Business Support
Own a small business or looking to start a small business in Bexley? Come along to BBE’s FREE Business Support Drop-In session to find out more about the Council’s Talking Business support service and training grant scheme.
Drop In | Express your interest today via the Talking Business Support Registration Form.
Exchange Lates
Pop in for our regular Thursday evening Lates – see what’s going on in our ‘Town Square’, grab a drink from the bar, buy that last-minute gift, or just simply enjoy the historic space and the garden in full summer bloom.
No need to book - just drop in!
Life Drawing
Learn to draw from life and hone your observation skills every Thursday evening. This is the perfect activity for anyone wanting to improve their drawing skills – and it’s a great opportunity to make new friends, too. These sessions are open to all, beginners and experienced alike.
£12 (£10 Concessions) on the door | No booking required, pay at Garden Room Desk.
Beading Workshop
Join local resident and jewellery maker, Charlotte Blades, for an introductory session to beading craft. Participants will learn some basics that will set them up for future beading projects, and you will make a piece of jewellery to take home. No need to book, just come along on the day!
FREE | book online
Family Art Club
In this month’s Family Art Club, members will celebrate community through the creation of your very own comic strips that will tell the story of your favourite places and people.
Drop In | £3 donation per child
Bexley Civic Society
Bexley Civic Society is popping up at The Exchange with an exhibition that tells the story of this important local group. Since forming in 1971, they have done some incredible things including saving the Danson Stables and Mansion, supporting the restoration of the Crossness Pumping Station, protecting local green spaces, and – here at The Exchange – they funded the restoration of our iconic mosaic and the building of our picnic table and benches.
FREE | Drop In
Theatre Box Pop-up
Join Theatre Box Performing Arts Academy for their ERITH MADE pop-up! The TBox Home Ed students will be exhibiting some of their recently produced arts and crafts work and will be here to talk to residents to collect personal stories and memories that will be used for a future collaborative project with The Exchange. Make sure you drop-in to share your story.
FREE | Drop In
Erith Made : Sharing Plate
All local residents are invited to The Exchange for a big, shared lunch as part of the town’s ERITH MADE annual festival. We want to celebrate the rich diversity of cultures that exist in our locality, so please bring with you a plate of food that can be shared with others, and that tells people a little bit about you – where you have come from, what you grew up eating or what cuisines you most enjoy. Drinks will be available from our bar.
It would be great if you could let us know if you’re planning to bring a sharing plate along. Just use the RSVP button below. Thank you!
Chip Carving
Learn how to create decorative chip carvings in the Timber Workshop. Pattern carving with knives and gouges has been used for centuries to create meaningful homeware and vernacular furniture. Timber Workshop Manager, Matthew Mead, will steer you through the basic techniques and cuts, with the opportunity to take your work home.
FREE | Book your spot!
Crochet Bum Bag
Make a fashion statement in this exciting workshop led by local resident and textiles enthusiast, Mandy Johnson. Using pre-made iconic granny squares you will create your own stylish bum bag to take home with you. All equipment and materials included, and no previous crochet experience necessary.
£25 | Book your spot!
Local History Walk
Meet at St John the Baptist Church, West Street, Erith DA8 1AN
Hear about Erith’s proud industrial past from Ken Chamberlain, recent Chair of the Erith and Belvedere History Society, who will lead a guided history walk of Erith from St John’s Church, along the riverbank, and into the town centre, ending at our Old Library home.
FREE | Book your spot!
Theatre Box Pop-up
Join Theatre Box Performing Arts Academy for their ERITH MADE pop-up! The TBox Home Ed students will be exhibiting some of their recently produced arts and crafts work and will be here to talk to residents to collect personal stories and memories that will be used for a future collaborative project with The Exchange. Make sure you drop-in to share your story.
FREE | Drop In
Exchange Lates
Pop in for our regular Thursday evening Lates – see what’s going on in our ‘Town Square’, grab a drink from the bar, buy that last-minute gift, or just simply enjoy the historic space and the garden in full summer bloom.
No need to book - just drop in!
Life Drawing
Learn to draw from life and hone your observation skills every Thursday evening. This is the perfect activity for anyone wanting to improve their drawing skills – and it’s a great opportunity to make new friends, too. These sessions are open to all, beginners and experienced alike.
