Culture shock and related depression can happen here, as anywhere (see ‘Counselling & Therapy’, above), but Barcelona is not challenging enough to need a specific support group. However, a good number of groups relating to family life and relationships do exist among English speaking expats.

The Family Matters Forum on the established AngloInfo Barcelona (barcelona.angloinfo.com) web site is a useful place for parents ‘to exchange views, share useful information on parenting, schooling and kid's fun’.

The US web site meetup.com has a major presence among expats in Barcelona, especially Americans and Canadians. Go to www.meetup.com/cities/es/barcelona for an index of subjects that will put you in touch with likeminded expats. These include child care, mothers support groups, language exchanges, general parenting, education and alternative health.

Parents of children with learning difficulties and special educational needs often use India Knights ongoing blog on the web site of the British newspaper The Times. Go to www.timesonline.typepad.com/india_knight to find the discussions between expats based in Catalonia. You can enter into email contact with individuals through the site itself.