October was a vibrant and productive month at PBIC! We’ve been busy delivering a range of services, all aimed at supporting and connecting our community.

Advice and Support at PBIC

Our dedicated team has been working hard, handling 767 cases throughout October. These sessions provided essential assistance with a wide range of enquiries. This month, the most frequent reasons you came to visit us for were: 

• Support with Homelessness – Helping individuals and families secure stable housing as well as ongoing support for those who are currently in temporary or supported accommodation. 
• ESOL Referrals – Connecting community members with English language courses. 
• Benefits Advice and Guidance – Offering information on available support and helping navigate the application processes.
• eVisa-Related Matters – Assisting with eVisa inquiries to ease the transition for those new to the scheme.

Healing Hearts with Art Workshops

Our Healing Hearts with Art project continued to inspire this month with four hands-on art workshops. Participants tried their hand at pottery making, acrylic painting, custom T-shirt design, linocut printing, and even wax painting on fabric! These workshops are designed to provide a creative outlet while encouraging community connection and personal expression. The Healing Hearts with Art free art workshops will be running until December!

Promethidion – Festival of Lights

Promethidion were thrilled to join in on this years Festival of Lights celebrations! Check out their performance of the Polish folk song “W moim ogrodecku” below!

New Posters on Display at PBIC

If you’ve walked past our office recently, you may have noticed our new, vibrant posters displayed on the outside windows!

Fun Fact: The artwork you see in the background of these images was actually created during PBIC staff meetings. We invite all staff to paint with watercolours during our meetings as a way to relax and encourage open, flowing conversations. This creative practice brings a calming energy to our team and now adds a personal, artistic touch to our office exterior.

Thank you to everyone who participated and supported our activities in October! We look forward to another month of growth, connection, and creativity at PBIC.

And a special thanks to all our funders, who make delivering all this support free of charge possible!