£12 (£10 Concessions) on the door | No booking required, pay at Garden Room Desk.
Become A Maker
Anyone can become an Exchange Maker and support us with our mission for community and craft. As a Maker, you will work alongside some incredibly talented craft professionals, developing your skills in ceramics, garden making, textiles or timber, whilst making or maintaining things that can be used and enjoyed by the community, or sold to raise money for our community programme.
If you are interested in getting involved, come along to a ‘Become a Maker’ session to find out more about what it means to be a Maker, and the benefits of joining one of our teams. Currently these opportunities are only available during the week.
FREE | Book your spot!
Exchange Lates
Pop in for our regular Thursday evening Lates – see what’s going on in our ‘Town Square’, grab a drink from the bar, buy that last-minute gift, or just simply enjoy the historic space and the garden in full summer bloom.
No need to book - just drop in!
Life Drawing
Learn to draw from life and hone your observation skills every Thursday evening. This is the perfect activity for anyone wanting to improve their drawing skills – and it’s a great opportunity to make new friends, too. These sessions are open to all, beginners and experienced alike.
£12 (£10 Concessions) on the door | No booking required, pay at Garden Room Desk.
Caring for your Housplants : Preparing for Autumn/Winter
This talk will cover some of the basics needed to care for your indoor plants, particularly during the colder months. As well as getting some tips and hints on how to best prepare your plants for the season ahead, you’ll learn about the best places in your home for popular varieties.
FREE | Book your spot!
Development Lab: Event Partners
Have you got an idea for a community activity, event or project? Are you interested in kickstarting it at The Exchange and need some support? Well, why not become an event partner? At this event, Co-Director Sarah Batten will work with you on your event proposal. When ready, you can then submit your idea to our Board of Trustees who will make a decision on what ideas we can support, and on what support we can offer.
FREE | Book your spot!
Life Drawing
Learn to draw from life and hone your observation skills every Thursday evening. This is the perfect activity for anyone wanting to improve their drawing skills – and it’s a great opportunity to make new friends, too. These sessions are open to all, beginners and experienced alike.
£12 (£10 Concessions) on the door | No booking required, pay at Garden Room Desk.
Exchange Lates
Pop in for our regular Thursday evening Lates – see what’s going on in our ‘Town Square’, grab a drink from the bar, buy that last-minute gift, or just simply enjoy the historic space and the garden in full summer bloom.
No need to book - just drop in!
Life Drawing
Learn to draw from life and hone your observation skills every Thursday evening. This is the perfect activity for anyone wanting to improve their drawing skills – and it’s a great opportunity to make new friends, too. These sessions are open to all, beginners and experienced alike.
£12 (£10 Concessions) on the door | No booking required, pay at Garden Room Desk.
Exchange Lates
Pop in for our regular Thursday evening Lates – see what’s going on in our ‘Town Square’, grab a drink from the bar, buy that last-minute gift, or just simply enjoy the historic space and the garden in full summer bloom.
No need to book - just drop in!
Botanical Fragrance Making
Create your own bespoke home fragrance blend and natural perfume with Marie-Clair, our Retail Manager and founder of natural fragrance brand, Folium. You will learn the origins and history of botanical fragrance, discuss different fragrance families and notes, and demonstrate how to create, use, and store essential oil blends safely. All materials, samples, equipment, and notes are included.
£28 | Book your spot!
Life Drawing
Learn to draw from life and hone your observation skills every Thursday evening. This is the perfect activity for anyone wanting to improve their drawing skills – and it’s a great opportunity to make new friends, too. These sessions are open to all, beginners and experienced alike.
£12 (£10 Concessions) on the door | No booking required, pay at Garden Room Desk.
Exchange Lates
Pop in for our regular Thursday evening Lates – see what’s going on in our ‘Town Square’, grab a drink from the bar, buy that last-minute gift, or just simply enjoy the historic space and the garden in full summer bloom.
No need to book - just drop in!
Become A Maker
Anyone can become an Exchange Maker and support us with our mission for community and craft. As a Maker, you will work alongside some incredibly talented craft professionals, developing your skills in ceramics, garden making, textiles or timber, whilst making or maintaining things that can be used and enjoyed by the community, or sold to raise money for our community programme.
