ChronicleLive - Chronicle People

New job (for me)

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 08:02:05 +0000

I know that I did not write for few weeks but sadly recession did have an impact on my life too. As you know I had my own company interpreting services, which was really great few years ago, sadly because of this terrible situation in the UK I had to close my company and let 30 employees go, it was very sad time for me. I am still an interpreter I will always do that but on my own this time. Of course the fact that most Polish people are going back to Poland or other European counties did show in the North East. There is no flight from Newcastle or Durham airport to Poland and I never thought that will happen. So, I had to go and find a job and I must say this was the hardest thing I ever done. I have a lot experience as manager then owner of a company all in the UK of course and I had so much problems. I have sent about 150 CV and I only had 6 interviews all together I was in shock. I have mention this before when my friend was looking for a job. On one of the interviews the lady said there was 50 applications for that one vacancy, she never ever had this before. Another friend of mine told me that in her work place there was a job and 300 people applied for it. This figures are just so big no wonder people find it hard to get a job. I did finally found a job and I am very happy that I have something.
I really hope that this economy situation will change soon.
Please let me know if you were affected by this. I would love to hear your story.

Polish or English family who left UK for Poland

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 09:48:29 +0000

I am going to Poland at the end of May and I would like to find a Polish
family who left UK to get back to the home country.
It will be short interview on camera. The area I am looking for is Silesia.
I would like to know what is the reason they left and so on.
Perhaps there is a family who are British and went to live in Poland,
if you know anyone please let me know as soon as possible.
one of my email are sankofa@op.pl
Alexandra Jarocka

More job cuts.... UK what is going on?

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:34:25 +0000

Every time I watch the news or read a paper there is more job cuts.
I am just wondering when this terrible time will finish, it does not look like it will end any time soon. Who is it to blame? The government blames the "Global" financial crisis
but is it really? Lets face it since the new PM is in power it feels like UK is going down hill and from one day to the other it getting worse, one person blames the other and its all going round and round. At the end of the day the fact is that the rich people are more richer and the normal class people are getting in to bigger hole, only because the government do not know exactly what they are doing so why not let all people to pay more taxes . That is why we can see all the Eastern European people are going as there is no future in here. Few years ago everything looked so nice with a lot of jobs to find, the British economy looked very promising and now ..... well we all know where this is going.
To find a job this days its a nightmare there is at least 50 people to one job and in one case in a factory there was 300 to one job.
To be honest I am really not surprised that most British people are so angry with the government, because if its hard for then to find a job what about all the migrants.
If you have a job please do not take advantage just try to keep it as long as possible because you never know when you boss will come and tell you that the company is closing down.

Accident in public place- your right to claim compensation

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 14:00:16 +0000

Accident in a public place - your right to claim compensation

Every year thousands of people are injured in public places. In some hospitals a third of all patients attending accident and emergency departments have suffered injuries through trips and falls.

If you have had an accident in a public place in the UK, the law can help you recover compensation for your injuries and other financial losses that you may suffer as a result.

The important thing to do if you have been involved in an accident is to seek legal advice.

The largest proportion of claims stem from accidents caused by defective pavements or from slipping in shops or supermarkets.

Children are often injured through following their natural inquisitive instincts into dangerous situations. Claims can be pursued if the danger should have been properly guarded. The law in this area can be complex and it is important that you are provided with specialist advice relevant to your case.

A large number of claims arise from:

- Slips in public places (wet floor);
- Trips caused by defects in pavements;
- Dog bites;
- Falling masonry;
- Sports injuries and other incidents in which members of the public are exposed to danger.

Working with a solicitor to put together a case for compensation can seem daunting. There is usually a lot of information to go through. Here are a few basic steps that you can follow to help your solicitor successfully pursue your claim:

1. As soon as you are able to, write out a clear description of the accident. This will be of benefit to you and your solicitor.

2. Try to get hold of the names (and if possible the addresses) of anyone who witnessed your accident. Your solicitor may wish to write to them.

