Family:Rodzina Jamie Schofield
Family:Rodzina Jamie Schofield
Rodzina, meaning ‘family’ in Polish explores the daily lives of the Polish community living in the United Kingdom. As of 2015, the number of UK residents born in Poland was estimated at 831,000, making them the largest foreign-born group in the country, and there is a wider population of British Poles, including the descendants of over 200,000 immigrants who settled in the UK after World war II. This narrative wishes to document six different stories of individuals and families who have migrated to the United Kingdom. As a collaborative project between both the subjects and myself, it gives an insight into their lives without a photographer present. I decided to call the project ‘Family: Rodzina’ because I found that the Polish community as a whole is one big family. Within meetings with Cheltenham Polish TARA and just general noticing it, I found that Polish people were much more of a community than English people. Each and every person I had worked with in this project had helped in their local community somehow and are still very active in their local community; attending regular meetings and contacting the local government all help create a sense of togetherness. What I found the most interesting about this project is how different people’s stories were. I asked every subject a set of ten questions, and every single answer was different for each person. We discussed Poland, why they moved from Poland and we also discussed Britain and what ‘Brexit’ meant to them. I feel privileged to have learnt about the lives of these people and I am full of hope for what the future brings to them. For me, photographing this project had proved challenging at times but also very rewarding.
Anna, Daniel, Maks, Bubel and Coffee Domzalska-Paczkowska
My name is Anna Domzalska-Paczkowska, this is my son Maks and my husband Daniel. Daniel is 32 and Maks is two and a half at the moment. We didn’t move here from Poland, we moved here from Spain. After the situation in Spain, it was a little confusing because it was hard to find work there. We decided to move to the UK after my friend, who has been here before asked. She said you can find work if you want to, you can study, find a nice place to live and because she lived in Cheltenham, we moved to Cheltenham too and she helped us a lot in the beginning. The main reason why we came to the UK was because I really wanted to study in England, so I did. We’re proud of our history and how good our culture is, we grew up in Poland and we learnt from our parents and our grandparents. There is a part of all of us that are proud to be Polish, of our history and what we did. I never like to think that I would be anybody else, but I think the main thing is to enjoy what we had in Poland even if we go somewhere else, we look back to what was there and of course we are missing that, but different situations threw us to different places in the world. It’s good to mix traditions though, I like to try a bit of English tradition but also give a bit of mine so that people can see we are quite cool. We feel accepted here but I think like every place in the world, you’ll always find those people who have a problem because you look this way and you are from other places, we find that people here also look at us because they hear a different accent because we speak Polish to each other and they just send us home but most of the people here are really, really nice I think. They are really helpful and they treat us the same, it’s like a50/50. Hopefully in the future it’s going to change and most people will start seeing us as not a problem. We ride a bike together and that is how we both met, riding bikes. We enjoy taking day trips to various places and just walking the dogs, taking Maks and just messing around. Maks likes cooking and eating and we enjoy looking at books. My big passion is horses, I ride horses. Daniel tries to avoid them. He just doesn’t trust them. If I could change anything about my current scenario, I would’ve gone to University a lot earlier, I wouldn’t have waited so long. I lost a few years because I was thinking that my English wasn’t good enough and I couldn’t work and study at the same time. But now I can see that everything can be done at the same time, so I think that studying earlier is the only thing I would change. I would’ve had Maks earlier, I think we waited too long for that. Hopefully Brexit doesn’t change anything. Basically, we are a couple who was working from the start, we never had any break. Working from when we came in 2007, we worked without any breaks. We pay the bills, we’re active in our local community, I’m trying to be a special constable, we help our neighbours out, hopefully nothing is going to change for us. Fingers crossed, we’re not quite sure what is going to happen, I don’t think anybody knows. We watch the news and listen to the BBC to see if anything is happening but nothing. We’ve been a little bit worried but there is nothing much we can do if anything does happen. I am just full of hope that nothing will change for us. If you look on TV or the internet everyone is giving a different scenario. Even the government doesn’t seem to know what is happening anymore.
