Post | January 2023 | News | 1 min read

English Peer Support Group Now Open in the Community

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CONNECT: Housing & Healthcare Information Market | 26 January 2023. Are you new to The Hague region? Do you want to know what you need to consider when renting or buying a house in The Hague region? Do you want to learn more about the Dutch healthcare system or simply meet new people? Then join The Hague International Centre's Housing & Healthcare Information Market, where we and our service partners share knowledge and welcome you with food and drinks! Location: Nutshuis, Riviervismarkt 5, Den Haag Time: 18.00hrs -20.00hrs. Doors open at 17.45hrs Costs: Free Registration: https://www.thehagueinternationalcentre.nl/events/2023-01/connect-housing-healthcare-information-market-26-january-2023

Are you a caregiver for a family member or friend who is struggling with mental health challenges? Do you find yourself needing support but don't know where to turn? Local organization Kompassie is currently running a range of peer support groups (“lotgenoten” in Dutch) for informal carers (“mantelzorgers”) of people who have been diagnosed with a personality disorder or other mental health challenges. In response to requests from their non-Dutch speaking clients, they are launching an English-language version of this longstanding support group!

The English version of this group is scheduled to begin on Thursday, 16 March from 19:00 – 22:00 at Kompassie, located at Laan 20 in The Hague.

Kompassie's group provides a safe place to exchange experiences, learn from other group members, and take a break from being a caregiver. They will explore ways that you can live well and centered despite your demanding situation. There are no taboos; all they ask is that you come with an open mind and ready to share your story in your own time.

The group is open to anyone who is caring for a loved one with a personality disorder, whether diagnosed or not, and who feels more comfortable speaking English than Dutch. The group will run for 8 sessions of 2 hours and is open to a maximum of 8 participants who will meet every 2 weeks. Attendance is free of charge, but the folks at Kompassie ask that members commit to all the sessions to ensure confidentiality and support for the group.

Location: Stichting Kompassie, Laan 20, Den Haag

Dates: 16/3, 23/3, 6/4, 13/4, 11/5, 1/6, 15/6, 29/6

Interested in participating? Then please send an email to [email protected] or call (070) 427 32 40 and ask for Esther van der Meer or Lidia da Graca to get information or to register your interest.

Volunteer The Hague Takes the Stage at the Annual Feel at Home Fair + Full Program Video

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On 14 March (and for the 7th year in a row!) Volunteer The Hague once again enthusiastically participated in The Hague Online's Feel at Home International Community Fair! Every year, this fun and informative event brings together local internationals with businesses, service organizations, and activity groups of every type imaginable with one goal in mind: making those of us from other lands who now live in The Netherlands "feel at home!" This is one of our favorite events - not only because we tend to run workshops and panels showcasing the work we do, but also because it give us the opportunity to meet directly with the international community that we serve. And despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the show went on as planned thanks to The Hague Online's hard work in putting together a wonderful online program of virtual panels, workshops, and information booths. Despite the limitations, things really went off without a hitch; we were not only able to offer an informative panel on volunteering, we also participated in the fair's Work & Career Program and were also able to chat directly with attendees in our very own virtual booth! Our panel titled " No Dutch? No Problem - Volunteer! " was hosted by VTH's very own project manager Tetyana Benzoural. Tetyana was joined by Deborah Valentine, executive director of Access , as well as local professional speaker Cathy Delhante, who also founded one of our favorite local organizations, Wool for Warmth . Together, they discussed the importance of internationals stepping up to volunteer here in the Netherlands, as well as the many benefits - not only the benefits for our local community, but also for the international volunteers themselves. Later in the program, Tetyana was also joined by Ali Ayoub and Rodica Malancea, two local internationals with extensive volunteering experience here in The Netherlands. They answered questions about volunteering and spoke about the many fringe benefits they gained during their time as volunteers at various organizations - from expanding their support networks, broadening their CV and job skills, and giving back to causes they care about in the community. There were some great conversations during this panel, so for those of you who weren't able to make the fair, we hope you'll take a look at the video of the full program, which you can find below. We want to thank Deborah, Cathy, Ali, and Rodica, as well as all of those who attended the fair and joined us in our virtual booth! We had a fantastic time once again this year, and we're very much looking forward to participating again in 2022!