3. Complaints made prior to your accident which relate to its cause may be of crucial importance in proving fault. Your solicitor may wish to speak with, or write to people, who have lodged complaints previously. Any statements they provide can assist greatly with your claim. Furthermore, if future accidents are to be prevented, it is essential that complaints are made to people who have responsibility for the scene of your accident.

4. Take photos of the scene of the accident. Try to ensure that the photographs are as clear as possible. If you do not have access to a camera, sketch the scene instead.
We recommend that you get started on all of the above as soon as you can after your accident. By doing so, the event can be clarified, making it more difficult for the people who have responsibility for the scent of your accident to defend the claim.

No one expects you to go though this alone. A firm of solicitors may prove very useful in such circumstances, particularly if you can obtain free advice.

Time limits

There are time limits for pursuing compensation claims. If Court proceedings regarding your claim are not started within 3 years of your accident, the Courts are likely to stay that your claim is out of time. However, don't worry as there may be circumstances that mean you can still pursue your claim outside of the 3-year time limit. For example, if you were under 18 years old at the time of your accident, you can start Court proceedings at any time up until your 21st birthday.

The stages of your claim

Firstly, your solicitor will investigate your claim thoroughly by gathering witness statements, accident reports and any other relevant documents about your accident. They might look at other accidents similar to yours and obtain information from independent sources.

They will check to see if any complaints were made to the people responsible about the conditions at the scene of your accident, before it happened. If there were previous complaints, your solicitors might want to write to or speak with the people who made them.

It may be wise to write to someone in authority about your accident, highlighting any unsafe conditions. Make sure you keep a copy of the letter for yourself.

Once your solicitor has all the necessary information, he will then be able to advise you on the likely success of your claim. Even if you are partly to blame for your accident, that does not rule you out of recovering compensation.

If you choose to continue, a claim will then be made against the relevant party and their insurance company will get involved.

You then need to wait for a response from the insurance company you are claiming against. This can go one of two ways; either they will decide to meet your claim, or they will not. Don't panic if an insurance company turns down your claim at first as this often happens in the early stages of a claim. It does not mean that your claim will fail.

The vast majority of cases are settled before they go to Court. However, some will end up going this far. The idea of actually going to Court is often enough to persuade the insurance company to sit down with your solicitor and try to resolve your claim. However, if no agreement can be reached, your case will then go to Court. It can take a lot of time to prepare a case for Court. Don't worry, this is normal and your solicitor will keep you informed all the way through.

Legal costs

As far as legal costs are concerned, your initial consultation with one of our advisers is completely free. We will then assess whether your claim is worth pursuing. If you do decide to go ahead, we will advise you on the best way to fund your claim. There are a few ways of funding such a claim with no cost to you.

If your claim is successful, you will be awarded compensation. This payment is meant to put you in the same financial position you would have been if you hadn't been injured.

Damages for pain, suffering and loss of quality of life

These are often referred to as "general damages" and cover the amount of money you receive for the actual injury you have suffered. The amount you receive will depend on the type of injury, how serious it is and the impact if will have on your normal everyday life and activities, such as sports and hobbies.

Damages for your past financial loss

These are known as "special damages" and cover all financial losses that you have suffered because of your injury and any expenses you have had to pay since being injured.

There are a whole range of areas that will be taken into account here, which include:

- Loss of earnings;
- Any private, medical or therapeutic costs (e.g. physiotherapy);
- The cost of any equipment and aids you have had to buy;
- Travelling expenses incurred by you and your family because of your injury;
- Damage to any personal items involved in your accident;
- The value of care that is provided by your family, partner or friends after you have been discharged from hospital.

It is very important that you keep a record of all the costs you have incurred and that you keep receipts for all the items you have bought as a result of your accident. Your solicitor will use these as proof of what your accident has cost you.

Damages for future losses and expenses

You may well suffer long-term financial losses and ongoing expenses as a direct result of your injury. This is the most complicated amount to calculate and many factors will be taken into account.

The potential for accidents is all around us, but we can't put our lives on hold.

Wherever you can prove you were hurt because a duty of care was breached, you should pursue an accident claim for compensation.

Looking for a job ? Not so easy.....

