Moving to the UK with Children: We Have No Family Nearby – How Do We Build a Support Network?
- Jun 11
- 10 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Moving to a new country can be incredibly exciting. A new chapter, new opportunities, and for many families, a fresh start. However, alongside the excitement often comes something that many people don't anticipate: loneliness.
At The Nanny & Maternity Agency, one of the most common challenges I hear from families relocating to the UK is that they feel isolated. Whether you've moved from Europe, North America, the Middle East or elsewhere, adjusting to life in a new country can feel overwhelming, especially when you have babies or young children. Many of the families I support have relocated to the UK for work. They arrive with exciting career opportunities ahead of them, but without the support network they previously relied on. There are no grandparents available for an emergency babysit, no close friends popping round for a coffee, and no familiar faces at the school gates. For many parents, this can be one of the hardest parts of relocating.
Missing Your Village
There is a saying that it takes a village to raise a child, and many parents don't fully realise how much support they receive from their village until it is no longer there. Grandparents, siblings, neighbours, family friends and trusted babysitters often play a huge role in family life. When you relocate, that support network doesn't move with you. Even the smallest things can suddenly feel more difficult:
Attending appointments
Managing school holidays
Taking time for yourself
Coping when a child is unwell
Managing life with a newborn
It's completely normal to miss your support system and to experience periods of loneliness. These feelings often come in waves and can affect both parents and children. The good news is that you're far from alone. The UK, particularly London and the South East, is home to a large international and expat community. Thousands of families are experiencing exactly the same challenges and looking to build new friendships and support networks.
Start Small and Be Consistent
One of the biggest mistakes I see relocating families make is putting pressure on themselves to build a new social circle immediately. Moving to a new country or city can feel isolating, and it's natural to want to recreate the support network you left behind as quickly as possible. However, meaningful relationships don't happen overnight. Friendships are built through frequent interactions, shared experiences and time.
Rather than trying to attend every event, join multiple groups, or meet dozens of new people at once, focus on finding a few activities that genuinely interest you and commit to attending them regularly. Whether it's a baby class, a local playgroup, a fitness class, a coffee morning, or a community event, consistency is what helps turn strangers into familiar faces.
The first time you attend, you may feel like an outsider. By the third or fourth visit, you'll begin recognising other parents, exchanging smiles, and having brief conversations. Over time, those small interactions naturally develop into deeper connections. Many lasting friendships start with something as simple as chatting while waiting for a class to begin or sharing recommendations about local schools, childcare, or family-friendly activities.
For families with young children, regular attendance at the same baby groups, parks, or activities can be particularly valuable. Children often become the bridge that helps parents connect with one another, creating opportunities for playdates, coffee meet-ups, and mutual support.
Remember that building a support network can take time. A handful of genuine friendships will be far more valuable than a long list of acquaintances. By showing up consistently and giving relationships time to develop naturally, you'll create a strong foundation for your family's new life and begin to feel part of your local community much sooner than you might expect.
Visit Local Playgroups and Stay & Play Sessions
One of the easiest and most effective ways to meet other parents after relocating is by attending local playgroups and stay-and-play sessions. These groups are a cornerstone of family life in many UK communities and provide a welcoming environment for both parents and children.
Many are run by churches, libraries, community centres, children's centres, and small local organisations. They are designed to be informal, friendly, and affordable, making them accessible to families from a wide range of backgrounds. Whether you've recently arrived in the UK or simply moved to a new area, these sessions can provide an excellent introduction to your local community. Most stay-and-play sessions:
Run during the morning, making them easy to fit around young children's routines
Last between 1.5 and 2 hours
Include plenty of free play opportunities for babies and children
Often feature story time, singing sessions, crafts, or snack time
Allow parents and caregivers to relax, chat and socialise while children play safely
One of the greatest benefits of these groups is consistency. The same families often attend week after week, creating regular opportunities to see familiar faces and build relationships naturally. Unlike one-off events, there is no pressure to make instant friendships. Simple conversations can gradually develop into trusted connections, playdates, and a valuable local support network.
