenham Library in the Arthur Burrell Room
Reading al fresco
Reading al fresco sessions will return in the warmer months.
Reminiscence Café
Are you aged over 65 years and interested in socialising in an informal and friendly setting? Do you enjoy listening to talks on history and local interest topics?
Then our Reminiscence Café is just the right thing for you! Each month the Reminiscence Café provides a space to socialise and enjoy talks on a variety of topics by guest speakers.
Nocturnal hunters: The UKs native owls
Discover the fascinating world of one of the world’s most efficient and quietest predators: the owl.
This is a rare opportunity to meet some of our most iconic British owls in person; including the tawny owl, barn owl, short eared owl and little owl.
Event details:
- Date: Friday 19 April
- Time: 11am to 12.30pm
- Location: Richmond Library Annexe
- Price: Free event, booking required
Riverside Poetry Group with Babs Lee
Nurture your love of poetry and have a go at writing your own material under the expert guidance of local published poet Babs Lee.
Each friendly and informal session will explore poetry from different authors, followed by a discussion over tea and biscuits, and the chance to write your own poem.
Event details:
- Dates: Fourth Tuesday of the month
- Time: 11am to 1pm
- Location: Richmond Information and Reference Library
Transform Work Life
Transform Work Life offers a series of interactive seminars aimed at developing knowledge and understanding of your personal and professional skills, to enhance employability and to encourage potential transformation in your work and life situation.
Event details:
- Dates: Tuesdays
- Times: 10am to 12 noon
- Location: Richmond Information and Reference Library
These sessions are free to Richmond residents, but you must register in advance. Find out more and register for Transform Work Life.
Updated: 18 March 2024
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