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 16:19:00 +0000

How hard it is to find a job this days. I am talking with so many Polish people and also British and to be honest everyone is struggling. Nearly two months past since New Year, we all thought it will be better and here is another crash. No jobs does it mean no future for migrants in the North East. I have spoken to a young woman last week and she told me that it is so hard to find a job. She has sent so many CV to do any job and still nothing. She actually started to hunt for jobs four months ago. Now she is thinking about going back to Poland or other European country.
I am sure it is very hard for everyone but please do not give up if you think that this is your home forever.

I'm going to see the Pussycat Dolls!

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:07:47 +0000

Tonight is the night to have fun - I am going to see the Pussycat Dolls and I cant wait.
One of the things I love about the North East is the fact that you can have so much fun.

2009 New Year, what will happen next ?

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:17:55 +0000

I cant believe how quick 2008 passed. The full year was mad, so many Polish people went back to Poland and the economy in the UK is really bad.
A lot of people lost the jobs and of course a lot of them were Polish, perhaps that was the main reason for poles to go back to Poland. That big credit crunch did have a great impact on Polish companies who are in the UK. Flights were canceled from Durham Airport, due to lack of customers coming from Poland.
I really hope that 2009 will bring new prospects and will bring more of Polish people back.
I wish everyone all the best British and Polish people as we all should help each other.
How your life has changed since the big credit crunch?

Good Christmas food

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 10:37:27 +0000

I am looking for great Christmas food tips. I would like to show the Polish community what is popular in the UK for Christmas and of course to show the British community what is so great about Polish food. Please can anyone send me so great tips

Credit Crunch, so Bye Bye the North East ?

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 16:20:17 +0000

I do not know what is going on but so many poles are going back to Poland and to other European countries.
Its is so strange because many British employers are begging for polish workers now, so it must be happening. The North East had a big Polish population and now every eight out of ten is going back.
The economy in the UK is very bad at the moment and other places in Europe are still fine, so maybe this is the reason.
I have heard that a lot of flights are cancelled from the UK to Poland there is one from Durham Airport.
Or maybe Polish people do not feel welcome here, what do you think? Is that the case?

VIDEO DIARY

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:31:00 +0000

After long long technical problems we have a new entry on the web please take a look within next two days.
We will try and make sure that new episodes are on each week.
www.itvlocal.com/tynetees or
www.itvlocal.com/tynetees/newsextra

Invitation to workshop for Polish Businesses in Newcastle

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 10:29:10 +0000

Invitation to workshop
for Polish Businesses
in Newcastle
Setting up and running your own business is a fantastic experience. However, it doesn't come without its complications.
On an average day you may experience various emotions and challenges - from finding the right words to communicate with customers, from managing cash flow to building your business in an unfamiliar culture.
Are you a Polish resident currently running a business or thinking about setting up a business in the Newcastle area?
We are inviting you
to an event which shows how other people might deal with similar emotions and challenges in the business world. You will have the opportunity to share thoughts and ideas about how a variety of situations may be managed and to contribute to plans for the types of support to be developed in Newcastle for the Polish business community.
Join us on...
Date:
24th September 2008
Time:
1 pm for 1.30 pm start till 4.30 pm
light refreshments provided
Venue:
Northern Counties Club
Hood Street
Newcastle upon Tyne
Cost:
Free to attend.

Technical problems

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:15:19 +0000

Hi,
I am really sorry but we had a big technical problem with this blog.
Everything should be ok from now on

Lawyer calls for bus crash inquiry

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:18:13 +0000

The vehicle, which was carrying migrant workers from Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and South Africa, collided with a car in Alton, Staffordshire, then crashed through a wall and ended up in a garden near Alton Towers theme park on the evening of Monday, August 18th.

John Davis, partner in charge of the Polish Claims Unit at national law firm Irwin Mitchell, said the seriousness of the incident meant a thorough public enquiry was essential and no doubt the Coroner will investigate the circumstances of the incident in detail in due course.

"Our strongest sympathies go out to all those that have been affected and their families. This is a terrible tragedy and it's clear that something has gone badly wrong," he added.

