Northern Counties College

Poland Trip - June 2008

The whole gang, Poles, Ukrainians and Brits

In June three students and two staff from the College were lucky enough to be part of a group of 15 brought together to represent the Percy Hedley Foundation. The Group were visiting The Krok za Krokiem (Step by Step) Centre in Zamosc in the South East of Poland, who had visited Newcastle last year. We were also joined by a group from Bila Tserkva in the Ukraine who have strong links with Krok za Krokiem.

The College Trio

The students were Ambassadors for the College and the Foundation taking part in a meeting with town officials and local Social Services to highlight the differences in facilities for disabled people in Newcastle, Zamosc and Bila Tserkva.

The Polish young people were adamant after their visit to Newcastle that our facilities were fantastic. Our students were happy to give examples of disabled access in Newcastle at its best and worst. The Ukrainian Group were amazed by tales of lowered curbs, disabled toilets in all public places, full access on public transport and the Laws that ensure these facilities are provided.  Things that we take for granted they can only dream about, even though we felt that there was so much more we could achieve in England.

International Boccia

Away from our official business we had a lot of fun!  From Polish to Ukrainian to English entertainment nights, to Hog Roasts in the countryside, to dancing the night away with our new Polish and Ukrainian Friends. We had the opportunity to go for a swim at the local pool, most of us braved the slide, we visited a local man made beach and took part in an international Boccia tournament, but unfortunately, as the English tend to do we got stage fright and were beaten into last place!

Our trip was a huge success, both students and staff left Poland realising the hurdles disabled people in other countries face and how lucky we are in England to have the facilities that enabled disabled people while out in the Community.

For more information about Northern Counties College contact Gail Bradford on 0191 281 2888 or email: g.bradford@northerncountiescollege.org.uk.

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