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Our peer groups are intercultural groups in which family members of intercultural families can participate. Our activities include, for example, Duo Mother & Baby and Duo Toddlers groups, Duo Living Room Family Cafes, Duo Fathers' groups, Duo Job Hunting groups and Duo Integration groups. In cooperation with the Kaapatut lapset ry and Päksy ry, we also organise Multicultural Living Room (Moku-olkkari) peer meetings for inter- and multicultural one-parent families.
You can find more information about the groups at the bottom of this page. |
More information about the Duo Peer Groups
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Duo Mother & Baby and Duo Toddlers groups
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New intercultural Duo Mother & Baby and Duo Toddlers groups start regularly throughout the year with the help of our wonderful volunteer mothers! The next groups start in the autumn.
If you don't find a group that suits you and your baby, you can always register on the waiting list as a participant and/or volunteer. NOTE! The next orientation day for the Duo Mother & Baby and Duo Toddlers group volunteers will be held on Tuesday 15 August 2023 10am to 1pm at our office in Sörnäinen. If you are unable to participate in the face-to-face orientation day in Helsinki, we will organise a separate orientation remotely (Teams). Register for the orientation day by filling out the registration form online. |
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What are Duo Mother & Baby and Duo Toddlers groups and who are they for?
What are Duo Mother & Baby groups and who are they for?
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Duo Mother & Baby groups are cosy and confidential meeting places for the mothers and babies of intercultural families. All mothers - both Finnish and foreign - are welcome to participate with their under-1-year-old babies.
Duo Mother & Baby groups are facilitated by volunteer pairs who are also mothers of intercultural baby families. The groups last about two months and they have eight weekly meetings. The groups are closed groups, which means that a registration to the group is required and new participants aren’t taken into the group once it has started. All the participants commit to take part in the meetings. Duo Mother & Baby groups have been very popular, and the groups have been organised for over fifteen years. The groups have received strongly positive feedback and the participants have told they’ve had a chance to meet each other and make new friends with others in a similar life situation. According to the feedback, the best thing about the groups have been the discussions, sharing of experiences and peer support. Mothers have also shared ideas and information about intercultural parenthood and family life in Finland. Duo Toddlers groups are cosy and confidential meeting places for the parents and toddlers of intercultural families. All parents- both Finnish-born and foreign-born - are welcome to take part in the groups along with their under-3-year-old toddlers. The groups are facilitated by volunteer pairs who are also parents of intercultural families. The groups last about two months and have eight weekly meetings. The groups are closed groups, which means that a registration to the group is required, and new participants aren’t taken into the group once it has started. All the participants commit to take part in the meetings. Ps. Are you interested in becoming a volunteer and lead a Duo Mother and Baby or a Duo Toddlers group? Read more about here. |
The best thing about my Duo Mother & Baby group was hearing other mothers' experiences and being able to share my own experiences. The unity feeling in the group. |
DUO Livingroom (SPRING 2023)
DUO LIVINGROOM (Helsinki)
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DUO LIVINGROOM (Turku)
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Duo Livingroom (Tampere)
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DUO LIVINGROOM (Turku)
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What are Duo Living Room Family Cafes and who are they for?
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Duo Living Rooms are a place for parents, guardians and children of intercultural families to meet others and exchange ideas and experiences about the daily life of an intercultural family. Meetings are run by volunteers who themselves have experience living in an intercultural family. The meetings are multi-lingual and the atmosphere is casual. Come and chat about your life over a cup of coffee ! The meetings last usually 1.5-2 hours, but you can join for as long as you want.
Ps. Familia is looking for volunteers to start Duo Living Rooms in other areas in Finland. So if you are interested or know someone who might be, please check becoming a volunteer and lead a Duo Living room? Read more about here. |
I joined Duo Living Room to share ideas about raising intercultural children and parenting. The group empowers me. It reminds me that we are not the only family like this and somebody understands out problems. We are not strange and we are part of something. 
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DUO Father's GROUPS
Duo Father's group(Autumn 2023)
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Duo Father's group (Helsinki)
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What are Duo Fathers' Groups and who are they for?
Duo Father's group is a peer support group for fathers in intercultural families. The fathers' groups encourage and support foreign and Finnish fathers in an intercultural family, giving them a space to share thoughts, concerns and frustrations, reflect on being a dad and the vital role they play in their children’s development. In the groups, fathers get to talk, bond and make new friends. The focus in this group is meeting new people, learning new tools, sharing ideas and getting support by and for dads in an intercultural family.
In person, the meetings are conducted once a week or twice a month and are in person or online when needed. Each meeting takes about 1.5-2 hours.
Are you interested in becoming a volunteer and lead a Duo Fathers' group? Read more about here.
In person, the meetings are conducted once a week or twice a month and are in person or online when needed. Each meeting takes about 1.5-2 hours.
Are you interested in becoming a volunteer and lead a Duo Fathers' group? Read more about here.
