This is not only a Youth Club. It is also a gym and pool open to members and anyone can join…read more Membership is £15 per month or £25 for a couple and something fractionally more for a 'family'. As it was built with money taken from tax payers for kids and unemployed people it doesn't open hours that really suit anyone that works for a living. However, if you want to take your kid swimming on a Satiurday it's very useful. It's open on weekdays to the general membership from 3pm until 5pm and on Saturdays from 10am until 5pm the rest of the time it is for 'community' stuff. Sunday it is closed. You can also take archery lessons here.

An unassuming community centre in a back street between Latimer Road station and the Westway, this…read moreplace hosts a wealth of events and classes, predominantly for young people. Check my separate entry for the best fitness class in London. Best accessed via a footpath opposite Latimer Road station; just follow the path and don't be put off by the garages and high rise block.

Day centre for the local community dealing mainly with homeless. Great volunteer staff that offer…read morefree food, shower with underwear and tioletress and cheap washing(50p). Free food includes tues 7-9pm dinner Wednesday 1-3pm lunch and a breakfast on Fridays 10-12am. Situated 100 yard up from Essex road train station and 10 mins walk from Angel. Also off cloths donated from the local community a pool and ping pong table and links with local outreach workers.

This is a really nice little charity shop, all the money goes locally to people with mental health…read moreissues, there's a gigantic ginger cat that seems to love loafing around everywhere in the shop, the staff are exceptionally nice friendly and helpful and stuff is much cheaper than the charity shops on the main drag in Camden, so if charity shops are your thing, this is the place to come....

Clothing, bric a brac, books, records, cds, videos. Belts, ties, handbags, shoes 10-4.45 mon-fri…read more Big radius of clientele - well known in London. There are many branches of the mind shop and their all fab! Staff are friendly and helpful. There is a real homely feel in the shop and you can pick up few antique pieces. You can also donate any unwanted items you have at home or donate financiallyafterm all it is for charity:D

A wonderful community play centre for local parents and under fours/fives. No registration just…read moreshow up. Ivy Centre operates from 54 Ivy Street, just off Hoxton High Street. They have messy days, cafe days and a kind staff headed by the wonderful Angela. The space can be let for events and children's parties as well.

Crisis is a charity for homeless people. The centre offers practical and creative workshops and…read moreformal learning opportunities that lead to qualifications / help people to find work. ...But they also have the "Crisis Skylight London Cafe", with good coffee, teas, green and blacks ice-cream and a whole range of yummy looking cakes and pastries. There is loooads of space, and if you go to the back there are comfy sofas to sink into and relax. We came here while we waited for my dress fitting at the fairygothmother shop a few doors down, but if I worked or lived near here I think I'd like to make it into a regular hang-out. :)

Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice is a little charity shop based in Belvedere village. It is good…read morefor picking up random second hand items such as toys, games and ornaments as well as stocking racks of second hand clothing and cheap books. Paperbacks are 30p each, hardbacks £1 and this is good place to visit if you love reading find yourself getting through books quickly. One downside to the shop is that it is a bit of a tight squeeze and with a few people in the shop it can become very congested very quickly. Staff are enthusiastic and serve you with a smile on their face. Obviously you also get the added satisfaction of knowing your money is going to a good cause too.

The St Lukes Parochial Trust has opened a rather incredible community centre in Central Street…read more Totally renovated the building houses a mixture of meeting rooms and community facilities over 3 floors. We end up here every week as te youngest daughter goes to Guides here on a Thursday evening and the place is always a hub of activity. Facilities include a public access computer suite for people to access internet, do homework, or find jobs, an amazing community cookery school to learn life skills; numerous activity and social spaces for older people, and meeting facilities for local groups. Despite all the wealth in Clerkenwell the Ward of Bunhill is actually within the bottom 10% of the most deprived wards in England and Wales. The classic inner city issues of unemployment, poor housing and health are to the fore nestling next to the bright and shiny office buildings. This centre seeks to support the community they serve and I commend themn for that... Friendly and welcoming - every neighbourhood should have a community centre like this.