Basel Life Partners With Centrepoint Basel
Basel Life is very pleased to announce that we are now partnering with Centrepoint Basel—a well-established, volunteer-led, English-speaking community organization located in the heart of Basel where all nationalities are welcome. Founded in 1996 as an English-speaking community center, Centrepoint has evolved into a place where people speaking many different native languages can come together, exchange ideas, and participate in a range of activities. While English is the common language, there are opportunities to meet people from all around the globe.
As we experienced during the pandemic, there is something essential about coming together with other people in person to share in an interest or experience. We are, after all, social creatures, and Centrepoint with its offers enriches cultural and social life in Basel. In fact, Centrepoint has been officially recognized by the Canton Basel-Stadt for its contribution to Basel life and was awarded the prestigious Prix Schappo Award in 2017.
Centrepoint’s welcoming premises are located in the center of Basel in the Im Lohnhof building, above Barfüsserplatz. During opening hours and at evening events, volunteers welcome you at the front desk. The premises include a cozy, freshly renovated lounge; a large English-book library available to its members; a smaller meeting room where classes and group gatherings take place; a kitchen; restrooms; a back office; and a corridor that doubles as the Centrepoint ArtWall.
Centrepoint offers a varied program of events and activities, some of which are also open to non-members:
- Regular events, such as the weekly coffee morning on Fridays, Kaffee auf Deutsch on Wednesday mornings and Friday afternoons (a great way to practice your German!), and the monthly apéro are open to members and non-members.
- Ongoing activity groups, including book clubs; photography; bird watching; Sunday walking; yoga; meditation; games such as bridge, scrabble, and mahjong; climate change discussion, and more are exclusively for members.
- Conversation groups in German, Baseldütsch, English, Italian, Spanish, and Russian are for members only.
- Centrepoint ArtWall features exhibits of members’ and local artists’ works that change 3-4 times per year; vernissages are open to members and non-members, and the exhibitions are open to non-members during front desk opening hours.
A standard annual membership costs CHF 110 per household (any group of people living together at the same address) and includes free participation in many events and activities, access to the library, a monthly member magazine with articles relevant to its membership, and a privilege scheme giving discounts at over 30 local businesses. Students can sign up for an annual membership of CHF 65 and have access to the same benefits.
Beyond becoming a member, Centrepoint is a great opportunity for volunteering. Volunteers are the lifeblood and enable Centrepoint to provide its many offerings while also empowering members to find purpose and a sense of connection from their own contributions. Looking to “find your purpose”? Perhaps you will find it at Centrepoint—why not check it out?
Learn more about Centrepoint on their website at https://www.centrepoint.ch/ or follow them on social media @centrepointbasel or https://www.facebook.com/centrepointbasel
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