Have you & your family moved to France from an English-speaking country? Are you missing home? Finding it hard to make new friends & really missing your old ones back home ? Struggling with learning a new language? School life here? Feeling like you don’t fit in like you did back home?

 If you answered yes to one or more of the above questions, this group might be for you. We offer monthly meetings for kids whose first language is English, and who have moved to France and are having a hard time settling for one reason or another. The group is also for anyone who has moved here, and is enjoying the experience of living in a new country and wants to share their story.

 Sometimes listening to others who might share a similar story can help.  

If you have moved from abroad to France, you have a story to tell. The Circle Stories Support Group is simple. You come, you sit in a circle, you listen and if you want to, you share your story. You don’t have to come every time a session isheld. You might find that once is enough, or that you want to come every time we organize an event. Sometimes we just sit and chat, share a snack and enjoy meeting other English speakers. From time to time we offer a creative workshop like sewing, art or yoga.

‍Who are we?

A word about the Adults Running this Group  

Denise Donnio: I grew up in the North West of England, and studied languages at the University of Sheffield. I have been in education, working with adults and children for over 20 years. I especially love my work with young people, and learn as much from them as I hope they learn from me. I have lived and worked in several countries, including Germany, Switzerland, the US and today live in Strasbourg with my husband, my son and our two cats. One of my favourite things to do is enjoy a moment in my American rocking chair with a hot coffee,  a good book and a cat on my lap.

What’s the most important thing about this group? For me, the most important thing is that the young people who come along feel comfortable from the very beginning; that they know they are welcome and have their place in the group. Anyone who wishes to share their story is welcome to, and in doing so, I hope, will feel heard. Sharing makes us stronger; my hope is that those who attend will come to understand this, and that their story matters 🙂

Audrey Hank: I grew up in Colmar, France. As a teenager I had the chance to live abroad for a year,and went to Thailand at the age of 16. Although this was a great experience, I remember it also being hard at times, especially when I felt I was not truly understood. Only friends living the same year as I did could bring me comfort and reassurance. So I really believe in cooperation and co-helping which a group like this can provide. I studied ethnology - social and cultural anthropology - completing my final year of studies in Quebec. I later trained as a psychotherapist and today live and work in Strasbourg. I love international exchanges and meeting people from different cultures & different countries. I love the outdoors, and one of my favourite things to do is to get into the countryside and enjoy a good hike.

What’s the most important thing about this group? The way I see this group is as a safe place for kids to learn to trust each other through sharing their different stories. They can come as they are with no preparation. They can talk about both the struggles and the joys of moving to a new country. This is a place where new friends can be made, and solutions to problems possibly found together. The group can be seen as a kind of safe bubble offering a break from everything going on outside 🙂

The Support Group is free of charge.

‍Meet & Greet Session on 20th December from 4pm to 5.15pm

7 rue Joseph Guerber in Neudorf

Places are limited. Please sign up by sending us an email : denisedonnio@gmail.com