News
BASKETBALL 4 ALL!
We
invite you all to another one of our regular free basketball sessions -
they are open for everyone! Take your friends and join us to play some
basketball! Let's have some fun!
Date: Monday, 23rd June
Time: 8-9 pm
Place: Centre for Sport, Westgate Community College, West Road, Newcastle
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TRAINING WORKSHOPS FOR HIGHLY SKILLED POLISH MIGRANTS!
Between 26th and 28th June we invite you all to training workshops. You will find out: how to write a proper CV and cover letter, what the cultural differences in workplace are, how the work agreement looks like (and other essential documents as well) and many more. All participants will get a certificate.
To
take part please call Jet at 191 226 3620 or contact NEPCO via
e-mail: info@nepco.org.uk
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NCEN recommends media workshop!
If you want to find out more about PR and the way media works, it is something for you!
More
info attached on a poster! – click
here
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ATTENTION!
Are
you Polish and living in the North East of England?
If so, I need
your help!
I am currently conducting research on the cultural activities of Polish people in the North East for my Masters studies and would really like to hear your views.
Within the 25th issue of 2B you will find a short questionnaire which will take no longer than 5 minutes to complete. The research is for academic purposes only and all information will be treated with anonymity and confidentiality.
As a way of saying thank you, all completed questionnaires will be entered into a prize draw for the opportunity to WIN A £20 VOUCHER valid at any of the following venues:
-
The Polish Food Co
-
Gospoda Restaurant
-
The Globe
Please ensure you have handed the questionnaire to a member of staff at any NEPCO event or one of the venues stated above by MONDAY 30TH JUNE for your chance to win! (Just print your name and contact details on the top right hand corner of the questionnaire if you wish to take part in the draw.)
Alternatively, fill in the questionnaire online at:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=hAuJSZ4ewi1a9s9J_2fUVU5A_3d_3d
For any queries, please contact Helen Lowther (Postgraduate Researcher) at: helen.lowther@ncl.ac.uk
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First Polish Festival call Made in Poland took place in May.
Official report soon – for now visit our webiste to find out more:
www.madeinpolandfestival.co.uk .
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8 June. Family picnic in Exhibition Park took place! Children had fabulous time, parents – occasion to make new friends, weather was great and bbq specialities – delicious.
Thank you all for coming – and see you next month!
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25 May. 2B25!
New edition of our monthly brochure – you can read about:
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Weekendland – an article from Father's Land
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Magic places: Craigside
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competition with Polish Books!!! Win one of 5 Polish books!
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Guide: TUC, Police, Newcastle City Council
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Magic places: Sopot
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Lanuage without barriers
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Richard Grainger – who was he?
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Reading room - Harasymowicz
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Literary Corner - poems...
and many more!
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26th April. 2B - monthly magazine for Poles in the North East published by NEPCO is all about Made in Poland Festival! Paper copies of 2B24 are available in Polish places in Newcastle from this weekend! Please visit Polish Restaurant Gospoda at Princess Square, Polish pub The Globe at Railway Street, Polish Deli at Newgate Street, Polish church at Maple Terrace or public libraries in Newcastle to grab one copy.
You can also download it here--> 
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24th April. Chairperson of NEPCO took part in a meeting called Customer Service Operational Management Board and which was attended by a representative from each of the City Council’s Directorates. Normally during the meetings there is a number of issues discussed around how people prefer to contact the council (face-to-face, phone, electronic); the levels of service the council offers (our standards) and staff customer service training programme. NEPCO suggested new forms of communication between the Newcastle City Council and Polish community by the 2B magazine where messages and articles addressed to the Polish community in Newcastle can be published; and by the Polish internet websites in the North East. NEPCO was also informed that the official leaflet about services offered by the council will be produced in Polish and available in May 2008.
