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
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 soon
Duo Mother & Baby
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Duo Mother & baby
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Duo Mother & Baby group
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Duo Mother & Baby group
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Groups starting later
Duo Mother & baby
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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?
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
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DUO LIVING ROOM
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Peer support group for the parents of school-aged intercultural children
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DUO LIVING ROOM
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DUO LIVING ROOM
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DUO LIVING ROOM
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DUO LIVING ROOM
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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
No on-going groups at the moment.
What are Duo Fathers' Groups and who are they for?
Duo Fathers' groups are peer groups for the fathers and bonus fathers of intercultural families and their children. Ps. 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 (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. For more information, please contact us at by email suunnittelija@kaapatutlapset.fi or by phone at 0458553055. 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. For more information, please contact us at by email kansalaistoiminta@kaapatutlapset.fi or by phone 0505543837. The meetings are organised in cooperation with Familia and Päksy. |
BBQ evenings in uutela Cabin
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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. |
Student Integration cafe
Are you an international student in Finland trying to balance classes, studies, and job hunting in a new country? Finding it hard to fit in?
Familia brings you a platform to connect with fellow international students facing similar challenges. Join us for our upcoming Student Integration Support Group to share your experiences, exchange integration tips, and learn from guest speakers. The group discussions are held in English language and are free of cost. Check out further details on our registration form here For more information, please contact Asad Mehmood or Arshia Nazakat |
Finnish Worklife and Job Search Course Have you moved to Finland within the last three years, or have you been at home and out of the job market for an extended period? Welcome to this threshold Finnish workLife and job search course.
Let us help you get started or back on track with your employment journey. Be sure to join us for our next exciting 5-week course where we work together to turn your job hunting into a job search strategy. We will work on reshaping your mindset into actions. **More information about our upcoming courses for 2024 coming soon... |
Duo Integration groups
Duo Integration group (Helsinki)Integration is not only about 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.
In the Duo Integration peer support 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. When: 21.03-25.04 from 17:00-19:00 Where: Haapaniemenkatu 7-9 B (10. kerros), Helsinki Language: English Free of charge. See registration link for more information |
What are Duo Integration groups and who are they for?
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
Employment Bootcamp
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! What you will expect:
Are you ready to take the next step on your career? ** More information about our upcoming Bootcamp workshops for 2024 coming soon... |
DUO JOB HUNTING GROUP
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. Details: Date: 12.03-30.4.24 (8 sessions) Time: 17:00-19:00 Place: Familia's premises (Haapaniemenkatu 7-9 B (10krs)), Helsinki Note: This group will remain open! This means you can register at any time and join our sessions. Sign up for the group by filling out the registration form online |
DUO JOB HUNTING for women aged 40+
The Duo Job hunting 40 +, is a 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.
Our peer support group will begin meeting in different locations. This is an informal group. You are welcome to join us every week or only on occasion, as you like. We discuss topics mainly related to work and family life in Finland. ** More information about our upcoming Duo Job Hunting 40+ groups for 2024 coming soon... If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Planning Officer, Allison Abdile at: allison.abdile@familiary.fi |
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! |
Meet our new Duo Job Hunting for women aged 40+
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.
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.
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."