Multicultural Living Room peer meetings (MOKU-OLKKARI)
for inter- and multicultural One-parent families
Multicultural Living Room peer meetings are communal get-togethers for inter- and multicultural one-parent families in Mellunmäki. In the meetings, you can share thoughts and experiences about divorce, children's well-being and coping in everyday life with other parents. The meetings are organised in cooperation with Familia, Kaapatut lapset and Päksy. |
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Intercultural Separation Support group
Separation and divorce are highly stressful life events, and going through a separation or divorce is very difficult, no matter the reason for it. In addition, intercultural separation involves special challenges and requirements. If you are going through an intercultural divorce/separation or have recently gone through one, come and join our Intercultural Separation Support Group. In this group you can meet peers, discuss your experiences and emotions, seek advice, and be surrounded by those who care. You will also get useful information and practical tips on divorce and separation in Finland. In the first meeting, we'll be covering all the necessary paperwork and officials that come with the process of divorce. We'll be exploring topics such as how to fill out paperwork, what changes to expect after the divorce, how to access support from Kela and family advising centres, and how to handle child welfare. We'll also discuss the stigma that often surrounds divorce and how to cope with the opinions of others. On the second session we will focus on well-being after the divorce. We'll discuss strategies for conflict resolution in relationships, open communication about emotions, and finding confidence and balance within yourself. We'll also talk about how to release the pain and betrayal you may be feeling. Finally, in our third session, we'll help you prepare for your new life after divorce. We'll discuss how to rebuild trust in people, offer tips for dating, and explore how to balance a fulfilling independent life with a deep connection to your inner self. |
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Employment Bootcamp (summer 2023)
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Are you having difficulties in finding a job in Finland or are you planning on starting to the application process soon? Are you looking to advance your employability skills in a safe space environment? Employment Bootcamp is for you!
Employment Bootcamp is a 2-day program designed to provide participants with practical and job-ready technical skills. We want you to enhance and increase your knowledge of today’s job market while building skills required to excel! This workshop offers discussions and a chance to share experiences, as well as professional and individual support and feedback from experts in the field. Whether you’re exploring the job market, need support in tailoring your resume or learning how to network, our guest speakers will work with you at your pace. What you will learn:
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Duo Integration groups (summer 2023)
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Duo Integration group (Helsinki)
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What are Duo Integration groups and who are they for?
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Integration is not only employment. Making friends, learning about the culture, the language and these little things that make you feel at home are also part of it. Integration is about finding a new balance and keeping one’s own identity. It is also a process, with its own highs and lows. In the discussion group, we will create a comfortable space, where everyone can share and hear experiences, give and get tips, make friends and ultimately make integration in Finland a bit easier.
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To be honest, I don’t know what I need you to do. I just feel that huge part inside of my is missing… missing my home, missing my laughs with my own friends, missing the feeling of being accepted in my own skin with my own language! I am here because I love you, but sometimes it's just too difficult!" |
Duo Job Hunting groups (spring 2023)
Duo Job hunting group (Helsinki)
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What are Duo Job Hunting groups and who are they for?
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The Duo Job Hunting groups are peer support groups for members of intercultural families who are looking for a job. The aim is to create a space where participants can support and encourage each other and talk about different themes linked to job-hunting, among people who share a similar life situation. The participants share ideas, tips and have discussions about job-hunting in Finland and its specificity for people in intercultural families.
The groups are led by trained volunteers and meet around once a week to discuss employment, integration and well-being issues. In addition to discussions, the meetings include one Q&A session with an expert. The Duo Job Hunting groups meet weekly or fortnightly for eight times. The groups are closed, which means that the same people meet each time and that there are no new members joining after the second session. One meeting lasts 1.5-2 hours. The groups have between 5 and 8 participants, and can be organized online. Are you interested in becoming a volunteer and lead a Duo Job-hunting group? Read more about here. |
I never knew that CV's are different in Finland. And I was surprised to find out that it is expected for one to have an active LinkedIn. I enjoyed this group and got really eye-opening advises. I didn't know what expect from the group, yet I leave filled with great ideas! |
Meet our new Duo Job Hunting for women aged 40+
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The Duo Job hunting 40 +, is a new and specifically tailored group for women who are 40 years and older, and who have been out of employment due to various reasons for extended periods of time.
We recognize that getting back into the workforce at this age can present some additional challenges which can best be understood by others who are in an exact or similar position. So come and find your new community. The meeting lasts 1.5-2 hours for 6 sessions.
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VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES!
- Are you interested in volunteering and leading a Duo Mother & Baby group or Duo Toddlers? Read more here
- Are you interested in volunteering and running a Duo Living Room? Read more here
- Are you interested in volunteering and leading the Duo Father Group? Read more here
- Are you interested in volunteering and mentoring the Duo Job Hunting group? Read more here
DUO ACTIVITIES AROUND FINLAND
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Would you be interested to have activities for intercultural families close to you? Contact us and we tell you more about the opportunities that already exist close to you or how to start a Duo activity yourself!
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"Good atmosphere, friendly people. Participants seemed to genuinely like each other." |
