My brother is living in Stockholm and is lonely, does anyone have any ideas of how I can help from here?

[Swifey]

He moved to Sweden 7 years ago to be with his Swedish gf. They then had a baby who is now 4 who has Downs syndrome. They split up last year, and my brother now lives in Stockholm on his own; he has dn most weekends and a day in the week, he has also just had him for three weeks solidly. When he was together with his gf their social life revolved around her family and friends, and of course that social aspect is now not there. Db also works from home and lives by himself, so goes for days without seeing another person. He's in his thirties, very good looking, educated, personable, funny etc, but I'm worried he's becoming depressed by his circumstances. He has a very well paid job, but doesn't have a lot of spare cash because he obviously pays a lot for dn. He would come back to the U.K. If it wasn't for his son, who he will always stay for.
Does anyone know Stockholm? Or have any good ideas as to how he can help himself/I can help him?

My friend worked in Stockholm for a year and he was also very lonely there (he was single and most of his colleagues had families and very young kids so went home at 5pm on the dot daily).
He made some friends through Meetup.com - have a look, there are def some Stockholm groups. He met people of different nationalities who were in a similar situation.

Sorry your brother is finding it hard.

Thanks Hollie I'll get him to have a look at that.
It's unlike him, he's usually Mr Confident

That sounds really tough :(

I have a relative who has found Sweden really a perfect culture for him because he is religious and outdoorsy. Would your brother consider going to a place of worship, or joining some kind of sports club - walking, swimming, windsurfing? I'm not religious at all so it seems to me that the two fulfil similar roles...

Join a running group?

Are there any groups he can join to meet up with other parents of children with Downs Syndrome? Any hobbies he's interested in - chess, something to do with boats/water as he's surrounded with it there? I work from home so I know what it's like. You have to get out a bit as your world closes in bit by bit and you lose confidence. Volunteering a few hours a week?

I think Facebook and similar is his friend, search for 'British Expats in Stockholm'. Shouldn't be too hard to find out what pubs and bars show engslish football games etc (if he's into that sort of thing)

Swedish Downs Syndrome society, based in Stockholm (membership is something like £8/year) www.svenskadownforeningen.se/bli-medlem

Upp&Ner in Enebyberg: Gymnastics club for children with DS
idrottonline.se/Enebybergsgymnasterna-Gymnastik/Varagruppersektioner/uppner-verksamhet

P.S: The English Church is supposed to be very welcoming, a bit of a hub. You don't need to be much of a god botherer methinks:
www.stockholmanglicans.se

P.P.S: Volontary work with the Red Cross:
frivillig.redcross.se/gui/index.aspx

I agree meetup is a good way to find other English speakers if that is something which would appeal to him. That FB group sounds good too. Are Irish bars common in Stockholm? That's generally where people go in Germany to meet other English speakers and the culture is very laid back and friendly. I'd recommend he seeks one out if such a thing exists.

It can be very lonely to be an immigrant and I expect it's harder for him since his only real tie there is his daughter who of course he won't want to leave. So he might find it easier if he can carve out a little piece of his own space and reason to be there for himself too.

I would also recommend investing in his career. If he can find fulfilment and plans for the future, things might not seem so bleak there. And improving his career situation ought to improve his income which would mean he'd have more freedom e.g. to travel (home?) if he wants to etc.

Thanks so much everyone, for all your help, I'll put all those ideas to him.
I just hate to see him so low. It's that lack of human interaction, not even someone touching your arm, or making you a cup of tea for days on end.

Is he ready to start dating again? If he plans on staying in Sweden as his child is there then he needs to make a life there beyond what he's got. He needs more than just child and work as his focus. It's very difficult if he feels depressed though. Small steps to start with in terms of socialising a bit more and making some friends and then think about actively meeting someone. I sympathise as some days the only conversation I have is with the people working in Tesco.