|
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
|
Duo Mother & Baby and Duo Toddlers groups
|
New intercultural Duo Mother & Baby and Duo Toddlers groups start regularly throughout the year with the help of our wonderful volunteer mothers! 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.
This group has been a life saver. It's easy to just stay at home and feel stressed and overwhelmed. Taking part in the group, you will still feel overwhelmed, but you feel much better also. |
|
Ongoing groups and groups starting LATER
DUO Toddler group
|
DUO mother & baby group
|
What are Duo Mother & Baby and Duo Toddler groups and who are they for?
What are Duo Mother & Baby & TOddler groups and who are they for?
|
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 Toddler 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 Living room Family Cafes
DUO LIVING ROOM Family Cafe
|
DUO LIVING ROOM Family Cafe
|
DUO women's wellbeing LIVING ROOM
|
What are Duo Living Room Family Cafes and who are they for?
|
Duo Living Room Family Cafe is a multilingual meeting place for intercultural families. In the Family Cafe, you get to know other parents in the community who are in the same life situation, and the children get to play with other children of their own age. The Family Cafe is facilitated by volunteers who themselves have an intercultural family or family background.
Duo Living Room Family Cafes continue next year in different parts of Finland. If you are interested in facilitating a Duo Living Room Family Cafe and volunteering, register for the volunteer training day by filling out the registration form online. 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. 
|
DUO Fathers' GROUPS
|
What are Duo Fathers' Groups and who are they for?
Fathers' groups is a community designed for fathers in intercultural families. These groups provide encouragement and assistance to both foreign and Finnish fathers. Here, dads have the opportunity to connect, share experiences, and forge new friendships. Our focus lies in fostering a supportive environment where dads can exchange ideas, receive assistance specific to intercultural family dynamics, and nurture the bond between father and child
Our Duo Fathers' groups, are tailored for father and all male guardians in intercultural families, launches regularly, supported by our dedicated team. If you haven't found the perfect fit yet, you can always join our waiting list as a participant and/or volunteer. I remember feeling incredibly isolated in this situation, with my family living in another country and no one really acknowledging the struggles fathers face or reassuring them about their parenting journey. Joining the Fathers' Group was a turning point for me. It was the first time I heard someone say, "Don't worry, you're doing just fine," and it meant the world to me. |
|
Multicultural Living Room peer meetings (MOKU-OLKKARI)
for inter- and multicultural One-parent families
Multicultural living room (Helsinki)
Multicultural Living Room (Moku-olkkari) for inter- and multicultural one-parent families offers a comfortable and confidential meeting place where you can discuss changing topics and themes brought up by the participants themselves. The meetings include a free evening snack and childcare. The program of the meetings is in Finnish, so in order to take part, you need to understand Finnish, but English can also be used in discussions. The meetings are organised in cooperation with Familia, Kaapatut lapset and Päksy. |
Multicultural living room (Vantaa-Kerava)
Multicultural Living Room (Moku-olkkari) for inter- and multicultural one-parent families offers a comfortable and confidential meeting place where you can discuss changing topics and themes brought up by the participants themselves. The meetings include a free evening snack and childcare. The meetings are organised in cooperation with Familia and Päksy. |
Duo Job Hunting groups
DUO JOB HUNTING GROUP helsinkiStruggling to find a job in Finland or planning to start your job search soon?
Join the Duo Job Hunting Group, a peer support group designed for members of intercultural families looking for work. This is a space where participants encourage and support each other, sharing tips, strategies, and discussions about job-hunting in Finland. Some of the topics we will discuss during this group:
The group is led by our dedicated volunteers Prathiba, Riya, and Ellan, who bring their own job-seeking experiences to help guide discussions. When: Thursdays, 24.4. – 12.6. from 17.00 to 19.00 Where: Haapaniemenkatu 7-9 B (10th fl), Helsinki (some sessions may be online) Language: English Free of charge & open to everyone! |
DUO JOB HUNTING GROUP tampereThe Duo Job Hunting Group in Tampere is back!
This peer support group is for members of intercultural families who want to share experiences, get inspired, and move forward together. What’s in it for you?
When: Tuesdays, 29.4. – 3.6. from 17.00 to 19.00 Where: To be confirmed upon registration Language: English Free of charge & open to everyone! |
What are Duo Job Hunting groups and who are they for?
|
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! |
VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
|
DUO ACTIVITIES AROUND FINLANDWould 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!
|
"Good atmosphere, friendly people. Participants seemed to genuinely like each other."
