Witold B. and Jan L.  - decided to go to Barka Communities in Poland together on 08.10.2010. They had been living in UK for over two years. They were both sleeping rough and both regularly attended  day centre. As they admitted themselves their lives were becoming more and more degraded by living on the streets. At the day centre they meet Barka UK Leader and Assistant. The staff told them about the opportunities available within the Barka Network in Poland. They explained that Barka Foundation for the last 20 years has supported Polish people who, after the collapse of communist regime, became “migrants in their home country” and had been looking for a place to live and work(…) Read more : The story  of Witold & Jan

Pawel  had stayed in UK for 1.5 years. At the beginning he was working, but the job finished and he could not find another one. He did not have any savings and eventually ended up on the streets. Pawel started to attend a local day centre. He had a family in Poland but did not feel confident to face them. Every day he was telling himself that he would find a job soon. But it did not happen. At the day centre Pawel met Barka leader and assistant. They became friends and after a while Pawel expressed willingness to return to Barka communities in Poland(…) Read more: The story of Pawel

Please see : The gallery of pictures from Chudobczyce

J. R., Polish national

      Jakub came to the UK in 1995 to search for a job. He was successful. He started to work as a self-employed on the building site. He earned very good money and decided that he would bring his wife to the UK. They lived quite a high standard life. After a while two children were born. Unfortunately Jakub started to abuse alcohol. Because of that he begun to lose jobs and in the consequence he started to have other problems too. The situation in his family began to deteriorate dramatically. He lost his job again. Once, when under the influence of alcohol he ended up in custody for a number of times. The police officers told him about day  centre and Barka team based there. They encouraged Jakub to go there and ask for help relating to his drinking problem. Barka staff took the referral from the police and started to work with Jakub towards him enrolling into detox in London and rehabilitation in Poland.The process of referring Jakub to detox was started. Barka informed Jakub that the waiting period was six weeks. 

   Read more : Profiles of selected Barka beneficiaries

Below there are stories of people who returned with Barka from London and are staying in Barka communities and social integration centres in Poland.

 „I am very glad, conditions are good, I broke away from drinking.”
Witold B.

I returned to Poland on 17.09.2010. I was immediately arrested. I stayed in prison for 25 days for “old stuff”. Looking in retrospect, I am very satisfied because some of my problems have been solved. I came to Chudobczyce community of Barka on 12.10.2010. I did not expect miracles and I am pleasantly surprised. I lived in London for the money of the Queen. We are making progress with my documents. Barka leaders  speak passionately about Barka. I think that it is better to live modestly but safely in Poland than to be a rough sleeper in England.
 Grzegorz Z.

 
 I returned to Barka Centre in Chudobczyce on 22.06.2010. I was in a tough condition in terms of health as well as materially. Had it not been for what happened (I had an accident), I do not know whether I would have come back. My accident was one of important reasons for return. Also Barka leaders influenced my decision.

Read more: Ireneusz story

Ireneusz S

 My relationship with Barka leaders in London was good. To-date I keep in touch with the Leader who was working with me. I wanted to leave London because I had no accommodation there and I lost a job. Really I did not have a reason to be there for. Barka helped me to return.

Read more:  Ryszard story

Ryszard D.

„ I don’t regret that I came here. It is good. I don’t want to make any promises to  myself. In England it was no bad either. There were places where you could get some food… But here it is more secure. You do not have to worry about looking for food and a place to sleep. You feel safe.”

Jan L. 
 
„ I went back on 28.10.2010 to Chudobczyce. I have received accommodation and full board, for which I am very grateful. I did not return to my town due to family problems. Barka helps me in this crises situation by provding me with a paid job. I also do some work for the Community Centre. I wish there were more such a places in the world.”

Dariusz D.
 
I came to a place where there are people with social problems and I did not expect any luxury, but it is OK. Chudopczyce community in comparison to other centres are a place of a good standard and a good atmosphere. I have a paid job. I enrolled into courses of the Social Integration Centre. I attend workshops. I obtained insurance. I have access to computers and can ask for a meeting with social worker, solicitor and a therapist. I can get administrative support. Generally I am glad I came back to Barka. I like the people with whom I live and work here.

Pawel Z.

 Barka UK feature in CONNECT Magazine

Personal story of Jerzy “recycled citizen” to be featured in the next issue of CONNECT

Personal history – Jerzy – ‘recycled citizen’