Specialist training centre with facilities to assist up to 300 youngsters

All As One is an international charity and non-governmental organisation in Sierra Leone, whose Dubai office is a registered non-profit organisation

Raises money for children around the world and provides medical and educational equipment

International charity with offices in the US, the UK, Canada and Pakistan

A shelter for abused women and children in Dubai

Newcomers unite to get a feel for the city, from checking out the nightlife to indulging in a spot of desert drumming. Also organises small-scale events for the very new and overwhelmed

A non-profit organisation providing training to professionals and parents

A non-profit organisation providing education and training to disabled children

Meetings tend to take place at new coffee joints around Dubai, and they’ve even had a professional barista teach them how to prepare the perfect espresso

Ladies from 40 different nationalities find friendship at this club, founded 40 years ago for women whose husbands had joined the oil industry (and thus was originally branded ‘The Petroleum Wives Club’

If you’re into your flora and fauna and want to meet like-minded types, why not join this group of environment fans?

If you like a bit of adventure, this is the group to join. Shunning AC-happy malls for some of the UAE’s more natural surroundings, this lot like pitching tents, scrambling over rocks and all sorts of other energetic things that beat going shopping every weekend

Raises money for charities such as the Dubai Autism Centre and the Riding for the Disabled Association of Dubai

Meets around the Meadows area. Whether you know your wargames (think PanzerBlitz and Twilight Struggle, enjoy a good Eurogame (Powergrid or Settlers of Catan) or know nothing about any of this but fancy finding out, the group welcomes everyone

Local resource for arthritis patients

EEG protects the environment through education

Rescues and re-homes kittens and cats

Local and international charity looking to help the visually impaired

The Friends of Cancer Patients charity raises money, organises awareness campaigns and supports cancer patients and their families

Group raising money for international causes through activities such as trekking in Peru

Second-hand clothes, toys, books, DVDs, and household goods

Act fundraises to help abandoned and destitute women in India

IFAW seeks to educate people on the protection of wildlife in the Middle East

Re-homes abandoned and stray dogs