Fall has arrived, and winter is around the corner. Personally, after spending the last five years in Ottawa, I'm ready for a break of polar vortex winters , even if that means a steady diet of rain in the U.K.
By now, those of you who arrived this past summer are starting to settle into your new normal. You have faced an often overwhelming number of new adjustments, after arriving here. This includes, a new position for our serving members, while a large majority of spouses transition from their former careers in Canada to discovering their new role in U.K. Plus, all new arrivals face the challenges with a new home and new social lives, while others even deal with new child care plans or schools, etc.
The MFS(E) Posting Cycle of Support is: Prepare, Move, Arrive, Connect, Settle and Thrive. The best way to connect and settle into your OUTCAN experience is to feel like you are part of the community. We have all heard that there is a reason why "unity" is in the word community, since being united and connected to your community is vital to the success of settling and thriving. Regardless of if you have just arrived, if this year marks your halfway point, or if this is your final year, the need to be connected to your community is the same.
MFS(E) is here to help by providing opportunities for you to connect with our U.K. CAF community, through a myriad of programs and services. For example, just last month, families in the greater London community gathered at the Ruislip detachment to share in the Halloween tradition of pumpkin carving, while enjoying a pizza dinner. Our remote families had the opportunity for their children to participate in our pumpkin carving contest.
Other excellent ways to connect with your CAF community is through our monthly tea-time program, child and youth programs, and virtual book club to name a few. MFS(E) also recognizes the unique challenges some of our families have in the U.K., such as being remote, or even being the only CAF member or family in your community. To help, we have virtual programs for you engage in, and you can apply for funding to connect with fellow CAF families in your area to help settle and thrive. MFS(E) also has French services available to ensure that you can stay "connected" with your first language or learn a new skill set.
Again, MFS(E) is here to help you connect and settle during your OUTCAN posting. Please never hesitate to reach out to us for any help or support.