Day 1 of the study visit
Barka UK and Barka Foundation in Poland hosted another study visit from the UK this October: delegates from six London boroughs where Barka UK currently works and supports the existing network of front line workers helping rough sleepers, many of them with addiction issues. First day of the study visit started with the introductory meeting which was led by Barbara Sadowska, Co-founder of Barka Foundation in Poland. It was particularly important to help delegates to understand Barka model of helping vulnerable people and the origin of the model.
This was a very special visit – the delegates were very open to share their experience with working with homeless people, often with various addictions in London.
Barka UK London has been working with the representatives of the 6 London boroughs for while now, but it is not very often when we have a chance to sit down and share our experiences with helping vulnerable people.
Unfortunately, the weather had not been kind for us when we were showing the guests the Barka HQ and facilities, but we have managed just the same, with the help of umbrellas and hoods!
After the tour of Barka HQ has finished a wonderful lunch at Bistro bar run by our Barka colleagues was served and Barka Sadowska introduced the chef preparing the lunch to all delegates who had an experience of being a chef in one of the best restaurants near Marble Arch in London. Our guests were very impressed by his skills!
The rained stopped after we had arrived to talk to the residents of the Barka training flat in Poznan. it was a very moving meeting, partly because the openness and readiness to give testimonies by Barka leaders and residents and the delegates’ curiosity, willingness to listen and emotional support.
Day 2 of the study visit
On the 2nd day, we have taken our participants outside Poznan. First to Kwilcz, where our delegates visited Diakonia Employment Company, a social enterprise which is carrying out orders for Volkswagen Poznań.
The director of the factory gave the guests a very interesting overview and a background story of changes happening to the Polish society in the late 90-ties and how they influenced social values, job market in Poland and the region of Kwilcz. Also, she talked about the details of how the Diakonia Employment Company came into being. Our group also had a look at the containers which the factory repairs for Volkswagen.
Then, we went to see the biggest Barka Community Centre in Chudobczyce, where about 70 residents live and work. We were greeted by the Centre Manager Kasia,who gave us a tour of outbuildings, residential flats and the grounds.
We were showed a typical flat for a resident, who talked briefly about his story, a garden and its produce, a manor on the grounds which is being renovated and an farm with sheep, pigs and the rest of land which is cultivated by Barka residents.
Next, we arrive to the Barka’s oldest Community Centre in Wladyslawowo, where our guests met with the manager Jurek and its residents for tea/coffee, biscuits and a lovely chat.
The centre manager, Jurek talked briefly about his experience being a Barka Leader on the streets of London. He was curious about the current situation of homeless people and rough sleepers in London and ways to resolve the homelessness. We actually had an interesting discussion, as our guests where mainly front line workers, very open to share their experiences with Jurek. The was also time to have a look at the community’s garden and outbuildings, as well as posing for a group photo outside the oldest Barka Community Centre in Poland!
Day 3 of the study visit
There was time for everything on the very packed schedule of the third and last day of the visit!
We went to see the ‘Family and Senior Support Centre’ and ‘Pora Na Nas’ Foundation in Czerwonak which left the guests with smiles on their faces and plenty of thoughts on local community partnerships and including the citizens from vulnerable groups in the activities of the local commune.
We were shown how Barka in Poland offers financial support and help to create business plans and apply for funding to local organisation. Thanks to this blue print more job positions could be created and sustained locally, offered very often to vulnerable citizens living in the commune.
After lunch at Barka HQ, we have had our summary session of the study visit and even managed to show our delegates the Poznan cathedral. We ended up spontaneously in a coffee shop nearby. There was also time for the last group photo with Barbara Sadowska.
Overall, it was an exceptional study visit. Everywhere we went, we were greeted warmly by the residents of Barka communities. Our delegates had many heartwarming, unforgettable, full of deep thoughts conversations.
Special thanks to Barka Foundation in Poznan for putting the programme of the study visit together and overseeing every single detail!
