Club launched for diplomatic spouses
Around a 100 spouses attended a coffee morning to launch the Diplomatic Spouse Club of London (DSCL), hosted by the wife of the Ambassador of Kuwait and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Mrs Dalal Al Duwaisan.
News of the launch was met with such an enthusiastic response that two sessions were held allowing representatives from all missions to participate and offer their suggestions on the aims and running of the club.
Welcoming diplomatic spouses to the unveiling, Mrs Al Duwaisan said the club was “much needed” to bring a sense of family and community to the London diplomatic corps.
The editor of Embassy magazine Elizabeth Stewart said an all-inclusive association filled a huge gap in the diplomatic corps and would encourage like-minded spouses to meet, irrespective of rank, region or gender.
The Club’s founder, Agnes Fenyvesy of the Hungarian Embassy, said the DSCL would be a friendly network, run by volunteers with a small membership fee for administrative costs.
A website, email exchange and newsletter and possibly a closed Facebook group are planned as well as an online portal to assist new spouses starting out in London with advice on the basics from finding accommodation, to opening a bank account or understanding the schooling system and NHS.
The club will also provide guidance on finding employment, volunteering, professional development or further study.
There will be plenty of scope for spouses to meet each other socially, with regular ‘cultural exchange’ meetings at different embassies as well as smaller ad hoc visits to explore London and day trips outside the capital.
Partnerships with various institutions will give DSCL members access to lectures and seminars not open to the public.
Family days are also planned to help children make friends and acclimatise to London.
There are also plans to reach out to the FCO’s spouse organisation, the Diplomatic Service Families Association (DSFA) as well as London’s diplomatic associations.
To find out more about the DSCL or to join contact Agnes Fenyvesy on agnes.s.fenyvesy@gmail.com