Credit: Anna Domzalska-Paczkowska
Anna and Joanna Surowiec
We are Anna and Joanna Surowiec, we are 31 years old and twins. We’d both agree that our life in Poland was challenging. We were studying at the university full-time and living with our mother, who was unemployed back then. We used to take on a variety of jobs whenever we had any free time. Joanna was working from 3am till 9am every day, attending lectures and then going back to work in the afternoon. Her routine was not sustainable so she decided to try her chances in the UK. She bought a one-way ticket, took the only £50 she had and flew to the UK to work over the summer break. She ended up enjoying her stay so much that she never wanted to return to Poland. I joined her two years later, when I obtained my degree. When I first arrived to the UK, I was pleasantly surprised by the kindness and helpfulness of the English people. That characteristic, in conjunction with employment opportunities made me stay in the UK. We both believe that the place of birth is irrelevant in today’s world. We won’t forget where we came from, but we also don’t get hung up on the nationalistic ideologies that separate us from others. We consider ourselves citizens of the world who enjoy getting to know people from other countries, and learning about other cultures. We value all experiences we’ve had in Poland because they made us determined and helped us appreciate everything we have now. We were both born in Zielona Gora, a city close to the Western boarder of Poland. We definitely feel accepted here despite our different background. We quickly adapted to the new environment and continue to make the best of opportunities. I’m currently a Managing Director of two companies. First one – Active Krav Maga ltd delivers training for individuals, who want to learn the most effective self defence system in the world - called Krav Maga. As a company, we help people become more confident and skilled in dealing with dangerous encounters. We use Krav Maga to inspire individuals to lead active lifestyle. My second company - Active Events ltd delivers training events organised in collaboration with various international military operatives. The subjects covered at the events include: firearms handling, conflict communication, as well as military-inspired conditioning workshops. I enjoy being my own boss and doing what I love. It brings me great satisfaction to see the difference that my ventures make in otherpeople’s lives. It also gives me an opportunity to share my passion for Krav Maga. Joanna is employed at a national agency responsible for recognition of overseas qualifications in the UK. Over the last few years she’s been involved with a variety of European projects and initiatives. She has recently been promoted to the role of an Events and Campaigns Executive. She enjoys working in a multi-national office and taking on new responsibilities. We are very grateful to be in the UK. Although we’ve been here for over 10 years, we still consider it a great privilege. The life in the UK provides many opportunities for foreigners. There is a variety of events, organisations, clubs, charities and churches, which enable people to get involved and thrive. There are free language classes for those who wish to improve their English. I believe all foreigners (and not only Polish people) should take the responsibility for their happiness, and make an effort to become an asset to the community they live in.
Credit: Anna Surowiec
Beata Szafdkowska
My name is Beata Szafdkowska and I am ...... years old. Twelve years ago my son experienced a very painful heartbreak and as a result made a significant changes in his life. Leaving good job he initially moved to Italy before selling all his belongings and heading to United Kingdom to pursue a new life. It was very hard for me to accept his move However, he was an adult after all and I couldn’t stop him. Following this my daughter decided to drop out of university in order to move to the United Kingdom. My children both left, my daughter to Cheltenham and my son to Cardiff. My life which had been surrounded by my children ended.In 1993 my husband died and then in 2004 my mother who was my best friend. I was left alone,with just my dog and I concentrated on my career working all the times, waiting for messages and news from my children. My daughter visited often, my son once a year. One Christmas they both visited I wished they would stay unfortunately they both said “We are not coming back”. At times when I travel to Poland, once a year, I no longer see my friends, some people left, some friendships just ended.And then, when I return to Cheltenham, to my flat and I put my bags down I say “finally back home”!. Then when I read and follow news online where it’s being said that I steal another person’s job I feel sad. I know the reality, I have seen myself that not everyone wants to work hard; I have seen people leaving their new job after only a few days.I feel grief and my heart is filled with sorrow. I then ask myself “WHO AM I ? AM I A EUROPEAN ? “ I no longer feel wanted in Poland. Do people imagine and see me and others doing something wrong because we moved here to the UK? It is very shocking and heartbreaking when the news describes horrific stories about Polish peoplebeing targeted and attacked because they speak their own language. When