ABU DHABI // When Jacqueline Wood moved to Abu Dhabi she did not know that one day she would become an integral part of the emirate’s social and cultural scene.
After 14 years living on an island off Hong Kong, a transfer in her husband’s job led Ms Wood to the capital in 2008 and today she introduces newcomers to the emirate through the Abu Dhabi Women’s Group, a forum which she founded to help expatriates settle.
“Having never been to Abu Dhabi before, I came here on a recce and my husband asked me what I thought. I said there was absolutely no reason for not moving here,” the Briton said. “I came in August, at the peak of summer, and I still could not find a reason to not move.
“Yes, it is hot and you need to do things sensibly and slowly. You don’t tear around or run around but there was no one thing that made me feel I could not move here.”
Soon after relocating, Mrs Wood decided to start organising coffee mornings for women she had come to know.
The women would meet and ask questions they had about the emirate or discuss issues of their interest.
“When I first arrived here I had a dear friend who helped me,” said Ms Wood. “Other than that, I had to work it out for myself and I had many questions: ‘What to do?’, ‘Where to go?’, ‘Where to buy your water dispenser?’
“It struck me that everyone who gets here must be in the same situation and have many questions.”
In 2013, Ms Wood started the Abu Dhabi Women’s Group Facebook page, which she defines as “primarily a question-and-answer group” – a forum where women ask advice from anything from the best place for a haircut to a good nursery for children.
Although it started with a group of 50 who attended the first coffee mornings, now more than 109 nationalities are represented and the page boasts about 10,200 followers.
Women who are planning on moving to the emirate have the opportunity to inquire about everyday questions before they pack their suitcases.
“It is advice that you can get before coming here and this makes it less stressful for women and also it makes life simpler,” said Ms Wood. “It is a huge family support network for most of us who are not lucky enough to have our families with us in Abu Dhabi.
“Facebook gives everyone an opportunity to ask questions and you get a lot of help and support from people.”
Ms Wood posts questions on behalf of members if they send her a private message and are hesitant to ask it themselves.
Janine Thompson, Amy Nolan Strawser, Amanda Middlebrook Hayden and Jean Glen are members who work to ensure that people’s requests are accepted and monitor day-to-day activities on the group.
“Without them it would not function and I thank them,” said Ms Wood. “They joined the group and offered to help. It is growing so fast. We are getting between 30 to 80 requests to join every day. Not all are appropriate and many don’t get admitted.
“We keep it purely to people in Abu Dhabi or people who are moving here.”
Apart from running the Abu Dhabi Women’s Group, Ms Wood finds time to pursue a degree in gemmology and enjoys making antique and vintage jewellery.
arizvi2@thenational.ae
