Welcome to English Speaking Families Biel/Bienne!
A home away from home for international families in Biel/Bienne.
Connect with English speaking families
Whether you’ve just arrived in the area or have lived here for years, English Speaking Families Biel/Bienne (ESFBB) is here to help you feel connected, supported, and part of a vibrant community.
We are a growing network of families from all over the world who use English as a common language to share experiences and information, build friendships, and create a sense of belonging in our beautiful, bilingual city.
Photo by Tobias Weinhold, Passepartout, Biel/Bienne.- Photo by Tobias Weinhold, Passepartout, Biel/Bienne.
- Photo by Tobias Weinhold, Passepartout, Biel/Bienne.
- Photo by Tobias Weinhold, Passepartout, Biel/Bienne.
- Photo by Tobias Weinhold, Passepartout, Biel/Bienne.
- Photo by Tobias Weinhold, Passepartout, Biel/Bienne.
- Photo by Tobias Weinhold, Passepartout, Biel/Bienne.
- Photo by Tobias Weinhold, Passepartout, Biel/Bienne.
- Photo by Tobias Weinhold, Passepartout, Biel/Bienne.
- Photo by Tobias Weinhold, Passepartout, Biel/Bienne.
Discover our events
Playdate Café
Drop in anytime.
Monday Lunch Circle
Join us for lunch.
Join us
Contact us to find out how to become a member and join our wonderful community of English-speaking families!
What parents are saying…
Being a new mom in a new city, finding this group has been so great. Not only it helped us to integrate, but we were lucky to meet amazing families and get to be part of a supportive community. Our little one is very happy to have so many friends that he gets to meet and play with! I am very grateful.
This association was a lifesaver for me in the months after giving birth to my first baby and continues to be a significant source of comfort and support. The Monday playdate group is where I can relax and feeling like myself again as I speak in my native language with other parents who are either going through a similar experience or have already lived it. I also feel so much more connected to and integrated in the Biel/Bienne community thanks to this association.
I moved to Switzerland with a 10-week-old baby and luckily came across this group. I can’t tell you how valuable this was to me, being a new Mum in a new country. I was welcomed in and quickly felt like I was part of a knowledgeable community with an array of connections.
Any questions or advice I was seeking was always met by other parents sharing their own experiences or recommendations. Most importantly, I have met so many amazing parents from all over the world and am lucky enough to have made real friends for life.
I am really grateful to be part of this wonderful English-speaking group in Biel. We meet regularly, share lunches together every Monday, and celebrate events such as Easter and Halloween. It’s a great way to get to know new people and feel connected. Everything is always so well organized, and I truly enjoy the warm and welcoming atmosphere.
ESFBB has been a tremendous source of support since I started attending. Not only have I made some amazing friends, but the group helped me through a very tough period of my life; providing a safe space, advice and companionship.
My children loved attending the Monday playdates, in particular, my youngest learned how to socialise before starting kindergarten. The annual events, especially the Christmas celebration, are highlights of the year for me and my children.
The group has also helped me to integrate, find activities for my family and connected me with employment opportunities, and family events and services.
Since relocating from Hong Kong to Biel in 2021, joining this English-speaking parents’ support group has been one of the most meaningful parts of my adjustment to life in Switzerland.
I attended the Monday coffee meet-ups for a year, and it quickly became a place where I felt understood and supported. Through the group, I connected with a Hong Kong mum and many other international parents who are navigating similar challenges.
The community has also given my family wonderful memories through their seasonal events, such as the Easter egg hunt, Halloween trick-or-treating, and Christmas celebrations. These gatherings helped my child feel included and gave us both a sense of belonging.
Most importantly, the group has provided emotional support when I faced difficulties integrating into a new environment. Being able to share experiences and exchange solutions with others in the same situation has made a real difference.
I am truly grateful for this welcoming, supportive community.