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22nd April. NEPCO together with representatives of two other groups based in Newcastle (LGBT and Walker group) was invited for a meeting with officials from the DCLG (Dept. Communities & Local Government) re: community empowerment. The meeting took place in the Dance City in Newcaste and the aim was to show how local communities cooperate with local council, what their needs are and what kind of help and support they require and receive from the council. The commission is having a tour around the UK and meets with local communities in English cities. After all the meetings the report will be produced.
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2nd April. North
East Strategic Migration Partnership invited NEPCO to take part in a
meeting organised for the local Polish communities in the North East.
In the meeting based in the Durham County Council took part about ten
people from different backgrounds. There were two Polish ladies from
Middlesbrough and Polish people from Newcastle representing e.g.
Polish website www.ncl.to.pl
and NEPCO. The purpose of the meeting was to talk about problems and
expectations that Polish people in the North East region have and
possible solutions. Three new teams were proposed to form and work on
different projects including: internet/website communication between
communities and organisations, welcome pack project and funding
opportunities. The groups will be formed soon and coordinated with a
help from NESMP.
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1st April. New issue of 2B available!
In this edition of 2B, articles cover a range of topics, from contemporary architecture and urban space, to Easter, regional languages and cultures, suicide, elections and how to write a CV - an eclectic mix reflecting the varied interests and expertise of Poles in the North East.
Get it here-->
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4th March. Seminar about Jews in Poland
NEPCO was invited to take part in seminar about history of Jews in Poland which took place on Tuesday 4th March. Research was funded by Jewish community in Newcastle. Anna Malinowska, student at Durham University, made a journey after Polish cities and villages, where Jewish communities were cumulated for ages. During one hour presentation Anna told us many interesting stories supported by actual photos of Jewish cemeteries, synagogue, theatres and festivals promoting Jewish dance, art and culture. Anna was invited to give another talk about history of Jews in Poland during Polish Festival in Newcastle, which will be hold in May 2008.
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photo by ncl.to.pl
2nd February. The First Gerard's Polish-English Football Tournament in the North East took place in Newcastle upon Tyne. There were 6 teams playing in a very cold, snowing, sometimes sunny weather. We were also selling some hot drinks and d'nuts to... raise more money for our friend - Maja. Polish team won!
THANK YOU ALL for coming, playing and watching!!!
See you next time!
The tournament was organised by NEPCO and Newcastle City Council.
We've been collecting money to help with burial costs of Maja's husband and our beloved friend Gerard who passed away in December. We've managed to collect L85 there and together with the previous contributions we've collected in total L483.89! Thank you all for your help!
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27th January. There were two brainstorming sessions NEPCO members participated in.
First - future of our 2B brochure. What we are going to do, how can we develop our monthly issues, etc. We've got bunch of new ideas, couple of new collaborators, few sponsors interested in putting ads in, new layout coming soon!
Second - Polish Days In North East. We'd like to show Polish music, culture, entertainment and also our way to carry on multicultural dialog with local communities. Together with others - voluntaries helping Polish community, Polish websites and local organizations representatives, few NEPCO members discussed basic ideas and events' suggestions . That was just the first time - now it's time to take action!
We'd like to thank all those who'd like to take part in preparation of this big event - hopefully our cooperation will thrive.
If you'd like to help us or if you have any comments, ideas, etc please contact us at info@nepco.org.uk or write directly to project coordinator - detailed list will be available soon!
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At the same day about 20 NEPCO members and our friends visited Newcastle Discovery to watch 'Brundibar' - the children's opera by Hans Krasa. It was a part of Holocaust Memorial Day Event.
This opera was written in 1938 and it was played several times during II World War in Terezin's ghetto by children who lived there.
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26th January. New 2B issue with:
- reading room - a
book review by Grawinka
- from Fathers' Land - an article by Jerzy Wojeciech
- magic bridges Newcastle by Jadzia
- Newsletter NEPCO
- Story-reading recommended by Grawinka
- My Britain by CEzAR
- New Year's dialog - Lena and dr Miroslaw
- 'free events' in our region
- PL Accents: party in Consett and music gig - WWO in Newcastle
- announcement about consular meetings in Newcastle
- four different researches about Poles in Newcastle
and something extra - NEPCO calendar for 2008!
get this issue
-->
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26th
January. We've had two carnival masquerades for children in Newcastle.
