About Us | The Glocal Association

Our Story

We have experienced the isolation and difficulty of integration and we've noted that this can be harder for accompanying partners. In these situations, one of the party is out at work for long hours and the partner is at home, not able to work, not really speaking the language and feeling very isolated and lonely.

We've also found that many couples, moving to a new country/area when only one partner is working, decide that the time is perfect to have a baby. This has the advantage of one parent being at home for the formative years of the infant’s life, but without extended family, not having many friends and particularly the language barriers, it is also very difficult.

We've decided to meet this challenge, and are working towards providing a warm chain of support and one which The Glocal Association hopes to provide.

Meet The Team

Janet Prince, RM IBCLC

Contact: janet@theglocal.ch

I am a mum and a Nana and I came to Zug, on my own for work in 2007.

I have lived the transition journey, adapting to a new country and culture, making new friends, learning the cultural nuances and I’ve had all the homesickness and sadness, which sometimes still comes back.

I am a midwife and a lactation consultant and I have qualifications in counseling with a focus on maternal mental health.

I am a very perceptive, gentle, under-standing and caring person and want to use my skills and experience to benefit others.

The Glocal association is my baby here… as my others are in England, including two wonderful grandsons. I am married to a lovely Swiss man and we thoroughly enjoy hiking, cooking, good wines and life in general.

Stephanie Mateo

Contact: stephanie@theglocal.ch

I’m an Aussie mum of two boys, married to a Frenchman. I spent large chunks of my childhood living in Asia and in the summer of 2018, we made the move to Zug for Hubby’s job.

I moved confident that my previous overseas experiences would set me up to adapt, integrate and settle into Swiss life in no time! But to be honest, I was humbled. Moving here was unique and I have had to embrace the challenges of making new friends, having a baby with no easy ‘village’, PND, stresses of not speaking the language and a slew of other elements that make up the ‘hard parts’ of international living. Equally, I now have the chance to share my community’s knowledge to help others in similar situations.

My background is Communications, and I’ve always been drawn to not-for-profit projects and organisations. I love to talk and share and I want to help raise awareness and address the growing issue of Mental Health in our community.

Our wonderful volunteers

We can't do what we do without our amazing group of volunteers. Each person has their own set of skills and value they bring to the Glocal Association. We are grateful for everything they do to help us support this community we're growing. If you'd like to help us out - send us an email and we'll be in touch ASAP.