Training for professionals

Maximise your effectiveness with Polish families!

The Polish community constitutes one of the largest minority groups in the UK – about 1 million Polish nationals live in England and Wales (Census 2021 - 743,000, Home Office Settlement Scheme June 2023 - 1,044.440). Most of them are settled, and many are fully assimilated into British society. However, some families struggle to adapt to their new reality, having historical issues brought with them to the UK or where they have encountered additional difficulties in functioning as a happy and harmonious family unit.

Our course will help you explore the issues affecting the lives of Polish people living in the UK so you can recognise them and respond to them with confidence when you work with Polish people or support them in your professional roles.

WORKING WITH POLISH FAMILIES

Course objectives:

Understand the main cultural differences and explain how they may affect the behaviour of the Polish people living in the UK
List the main barriers to accessing support and building engagement with agencies
Name risk factors for victims and children in Polish families affected by domestic violence
Understand mental health problems in the Polish community
Explore effective ways of reaching out to Polish families and engaging with them
Understand how children learn languages and the importance of using their native language
Understand the role of interpreters and best practices in using them

Who is this course for:

We delivered this course successfully to professionals working for domestic abuse agencies, children's services, health services, schools, housing associations, probation, police and other agencies from the statutory and voluntary sector.

Duration - 6 hours

About the facilitator

The session is delivered by Ewa Wilcock, the Managing Director of Vesta - Specialist Family Support CIC. She founded the first UK-wide Polish domestic violence helpline in 2014 and managed it until 2018. She set up the first website for Polish victims of domestic violence in the UK with information about support options available to them here. She is a qualified IDVA and worked as a specialist domestic violence worker for a local charity. She is an accredited facilitator of the Gateway Programme (domestic abuse) and the Nurturing Programme (parenting). She adapted both programmes to Polish and successfully delivered them to groups and individuals. She led the delivery of various projects specifically for Polish families across England and Wales. She supported Polish families in the UK for over ten years, promoted their rights, and raised awareness about domestic violence in Polish families living in the UK through conferences, blogs and expert advice. Ewa is a sociologist by profession (MA) and a qualified interpreter (DPSI).

Because we appreciate your time is valuable to you, we look to deliver the courses at your place of work on a date that suits you.

We have over 10 years' experience working with Polish families in the UK. We have supported them within the British social care and justice systems and have seen how they cope with economic and political changes. We specialise in providing domestic violence and parenting support to Polish families.

What Clients Say

"A couple of my team members told me they wanted to have more awareness about the Polish community and how we can improve positive engagement. Vesta SFS CIC provided us with some real insight, useful tips and understanding of how to communicate and show respect when initially meeting with members of the Polish community. It was very clear that they are knowledgeable and experienced in working with victims of Domestic Abuse and provided us with invaluable advice on supporting victims when they approach our housing options service."

Housing Options Manager, Eden Housing Association in Penrith