News
Invitation to the Polish Wigilia
Perth Polish Support Group
The project was set up in response to needs expressed by the Polish community who wanted a meeting place for advice and support where members could access resources and information to help them cope with issues related to living and working in a new country. These needs were first voiced at the Frederick Chopin Saturday Polish School in Perth. The parents in conjunction with the school organisers felt that there was nowhere to go for help and support in relation to coping with their new environment. The Polish community in Edinburgh had a well established Polish Volunteers Group "Swietlica" and so a visit was made to see if this sort of support model could be replicated in Perth and Kinross. The group's committee was established and it was decided that a weekly evening (6-9pm) meeting would be necessary to cope with the range of issues and problems raised by the initial parent group.
The group provides advice, support, information and resources vital to the successful integration of members as "New Scots" in Perth and Kinross. The group has hosted guest speakers from C.A.B., NHS, Trading Standards, AK Bell Library, Housing and Community Care, Tayside Fire Brigade and Careers Scotland who were able to advise on relevant topics. In 2007 the group members worked on the film project "Us and not only us" supported by PKC's Art and Development Team. This film highlighted the cultural similarities and differences between Scottish and Polish communities. The group has also secured funding for English language provision and over 170 learners have taken part since September 2007. Furthermore, the group members have hosted a very successful cultural workshop during March International Women's Day, hoping to extend links with the wider community.
Some group members gained certificates in Accident and Emergency First Aid and English language for Speakers of Other Languages. There is also a weekly form-filling and advice surgery.
Currently a team of dedicated volunteers ensures co-ordination of weekly workshops. There already exist a myriad of complex social problems. New migrant workers face barriers to services due to isolation and language difficulties. This project provides a meeting point for the community and the mechanism through which needs are expressed and information is shared.
The Polish community knows about the project through word of mouth and through their involvement in the Frederick Chopin Saturday Polish School. So far, the project has been advertised through flyers, notice boards in the Perth Polish Shops and currently the project is developing its own website.
To get in touch, call Kasia on 07975 953099, visit our website www.ppsg.co.uk or email us ppsg@hotmail.co.uk
Crimestoppers go multi-lingual
The Crimestoppers initiative unveiled at the Polish Food Shop, South Street, Perth, yesterday. From left: Renata Fraser (Perth Polish Support Group), Shelley Hague (Economic Development), crime prevention officer Donald Campbell, shop owner Tomasz Zalewski and Ian Campbell (Safer Citizen programme manager).
A NEW initiative has been launched to allow Eastern European workers living in Perth and Kinross to report criminal information anonymously.
The rapid growth of the Polish, Czech and Russian community in Perth and Kinross - now in excess of 3000 - presents a challenge for the authorities, not least the language barriers in criminal investigations.
The Crimestoppers Initiative allows migrant workers to pass on information through the use of interpreters.
"This service is available to English speaking residents and this initiative will extend it to the migrant community, allowing them to report any criminal information anonymously if they so wish," Community Safety Partnership convener Councillor Willie Robertson said.
"I welcome the scheme - it will make migrants feel more welcome in our communities and assure them that the authorities are there to help them if they need assistance."
Crime prevention officer Donald Campbell said, "Perth and Kinross has the third highest level of migrant workers in Scotland after Glasgow and Edinburgh.
"It is important they receive the same reassurance and support, and the introduction of these Crimestopper cards in their own language will assist us in meeting their needs."
Crimestopper cards have been produced in various languages and will be distributed to the migrant worker community through support groups, the police, retail outlets and employers.
Information on the cards provides the Crimestoppers telephone number 0800 555 111 and all calls will be free.
This scheme has been developed by the New Workers Partnership, Crimestoppers and Perth and Kinross Community Safety Partnership.
Photographic project - update
Our photographic project has been a success! A group of students, under the supervision of Margaret, Jillian and Marek, created their own portfolios. Crucially, everyone had an opportunity to improve their conversational skills in English as all the classes were conducted strictly in that language. The innovative method that we used was based on the participants' largely dictating the content of the course.
Our film - "Us, and Not Only Us"
"Us, and Not Only Us" is the title of the film made by Perth Polish Support Group. The idea of the film is to present a celebration of life and it is a depiction of certain aspects of the lives of Polish people in Perth. Members of the group are wholly responsible for the final result. They created the script, acted, filmed, recorded sound and edited the material. The film was produced with the use of professional filming equipment. The first screening of the film will take place on 19 March 2008.
