SY COMMUNITY EVENT FOR EASTERN EUROPEANS

South Yorkshire is staging a community day for Eastern European people living in Sheffield and surrounding areas.

‘Feel safe know your community’ is believed to be the first of its kind, offering newcomers to the area information about services available to all.

The free event, which is open to everyone, is being staged at St Marie's Cathedral on Norfolk Row, Sheffield on Sunday, September 21 from 1:30pm and follows the weekly Polish mass by Fr Andrzej Pyster.

Sheffield Lord Mayor Cllr Jane Bird will open activities which will also include a special appearance from Kevin Aiston an Englishman turned Poland-based celebratory fire fighter.

Born in Chelsea, Kevin went to Poland in 1991 initially as a visitor, but enjoyed the country so much he stayed and became an active firefighter for the Polish Fire Brigade. He has been decorated four times for his actions of bravery and is currently a Crew Commander in the Radzymin area of Poland.

Kevin’s adventures with the Polish media began in 2002 and has since appeared in five TV programmes, a radio show, published two books and for the last two years has been touring Poland as a stand-up comedian.

Fr Chris Posłuszny, the Dean at St Marie's Cathedral whose family originally came from Poland, will also be giving a brief talk about South Yorkshire to the Cathedral’s congregation.

The community event has been established by the South Yorkshire Joint Secretariat, which provides independent, impartial support and advice to the Police Authority and Fire and Rescue Authority.

Paul Staines, Principal Policy Officer at South Yorkshire Police Authority, said: “The ‘Feel safe’ open day has been devised as a way of listening to a new community and is in response to the feedback we and our partners received through existing consultation with the wider public.

“The Police and Fire Authorities continue to engage with all members of the community and with this event we are able to communicate to a new group of people in the local area. It will provide them with access to information about what we do and the services available to them.”

Stalls from the Police, Fire and Rescue, Sheffield City Council, the Joint Authorities, What’s on in Sheffield, the National Health Service, Sheffield Homes and others will provide free advice on how to stay safe in South Yorkshire.

Career advice will be available and there will also be an opportunity for the public to share experience of crime, anti-social behaviour and hate crime hot spots with the emergency services.

Any attendees filling out a questionnaire available on the policing priorities 2008-11, will also be entered into a raffle to win a range of prizes supplied by local sponsors.