40 years of ACCESS: A warm welcome makes all the difference
For four decades, our beloved partner volunteer organisation ACCESS has helped internationals find their way in the Netherlands. What began with a small grant, a fixed phone and a Rolodex, has grown into a professional volunteer organisation working alongside international centres. At The Hague International Centre, ACCESS volunteers staff helpdesks to support and inform internationals with any questions they might have. We spoke with Deborah Valentine – Executive Director of ACCESS and Laura Koenig – Team Lead for ACCESS at The Hague International Centre, to reflect on 40 years of ACCESS.
Deborah Valentine, photo credits: ACCESS
The same mission in a changing world
ACCESS is celebrating its 40th anniversary. What are you most proud of? Deborah: “I think what I'm most proud of is that we're still doing what we set out to do 40 years ago. The systems and the people have changed, but our mission and purpose have not: offering reliable information, practical guidance and a human connection.’’
The greatest achievement may be the continuity. Communication channels, systems and volunteers have changed over the years, yet the organisation still does what it set out to do: help newcomers settle and answer the questions that arise along the way. Since 1999, over 1700 volunteers have contributed to ACCESS, carrying the organisation through periods of growth, uncertainty and change.
The organisation started in The Hague through the American School community. Its original name was the Administrative Committee to Coordinate English-Speaking Services, although the acronym soon became a name in its own right. Early support came from a modest grant from the United States foreign affairs community. Later, embassies, companies, partners and international centres contributed in different ways.
A partnership built on complementary strengths
The cooperation with The Hague International Centre developed gradually. When ACCESS lost its former office, it was offered space near the city’s expat services. What began informally later became a structured partnership, with clear agreements about the role and presence of volunteers. ACCESS brought personal guidance and settlement support alongside the centre’s registration services.
Deborah explains: “The partnership works because the two organisations offer complementary expertise. Municipal staff handle formal procedures and information, while experienced volunteers provide practical explanations, referrals and reassurance. Mutual respect, shared goals and close contact have enabled the cooperation to grow over time.”
A more diverse international community
How has the international community in the Netherlands evolved since ACCESS was founded?
Deborah explains: “The people arriving in the Netherlands today are different from those forty years ago. The international community once consisted mainly of families and accompanying partners, many of whom put their own careers on hold. Today, the community is more diverse with people from all over the world, and accompanying partners are often highly educated professionals with ambitions of their own. There are also more international students, young professionals, singles and couples without children.”
This change creates new needs. Families often build connections through schools, but newcomers without children may struggle to meet people. Information alone is therefore not always enough; social connection also matters. Therefore events such as Welcome to The Hague and Feel at Home are very important.
As internationals themselves, ACCESS volunteers understand the challenges of a new language, unfamiliar systems and a different environment. They provide reliable information, practical tips and, just as importantly, a warm welcome. Personal appreciation often comes immediately: visitors say they feel relieved, better informed and more confident about their next steps.
Laura Koenig (in red), photo credits: ACCESS
How ACCESS volunteers help internationals find their way in The Hague
For the past two and a half years, Laura has supported internationals at The Hague International Centre, first as a volunteer and, for the last year and a half, as coordinator of the volunteer team. One encounter that stayed in her mind was with a single mother who had moved to the Netherlands for work with two children, one of whom needed specialist support. By combining information from The Hague International Centre and ACCESS with recommendations from her own network, she was able to point the family towards suitable schools and services.
“You could tell she was completely overwhelmed, so being able to help her find a way forward was very rewarding.” - Laura
Despite the abundance of online information, the organisation continues to be relevant because ACCESS volunteers recognise the question behind the question. A newcomer asking for a paediatrician, for example, may first need an explanation of how the Dutch medical referral system works. Volunteers can pick up signals and offer that context because many have faced the same uncertainty themselves.
“We are credible because we have done it. It is not something we have only read in a book; it is something we have experienced.” — Laura
For anyone considering a move to The Hague, the advice is clear: plan and research early. Check trustworthy websites, find out which appointments are needed and arrange them well in advance. Once in The Hague, internationals should feel welcome to return with new questions, even after living in the city for several years. Laura adds: “The Hague International Centre is not just a place to register. It offers information, expertise and personal support. Don’t be afraid to come back whenever you need help.”
“AI can answer a lot and give you a factual response, but it cannot give you the nodding head or the feeling that you are not the only one.” - Deborah
Join ACCESS!
Are you an international living in the Netherlands yourself? And would you like to help international newcomers with settling in? ACCESS is looking for volunteers! For more information and to sign up: Volunteering – ACCESS NL
Interview by Maartje Brommersma
