Growing interest in the Bezuidenhout Social Club

Bezuidenhout Social Club gathering (photo: Hans Overduin)

This article was originally published in Dutch in Bezuidenhout Nieuws, December 2025.

From her own experience, Zeyda Erol knows how important it is to have a personal social support network in order to truly feel at home in a new country and a new environment. To support internationally oriented neighbours in building such a network, she launched the Bezuidenhout Social Club this autumn. The interest has been significant: in a short time, more than 200 residents have already joined.

When Zeyda Erol followed her heart and her partner to the Netherlands years ago, without knowing what this step would mean, she also left behind her familiar community: family, friends, and people who had known her her entire life.“It was only after I started living here that I realised: if I want to have a fulfilling life here, I need to rebuild my own community. It took almost ten years to put down roots, to build my ‘own tribe,’ and to truly feel at home.

That knowledge and experience is something I now want to use to make this process much easier for others,” says Zeyda Erol, explaining a key motivation behind starting the Bezuidenhout Social Club this year—an informal meeting place for English-speaking residents of the neighbourhood.

In the Netherlands, she also observed how cultural differences can play a role.“In many Mediterranean countries, it’s very natural for friends of friends to be immediately welcome when someone organises something. Your social network grows almost automatically. In the Netherlands, social interaction often happens one-to-one, with more planning and less spontaneity. This can make it take longer to find your people. But ultimately, we all want the same thing. Having your own community and a sense of belonging is important for everyone. And being surrounded by people with whom you have meaningful relationships is essential—both on good days and on difficult ones.”

Social gatherings

Without having its own physical location, the Bezuidenhout Social Club offers English-speaking residents of Bezuidenhout various opportunities to meet and get to know each other through different neighbourhood venues, such as the community centre and local cafés. To reach the target group, Zeyda built a website herself and made use of Instagram, Eventbrite, Meetup, as well as widely read posters in the neighbourhood.

The first results are promising. Five gatherings took place in September and October, and more than 200 people have already signed up to the Bezuidenhout Social Club.“There is clearly a need for connection in the neighbourhood—and in the city.”

Zeyda started with three meetings per month: one informal gathering for neighbours, one for entrepreneurs, and one community dinner—the Bezuidenhout Supper Club—where everyone is welcome to join the table. Participants can also indicate what other types of gatherings they would like to see.

Recently, the Bezuidenhout Social Club has also begun exploring a collaboration with The Hague International Centre of the Municipality of The Hague, which supports local initiatives for internationals.

As an entrepreneurial resident of Bezuidenhout, Zeyda also dares to dream further.“I’m looking for others who want to help grow this initiative together with me. I may have started it, but ideally it becomes something of the community, for the community. In the longer term, it would be wonderful if the Bezuidenhout Social Club could have its own place in the neighbourhood. I also want to explore various funds that support initiatives addressing social challenges and creating more connection, positive energy, and new opportunities in the area. Any support in this area is very welcome—also tips or suggestions from neighbours. That’s how we can build a social and connected Bezuidenhout together.”

The website and information about events of theBezuidenhout Social Club can be found here: https://www.bezuidenhoutsocialclub.nl/

For questions or tips, please contact: hello@bezuidenhoutsocialclub.nl