Polish Culture Profile: Online Training Sessions for Professionals
As part of our work through the Deep Engagement Partner Programme, Centrala has developed a series of targeted workshops to support professionals working with Birmingham’s Polish community. These sessions are designed to strengthen cultural understanding, improve service accessibility, and address health and wellbeing inequalities by equipping frontline workers with the knowledge and tools they need.
Each session draws on lived experience, community insight, and our wider engagement work to offer practical, impactful training tailored to specific professional contexts.
Training for Professionals in Housing (11/06/25, 11:00 – 12:30)
Participants will explore cultural communication styles, family structures, and values that influence Polish attitudes towards health, wellbeing, and authority. This session will highlight the barriers Polish migrants often face when accessing housing support and unpack the roots of common miscommunications. You’ll leave with practical strategies to build trust and improve the inclusivity and effectiveness of your services.
Training for NHS and Healthcare Professionals (24/09/25, 11:00 – 12:30)
Learn how Polish cultural norms shape perceptions of health, mental wellbeing, and the healthcare system. This session offers real-world insights into communication, stigma, family expectations, and language barriers—alongside tools and approaches to help you engage Polish patients more sensitively and effectively.
Training for Education Sector Professionals (15/10/25, 11:00 – 12:30)
Explore how cultural differences affect communication between schools and Polish families, engagement with support services, and approaches to mental health and behaviour. You’ll gain strategies to build trust, foster positive relationships, and support a more inclusive learning environment.
Training for Emergency Services Professionals (19/11/25, 11:00 – 12:30)
This session offers practical tools for understanding Polish cultural norms, family dynamics, and views on authority—particularly in high-pressure or sensitive situations. Learn how to navigate potential misunderstandings and build trust in contexts such as domestic abuse, safeguarding, or mental health crises.
These trainings are part of our commitment to empower communities and professionals alike. By deepening understanding and strengthening relationships between services and the Polish community, we can work together to improve health, safety, and wellbeing for all.