Relocate Ici is a non-profit making association established in 2006 by Jenny Frost and Sam Bottomley which operates in conjunction with the Centre of European Culture at the Abbaye Royale in St. Jean d'Angely.

 

We identified a need to be on hand to help with English speakers living in France either on a permanent basis or with a second home in here.

 

Since 2008 Sam Bottomley has run Relocate Ici single handedly and is available to assist you with a diverse range of problems and queries you may experience here in France.

 

 

Many people approach Relocate Ici whilst they are looking for a property in France and use me to discuss the ideal location to buy, what are the highlights and drawbacks of living here, possibilitity of finding work and ability to settle their family in a new life.

 

Others find out about Relocate Ici when they arrive. They will struggle alone for a while becoming increasingly frustrated with the mountain of paperwork with little or no understanding of the complicated administration system in place in France.

 

A significant number of clients will come to see me having been recommended by their friends or neighbours. Whilst I deal with many new arrivals I also help people who have lived here for many years and suddenly find themselves in a situation which is difficult to deal with. Illness, financial or relationship problems and legal problems.

 

 

Whilst I do not and cannot claim to solve every problem I encounter what I do is listen. To share a problem with someone independant is often sufficient to find a solution. Due to the fact that I can look at a problem from an objective point of view and make suggestions about how to overcome the  situation my clients find themselves in and then work together to formulate a plan which may involve accompanied visits to the tax office, CPAM, accountants or solicitors I will try my utmost to help my clients.

 

I am not an accountant, solicitor or a sworn translator so if I feel I need to involve a third party with specialist expertise I have a number of people I use on a regular basis and I also have good contacts within the insurance industry.

 

Over the years Relocate Ici has helped with a number of insurance claims, large and small, helped to disciper pre-op questionaires, helped settle children into school, planned funerals and weddings, held tissues whilst people struggle with important personal problems and felt huge satisfaction when each problem is solved or reaches a resolution knowing that Relocate Ici has played a key part in helping my clients.

 

 

On a personal level I moved to France on a permanent basis 12 years ago when my daughter was 5 years old. My daughter has been through the school system and health system over the years so I have first hand knowledge about the education and health system and what to expect.

 

Before I started Relocate Ici with Jenny I had been the person to ask about a huge variety of subjects by friends and associates and so it seemed a natural progression to create Relocate Ici. As well as being involved in Relocate Ici I have planned two incredibible charity days after the Tsunami and the earthquake in Haiti and because I have a strong contact list of friends and associates both events raised substancial amounts of money for Red Cross.

 

I also work for the publications Living Poitou Charentes and The Poitou Charentes Journal and inbetween time I teach English to a range of pupils from 2 years old to 60 years old. I work on a freelance basis so whilst Relocate Ici is open on Monday and Friday afternoons only you can contact me by email during the week and over the weekend and I have been known to book ambulances for an emergency whilst sitting in my dressing gown at breakfast on a Saturday morning.