Why two? Because it turned out we've had so many people interested
we wouldn't have enough space to accommodate them all at once. So...
we couldn't say 'no' to anyone and disappoint children, we've
organized two parties almost simultaneously. We've started at 1pm in
The Globe and an hour later - at 2pm in Polish Club. There were
almost 70 children dressed up as princesses, magic creatures, books
and movies heroes enjoying themselves in both locations.
We'd like to thank you all who came and we'd like to thank also Polish Club and The Globe teams for magnificent help and cooperation in preparing both events. Children's smile was the greatest reward for work we've done.
Thank you - and see you next time!
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21st
January. NEPCO representative had a meeting with TUC -
we've discussed how to make Poles aware of their worker's rights and
how to explain them advantages of being a member of trade union.
We've been talking also about Polish version of TUC website www.pracawbrytanii.eu
The next level of our cooperation was agreed - publishing information and articles in 2B brochure.
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16th January. Carole Yeoh from Newcastle City Council and Anna Fraszczyk from NEPCO were invited to deliver a presentation about cooperation between local council and our organization. It was a part of Newcastle conference for English officials and council workers about integration and cohesion. The presentation took place in Polish pub The Globe after Polish lunch - cooperation between NEPCO and local council was shown from two points of view. From the very beginning NEPCO receives a lot of support from Newcastle City Council - in financial and law related issues - that's why we have a chance to integrate and inform Polish community. From the other side - City Council - by helping us - is able to carry out the mission of supporting the local and minority communities.
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15th January. NEPCO chairperson, Anna Fraszczyk, took part in Polish Club Committee meeting. She handed over our newsletter and also the invitations to holocaust photographs exhibition which will be part of official Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration.
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13th
January. The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity was celebrated
for the very first time in Newcastle. The group of voluntaries
prepared unforgetable Final in less than two months!There were
children games, medieval history workshops, fights show, auctions,
raffle, music gigs, light show and many more going all day at The Space, Newcastle College.
At the same time there was a lot of live music and karaoke at Polish
pub The Globe. We've been collecting money for children with ENT
diseases.
Newcastle Team managed to get: £ 1183,50 + 77,53 PLN + 2,80 EURO.
Thank you very much!
Sie ma!
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7th January. Three NEPCO members had a meeting with Send Cash Home representative. We've been talking about cooperation possibilities - there's a great chance for to help each other with promotion and future projects.
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5th January. NEPCO Committee members met with a group of voluntaries from Consett who'd like to form a branch of our organization in their town. We've been discussing necessary changes in our constitution, some formal and law issues, future plans and projects. Next step - meeting for Consett group and representatives of Derwentside Council.
We'd like to invite all Poles living in Consett - join us!
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22nd December. Christmas issue of 2B - last one in this year. You can read about: letter from Gabrysia to Safety Works, magic book review, a few interesting facts and titbits and also invitation to join January's Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity Final.
get this issue ->
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16th December. There was an open Committee meeting - for the last time in this year. We've analyzed and discussed our last year's activities and projects and future plans, talked about all - positive and negative -comments. We've been joined by people who would like to open NEPCO branches in neighbouring towns.
As it's almost Christmas time and all of us already feel the magical atmosphere - there was a special time for Christmas wishes, exchanging Christmas cards and also for Chistmas cake :)
On behalf of NEPCO Committee I would like to thank you all for those 9 months of our cooperation and at the same time - to wish you Merry Christmas and all the best in New Year
Marta Rzepecki
NEPCO Secretary
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21st November. The chair of NEPCO took part in a conference called ‘Tapping Hidden Talents’ v ‘Supporting Organisation’. There were two main organisers of the conference: North East Strategic Migration Partnership and North of England Refugee Service. The aim of the conference was to focus on refugees and migrant workers and show what has already been done to help them to find employment in the UK and also what more needs to be done in the future.
