The Old Library was a place made by local people – built by them, kept alive by them, and used by them for learning and nurturing a sense a community. 

The Exchange is a place where people make things. Things like furniture, ceramic tiles, plates and bowls, things like hand-made prints, cards and textiles, but also things like gardens, events, performances and festivals. The Exchange is a place where we make communities happen. 

Pop along to discover what we do, purchase something we’ve made from the Garden Room, or simply to hang out in our “Town Square”. Or you can take part in an activity or event.

The Exchange is a unique community-owned cultural/social organisation, empowering local people to make & make things happen.

Founded by local residents in 2017 with just £5, The Exchange is housed in the old Carnegie Library in Erith, Bexley. Erith’s recent history hasn’t been easy; it has long been neglected and, as a result, is perceived (unfairly) by many as unwelcoming and not somewhere people have wanted to visit. The Exchange, however, is inspired by a brighter history; one of industry, community endeavour, thriving high streets, & port-town inclusion that welcomed transient groups & visitors from afar.

We have so far raised over £3.6m to repair the town’s most significant building, turning this once derelict space back into a community hub with a year-round programme of workshops & events. Previously a library and museum, that was commissioned, designed and built by local people, we are creating a space that celebrates and restores local craft, and empowers people to make the change they want to see on their doorstep.

Our purpose

OUR VISION

Erith is a beacon for sustainable, skilled, community-led production and change

OUR MISSION

To reinvigorate the Old Library as a community-built space and create a centre for local cultural change – through the sharing of expertise, ideas, knowledge and production

  • The Exchange was founded to provide Erith’s Old Library with a sustainable future. To discover what that future might look like – and to ensure its future was grounded in the fabric of the building - we went back to explore why the Old Library was built and what the building of it achieved.

    It was a library. And later a museum. It existed to empower the local working population through knowledge.

    It was commissioned, designed and built by local people, using local materials and showcasing local crafts. Through this the building demonstrated the power of local craft to transform lives and places.

    It was a place where people could come together, learn together and share together. People would use it for lectures, debates and community gatherings. It was a space for the creation of “community”.

    Our purpose brings these three pillars of “Empowerment”, “Craft” and “Community” together. “Makers” to us are all those that help us to uphold and advance these pillars, supporting us to achieve our mission and vision for Erith.

Our guiding principles

  • In a word: Empowerment.

    We are not satisfied with the status quo. We believe in positive change. We think in the long-term and share an ambition for a better future – for our communities and our world – that includes everyone. We believe in empowering people to be part of that change.

  • In a word: Community.

    We see human interaction – in all its forms – as vital to progress, on a personal and societal level. Conversation and collaboration help us to better understand, recognise, and connect with those around us. For us, community is human interaction in all its diversity; whether we agree or not. It is finding a way forward.

  • In a word: Craft.

    We believe in the power of craft. It is everywhere, and exists in every culture. It has a history of community. It’s focus on materials, design, skill, functionality, creativity and process can inform a better and more sustainable future. It is something everyone can take part in; everyone is a maker.

Our aims

The Old Library’s community and craft heritage is at the centre of our work

We actively seek out and champion cultural diversity

We shine a light on and celebrate local heritages

We take action to tackle the climate emergency

We take action to tackle racism, lack of cohesion and inclusion

We take action to tackle poor mental health, poor wellbeing and loneliness

We support local innovation and ideas