How do you make contact in a new community? Tawfeeq (40): "You need someone to open the door of Dutch society for you."

Tawfeeq (40) from Syria found it a little difficult at first to make contact in the Netherlands. "I saw people on the street and in the market, but I did not know anyone and I did not speak Dutch very well. I am very social and I do not want to feel alone. The question was: how do I make friendships and how do I get a network?"

Tawfeeq found getting to know people difficult. "This was a challenge. You need someone to open the door of Dutch society for you. For me, that was my neighbour. Now I have built a social life, and that makes me happy."

Almost every neighbourhood in the Netherlands has a community centre. There are often activities for people in the neighbourhood, such as language classes, dinners or game nights. Tawfeeq: "My neighboor took me to the community centre. The atmosphere there is cosy. I know almost everyone in my neighbourhood now. Sometimes we play games together or cook something delicious. They love Syrian food! You also get help there if you need to arrange something or do not know how things work. And we talk together about changes in the neighbourhood."

When you move somewhere new, getting to know your neighbours is very normal in the Netherlands. Mohammad (35) from Iran explains, "Once I had to put letters in my neighbour's postbox, but I did not know that was a normal thing. So I rang the doorbell first and then at the front door I just started saying 'hello'. That is how the contact started. Then I got an invitation to have coffee, with a biscuit of course! That is very common in the Netherlands. Sometimes you stay for a while, sometimes you really become friends."

Zakie (33) from Syria received help from VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (VWN) in his first few months in the Netherlands. "When I just came to live in my municipality, I received a lot of information from VluchtelingenWerk on how to make contacts. They know the municipality well and often know what is going on in your village or neighbourhood. Their advice is very good."

One of the first pieces of advice was to go to the library. Zakie: "There I could become a member for free. They organise language groups and I got a language coach. That was my first real contact. The language coach helped me with the language and also with getting to know the municipality. We went together to festivals, stores, even to the hairdresser. So through her I learned how to meet people naturally. She also told me a lot about Dutch culture, such as public holidays. Together we went to the 5 May celebration. It was great."

A language buddy helps you practice Dutch by simply talking about everyday life. Tawfeeq explains enthusiastically, "My language buddy was very friendly and active. My speaking skills improved a lot, and through him I got to know other people. We went together to activities like sports games or to the zoo. He showed me around and told me about Dutch customs."

Sometimes you can make contact via the internet. For example, if you are looking for help with chores or just want to talk to someone. Omar (33) from Syria: "In the beginning I could not do everything myself. I needed help with things like writing a letter or working in the garden. I found people who wanted to help via websites like NLvoorelkaar.nl

There are many ways to make contact in your new community, says Tawfeeq. "You do not have to do everything at once. Say 'hello' to a neighbour, go to the library or sign up for an activity. You will find that people are often friendly and eager to get to know you."