Bienvenue and Welcome to our Website

You are interested in France and we congratulate you on finding this website. Take a moment to look around we are sure you will find something that is useful to you

This website is fluid and evolving and if you seek something particular that is not here today, well, it may be here tomorrow. Keep checking in with us(or email your enquiry for a prompt response)

Who we are

Well, it’s me, John Ewens, and a small team of people with skills to offer, covering most aspects of life within France

Currently a lot of the work I do involves medical related issues, hospital and GP appointments with people who are concerned that they can understand and be understood by all the medical professionals involved in their care

Unfortunately in France there is usually no budget to cover the cost of non-French speakers within the medical systems. This often involves people having to ask friends or family to translate, which is not always ideal when such personal or intimate issues need to be covered and they are already feeling vulnerable

Friends and family also have little or limited knowledge of the likely impact of particular conditions. What are the clinical features, treatment options, prognosis? Are there particular questions that need to be considered by the clinicians or the patient?

Since starting my business in France I have accompanied people through the various stages of their medical interventions, I have found that as long as their particular needs are understood and they are informed at each stage, they are more reassured and able to actively engage in their treatment, which leads to much better outcomes

They are, of course, also far more likely to benefit from the excellent health and social welfare options available outside of the immediate clinical environment.

People use me to ensure that the right questions are asked and answered satisfactority (even if they had not already considered what the questions are). If they have a strong opinion on any aspect of their medical care/options they can, and do, use me to advocate for them, this helps them to deflect attention away from them personally (usually their demands are reasonable) and onto the issues that concerns them

This is the card that I have given to the hospitals and GP's in the region that I live in. I have now found that many of my referrals come from the clinical staff giving my details to their British patients (often, even if they speak French, as the outcomes tend to improve when people are able to act from an informed position and they can also call on me between appointments or treatments

By profession I am an occupational therapist (OT) or as I am called here in France; an ergotherapeute. I am state registered in both the UK and France. I have many years experience working in London and the north of England, currently I am fulfilling an OT contract in a locally renowned neurological and functional rehabilitation centre in south west France (See Best quality service service page for further details)

Most people do not know what OT's do, even amongst OT's themselves there are various points of emphasis, depending on their particular area of employment

In general OT aims to restore each of its client to their fullest possible level of independence. The primary focus is on optimum functional independence whilst respecting the individuals choices, preferences and life commitments

Within France I have been assisting many people. Some alone, some have young families, some have family members who are disabled, some who have completed their working life and some people who have very complicated lives

Everyone needs to access services and benefits. This, naturally enough, involves a large amount of contact with the 'infamously', established monolithic bureaucracies and official administrative procedures that exist in this country. I have already trod that path

Fear not! Help is at hand!

Having been regular visitors to France over the past 20 years, we have now been resident here for over 3 years. We love France and the lifestyle it allows us


My family of 6 is a loud and exuberant mob consisting of my kind and delicate wife (her words), 2 beautiful daughters (the eldest of which has Down’s Syndrome or, trisonomie 21, and the younger one is currently a power ranger) and 2 horrible small boys. We arrived here with one of the boys still a ‘babe in arms’ at 6 months old and the last one was created and born a local. Who will he play football for? We have been enveloped by our local community and feel very comfortable and happy here. It has been and continues to be, a great adventure

Why you might need help

Since moving to France many people tell me they feel ‘disabled’ by language and different socio-cultural systems for meetings, hospital appointments, telephone calls, filling in forms, service disputes. etc. Finding out what’s available is only easy if you know how and where to look!

The great thing is that here in France we have an excellent health and social security system, and a wealth of highly skilled professions and trades. Why not take full advantage?


. For instance, everyday life can raise issues involving:

• finding and accessing medical specialists
  
  
• ensuring pension and benefit entitlement
  
  
• purchasing/selling/renting/developing/suitability of a property
  
  
• official recognition of your own qualifications
  
• finding employment
  
  
• starting a business
  
  
• care and education of a child or adult with a disability
  
  
• understanding differing social & cultural values
  
  
• cars and driving in France
  
  
• having a baby
  
  
• consumer rights
  
  
• add another issue?
  
  

In a unfamiliar country, most days can bring a new challenge (last week we had a toad take up residence in the living room, he has since been suitably re-housed in the garden! This week our car has broken down)

How we can help you

Being bi-lingual, medically and socially trained, and familiar with french systems, I can assist you to reach your potential within France, by assisting you to resolve your particular issues

Whatever your apprehensions, you can be sure of a friendly, professional service. I will ensure that the right questions are asked and answered to your satisfaction. Depending on your location within France, this may be achieved in writing, in person, by telephone or by accompanied visits

There are pages on this website which may give you all the information you require, however, some things can appear insurmountable

How it Works

• Following contact from you, we will carry out the initial research and then provide you with a clear report giving a step by step guide and recommendations. In general, an hour or two is sufficient for this, you will be informed if it will take any longer
  
  
• At this stage you may feel confident, armed with your own report to act on the recommendations and continue by yourself
  
  
• Alternatively, we can do it for you. You will be kept updated at each stage, you are in safe hands
  
  
  
  

My Obligations to You

I am obliged to be registered with the Health Professions Council in the UK and the Direction Departementale des Affaires Sanitaires et Sociales in France(part of the Ministry of Health). I work within the code of ethics and professional standards at all times. Any contact between you and me is entirely confidential

Laying the ground for a positive outcome, as early as possible, is the best way to avoid unneccessary expense, delays and frustration

Please use the contact details on my card above or the contact form (on any of the following pages)should you require professional assistance that brings results