Leaving the military? Want to live in Cyprus? Read on to find out how...
A new role has been created in Cyprus to advise personnel serving there how they can carry on living in the Cypriot sunshine after they leave the Armed Forces.
Personnel in British Forces Cyprus can now benefit from the knowledge, experience and support of new Chief Transition Mentor Sarah Geddes.
She said: "If you're looking at finishing in the military and you want to stay in Cyprus, work in Cyprus, chill in Cyprus then I can help you out and tell you about the rules and how things work out here and what paperwork you need before you get started."
After serving 24 years in the British Army, Sarah decided she wanted to settle in Cyprus but soon discovered the process wasn't as straightforward as transitioning to civvy street in the UK can be for some.
Speaking with Curtis Tyler, a BFBS the Forces Station broadcaster, Sarah explained that after her last posting in Cyprus, she made certain assumptions that proved to be wrong.
Now she wants to help people benefit from her mistakes.
She said: "I'm here just to help out [with] the things that I got slightly wrong – ie I thought I could just walk onto camp and get a job straight away because I'm ex-military – and just sort of making sure people know what the rules are and how to survive out there if you're staying."
Sarah says there's a big difference between transitioning to civvy street in Cyprus and the UK.
A process which can be complicated and stressful at the best of times can be aggravated further if you're not prepared for the difference between the two countries.
She said: "Unfortunately in Cyprus, jobs are a little bit more limited and you need a work permit to be able to stay out here.
"Same with schooling, if you've got any little 'uns, you can't just continue to use the MOD schools; you need to pay for that."
The role was the brainchild of former Commander British Forces (CBF) in Cyprus Major General Rob Thompson and is supported by the current CBF, Air Vice Marshall Peter Squires.
She said: "It soon became apparent that if you're already a veteran, there's people out there that can assist and help you and there's different clubs that are on parts of the island but there wasn't anything to get you started.
"So, I volunteered / voluntold for the role and it seems to be working."
Anyone wishing to start the ball rolling, and transition to civvy street in Cyprus, can email Sarah at [email protected] for a one-to-one chat.
As Sarah says, there's no time better than the present when it comes to arranging your life after service.
She said: "You can get the paperwork started, you can see immigration.
"If you want to join the clubs, because veterans are great in clubs and they give a lot back, then I can give you some details for there as well."
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