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Duo groups are intercultural peer 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. You can find more information about the groups at the bottom of this page.
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More information about the Duo Groups
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Duo Mother & Baby and Duo Toddlers groups (Spring 2023)
Duo Mother & Baby Turku (skappeli)
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Duo Mother & Baby Espoo
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Duo Mother & Baby Espoo (Espoo Centre)
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Duo Mother & Baby Helsinki (Kotola)
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Duo Toddlers Helsinki (Kotola)
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What are Duo Mother & Baby 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 Integration groups (spring 2023)
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! |
DUO Livingroom (SPRING 2023)
DUO LIVINGROOM (Helsinki)
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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 (SPRING 2023)
Duo Father's group (Espoo)
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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.
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VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES!
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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." |
