EXPAT ADVICE AND INFORMATION

ACCESS
(The Hague)
Plein 24
2511 CS The Hague
The Netherlands
Tel: 070 3462525
Fax: 070 3561332

(Amsterdam)
Herengracht 472 3rd floor
1017 CA  Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Tel: 020 4233217

Email: info@access-nl.org
Website: www.access-nl.org

 ACCESS is a not-for-profit organisation established in 1986 to bridge the gap between the international community and English-speaking services available in The Netherlands. We supply free information from our extensive database; offer publications, courses, events, and a professional counselling referral service with about 150 volunteers, a management team, and a board of directors.

Autism Association for Overseas Families (NL)
Contact: mail@aaof.info
Website: www.aaof.info

AAOF is an English language group serving the international community in the Netherlands, consisting of parents/family members and professionals offering support and information to families of individuals with autistic spectrum disorders, living in the Netherlands.


Benelux Adoptive Families Network
Contact: Debbie Driessen, MSW
Email: debbiedriessen@kpnplanet.nl

The Benelux Adoptive Families Network (BAFN) was established in October 2000 by six aspiring American adoptive couples residing in the Netherlands. Its mission - to provide guidance, support, information and education to people dealing with the complex issues of adopting while living abroad. BAFN has become an informal gathering of approximately 35 families whose common interest spans all phases of the adoption process. Some members are just beginning to consider adoption, but haven't yet made that personal decision; some members are in various stages of the "paper chase"; some members are waiting for referrals; others are post-adoptive parents with children (adoptive and/or biological). We also have members that are professionally involved with adoption.

The Hague Support Group
Contact: Cathy Hart 070 317 5101/
Nathalie Gallegos 070 319 3808
Email: (CH) hotcitygirl@hotmail.com; (NG) panat@wanadoo.nl

The Hague Support group is to enable parents of children with special needs to come together informally, exchange ideas and information, to pool resources and to offer each other support. The children all have differing needs be they developmental, medical, physical, educational or emotional. The group can often put families with similar needs in touch with each other. Many members have invaluable experience of how the systems work in Holland and can offer practical advice on how to proceed and succeed in the shortest time possible. The group tries to meet regularly once a month for coffee, chat, and exchange of ideas.

French Accueil (information booklet)
Email: accueil.fr@netcourrier.com
Website: www.lahayeaccueil.com


ACTIVIST AND VOLUNTEER CLUBS

Amnesty International
177 Keizersgracht, Amsterdam
Meetings: First Wednesday of month, 7.15 - 8.30pm
Website: www.amnesty.nl

The human rights group is open to English-speaking newcomers and experienced volunteers and their guests, no reservation required.  Each month the group features speakers, film presentations, and discussion of AI activities and issues worldwide, often followed by letter writing, fund raising and public awareness planning. 

Join the group at amnesty-amsterdam-subscribe@yahoogroups.com for access to the calendar of activities.

Amnesty International
The Hague International
Website: www.xs4all.nl/~coleen/

ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY CLUBS

IMAGES International Photography Club
Meetings: British Women's Club,
Sociëteit de Witte, 2nd Floor
Plein 24, The Hague
Contact:  Kath Lyonette 070 354 5964
Email:  images@imagesphotoclub.com
Website: www.ImagesPhotoClub.com

 English-speaking, international photography club.  This friendly, enthusiastic group of amateur photographers meets regularly in The Hague to exchange ideas and develop new skills.  All levels and interests covered.  Members also benefit from field trips, exhibitions, workshops and newsletters.


The Decorative and Fine Arts Society  
 An arts club for expats
Studio Jean Art Lessons
Thomsonlaan 65, The Hague
Tel:  Jocelyn 070 3921672
Email:  info@studiojean.nl
Website:  www.studiojean.nl

 Art Lessons Jean gives lessons to not only the international community but also the local residents; a great way to meet like minded people and make social contact in a light hearted way. Her lessons begin with teaching people to draw, quickly progressing to other mediums such as pastel , watercolour, acrylic, oil or pen and ink. Much attention is given to subject matter, design colour and symmetry. Jean believes everyone can learn to draw and paint with the right encouragement and instruction. 


CITY CLUBS

The Hague International Network (THIN)
If you have suggestions for future events, please feel free to contact Marianne van Zon (tel.: 070 - 306 2211), who is in charge of  organising the network meetings on behalf of the Municipality of The Hague and the Hague Chamber of Commerce.

Registration is compulsory and please bring a valid identification.
for more information visit http://denhaag.com/default.asp?id=5928&ep=
More general information for expats in the Hague: http://denhaag.com/

Leiden Expats Club
E-mail address : Leidenexpats@yahoogroups.com
Web site : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Leidenexpats/

MEETinEINDHOVEN
Website:  www.meetin.org/city/MEETinEINDHOVEN/Index.cfm

The MEETinEINDHOVEN group's primary focus is to provide a relaxed, 'non-pickup-scene' social environment for people to enjoy without paying membership fees. If you just moved to Eindhoven or if you have lived here for a while, this group can be a great way to meet new people in the area. Join us for happy hours, camping, hiking, clubbing, art gallery tours, barbecues, ski trips and many other social events around the Eindhoven area. MEETin.org is 100% free and 100% volunteers.


