Pbic Ltd

Summary of main activities of the charity in relation to its objects All services remained free at the point of delivery. These included advice on Social Welfare, Benefits,Immigration and Housing. Our Listening Service continued to grow. This is a service aimed at those who are struggling with mental health issues, providing somewhere for vulnerable migrants to come and talk about their issues in a safe environment. Learning, especially ESOL classes were delivered under Pathways For Recovery and our You Are Valued projects. Under YAV we continued an ESOL programme that introduced migrants to learning English in the UK. Step Into English has become an accredited course consisting of a thorough ESOL assessment, career and skills advice and a few useful tips on how to develop 4 key skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing. Step Into English is offered to all clients wanting to learn English. Perhaps the single most influential new area of work for us during this financial year was the introduction of Active Listening. Over several staff meetings and awaydays it emerged just how important it is for our advisers to not just answer queries brought to us but to also be able to recognise where it is possible to help a client to express themselves often in an area that had remained closed for an unhealthy period. Several training sessions later and Active Listening is now embedded in all our services. We undertook annual cultural events including Polish Heritage Day and Ukrainian Independence Day together with regular and successful Art Activities. We were pleased to renew our contract with Bedford Borough Council for another 12 months to act as the single point of contact for the coordination of care and support to all vulnerable Ukrainian guests temporarily settling in and around Bedford. This in turn has ensured continued job security for several Ukrainian guests to continue as PBIC employees, allowing for an all-encompassing service to be delivered. Throughout the financial year we continued to support children and youths wanting to promote their Polish heritage through our song and dance group, Promethidion. Once again this year we have supported long term homeless migrants through our link with SMART, who are contracted to Bedford Borough Council, to take on responsibility for assisting with all homeless people living on the streets in and around Bedford. Our clients face multiple complex issues often around communication, mental health, family and financial. As a result our staff also require support themselves which this year has involved away days and staff meetings that include regular art activities and meditation and regular one to one staff supervision meetings.