“See Change” is a specialised programme, with a training and support package that focuses on influencing public policy through campaigning. The aim of the programme is to transform participants, and the organisations they represent, ability to act as agents for change, and make visible, lasting improvements to systems, policies or practices that affect homeless people.

Read more:
See Change Agenda Day One 28-04-10
See Change Agenda Day Two 29-04-10
See Change programme Letter

On April 26th Barka UK’s Social Economy Centre in East London started its operation. The selected SEC staff will go through a two-week induction at the Dellow Centre, Job Centre Plus and at potential employers.

See the induction’s itinerary: Barka SEC Team Two Week Induction Itinerary

Induction Team. Tour of the Dellow

Induction Team. Practice in the kitchen of the Dellow Centre

Practise at the reception of the Dellow Centre. Registration of beneficiaries

Break. Exchange of experiences.

Meeting with Barka Reconnection Team in the City&TH

Social Economy Centre. Meeting on ways of obtaining results and monitoring

Social Economy Centre. Review of the day

Barka UK staff member Marta Jankowska shares her memory of meeting President Ryszard Kaczorowski, Poland’s last President in exile.

English Version
Polish Version

Veteran and Marta Jankowska

President Ryszard Kaczorowski and Marcin Maruszak Barka UK

President Ryszard Kaczorowski and Marta Jankowska Barka UK

During 12 – 16 April, a study group of 15 representatives of Polish charities visited projects of Barka UK in London. The delegation included representatives of AGAPE Association, Brother Albert’s Society, Monar Association as well as the Deputy Mayor of Czestochowa Council.

The group visited day centers across London where Barka UK works with vulnerable A10 nationals. Participants assisted Barka staff in their daily work within the reconnection programme (including morning & night patrols on streets, trips to Eastern European Consulates, partnership meetings, etc). The delegation also met with representatives of UK Government and Homeless Link.

meeting with the staff of the Dellow Centre, Tower Hamlets

morning patrol on the steers of the City of London

review meeting

review meeting

study group participants give their feedback on the study trip

Final remarks by Kazimierz Slobodzian, Chief Executive of AGAPE Association UK

Review meeting. Deputy Mayor of Czestochowa - Ryszard Majer presents publications on

Review meeting. Deputy Mayor of Czestochowa - Ryszard Majer presents publications on

Review meeting. Deputy Mayor of Czestochowa - Ryszard Majer presents publications on

Farewell.

On April 14th, Barka UK representative Ewa Sadowska took part in the Cross Party Group on Poland in the Scottish Parliament. The meeting was hosted by Claire Baker MSP and was attended by over 20 participants including Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Edinburgh, Vice Consul Piort Leszczynski and Lorraine Cook, the Policy Officer at Convention of Scottish Local Authorities Strategic Migration Partnership.

At the meeting Ewa Sadowska presented the activities of Barka Foundation in Poland and Barka UK in London regarding the implementation of support programmes to vulnerable Eastern European nationals in Western Europe.

The Group members were interested to learn about Barka projects as there had been concerns about a number of homeless and rough sleeping Polish nationals with no recourse to public funds in Scotland.

Detailed report from the meeting to follow.

Please find attached the agenda of the meeting and related materials.

CPG Poland 14th April 2010 Agenda

CPG Poland 14th April 2010 Social Support for the Polish Community

CPG Poland minute of meeting 13th January 2010

The first three photos are a view in front of the Polish Embassy in London. The rest are at the funeral of President Lech Kaczynski and the First Lady Maria Kaczynska. 10 thousand Polish people gathered in Trafalgar Square, London to say a last good bye to the President and the First Lady.

On 10th April 2010, a plane carrying Poland’s president Lech Kaczynski, his wife Maria, the last emigre President of the Republic of Poland and many other Poland’s military, political and church leaders has crashed. The delegation was traveling to Smolensk, Russia to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre where 20 thousand Polish soldiers were shot by Soviet secret police. Ninety six people were reported on board the presidential plane.

Condolence Letter from Barka UK addressed to Polish Embassy in London click here

Condolences from friends and partners’ organizations click here and here

Condolences from the Scottish Parliament representative click here

A few photos from the training of the Social Economy Centre staff at the Barka Foundation in Poznan as well as the Barka Network

Part of the induction group took part in the study visit to homeless services in Berlin. Presentation of Barka's work at the Polish Embassy in Berlin.

Polish Embassy in Berlin. German social workers listen to Barka's presentation.

The induction team at one of the Barka Communities in Wielkopolska visiting the farm.

Workshops and exercises.

Workshops and exercises.

Social Economy Centre group takes part in an international conference on social enterprises & recycling at the Barka School, Poznan

Social Economy Centre group takes part in an international conference on social enterprises & recycling at the Barka School, Poznan.