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
- Knit and Natter
- 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
- Scrabble Group
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. Not suitable for beginners
Event details Castelnau:
- Date: Second and fourth Friday of the month
- Time: 3.30 to 4.30pm
- Location: Castelnau Library
- Price: Free, no booking required
Event details Richmond:
- Date: Second and fourth Wednesday of the month (Starts Wednesday 12 June)
- Time: 5 to 6pm
- Location: Richmond Library
- 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 library@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: Monday 28 October
- Time: 5pm
- Location: Twickenham Library
- Price: Free event
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.
Knit and natter
Do you enjoy knitting, crocheting or cross stitch? Bring whatever you're working on and join our friendly group for a morning of making. Crafters of all levels are welcome to join these informal gatherings to learn some tips, gain inspiration, and meet new people. Please bring your own yarn if you can.
- Date: Second Monday and third Friday of the month
- Time: 10am to 12 noon
- Location: Twickenham Library (second Monday of the month) and Ham Library (third Friday of the month)
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 (Tuesdays), 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
Combining the energetic discussion of a traditional book group with exploring our beautiful borough on foot, Novel Steps is a walking-and-reading group that meets monthly to chat about books, life, the universe, and everything. Each session follows a planned route, led by an experienced volunteer so you can focus on enjoying the gentle exercise, fresh air, and friendly conversation.
Walks are roughly three miles long, and copies of the books are provided in advance.
In October we will be walking a route along the River Crane, starting in St Margarets and heading to Kneller Gardens before heading back to end at Twickenham train station.
The book being discussed is The Haunting of Alma Fielding by Kate Summerscale. London, 1938. Alma Fielding, an ordinary young housewife, begins to experience supernatural events in her suburban home.
Nandor Fodor – a Jewish-Hungarian émigré and chief ghost hunter for the International Institute for Psychical Research – decides to investigate. With rigour, daring and insight, the pioneering non-fiction author Kate Summerscale shadows Fodor's enquiry, delving into long-hidden archives to find the human story behind a very modern haunting.
Event details:
- Date: Thursday 31 October
- Time: 10.20am
- Location: St Margarets train station
Book for this month's 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 library@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
Join nature-themed shared reading sessions in Teddington Library’s green and peaceful garden throughout the warmer months.
In these special summer sessions, enjoy the fresh air and conversation as we read aloud an extract from a great book, short story or poem. We then stop to talk about what we have read.
There is no expectation for people taking part to read aloud or speak – it’s fine to just drop in to listen. Everyone is welcome.
Biscuits and cold drinks are provided.
Reading al fresco will restart in Spring 2025.
Reminiscence Café
Are you 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.
London's glorious garden of the dead: Brompton Cemetery, A macabre paradise
Discover the allure of Brompton Cemetery, one of London’s “magnificent seven” burial grounds, through a captivating talk brought to you by the Reminiscence Café. This isn’t just any graveyard – it’s a blend of lush gardens, gothic architecture, and fascinating history. Brompton Cemetery is the final resting place for notable figures, such as Emmeline Pankhurst, John Wisden, and Doctor John Snow.
- Date: Friday 18 October
- Time: 11am to 12.15pm
- Location: Richmond Library Annexe, Quadrant Road, Richmond, TW9 1DH
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 Ham:
- Date: First Tuesday of the month
- Time: 11am to 12 noon
- Location: Ham Library
Event details Richmond:
- Date: Fourth Tuesday of the month
- Time: 11am to 1pm
- Location: Richmond Information and Reference Library
Scrabble Group
Looking for a friendly afternoon pickup? Join one (or both) of our friendly Scrabble sessions!
Event details Ham:
- Date: Every Friday
- Time: 11am to 1pm
- Location: Ham Library
Event details Twickenham:
- Date: Every Friday
- Time: 2 to 4pm
- Location: Twickenham Library
These events are free and no booking is required.
Updated: 11 October 2024
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