The main barriers of employment were recognised. They eight most important and common are: English language problems, lack of UK work experience and references, UK qualifications, lack of understanding of the recruitment process, lack of knowledge of the requirements of the local labour market, employers’ concerns, lack of confidence and housing.
The aim for the future is “to increase the number of refugee and migrant workers work and led business in the North East”. And the main objectives to achieve that are: to provide information, advice and guidance on employment opportunities; to assist individuals to overcome barriers of employment; to work with employers to provide employment to refugees and migrant workers.
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18th
November. There was the Financial Open Day organized in
Polish pub 'The Globe'. Various bank representatives and financial
specialists came to answer some questions and to help with financial
issues starting with current accounts, through investing, borrowing
money, mortgages, buying a house etc.
We'd like to thank you all for coming, feel free to contact the 'financial people' directly if you have any queries in the future. They are always happy to help!
Join us on our coming events. See you soon!
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http://www.europe4citizens.eu/
15th November. The chair of NEPCO took part in a workshop which were a part of 3-day conference called: ”Exploring European identity through intercultural dialogue. Challenging the stereotype of migrants”. Representatives from four European cities: Tallinn, Copenhagen, Malmo and Newcastle, came to Newcastle to talk about their experience related to migrant workers and opportunities and barriers linked with that phenomenon. There were ten people in total representing UK, Sweden, Denmark and Poland who took part in a workshop called: “Economic migrants in an enlarged European Union”. The moderator of the discussion was Kevin Richardson, who is strongly involved in research among migrants in Newcastle (especially Polish migrants). The participants distinguished positive and negative sides that cities can experience when meeting economic migrants in the borders. A list of profits was much longer than losses, and includes i.e.: reduction in training costs, cultural diversity, increase in transport and tourism demand, new innovation perspective, and that all have a big impact on productivity of the city. Only three negatives were names such as: translation costs, non-economic relatives living costs/expenses and costs of social inclusion. In the summary of the conference participants agreed that there is a need of migrant workers in their cities. Big challenge for cities and countries is to use skilled and well educated people better and also improve acceptance of migrant workers among local communities.
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28th October. 2B17 is here! You can read about:
Halloween * Article from PL - We've chosen! * My Britain * Projects with Poles * Newsletter NEPCO * Benefits - SSP * PL Accents and interesting WWWs * Lena & dr Mirosław Paluch * flyer - researches involving Poles
READ WITH US!
download new
issue ->
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NEPCO in London again!
Tuesday, 25th September. Two of the NEPCO representatives went to London to take part in a 'Good practice seminar' organised by Local Government Information Unit.
The seminar was a part of work based on recommendations of the Commission on Integration and Cohesion. Anna Fraszczyk and Dariusz Wojciechowski, NEPCO's chairperson and a member, were delivering presentation about NEPCO aims, achievements, challenges and co-operation with Newcastle City Council. Our City Council was represented by Simon Underwood – Head of Social Inclusion who was giving a short talk about migrants and the role they play in the North East. The seminar participants were representing different local authorities, counties and councils in England.
We hope our experience was helpful for other authorities and can give them a hand when dealing with Polish communities in their areas.
Anna Fraszczyk
NEPCO Committee
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15th September. AGM for NEPCO members had place in Polish Club. There was an opportunity to watch the tv-programme about new Northeasteners from Poland and NEPCO broadcasted earlier in August by Tyne Tees TV. Our official meeting started with discussion about organisation's recent activities and its future. At the end new Committee was elected:
Chairperson – Anna Fraszczyk,
Treasurer - Pawel Ścibior,
Secretary - Marta Rzepecki,
Project coordinator - Szymon Wierzchowski.
There was unofficial part of the evening later on - raffle, music, dancing, party!
We would like to thank DJ ESCEEL for great music night!!!
We would like to thank all the members of previous Committee cordially - for their contribution to the development of NEPCO and we'd like to wish them all the best in the future.