If you are interested in getting involved, come along to a ‘Become a Maker’ session to find out more about what it means to be a Maker, and the benefits of joining one of our teams. Currently these opportunities are only available during the week.
FREE | Book your spot!
Life Drawing
Learn to draw from life and hone your observation skills every Thursday evening. This is the perfect activity for anyone wanting to improve their drawing skills – and it’s a great opportunity to make new friends, too. These sessions are open to all, beginners and experienced alike.
£12 (£10 Concessions) on the door | No booking required, pay at Garden Room Desk.
Exchange Lates
Pop in for our regular Thursday evening Lates – see what’s going on in our ‘Town Square’, grab a drink from the bar, buy that last-minute gift, or just simply enjoy the historic space and the garden in full summer bloom.
No need to book - just drop in!
Crochet: Welsh Cwtch Wrap
Thursdays from 15 August, 11am - 1pm
Join Mandy Johnson, an Exchange textiles volunteer, for a 6-week crochet course. Inspired by the comforting Welsh "cwtch" and using the Tunisian crochet technique, you will master various stitches each week to create a beautiful, lightweight wrap. This course is designed for those with a solid understanding of basic crochet techniques and is not suitable for complete beginners.
£60 (6 sessions) | Book your spot!
Old Library Histories - Tours & Memories
This month, we will be asking you for your memories of the old library. Local resident and blogger Hugh Neal will be here as usual to tell the story of the historic space, but he will be joined by Co-Director Sarah Batten to record memories of local residents’ experiences of this historic library, old museum and any new memories of the space since The Exchange took it over. All are welcome. Meet in the Garden Room. Refreshments will be provided.
FREE | Book your spot!
A Community Conversation
When do we get the chance to just talk? This event is to do just that. We are inviting everyone in the community to come down for a cup of tea, a slice of cake and a bit of chat. We want to hear what is going on with you, what your worries are, and importantly what your hopes are. Come and join The Exchange team for a good chinwag.
FREE | Drop In
Family Art Club
Come and celebrate your identity through abstract self-portraiture - Family Art Club will be exploring the words and symbols that mean the most to you as we take a different kind of selfie!
Drop In | £3 donation per child
Life Drawing
Learn to draw from life and hone your observation skills every Thursday evening. This is the perfect activity for anyone wanting to improve their drawing skills – and it’s a great opportunity to make new friends, too. These sessions are open to all, beginners and experienced alike.
£12 (£10 Concessions) on the door | No booking required, pay at Garden Room Desk.
Exchange Lates
Pop in for our regular Thursday evening Lates – see what’s going on in our ‘Town Square’, grab a drink from the bar, buy that last-minute gift, or just simply enjoy the historic space and the garden in full summer bloom.
No need to book - just drop in!
Family Summer Club
Join the Family Art Club for summer!
On day one: the theme will be ‘Teddy Bears’ Picnic’ where families can weave a teddy blanket from fabric scraps, take part in some paper plate craft, and make pastel pictures of fruit still life.
On day two: the theme will be the ‘Riverside’ and you will create nautical mosaics, driftwood models and designs for sails.
On day three: we will explore ‘Camping Holidays’ with cereal box dioramas, a scavenger hunt and a creating campfire circle art.
Children must be accompanied by at least one parent or carer (over 18). Each workshop starts at 10am and ends at 1pm.
£5 per child per workshop, or £12 per child for all 3 workshops | Book your spot!
Life Drawing
Learn to draw from life and hone your observation skills every Thursday evening. This is the perfect activity for anyone wanting to improve their drawing skills – and it’s a great opportunity to make new friends, too. These sessions are open to all, beginners and experienced alike.
£12 (£10 Concessions) on the door | No booking required, pay at Garden Room Desk.
Exchange Lates
Pop in for our regular Thursday evening Lates – see what’s going on in our ‘Town Square’, grab a drink from the bar, buy that last-minute gift, or just simply enjoy the historic space and the garden in full summer bloom.
No need to book - just drop in!
Family Summer Club
Join the Family Art Club for summer!
