A group from Spalding’s Polish community is looking to create a multi-cultural centre in the town offering services including counselling from those fleeing the war in Ukraine.
The White Eagle Community Centre was set up last October by Justyna Lukaszuk plus friends Grzegorz Komorowski and Monika Szymanska and has already put on several events at different venues around the town.
Now it’s working with councillors and groups to find a permanent base.
Justyna moved to Spalding four years ago and as well as a mother to three, teaches Polish and English, is studying for a degree in law mediation and runs National Lottery funding to hold online therapeutic sessions.
Justyna said that the original idea behind The White Eagle Community Centre was to “unite Poles” but that it’s “impossible to seperate our Polishness living with Britishness”.
“Many of us have found their home, their friends and their place on Earth right here including me and my husband Krzysztof,” she continued. “Spalding is our place for him. I don’t want to go anywhere or leave.
“Therefore, our club is supposed to operate in two ways – to connect the Polish community, provide mental support and organise various cultural meetings.
“But at the same time, I want English people to get to know our culture and join us.
“It would be nice if we could create something intercultural.”
Justyna is currently looking for funding from sources to run projects through The White Eagle Community Centre.
As well as meetings, art exhibitions and workshops, they include working with the organisation Sortified and South Holland District Council on creating a help centre for those fleeing the war in Ukraine.
“The idea behind that is to create a centre in Spalding where young children will be looked after, and mothers and adults will be able to get mental support by taking a breath and drinking coffee.
“I know, again from my friends in Poland, that currently such centres are being created in Poland. Psychologists and therapists place great emphasis on taking care of children and adults.
“Therefore, I hope that South Holland District Council will listen to me and help me create such a safe place.”
Through her holistic therapy businesses Justyna, who is trained in counselling for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has already offered free counselling sessions to Ukrainians affected by the war, something she says five people have taken up online.