FOOD AND WINE CLUBS

Cooking Dutch
Contact:  Suzanne Hettenvan
Email:  dutchcooking@hettenvan.com
Website: www.home.wanadoo.nl/hetten/  

Cooking Dutch members consist of women and men in the Netherlands and in the US. We all enjoy cooking but found cooking in a new country difficult. We help each other with finding items for cooking and baking, what substitutes to use, and exchange recipes. The group was originally started for those of us who live in the NL, but we've grown to include members in the US.    

Vitis Amsterdamensis Wine Club
Location: Amsterdam
Website: www.vawc.squarespace.com
Email: vawc@orange.nl

Vitis Amsterdamensis is an English speaking, friendly and informal wine tasting group from in and around the Amsterdam area. The club is a group of wine enthusiasts and have no commercial connections. It meets once a month, each tasting has a theme and is organised by one of the group members. Occasionally the club visits wine merchants and once a quarter it organises a Wine and Dine evening.  New members welcome.


EDUCATIONAL  CLUBS

Toastmasters Club
Hilton Hotel, Apollolaan 138, Amsterdam
Every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month (except for holidays)
Time: 6.45-8.30pm
Email: amsterdamtoastmasters@yahoo.com
Website: www.toastmasters.nl

Toastmasters is an international non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the public speaking an leadership skills of its members. The organisation is built-up by local clubs consisting of 20-50 persons who meet regularly. During these meetings members perform different public speaking activities: prepared or unprepared speeches or evaluations of other members speeches, thus creating a mutually supportive environment that enables members to steadily improve their public speaking and presentation skills. Our club is open to everyone who has a reasonable command of English and is over 18 years of age.

FAMILY CLUBS

Almere Baby Club for Dutch & English
Parkwijk Buurtcentrum
Haagbeukweg 42
1326 CP  Almere Stad
Tel: 036 - 5375538
Email: abcde.almere@lycos.nl
Website: www.parkwijkalmere.nl/abcde

 ABCDE is a playgroup for children from 0 - 4 years of age where Englis and Dutch is spoken.  The aim is to bring together pre-school children and give them an opportunity to play with other children and to learn and develop their language skills in a friendly and playful environment. This is all under the supervision of the parents (a great way of making new friends and talking to other mums & dads).  We have our own playroom with lots of toys for the kids to play with and we meet every Monday morning from 9:30 till 11:30 at the Parkwijk Buurtcentrum. There is a basic format of allowing the children to play, reading a story or singing and having some juice and fruits.  Afterwards there is a group clear up session.  The group is run on a voluntary basis, so everybody can contribute to make this successful and enjoyable.  Any skills in crafts, singing, playing musical instruments, baby gym, etc. are more than welcome.

Various groups in The Hague
Church lounge
St John and St Philips
Ary van der Spuyweg, 2585 JA The Hague
Times: See below
Website: www.greatexpectations.nl

Bumps & Baby Group

An English-speaking informal group for pregnant women and parents with babies not yet walking.  Held every Friday morning from 10.30 - 12.30 pm in the of St John and St Philips. Email Tina at tina@greatexpectations.nl.
 
Baby Music Group

For young babies 3 months to 18 months and their parents.  Every  Wednesday morning from 10.45 until 11.45am.  Same address as above. Contact Monique Gielbert at Moniquegielbert@hotmail.com.

Parent and Toddler Group
 
Also at the same address above every Tuesday and Wednesday morning from 9.30 - 11.00am.  Plenty of space to run around, puzzles, books, cars and bikes, free play with a cup of coffee for parent or carer. Cookies and drinks for the little uns.  Contact the church office for  more details 070 3555339or see website www.stjohn-stphilip.org.

The Pregnant Tea Party
Where:  English Bookshop, Lauriergracht 71, Amsterdam
When:   Every Thursday 14:00
Email:  information@englishbookshop.nl
Cost:   EUR 2,00 includes tea!

Come and join our pregnancy discussion group in the cosy atmosphere of The English Bookshop. We will be meeting every Thursday from 14:00 to share experiences and advice with each other.  The first Thursday of each month we will have a guest speaker. New moms (babies 0-3 months) are always welcome to come and share their birth experiences and babies (space for strollers/prams is limited, so if possible a baby carrier/sling is best).  The English Bookshop carries pregnancy books recommended by internationally trained, locally based doulas, prenatal teachers and midwife’s  (plus will always order any title you want).  This is a chance to meet other pregnant women and chat over tea, check out the latest in pregnancy books AND once a month a chance to ask your burning questions to a birth professional.

BWC mums and tots group
Contact:  Louise Franklin
Email:  Loody14@hotmail.com  

 This is a sub group of the British Womens Club of the Hague. A group of mums get together each Thursday - with regular weekly activities plus a number of extra activities throughout summer. Some of these activities include picnics, outings, toddler songs and music, mums and tots tennis, Mums and Dads nights out, and more.  

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