The HUB Geneva

Help • Understanding • Belonging

For English-Speaking Parents from Geneva to Nyon

Walk and Talk

An opportunity to connect and chat whilst getting some fresh air and gentle exercise. Babies in pushchairs and/or dogs welcome for a walk through the beautiful Versoix woods.

When:

Twice a month. Meeting at Term time only

Second Thursday of the month
Last Friday of the month

We walk whatever the weather, so remember to dress for the conditions.

Our next walks are:

Jan: Thurs 12th January & Fri 27th January

Feb: Thurs 9th February

Where:

Cabane des Bûcherons, Versoix

Free parking at Chemin des douves, off Route de Sauverney, Versoix

Nearest Bus Stop: Stand de tir – TPG route 55

Duration: approx 90 minutes with the option to chat over a hot drink afterwards – there might even be a biscuit – back at the Cabane.

Not sure if we are walking? – check out our Insta or Facebook stories

Feel free to message us with any questions you may have.

Want to join? Drop us a quick email [email protected] so we have an idea of numbers.

We look forward to seeing you soon

Walk and Talk Sessions

Recent Survey Results

WRS - hear us on the radio

Parenting is hard! Living and raising a family in a country away from home can be a huge additional hurdle. Add a language barrier and you can quickly feel overwhelmed and isolated.

The HUB Geneva offers families

HUB Highlights – sharing the online resources (in English) we rely on
HUB Events – like HUB “Walk & Talk” a chance to connect in a relaxed way with other parents
HUB Blog – completely honest, funny and reassuring experiences of local life

We are here to make sure you don’t feel alone

mum and baby

“Having my first baby here was super hard….. It wasn’t easy to meet other new mums. My [email protected] volunteer has been amazing. I don’t feel so alone anymore.”

hands

“I needed an outlet to talk about what I was finding difficult. Because I was struggling. Not
all the time, but definitely more than anyone thought.”

people

“The more friends back home were envious of the mountains, the lake, the beautiful summers, etc. the more guilty and ungrateful I felt."

cup

“The HUB Geneva is here to offer a listening ear and support as needed…. It’s good to have a point of contact where people know what you’re going through.”

dad and daughter

“I wasn’t expecting the overwhelming feeling of loneliness. I hadn’t realised how big a change it would be moving to Switzerland. I would have liked The HUB to have been around, when I first came.”

children skipping

“I think we all doubt ourselves as new parents. The responsibility is overwhelming at first. You feel so vulnerable sharing these thoughts with relative strangers, but so much stronger when you realise they are normal.”

people

“The more friends back home were envious of the mountains, the lake, the beautiful summers, etc. the more guilty and ungrateful I felt."

Together we are stronger and happier.

HUB Highlights

Our spotlight on brilliant local websites and resources. Information and inspiration for families.

HUB Blog

Real stories, from real people with families living in the Geneva area.

HUB Events

We regularly host casual, friendly events to allow local parents to make connections with each other.

Children do well...

"Parenting may represent an important intervention target for improving mental health outcomes in children exposed to prenatal stress"

Kaminski et al (2013), Legacy for Children™ parenting program, US CDC

Claybourne, Z. M. et al (2021) Psychological Medicine

Half of parents...

"Half of parents struggled to cope with their children’s behaviour during lockdown."

Barnardo’s, August 2020

Social support friends...

"Social support from friends moderated the relationship between repetitive negative thinking and postnatal depression and anxiety."

Harrison V et al (2020) Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology

New mums...

"1 in 3 parents of premature babies experienced anxiety, depression or PTSD after the birth of their child."

UK Maternity and Mental Health Alliance, March 2021

Tommy's (2021) as part of UK Maternity and Mental Health Alliance

Levels of stress

"Levels of stress, depression and anxiety among parents and carers have increased with the pressures of the lockdowns."

Cresswell et al (2021) University of Oxford

Families have little awareness..

"Families have little awareness of early help services for those who don’t speak French."

The HUB Geneva (2021) Early Help Needs Assessment

Reach out...

"Reach out and touch someone’s heart by doing a #littlegooddeed. Loneliness amongst parents is rocketing in lockdown."

HomeStart UK (2021)

MumsNet survey...

"A MumsNet survey of 1500 women warns of a looming maternal mental health crisis without more support for mums."

MumsNet UK (2021)

Supporting parental

"Supporting parental mental health is key. Parental resilience is essential for children’s resilience."

UK Mental Health Foundation, 2021

perinatal mental...

"Perinatal mental disorders (PMDs) are the most common complication of pregnancy and the first postpartum year: We found that 16.7% of perinatal women per year, every sixth women, used mental-health services in Switzerland."

Swiss Med Wkly. 2017;147

Parenting support...

"Parenting support for families with pre-school aged children was identified as the biggest area of need in the Geneva area."

The HUB Geneva (2021) Early Help Needs Assessment

In the Geneva area...

"In the Geneva area, the biggest challenges families face include knowing how to access local services; finding english-speaking professionals; and loneliness and isolation."

The HUB Geneva (2021) Early Help Needs Assessment

Over 1 in 10..

"Over 1 in 10 women suffer from mental health issues during pregnancy and in the first year following the birth of a child. You do not have to suffer in silence. #maternalMHmatters (2021)"

Home-Start 2021

MumsNet survey...

"It is estimated that 8 -10% of new dads experience paternal post-natal depression – with little support available from health professionals."

Ramluggun et al, 2020