Hi, my name is Konrad and I come from Krakow. I have been living in the UK since 2015. I previously graduated from Jagiellonian University with a degree in Ethnic Studies and International Migration. I have also been involved in many non governmental projects and initiatives both in Poland and abroad, mainly related to migration, minority rights and diversity issues. My passion is travelling and exploring various cultures from many different angles. For over six years I used to work as a tour guide all over Europe. My favourite place is Italy. Currently I work for Europia in partnership project Labyrinth where my main aim is to support the most vulnerable and out of reach communities within Salford, with a particular focus on both Central and Eastern European Communities.

Hello, I’m Karol and I was born in 1986 in Poland; I’ve been living in the UK for over 15 years now. I’ve studied Fine Art at MMU and since graduation I’ve been working as a painter. Meanwhile I got interested in volunteering as a way of expanding my skills, contacts and learning new things about the environment around me. This is how I came across of Europia in 2017 where I was establishing an European LGBTQ discussion group. I haven’t forgotten about my artistic skills, though. I carry on producing new paintings, and taking part in curating art exhibitions. Me and other 7 creative individuals set up Europia Art Collective. So far we have organised a number of art events. Once the lockdown is over, we will get back together to surprise you with more odd and beautiful projects.

Hello, I’m Marlena. I was born in Poland, but I have lived abroad for half of my life. My journey started in 2002, when I got an opportunity to work and live in Jersey, and a couple of years after I moved to England. In 2009, my daughter was born and since then I started my adventure of maternity and freelance work in various fields, first as a mobile hairdresser and then as a graphic designer and marketing consultant. In a meantime I also worked in the office in a customer service and marketing department. I always was interested in working among communities, that’s why I also started to organise community events and gained NVQ in Equality and Diversity to better understand different cultures. For more than 10 years I have been involved in projects related to the support and development of women. I’m co-founder of BiznesMama Network CIC, which is a network of creative, resourceful, and ambitious Polish women in the UK. Thanks to the collaboration with Europia the idea of ​​creating a group for European migrant women was born. The purpose of Europia Women's Group is an integration, support and empowerment of European Women living or working in Greater Manchester, as well as cooperation with organisations that already have bespoke services for women. After a couple of years of my freelance collaboration with Europia (in graphic design and marketing field) I became Comms and Engagement Team Leader, and occasionally I supported other departments and projects. Recently my passion for connecting people and creating long-term relationships was recognised and I became Partnership and Communications Manager, and that came with a lot of opportunities for self-development. I enjoy working with fantastic people in Europia and I’m grateful that I can contribute to support European communities in Greater Manchester.

My name is Jo Lake and I’m the HR Manager for Europia (working on a consultancy basis). I have approximately 15 years of generalist Human Resources (HR experience) gained in both employed settings (with a Housing Association) as well as over 8 years of running my own HR business working on a consultancy basis with many charities and small - medium sized businesses. I have an MSc in Occupational Psychology and a First Class BSc Psychology degree. My aim is to support charities so they can deliver high quality, best practice HR practices for their staff and their organisation and can get the very best out of every individual staff member who will hopefully feel valued and motivated.

Hi, my name is Ramona. Before Europia, I was working as regional organiser at Migrants Organise. There, I was working with Europeans, refugees and asylum seekers stopping detentions and doing campaigns to change the policy for migrants in the UK. In this job I was also working with the Roma community. At the moment, I am working as Roma Advocacy Worker at Europia. I help and give advice to the Roma people. For me helping the Roma community is important because they need someone who understands them and can give them advice which will help improve their current issues and can explain what their next steps should be to help their situation. I am doing this work because I know I am reliable and most of the Roma people know me and so it's easy for me to give the help necessary for them to improve their situations. Now I have 5 children between 3 and 17 years old. I am a happy mother and a happy person too. I believe that Europia has had a great impact on individuals within Roma community. Many of them have received the most accurate and appropriate help and advice.

Hi all, I am Lizzie. I moved to Nottingham at the beginning of lockdown 1.0. Prior to that, I lived in Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester. I work in the EUSS team supporting vulnerable citizens to complete their EUSS applications and understand their rights and responsibilities in a post-Brexit Britain. My background and experience is frontline child protection social work. I have a degree in Social Work and a master’s degree in Global Citizenship, Identities and Human Rights. I began working with Europiapart time in December 2020. However, since August 2019, I have worked in partnership with them whilst employed at Citizens Advice Bury and Bolton in their EUSS Team. I am proud to work for Europia; they offer an invaluable service to the citizens of Greater Manchester in one of the most turbulent times of a generation. The team is also incredible, they all work hard-work and go above and beyond to support one another and the people they work for. I shall be on maternity leave from October 2021 to summer 2022 as I am due to have my first child, upon my return I am eager to continue building an immigration service that puts citizens' needs first.

Hi, I am Magda, Europia's Community Development Worker. I work within the community supporting people with welfare and various art workshops and activities. I find art to be very healing and helpful in terms of trauma and depression. My approach to people is to be friendly and never judgemental.

Ruth joined Europia in March 2021 and assisted the charity to achieve its current OISC 3 registration. Ruth has been working in the field of immigration law for 10 years and accumulated a wealth of experience. She is currently accredited at OISC level 3 and able to take on complex cases and appeals. She is also accredited as a Law Society senior caseworker. Ruth is passionate about making immigration law accessible to all.

Having moved to the U.K in 2005 one of the first languages I was introduced to was Polish. Having worked in various third sector jobs including homelessness, addiction and mental health I then got trained as an ESOL teacher. I was brought into Europia as a trustee and within a short span of time led the unincorporated community group to a registered CIO. Creating a team with shared power, co-production and championing for lived experience representation is my vision. Ensuring Europia is a compassionate and effective organisation providing holistic and practical support to EU nations is my mission.

Hi I'm Jayne, Europia's Communications Assistant, supporting the organisation with its marketing and communications tasks. I have a 2:1 Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours in English with Creative Writing from University of Birmingham and a Masters in Marketing (Communications) from Manchester Metropolitan University. Marketing communications is a great passion of mine, and I am currently relishing the opportunities Europia have given me to add to my skill set. The lovely people within the organisation have made me feel extremely welcome and part of the team.