For families who have recently relocated, these groups can also be a great source of practical advice. Other parents can often recommend local schools, nurseries, healthcare services, children's activities, parks, and family-friendly places to visit. Many parents find that some of their closest friendships begin with a simple conversation over a cup of tea while their children play together.
Where to Find Local Groups
If you're looking for playgroups and stay-and-play sessions in your area, these are some of the best places to start:
Happity.co.uk – A popular directory of baby and toddler classes, groups, and family activities across the UK.
Your local council website – Many councils maintain up-to-date listings of family services, children's centres, and community activities.
Local Facebook parenting groups – Often one of the quickest ways to discover hidden gems, recommendations, and upcoming events.
Community noticeboards – Found in libraries, cafés, churches, leisure centres, and supermarkets, these often advertise local family activities that may not appear online.
Even attending just one regular session each week can make a significant difference. Over time, these small, consistent interactions can help transform an unfamiliar place into a community where both you and your children feel at home.
Make Use of Your Local Library
Libraries are one of the most underrated resources available to families in the UK. While many people think of them as just a place to borrow books, modern libraries often serve as valuable community hubs, offering a wide range of activities and support for parents and children.
Most libraries have dedicated children's areas designed to encourage a love of reading from an early age, and many run regular events throughout the week that provide opportunities for families to connect with others in the local community. These may include:
Baby rhyme time sessions
Storytelling and reading events
Stay-and-play groups
School holiday activities and workshops
Craft sessions and themed events
Family learning programmes
One of the biggest advantages of library events is that they are usually free or very low cost, making them accessible to all families. They also tend to attract parents and caregivers who live locally, which can make it easier to build relationships with people in your immediate area.
For families who have recently relocated, library activities offer a relaxed and welcoming environment where there is no pressure to participate in a particular way. Simply attending regularly can help you become a familiar face within the community and create natural opportunities for conversation and connection.
Libraries can also be an excellent source of practical information when settling into a new area. Library staff are often knowledgeable about local services, family activities, support groups, and community events. Many libraries display information about local classes, clubs, healthcare services, and children's programmes that may not be advertised elsewhere. In addition to helping children develop a love of books and learning, your local library can become an important part of your family's support network. For many relocating families, it provides a welcoming space to explore, learn, meet other parents and feel more connected to their new community.
Join Local Parent Communities Online
Before you even leave the house, there are countless opportunities to connect with other parents online. In fact, many families begin building their support network before they have even unpacked their moving boxes. Most areas of the UK have active online communities where parents share recommendations, ask questions and arrange meet-ups. These groups can be an excellent source of local knowledge and often provide reassurance during those early weeks when everything still feels unfamiliar. Some great places to start include:
Facebook parenting groups
Local community Facebook groups
WhatsApp parent networks
Expat community groups
Local parenting forums
School and nursery parent groups
These communities can be invaluable when you're trying to find trusted recommendations for everything from childcare and schools to family-friendly cafés, parks and children's activities.
Don't be afraid to introduce yourself. A simple post saying: "We've recently moved to the area from overseas and would love recommendations for baby groups, toddler activities or opportunities to meet other families" often receives a warm response. Many parents remember exactly what it felt like to be new to an area and are happy to offer advice or point you in the right direction.
For expat families in particular, international and relocation-focused groups can be especially helpful. Speaking with people who have already gone through the process of settling into life in the UK can provide practical guidance and reassurance that you're not alone in your experience. You may be surprised by how many families have relocated recently and are looking to make new connections themselves. Some of the strongest friendships begin with a simple online conversation between two parents facing similar challenges.
Remember, building a support network doesn't always start face-to-face. Sometimes it starts with a message, a recommendation or a shared experience online that eventually leads to real-world friendships and lasting connections.
Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Recommendations
One of the quickest ways to settle into a new area is to ask other parents where they spend their time. When you've recently relocated, it can be difficult to know where to start. Which playgroups are genuinely welcoming? Which parks are best for young children? Which baby classes are worth attending? Local parents are often the best source of information and can help you discover places that you may never have found through a simple online search.
Don't be afraid to ask for recommendations on local parenting groups, community pages or during conversations at baby groups and children's activities. Most parents are more than happy to share their favourite places and experiences. Some useful recommendations to ask for include:
Playgroups and stay-and-play sessions
Soft play centres
Baby and toddler classes
Family-friendly cafés
Parks and outdoor spaces
Children's activity groups
School holiday activities
Local events for families
Asking for recommendations not only helps you discover your new area, but can also create opportunities for conversation and connection. You may find that another parent recommends a group they attend regularly, or even offers to meet you there for the first time. Many of the families I support through The Nanny & Maternity Agency tell me that some of their closest friendships in the UK started with a simple recommendation from another parent.
Remember, you don't need to know everything about your new area straight away. Local parents have often spent years discovering the best places for families, and most are incredibly generous with their knowledge and insights. Sometimes all it takes is asking the question.
Consider Childcare as Part of Your Support Network
Many families initially view childcare as just practical support. However, for families relocating to the UK, the right childcare professional can become an important part of your wider support network and help make the transition feel much easier. An experienced nanny is often so much more than someone who just cares for your children whilst you work. Many professional nannies, particularly those working in London and other major cities, have spent years supporting families in the local area. They often know the best children's activities, parks, playgroups, libraries, classes and family-friendly places to visit, and can be an extremely valuable source of local knowledge when everything around you feels unfamiliar.
For children, having a consistent and familiar person in their lives can be incredibly reassuring during a period of change. Relocating often means adjusting to a new home, new routines, a new school or nursery and a completely new environment. Having a trusted nanny alongside them can provide stability, familiarity and emotional security as they settle into their new surroundings. For parents, having someone experienced by your side can also provide peace of mind. Whether it's recommendations for local activities, practical support with routines, or simply having another trusted adult who understands children, many families find that a nanny becomes a valued part of family life.
One of the reasons nannies are particularly popular amongst relocating families is the flexibility they offer. Unlike many childcare settings, a nanny can adapt to your family's schedule, support changing routines and provide childcare within the comfort and familiarity of your own home. This flexibility can be especially valuable during the early months following a move, when life may still feel a little unpredictable. The same can often be said for maternity nurses and regular babysitters. Whilst their role may begin as childcare support, many families find that these trusted professionals become an important source of reassurance, guidance and consistency during a major life transition.
For families settling into a new country without nearby family members, having reliable support around you can make an enormous difference. Trusted childcare professionals often become valued members of a family's wider support network, providing reassurance, consistency and a familiar presence during a period of significant change.
For families seeking additional continuity and reassurance, we have even facilitated arrangements where a nanny joined the family in their home country prior to relocation, enabling relationships to be established before the move and providing valuable consistency throughout the transition to life in the UK.
Give Yourself Time
Perhaps the most important piece of advice is this: Be patient with yourself. Relocation is a major life event. It is completely normal to feel unsettled for a period of time, even if the move was planned and exciting, and building a support network doesn't happen overnight. It happens through small conversations, regular routines, familiar faces and shared experiences. Before long, the places that once felt unfamiliar will begin to feel like home.
Need Help Settling Into Life in the UK?
At The Nanny & Maternity Agency, we specialise in supporting British, expat and international families relocating to the UK. Whether you're preparing for a move, expecting a new baby, looking for trusted childcare or simply trying to manage family life in a new country, we're here to help.
Through our carefully selected nannies, maternity nurses and family support services, our goal is to help make your transition to life in the UK as smooth and stress-free as possible. If you're planning a move to the UK or have recently arrived and would like guidance, support or help finding childcare you can trust, we'd be delighted to hear from you.
This resonates with me so much.
Thank you for this
Very informative! Thank you