Welcome to Centrepoint
a volunteer-run English-speaking community in the heart of Basel where people connect, join activities, and make friends
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News & articles
Volunteer of the month
October 2026, Jan Hawley and Roger Bonner
This month Centrepoint celebrates its 30/31 years of existence - two of our longest standing members, Jan and Roger, have been supporting Centrepoint since its very beginning, and they are still active today! Usually, the board writes a laudatio to highlight the achievements of volunteers. This time, Jan and Roger provided us with such a wonderful text, that we wouldn’t want to keep from you.
Centrepoint news
Centrepoint 1995-2026
In October 2026 we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of ESCCB's (later renamed Centrepoint) formally opening the doors of its first physical premises on Aeschengraben. The origins of the club and intense collaborative preparation work to make this a reality, however, date back to February 1995,
In the spotlight
Pumpkin Paradise
Featuring a cornucopia of squash, pumpkins and gourds from oddly shaped ornamental varieties to the easy-peeling butternut squashes and great “Halloween pumpkins”,
Centrepoint news
Celebrate with us 30 years Centrepoint
2026 marks a special milestone: our club turned 30! We'd love to celebrate this achievement together with you at our Monthly Apéro on 15 October.
Other events
Centrepoint Minigolf Trophy 2026
Even this simple game still requires concentration and a calm approach. The holes, tunnels, and obstacles of the parcours should not be underestimated, but the training session at the start of the season contributed to good shots and, sometimes, lucky ones.
Talks & workshops
Special Presentation by Sanitas
They will give a short presentation covering:
An overview of the Swiss healthcare system
Key administrative topics every resident should understand
Specific risks and considerations that expats may face when taking up residence in Switzerland.
What our members say
“Finding Centrepoint was a turning point for me after leaving Ukraine. The supportive community here has helped me feel connected and at home in Switzerland.”
Viktoriya from Ukraine
"I enjoy teaching beginners’ bridge at Centrepoint because it blends problem-solving, fast feedback, and intuitive pattern-spotting into a game played with people, not just against them. Watching newcomers discover the pleasure of playing bridge — and even give me new insights — is genuinely rewarding."
Sev from Russia
“I really enjoy volunteering on the Front Desk, as the variety of tasks makes every shift engaging and helps me feel connected to the Centrepoint community. Volunteering with the Italian Conversation Group is also rewarding as it gives me pleasure to share my language and help others develop their skills."
Francesca from Italy
"Volunteering at Centrepoint gives me the chance to organise fun events like minigolf, summer meet-ups, and visits to interesting places. I also enjoy being part of the Photography Club, where we share our passion, meet new people, and work together to make the group a success."
Marcel from Switzerland
“I have found a truly welcoming, international community at Centrepoint. Participating in its diverse activities has strengthened my spoken English and given me a supportive space where I feel I belong.”
Sissi from Switzerland
“I’ve discovered Basel in new ways and learned about many different subjects through Centrepoint’s talks and trips. It’s also been rewarding to contribute by hosting a French discussion group.”
Jean-Christian from Canada
“I enjoy volunteering at the Welcome Desk during weekly Coffee Mornings, where I can greet members and offer new members and visitors a friendly introduction. It’s rewarding to help people settle into the Centrepoint community.”
Steffen from the Netherlands