you travel abroad do you speak the native language ? No. When you are travelling with your friend and family in other European countries you speak in your own language. WHO AM I? I no longer feel wanted in Poland and here I feel I will never be accepted.Don’t take away from us the right to speak our native language freelyYoutoo want to continue to speak your language and enjoy your traditions.I feel we have lost so much already. That is why I want to say to you all how proud I am of all the Polish people I know here and that is why I joined Cheltenham Polish TARA to illustrate and demonstrate that Polish people have a great culture, a similar culture and traditions. That we too work hard and we did not emigrate in order to exploit social benefits. We emigrated to live a better and respectful life that we will work for. I am proud of my children. My son, who even when he had lost his job didn’t knock on the Job Centre door. He is a qualified carpenter and excellent woodworker. He gained further qualifications and his current employer is proud to have such worker.He has now bought a house and found new love. My daughter works here, studied at local university and brings up her own daughter as a single parent. This year she graduated,found a good,new job that she enjoys. My granddaughter is a very happy girl. She speaks both English and Polish and has plenty of friends of other nationalities. I feel that although, my daughter is a single parent and I am happy that her life is easier, better. When I was a young mother in Poland I had to fight for a better life for my children. I feel that the United Kingdom is a country full opportunities, for those who want them. I often think how great would it be to mix characteristics and attributes of both Polish and English people, I believe it would create something amazing and positive, that world has the never seen before. Therefore, I don’t want to be forced to leave. And after 10 years living here I think to myself that wherever I choose to live I will always miss Poland and England as I divided my heart in half,after my life was divided by fortune....”
Credit: Beata Szafdkowska
Leszek, Rita and Tadeusz Ciesiรณlka
My name is Leszek Ciesiółka, but I use ‘Leo’ at work and other places because it is easier to say and I’m 34. I moved to England because I really enjoy work in the UK. I came to the UK after I finished my studies and I graduated to be a social worked. I didn’t really enjoy work in Poland straight after studies and I wanted to travel and gain some experience, so I moved to England. The first place I went to was Cambridge, and I was amazed at how beautiful Great Britain can be. I used to work in retail so I have worked in most places in the country, so I can compare certain places. Some places, like Cambridge is really nice and then Manchester for example is an absolutely ugly place, but most places here are beautiful. What does it mean to be Polish? Actually I don’t know. When you live in Poland, you don’t care so much about who you are and your nationality. When you move abroad, then you see a little tiny difference and you appreciate your roots and your history, you focus more on trying to learn more about your own culture actually. Moving here, Poland has become more important, I mean you can call your family and friends every day but it is not the same. It is difficult when you have no contact with old friends and class mates, and this makes you focus more on your nationality and culture. I always feel accepted in England and the only time I have felt like a proper foreigner and actually felt hatred, it was just one day after voting for Brexit, when the nation decided we didn’t want Europe anymore. There was quite a lot of hate in the news and you can see that kind of hate on people’s faces. I work with people with mental health problems and they were much more transparent. I was working with people 3 years in a row and we had excellent relationships and after Brexit, they become a little bit more aggressive and the first few weeks after Brexit, I didn’t feel comfortable. When Brexit happened, I would say it was a difficult quiet, and people think that we don’t understand but I have been studying English most of my life. Maybe my accent is not so beautiful, but it was tough to have that kind of atmosphere, but we will see what happens now. If I could change my current scenario, I would stick to the same thing I am doing now. I’m pretty happy, if I was unhappy, I’d move. I don’t think that British people should do anything more for us. When you come in to somebody’s country, you come here to work and to live here and I think that we should have the same rights, nothing extra. I moved here because I enjoy the culture, the natural environment and I care about this country the same as I do for Poland. Claiming more support because I am Polish is ridiculous for me. It was my choice to move here, I am not a war victim or anything like that. There is no war in Poland. I can move to India, USA, I can move to China if I want and I don’t think people should give me extra support because I’m Polish. The only situation I’d be unhappy is if I had less rights than other people in my country but if we are playing the same game, we should have the same rights.
Credit: Leszek Ciesiółka
Bartosz Nowicki
My
name
is
Bartosz
Nowicki
and
I
am
36
years
old.
