A social worker who has lived in Canterbury for 14 years says she is moving back to Germany because of Brexit.

Sabine Voigt, 49, emigrated to the UK in 1999 and has lived in Canterbury since 2004 - establishing the city as her home, and its people as her friends.

But following Britain's decision to leave the European Union, she says she and her British partner Ian have felt increasingly unsettled about the stability of their position in England, and have now made the decision to move back to her homeland.

"We'd planned to move to Germany sometime in the next five to 10 years, so it was always the exit strategy," explained Sabine, a child protection social worker.

"But after Brexit, there was just massive uncertainty about those small, day-to-day things you completely take for granted - our car insurance, whether my driving licence which I swapped to a UK licence would be valid, what would happen with the dogs.

"We were in limbo.

"That's when we looked at each other and said we're better off going now instead of waiting longer.

'All of a sudden vileness and hatred have become almost accepted forms of behaviour' - Sabine Voigt

"We are now ready to leave Brexit Britain behind. Since the referendum, Britain has changed so much and all of a sudden vileness and hatred have become almost accepted forms of behaviour, which is such a shame and Britain can do so much better.

"I was affected by that. You walk across newspaper stands in the morning and you see the headlines and it's all against immigration and immigrants. I wasn't an EU citizen anymore - I was reduced to a commodity and an immigrant and I did not want to be treated in that kind of way.

"Therefore we have made that very difficult decision to sell and up and move, which we have done now and we are looking forward to settling on the continent."

"We're in a very fortunate position that we can make this choice - a lot of people can't. We're using freedom of movement. We've registered in Germany with the authorities, and my partner's got a job so he can build up his own work and his own right to be in the country. He's got the right to live and work.

"Of course there is a vulnerability there, but we trust the German government more than the British government.
Sabine said that since deciding to move, she has been approached by other people who feel their livelihoods are being impacted by Brexit.

"Brexit is a human rights issue," she said. "Families are being torn apart. Lots of people are sharing with me stories about their struggles around Brexit. Good people are leaving, and it will change the community.

Sabine and Ian have lived in the same house in Bekesbourne Lane, Canterbury, since 2004.

The couple has thrived as part of the community. Sabine has been director of Pegwell Bay Parkrun and has campaigned against Brexit with group Pulse for Europe.

"When you live somewhere for 14 years, you get so used to it," she said. "To seeing your friends, going to the pub, knowing which restaurants to go to. I was a director of Pegwell Bay Parkrun, we were cardholders at the Gulbenkian so we go on a regular basis, I was involved in the Canterbury Pulse of Europe pro-EU campaign group.

"We're part of the community. It's really sad leaving all that behind.

'I feel like I'm in control of my destiny now' - Sabine Voigt

"But I feel much better - I feel like I'm in control of my destiny now, and not being at the receiving end of some incompetent practice.

"The messages of support I've had have been absolutely staggering.

"It's incredibly sad, but I'm feeling much more settled."

Sabine is currently working in London, and will be travelling to join her partner at their new home near Frankfurt on Saturday.

Britain's imminent exit from the EU has also hit city businesses. Earlier this year, a shop owner in Canterbury caused a stir when she blamed Brexit for the closure of her city centre store.

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