On day one: the theme will be ‘Teddy Bears’ Picnic’ where families can weave a teddy blanket from fabric scraps, take part in some paper plate craft, and make pastel pictures of fruit still life.
On day two: the theme will be the ‘Riverside’ and you will create nautical mosaics, driftwood models and designs for sails.
On day three: we will explore ‘Camping Holidays’ with cereal box dioramas, a scavenger hunt and a creating campfire circle art.
Children must be accompanied by at least one parent or carer (over 18). Each workshop starts at 10am and ends at 1pm.
£5 per child per workshop, or £12 per child for all 3 workshops | Book your spot!
Family Summer Club
Join the Family Art Club for summer!
On day one: the theme will be ‘Teddy Bears’ Picnic’ where families can weave a teddy blanket from fabric scraps, take part in some paper plate craft, and make pastel pictures of fruit still life.
On day two: the theme will be the ‘Riverside’ and you will create nautical mosaics, driftwood models and designs for sails.
On day three: we will explore ‘Camping Holidays’ with cereal box dioramas, a scavenger hunt and a creating campfire circle art.
Children must be accompanied by at least one parent or carer (over 18). Each workshop starts at 10am and ends at 1pm.
£5 per child per workshop, or £12 per child for all 3 workshops | Book your spot!
Life Drawing
Learn to draw from life and hone your observation skills every Thursday evening. This is the perfect activity for anyone wanting to improve their drawing skills – and it’s a great opportunity to make new friends, too. These sessions are open to all, beginners and experienced alike.
£12 (£10 Concessions) on the door | No booking required, pay at Garden Room Desk.
Exchange Lates
Pop in for our regular Thursday evening Lates – see what’s going on in our ‘Town Square’, grab a drink from the bar, buy that last-minute gift, or just simply enjoy the historic space and the garden in full summer bloom.
No need to book - just drop in!
Become A Maker
Anyone can become an Exchange Maker and support us with our mission for community and craft. As a Maker, you will work alongside some incredibly talented craft professionals, developing your skills in ceramics, garden making, textiles or timber, whilst making or maintaining things that can be used and enjoyed by the community, or sold to raise money for our community programme.
If you are interested in getting involved, come along to a ‘Become a Maker’ session to find out more about what it means to be a Maker, and the benefits of joining one of our teams. Currently these opportunities are only available during the week.
FREE | Book your spot!
Life Drawing
Learn to draw from life and hone your observation skills every Thursday evening. This is the perfect activity for anyone wanting to improve their drawing skills – and it’s a great opportunity to make new friends, too. These sessions are open to all, beginners and experienced alike.
£12 (£10 Concessions) on the door | No booking required, pay at Garden Room Desk.
Exchange Lates
Pop in for our regular Thursday evening Lates – see what’s going on in our ‘Town Square’, grab a drink from the bar, buy that last-minute gift, or just simply enjoy the historic space and the garden in full summer bloom.
No need to book - just drop in!
Business Support
Own a small business or looking to start a small business in Bexley? Come along to BBE’s FREE Business Support Drop-In session to find out more about the Council’s Talking Business support service and training grant scheme.
Express your interest today via the Talking Business Support Registration Form.
FREE | Drop In
Old Library History Tour
Find out about the significance of this historic building to the local area, and the characters involved in making and running the old library and museum, with local resident and blogger Hugh Neal. All ages are welcome. Please meet Hugh in The Garden Room. Your donation will be put towards the upkeep of the Old Library.
£5 donation on the door | Book your spot!
Plant Propagation
Join Head Gardener, Colin Stewart, and Garden Room Manager, Marie-Clair Foley, for a practical propagation workshop where you’ll learn some of the tips, tricks and techniques required to propagate your plants. This workshop covers the basics of propagating popular indoor and outdoor plants, and all participants will receive an informative leaflet to take home.
FREE | Book your spot!
Sketch in the garden
Take inspiration from our garden in this sketching session guided by volunteer Mandy Johnson. Whether you are a seasoned artist, or a novice, there so much to explore and take notice of, from leaf shapes and plant forms to textures and light – what will your inspiration be? All materials will be provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own too.
£5 donation on the door | Book your spot!