After my graduation in Poland I wanted to go to England. In my case, the leaving was not dictated by financial motivation or finding a better job. It was a desire to learn English, see and experience the different culture. It is also a conscious decision, a big change of life. Of course, it was a priority to find work to live. It was not an easy experience as I did not speak English. My family is Asia’s wife and two daughters, Amelia (9) and Matilda (7). I also have two younger brothers. Of which one also lives in England and another in Poland. My parents are dying in Poland. My home town is Wolsztyn, which is located in the western part of Poland between Poznan and Zielona Gora. People are often not fully aware of his nationality until they are outside of their nation. You can see your culture from a different perspective. See good and less positive aspects. As in life, nothing is perfect. We are like the place and the time in which we live. In my veins flows Polish blood. I’m a Pole who lives in England. I try to focus on positive aspects and bring them into multicultural British society. I live in England for 11 years. This is my home. My children were born here and they go to school. I am part of this society. We all build it and I wish the society and the country all the best in its never ending journey of people. My brother lived in Cheltenham for two years before we come here. He helped us in the beginning. I’m very glad I live in Cheltenham. It is a very nice town with beautiful nature around. Life flows here slower than in a big cities and nature calms down. I like to walk the local hills and often take children with me to the nature. I try to be good for other people in my life and I have many good and kind people around me. I can count on my English and non-English friends. I know many good people from different spheres of life.
Credit: Bartosz Nowicki
Olga and Sophia Cebula
My name is Olga, I’m 30 years old and I live here with my 4 years old daughter, her name is Sophia. When I was a teenager I dreamed a lot about traveling and discovering a new cultures. During my holiday in England in March 2010, I met an Ethiopian man and I fell in love with him. We really wanted to be together so when I graduated as an Interior Designer in March 2011, I left for good my family, job, friends and I had moved to Stoke-on-Trent in England. I never thought I would live in England. English was always very difficult for me to learn, but as you can see, life is full of surprises. When I lived in Poland I got a different imagination about England and life here. From the beginning I couldn’t find a job for about 3 months, so it was not easy at all, also I don’t have friends here. I love England, I love freedom which I feel here, opportunity which this country gives to me. Of course, as everywhere are the pros and cons of living here but I think it is each of our life decision or its consequence. I have lived in this country for 6 years now and I feel this is a place where I want to stay. Here is my home, beautiful and interesting. I survived racism at work and on the street. Racism because I’m not English, racism because I’m Polish, racism because I’m with a black man... Furthermore, imaginary jealousy from English and Polish people too. I finally understood the culture differences in most cases divided people rather than join them together. I feel very sad or upset when I hear bad reviews or lies about Polish people, single mothers, Muslims or foreigners, who take someone’s job, who are working here or they are not working at all and most of them they live here thanks to benefits, which gives them this country. Sometimes I don’t even know what to say about this... We just can’t put everyone in the same box. I’m a Polish Artist and Interior Designer, unfortunately not working in my profession, but everything else is still in front of me. Creativity and Art is part of our family life. My daughter joins in with my passions. She loves drawing, painting, singing, dancing etc. We love theatre, nice books and movies. If I will have an opportunity to change something, from the begging here I will not take advice from people with negative attitudes. People complain a lot but to be honest they don’t try even to change something. The most important is try to do everything by yourself, not waiting for someone’s help. I wish to have more self-confidence before and definitely learn more English When Sophia was around 3 years old I start to think what can I do more for her to help her to growing up here. She is British but she has a Polish mother and Ethiopian father. I thought the best options will be to spend more time with different communities. We already join together different kid’s groups but I want to do something more. I find a way to work as volunteer for Cheltenham Polish TARA, which give for Polish people option to introduce ourselves, our history and culture to English or different nationalities, which also live here with us. I met a lot of interesting people who also think similar as me, who want to do something together for our children better future. In Gloucester 6th of May 2017 will be Polish Heritage Day, which also will be wonderful opportunity to introduce our self. I hope different nationality will also take opportunities to meet us, know more about us and try to understand us better, our history in England and this what we done and still doing for this country. With all my heart I believe together we can do a lot, because we all want a happy life here for us and ours Families. I think our differences can make us even stronger, we just need to find a way to work together.
Credit: Olga Cebula
All photographs taken in 2017
Š 2017 Jamie Schofield for all photos
Book Design: Jamie Schofield
Developed in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK
Special thanks to Beata Szafdkowska for helping develop this project and all involved with Cheltenham Polish TARA for taking part. Credit: Cheltenahm Polish TARA