"It is impossible to comment on the specifics of the accident until the findings of an inquiry have been published, but investigators will now be working hard to establish whether or not anyone is responsible for the crash."

Three people are described as being in a critical condition, four are said to be stable, 12 are being treated for minor injuries and two have been discharged. The rest of the passengers were taken to Alton Towers for treatment after the crash.

Contact Details:

Steve Maybury
Senior Account Manager
Adessi
Tel: 0191 269 9460
Mob: 07985 774743
steve.maybury@adessi.co.uk
Ashlea McConnell
PR Officer
Irwin Mitchell
Tel: 0114 274 4363
Mob: 07918 726254
ashlea.mcconnell@irwinmitchell.com

Irwin Mitchell

Irwin Mitchell was established over 90 years ago and is the 4th largest law firm, and the largest Personal Injury practice, in the UK. The practice employs more than 2300 staff - including over 1000 fee-earners, with offices in Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle, and Sheffield as well as the Spanish cities of Marbella and Madrid. For more information visit www.irwinmitchell.com

www.irwinmitchell.com/polish

Irwin Mitchell

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 09:14:37 +0000

Unfortunately the Irwin Mitchell Solicitors Free Legal Advice Session on Monday, 25 August 2008 will not take place because that date is a Bank Holiday,

However, they would like to invite anyone who requires legal advice, to attend their next session on Monday, 29 September 2008 (details below).

FREE Legal advice session for Polish speakers
(no appointment necessary)

Date:
Last Monday of every month

Time:
5.00 pm - 7.00 pm

Place:
Irwin Mitchell Solicitors
Gainsborough House
34-40 Grey Street
Newcastle NE1 6AE

Polish-speaking advisers will be
available.

If you are unable to attend one of the Advice Sessions, you can contact a Polish speaking advisor by telephone or email

Tel: 0800 015 9028 (freephone number)

E-mail: roszczenia.wypadkowe@irwinmitchell.com

Irwin Mitchell

Irwin Mitchell is the largest Personal Injury practice in the country and was established over 90 years ago. We have a national reputation and are renowned for our expertise in the areas of personal injury claims.

If you have suffered an injury as a result of an accident or an illness which was caused because of someone else's negligence, then you may be eligible for compensation.

At Irwin Mitchell, our expert personal injury claims lawyers cover a wide range of illnesses and accident claims for which compensation is often awarded.

• Road traffic crashes
• Accidents at work
• Accidents in public places
• Work related illnesses
• Children's accidents
• Head and spinal injuries
• Clinical negligence

Every consultation at the Advice Sessions is free of charge and no appointment is necessary. Visit us to obtain professional advice from a solicitor.

New Polish Consulate in Manchester

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:42:53 +0000

Consulate Manchester

I have the pleasure to inform that Consulate General of the Republic
of Poland in Manchester is open and delivering service to Poles.
Address of the office is as follows: 14th floor, Rodwell Tower, 111
Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2HY, United Kingdom. Due to restrictions in
office space, the Consulate is providing passport services and helps
in other issues for Polish citizens. It is necessary to fix a meeting
earlier in the Consulate.

It is possible:

electronically by sending an e-mail to: manconsulate@hotmail.com This
email address is being protected from spam bots, enable JavaScript in
your browser to view it or zapisy.manchester @ polishconsulate.co.uk
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need
JavaScript enabled in your browser to view it,

by phone at the telephone number 07892791382 from Monday to Friday
8.15 - 17.00 (excluding Bank Holidays, Christmas day and public
holidays in Poland).

To determine the appointment should be provided:

the full name, address and phone number of contact person making the
request for passport or other matter to be deal by Consulate; what
kind of document you want to receive, or what kind of matter are you
willing to resolve.

In an emergency and urgent cases there is an opportunity to contact
the Consulate at the already open phone intervention line -
07769975719.

Consulate General in Manchester in its territorial jurisdiction
includes the following counties and the division of administrative
units: Cheshire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Durham, Greater Manchester, East
Riding of Yorkshire, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire,
Merseyside, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Shropshire,
Staffordshire, Tyne and Wear, North Yorkshire, Rutland, South
Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Isle of Man and the whole area of Wales.