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
Event report
Answering the Call
It was no surprise that Centrepoint had a large turnout for the exhibition “London Calling: Swiss-British Cultural Exchange” on April 23. As part of an international organisation in Switzerland with English as the common language, Centrepoint’s members are already part of the ongoing exchange.
Centrepoint news
Centrepoint’s new ArtWall and Vernissage on 4 June
Centrepoint regularly organises art exhibitions in its gallery ‘The ArtWall’ and is happy to announce that the next one is by Centrepoint members who have painted pieces of art and would like to showcase them to the public, both members and non-members.
Trips & tours
Jakob’s City Tour: “St. Alban Valley”
The domain of the first (Benedictine) monastery in Basel. This area saw Basel’s first Roman port and later in the late middle ages a thriving industry, including paper-making based on a cluster of ingeniously constructed water-driven mills.
Event report
Timeless Beauty at the Andreas Ernst Sammlung in Muttenz
While Bronwen Saunders (Centrepoint's Talks Coordinator) was searching for a solution to repair her heirloom clock, she came into contact with John Joseph, a timepiece repairer and restorer with over 40 years of experience. Trained in London, John moved to Bern in the 1990s and took over Hermann Schudel’s traditional workshop in Basel in 1998. John’s speciality is restoring timepieces – mechanical watches, pendulums, grandfather clocks and pocket watches – with special cultural or technical significance.
Talks & workshops
(How) Switzerland Works
Join Jakob Mettler for this premiere performance of (How) Switzerland Works.
Centrepoint news
Introducing Photo Editor Marcela Montes
Marcela is from Argentina and has a background as an art professor, designer, and marketing professional.
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