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

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
• 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 some previous knowledge of Italian is required.

Event details:

• Date:
  • First and third Wednesday of the month - Group for beginner learners
  • Second and fourth Wednesday of the month - Group for intermediate and advanced learners
• Time: 6 to 7pm
• Location: Zoom
• Price: Free event, but booking is required. Email libraryvolunteer@richmond.gov.uk to book a spot

The groups are small to allow everybody to join the conversation online.

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!

This group is currently on a break. The next session will be on Monday 22 September 2025.

Event details:

• Date: Fourth Monday of each month (next session Monday 22 September)
• 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 11am to 2pm
• Ham Library - Every Friday from 10am to 1pm

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 Whitton:

• Date: Every Wednesday
• Time: 10.30 to 11.30am
• Location: Whitton Library

Event details Teddington:

• Date: First and third Monday of the month
• Time: 10.45 to 11.45am
• Location: Teddington Library

Event details Ham:

• Date: Every Friday
• Time: 10.30am to 12 noon
• Location: Ham Library

¡Hola! Spanish Conversation Group

Want to improve on your Spanish? Preparing for your Spanish break? Come along to our fortnightly sessions and learn or practice your Spanish in a fun and informal way.

Open to intermediate learners.

Sessions are free to attend and no booking is required.

This group resumes on Tuesday 2 September 2025.

• Date: First and third Tuesday of the month
• Time: 10.30 to 11.30am
• Location: Information and Reference Library, Old Town Hall, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond TW9 1TP

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, first Friday and third Friday of the month
• Time: 10am to 12 noon
• Locations: Twickenham Library (second Monday of the month), East Sheen (first Friday) 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 pre-planned route 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 August we'll be walking along the Thames tow path around Barnes, beginning at Barnes Bridge Station, while discussing The Great Stink by Clare Clark.

Event details:

• Date: Thursday 28 August 2025
• Time: Meet at 10.20am for a 10.30am start
• Location: Meet outside Barnes Bridge 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 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

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 restarted on Friday 2 May 2025.

• Date: Every Friday from May to September
• Time: 4 to 5pm
• Location: Teddington Library

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.

Historic East End: People of the abyss

Exploring the dark heart of London,1900 to 1914.

Nick Dobson offers a vivid glimpse into life in the East End at the dawn of the twentieth century. He delves into key events that shaped the area’s history, bringing to life the lived experience of its impoverished population amid profound societal changes. These conditions ignited intense social activism and drove meaningful reforms.

• Date: Friday 19 September
• Time: 11am to 12.15pm
• Location: Library Annexe
• Price: Free event, booking required

Book for this month's Reminiscence Café

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:

• 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.

Uke can do it!

Try something new with this enjoyable and supportive six-week ukulele course for adults. Whether you're a complete beginner or want to refresh your skills, an experienced teacher will guide you through the basics in a relaxed, friendly setting.

No ukulele? No problem! You can borrow one for free from your library. Experience the fun of making music in a warm, welcoming group!

Event details:

• Date: Every Wednesday from September 3 to October 8 2025
• Time: 5.30 to 6.10pm
• Location: East Sheen Library

This is a free event but booking is essential. To book email promotions@richmond.gov.uk.