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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! 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. |
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Ongoing groups and groups starting LATER
DUO Toddler group
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The Duo Mother & Baby and Duo Toddler groups start regularly. Group information will be added to this page as soon as the group schedule is confirmed.
If you wish, you can sign up for the groups' waiting list and we will contact you when a suitable group is about to start. Become a Duo Mother & Baby or Duo Toddler group facilitator and start your own group with a facilitator pair! Register for the next 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 & TOddler 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 Living room Family Cafes
DUO LIVING ROOM Family Cafe
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DUO LIVING ROOM Family Cafe
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DUO LIVING ROOM Family Cafe
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What are Duo Living Room Family Cafes and who are they for?
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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. 
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DUO Fathers' GROUPS
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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. |
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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. |
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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Duo Integration groups
cultural crossroads club (Helsinki)Integration is not only about employment or Language. 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.
In the Cultural Crossroads Club, 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. If you are interested please let us know your preferred day and time to start the group link |
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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
DUO JOB HUNTING GROUP helsinki
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Are you keen on discovering job opportunities in Finland? Are you looking to network with fellow job seekers or thinking about a career change or career transition? If you answered yes to any of these questions, our Job Hunting Group is for you!
Our group is driven by a passionate team of trained volunteers and guest experts who are committed to guiding you through your job search journey. With their invaluable insights and experience, you'll gain a competitive edge and a fresh perspective on tackling employment challenges. We understand the challenges that job seekers face, which is why we're offering weekly group discussions focused on employment strategies, integration into new roles, and overall well-being. The group discussions are held in English language and are free of cost. Information about our upcoming Helsinki groups for 2025 will be announced soon. |
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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! |
VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
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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!
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"Good atmosphere, friendly people. Participants seemed to genuinely like each other."
