A charity organisation is planning to celebrate a decade of work helping thousands of Polish migrants integrate into Highland life.
The Inverness Polish Association formed in February 2006 after migrants, who were using a Polish cafe in the Crown area of the city, called for a service to help them find places to live and work and resolve legal issues.
Volunteers provided practical advice on CV writing and form-filling, and have continued to work closely with Highland Council’s housing and social services teams and the police.
The group has focused on supporting the most vulnerable migrants, including the homeless, those who have found themselves caught up in human trafficking, and school pupils struggling to integrate.
Co-founder and chairwoman, Zosia Wierzbowicz-Fraser, who lives in the city’s Ballifeary Lane and is of Polish origin, runs English lessons for schoolchildren on Saturday’s, offering children the confidence they need to break down barriers and form new friends.
When it started in 2008, the language classes had a roll of about 50, but that number has subsequently risen to around 95.
Mrs Wierzbowicz-Fraser won a top award last year for her efforts to integrate Polish migrants into Highland life.
She estimates there are up to 5,000 Polish people living in the Highlands – and many more service users also come from Ross-shire, Sutherland, Caithness and Lochaber.
Russians, Lithuanians and Czechs living in the Highlands have also made use of the support available at the association, which has a membership of about 400.
Mrs Wierzbowicz-Fraser, who works as a supply teacher at Charleston Academy, said: “I think we have helped a great number of people, probably between 2,000 and 3,000 over the years, with all types of issues.
“We are there for them to speak to in their native language because they don’t always feel confident speaking in English.
“I am pleased about reaching the 10-year milestone. We have made a positive difference to a lot of people’s lives and that is the main aim of the organisation.
“We don’t charge for any of our services and get a lot of satisfaction from helping people in difficult circumstances.
“We will continue in the same way and will arrange a party to celebrate the 10 years in the next two months.”
The Polish association receives most of its funding from the Polish Consulate in Edinburgh.
Anyone wanting to get in touch should call 01463 223223 and leave a message and number.