Barcelona Mum

What is the Barcelona Women´s network?
The Barcelona Women's Network is a social and business networking club open to all women who live in and around Barcelona. The common language is English but you don't have to speak it fluently to be a member.

What do members get out of it? How many members do you have now?
At the last count we have 180 members.  The BWN provides women living in Barcelona with an instant network of potential friends and a support system to offer help and advice. Many members tell us the BWN was a lifeline when they arrived in Barcelona knowing noone. We also offer a wide range of  social and cultural activities.
 
Why does Barcelona need a network just for women?
Although the BWN has  many working women as members, there are also many nonworking women who are here because their husband or partner has been posted to Barcelona for two or three years. Many of these women  don't have the kind of instant support system so often provided by work colleagues, offering help, advice and friendship  especially in the early days in a new city. The BWN offers all these things and women often feel more at ease in the company of other women who  have shared similar experiences of life in a foreign city.

Where do most of your members come from?
They come from all corners of the globe. We have around 27 different nationalities at the moment.

What criteria do you need to become a member?
Easy. You have to be female, live in or around Barcelona and speak some English!

How do you think mothers can benefit from being a member of the BWN?
One of the big attractions of BWN membership is that it offers a weekly Mums and Toddlers group which takes place in "Casa Orlandai" a beautifully restored  "Modernista" building in Sarria, right next to the FGC station. The group meets every Wednesday morning and is open to all BWN members. A great place for Mums to meet new friends and for their children to socialise, sing songs and play games.

Do you arrange family events?
We try to provide as many family events as possible. Recent and forthcoming events include a family Christmas Party at Casa Orlandai which was attended by almost 100 families and children, a visit  to the Barcelona Zoo and a trip round the wonderful Cosmo Caixa Science Museum.

How has the BWN changed over the years?
The BWN has grown from a small group of women who used to meet in each other's homes, to a rapidly expanding, diverse group of women of all ages and nationalities who join the BWn for both social and professional reasons but whose common aim remains friendship, fun and support.

You have just become President, what changes will be made during this year?
I became President of the BWN in May 2007. Since then, the membership has continued to grow, we've expanded the range of social and cultural activities on offer, had some wonderful parties and in November, launched our  new website, www.bcnwomensnetwork.com. See the "Meet Us This Month" section on the website for details of events open to all existing and potential new members. The BWN celebrates it's 10th anniversary this year. Come and join us.