Our past projects
The conference was organised to present the findings of the first UK-wide study about Polish women's experiences of abuse in the UK, showcase best practices in working with Polish families affected by domestic abuse, and facilitate networking between professionals.
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This international event brought together academics, experts, leaders, and practitioners from the UK and Poland. It offered a unique opportunity to hear from representatives of the leading organisations supporting women and victims of domestic abuse in Poland.
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Read more about this successful event here.
We were concerned that Polish people, one of the largest minority groups in Manchester, do not ask for help when they experience domestic abuse. They face many barriers to accessing specialist services – language barrier, fear of statutory agencies, lack of knowledge of the system, isolation, and financial difficulties. To be responsive to these needs, Vesta, in partnership with Europia, delivered a project for Polish victims/survivors of domestic abuse in Manchester to ensure they are safe in their homes.
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Specialist support has been offered to adult men and women:
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Information, advice and support in accessing local domestic abuse services
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Welfare & housing advice and support
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Online support group for women
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Counselling
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Emergency funding for accommodation-related need
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Gateway - domestic abuse recovery and awareness course for women
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Information about strangulation in Polish.
We delivered a parenting course to Polish parents and carers in Gwent. The 10-week course The Nurturing Programme was a great opportunity for parents to learn positive parenting methods, and share experiences with parents who also grew up in Poland and were raised within Polish cultural norms.
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We also recorded two webinars about positive communication in the family:
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Communication - how can we communicate to understand each other?
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Emotions - how can we control them better?
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The project was funded
by the National Lottery Community Fund
Mental health support for Polish adults in Wales
We supported Polish adults who live in Wales and experience mental health issues. We offered the following services:
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peer support group for Polish women
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telephone individual emotional support for men and women
The project was funded by the Community Foundation Wales and Wrexham Council.
Physical activities for Polish men and women in Cheshire
We supported Polish men and women with their well-being through physical activities:
HIKING GROUP FOR MEN The trips were organised in the Peak District and other areas.
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FITNESS CLASSES FOR WOMEN
We run fitness classes in Crewe and Northwich.
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The project was financed by
Active Cheshire and Sport England.
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Counselling for the Polish community in Wales
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We offered counselling to Polish people aged 18 and over who lived in Wales.
Services were delivered by Polish-speaking experienced and qualified professionals and counsellors.
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The project was funded by Comic Relief with Bawso.
We offered specialist services to Polish families affected by domestic abuse in Wales during the Covid-19 pandemic:
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we run a helpline for victims and perpertators
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we offered counselling to people who experience abuse and to those who harm
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we run domestic violence awareness course "Gateway"
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we offered individual parenting support.
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The project was funded by the Welsh Government.
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Mental health support project for the Polish community in Cheshire.
We supported Polish adults who live in Cheshire who experienced mental health issues.
We offered the following services:
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peer support group for Polish women
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telephone individual emotional support for men and women
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counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy
Services were delivered by Polish-speaking experienced and qualified professionals and counsellors.
The project was funded by the NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group.
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We supported Polish parents from Greater Manchester who were required to work with Children Services due to domestic violence or parenting difficulties. As a result of our support parents reported improved wellbeing and increased knowledge about the British social care system.
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We also delivered two parenting courses to Polish parents and carers in Greater Manchester. The 10-week course The Nurturing Programme was a great opportunity for parents to learn positive parenting methods, and share experiences with parents who also grew up in Poland and were raised within Polish cultural norms.
The projects were funded
by the National Lottery Community Fund
A parenting programme for Polish parents and carers
The Nurturing Programme is an evidence-based 10-week course for parents and carers that improves the emotional health of both adults and children and strengthens family relationships.
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We adapted the course content to Polish and we delivered it in Polish for the first time in the North West region.
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The project was financed by Comic Relief Community Fund, Polish Consulate in Manchester and Cheshire East Council.
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We supported Polish adults who experienced mental health issues. We worked with people who experience multiple barriers from engaging with British agencies to ensure that they access support at the right time.
The project was funded by the Big Lottery Community Fund.
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We offered emotional support to Polish people who struggled to cope with their situation caused by the pandemic.
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The projects were funded by Community Foundation Wales
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Tesco Bags of Help
Gateway - domestic abuse recovery and awareness course for Polish women.
We delivered this course in three locations in England:
Derbyshire
We offered the course to Polish women living in various parts of Derbyshire.
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The project was funded by The Community Foundation for Staffordshire as part of the Tampon Tax Community Fund.
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Nottinghamshire
We delivered a group course for Polish women living in the Nottingham City area.
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The Gateway course was delivered in co-operation with Juno Women's Aid,
funders of the project.
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Merseyside
We delivered the course for Polish women living in the Wirral area.
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The project is funded by The John Moores Foundation.
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How did the group help me?
As a result of coming to the group, I feel a stronger woman now. I find it easier to deal with my problems. I changed the way I see things now, where I would normally end up crying, shutting everyone out and blaming myself I now tell myself: "It didn't work out this time, I will try again".
Women Side by Side
The group was set up for Polish women of all ages who experienced problems with their mental health or who simply felt lonely and wanted to meet other Polish women for a coffee and chat.
We run weekly meetings in Wrexham.
The project was funded by Mind.
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