Moving home can feel chaotic as your whole life around you can change quickly. If you are part of an Armed Forces family, you might already know this feeling well.
Moving means packing up your life, saying goodbye to friends, and disrupting your daily routines. But there is lots of support available to help you navigate this transition and thrive wherever you are in Scotland.
Remember, you’re not alone.
Young people from Armed Forces families will move school around 4-5 times on average.
Got Questions?
Is moving always so stressful?
It is completely natural. Relocating disrupts your routine, friendships, and clubs. It is okay to find it overwhelming. Max’s Big Move is a story created with children from Armed Forces families to see how others handle these feelings. Have a read when you have a moment.
How can I make new friends?
Getting involved in local youth clubs, sports or any other group opportunities for young people your age is a great start. Let your family know that you’d be interested in joining a club or taking up a sport and they can support you in finding out what’s nearby.
We also have a quick guide on making new friends when you move to a new school.
It’s all feeling a bit too overwhelming, is there anything I can do?
Transitions can be tough on your wellbeing but remember you’re not alone. Speak to your family about how you’re feeling, they are going through the same situation as you and it’s likely they are feeling overwhelmed too.
You can also get in touch with Forces Children Scotland directly if you’d like to talk to them about specific support you’re looking for.
If it is an emergency and you need to talk to someone urgently, you can contact one of the numbers here for support.
There Are Positives to Moving
Despite there being lots of change, once you’re settled you can begin to appreciate what’s around you. Some of the volunteers with Forces Children Scotland share with us some of their favourite memories of living in Scotland.
You also might want to take a look at the main page of our Forces Corner for more info on moving to Scotland.