Walk of Life - Bezpłatny magazyn dla polskiej społeczności w UK

Intercultural dialogue between Poles and Brits
Some time ago, we come across a new magazine called Walk of Life in Donny. Hit on the idea of becoming a medium through which the Polish community could receive vital information, Joanna, Wojtek, Tomek, Marcin and Piotr set up a non-profit organization, whose aim is to enhance the process of assimilation of the Polish living in the UK.
- Following months of being in the UK, I noticed how harsh the reality of immigration is faced by many Polish people. Tempted by the idea of better and richer life, they move to England often leaving their families and friends in their home countries - Wojtek explains.
- We hope that the magazine will help them to facilitate the process of settlement in the foreign country.

Buoyant support
Walk of Life has a monthly circulation of 10.000. It is distributed in Northern and Central England, for instance in Manchester, Leeds, Wakefield, Doncaster, Sheffield and many more cities and villages. The magazine can be picked up from the shops with Polish food, Polish restaurants and employment or estate agencies. A large diversity of people with high expectations. Most of them are permanently living in the UK. However, around 15 percent represents tourists, businessmen and visitors from Poland. This provides enormous opportunities as well as challenges for the highly motivated editorial team. For a long time, London was a popular destination for the Polish. Therefore, the southern part of England is rich in well-established publications. Since the new Polish countrymen have arrived in other parts of England they have started suffered from the lack of information in their home language.
- Walk of Life is about to fill this niche and become the leading medium through which the Polish can be informed - says Marcin.

Joint Effort
Walk of Life is to inform, educate, motivate and entertain.
Now the editorial team consists of eleven members. The editorial office is based in Doncaster, however the journalists come from different parts of Central England. What make them so well balanced is their various interests and the same passion for providing inspiration through the written word.
- We want to deliver reliable sources of information, therefore Walk of Life covers the whole spectrum, from leisure activities, housing, cultural events, cooking, sporting, health, money, business and jobs - says Tomek.

English-friendly
Printed on glossy paper and in full colour, Walk of Life is not entirely devoted to the Polish community. Some articles are designed to attract the attention of the English readers also. Pawel is responsible for the entertaining site. He lists the cultural 'must see' events. Joanna encourages English speakers to learn Polish by preparing handy Polish phrases. As the Polish community is getting bigger, there is a rising interest in this country and its culture. Polish and British are brought together in terms of work, friendship or even love.
- Any hostility is caused by ignorance, therefore, we put a lot of effort into makig the Polish aware of their responsibilities and rights in the UK, English language and tradition. At the same time, we want to increase the awareness of the British in Polish culture - states Joanna.

From end to beginning
Although only just the second issue has come out this month, the editorial team gained some experience before. Well-known under the name of Polcaster, they run the magazine successfully for the two years. Due to the recent expansion of the Polish community, the demand for the social support has increased.
- We decided to redesign our profile and more actively contribute to the development of our community. As a non-profit organization, we have an impressive array of the possibilities - Tomek assures.
- Apart from Walk of Life itself we will be publishing teaching aids. The plan of the organization is to offer the English workshops, arrange conferences, provide practical help for those in distress and co-operate with the local and Polish national institutions.

Unique advantage
Walk of Life is are utterly free magazine, popular among the Polish readers. All the costs are covered by the ads included in it. As a voice of the Polish people, has already gained respect, not only among readers but also amongst the existing advertisers.
- We are proud of what we are doing and we hope that as a dedicated team we can do some good - says Piotr.
Along with their awareness of the needs and problems of the Polish community combining with their motivation and enjoyment from what they are doing, they should certainly achieve their goal.


Editors Walk of Life