Urszula Soltys

Home From Home

Portraits celebrating the lives and stories of South London's Polish community

Since Poland joined the European Union in May 2004, Poles have become the largest foreign-born population in the UK. But what does the British public know about us, apart from the pre-conception that we are good builders and cleaners?

These photographs are of members of the Polish Community Centre in South Norwood, London. Some are old enough to have fought in World War II on the Allied side. These people have lived most of their lives here, and have worked as tailors, engineers, scientist and doctors... They have helped rebuild the British economy.

This project confronts the Polish stereotypes and reveals the real Polish people of Britain, whose stories are an integral part of the nation’s history.

Henryk Blachowiak

During the World War II Henryk Blachowiak spent his childhood in an Italian refugee camp, while his father was fighting on the front with general Anders Army. By the end of the War

About 150,000 Polish soldiers and their dependents were settled in the United Kingdom under The Polish Resettlement act. Henryk was then placed in one of the 45 UK based camps, where polish veterans and their families could continue the political struggle for an independent Poland while maintaining their language, culture, and traditions for an eventual return to their homeland. 

When he moved to London, he trained as a tailor and had a good career - including making adjustments for some of the Queen’s outfits. 

Sabina Rowe

Sabina is over 90 years old but no one in the community knows her real age. She keeps it as a secret but said that one day she will tell me. She also said she will buy me the same lovely lipstick she uses. 

Franciszek Dzwigaj. 90 years old. Franciszek was Born in 1929 in Warsaw. He arrived in England six years ago to be closer to his daughter who emigrated from Poland during communism time. There is a strong tradition in Poland of sons and daughters looking after their parents in their old age.

When I asked him how long he is going to stay, he said it depends on whether someone falls in love with him! His progressing illness of  dementia doesn't stop him  to flirt with women with his harmonica. He still remembers old polish songs for every occasion.

Grazyna Ursel

Grazyna came to London ten years ago to visit her cousin. During her stay she fell in love with Jan , a son of one WWII Polish veteran, who had lived in UK all his life. In Poland she worked for 33 years as a deputy of financial director of one of the main toy factories. In the end it was forced to close down after cheaper Chinese products began to dominate the toy business.

Bernadetta Janiec- Janicka,

Bernadetta came to England in 1973. At first she was missed Poland, but then she met her future husband who was visiting on holiday and decided to stay. She then worked for a famous fashion designer, Wim Hemming, and travelled the world with him. She was making outfits for Miss World competitions and for the British royal family. Her relative’s daughter, Dominika also pictured, was visiting at the time of the portrait.

Ryszard Zdroik

Ryszard came to England in 1975. He made a living as a mechanical engineer, working 14 hour days. He is now chairman of The Polish club Polonia in Oliver Grove.He always have a trick up his sleeve and makes everyone laugh. 

Janina Jackowska

Janina, 91 years old. She came to England in 1948 after being imprisoned with her family in Siberian labour camps. Her father fought in the Armia Krajowa (Home Army, AK) - the Polish underground resistance movement, the largest movement in all of occupied Europe. 

Krystyna Strymowicz worked for 27 years as a doctor for the NHS. She was born in Polish city of Lviv, which before the war was one of the most cultured cities in the country. Her father strongly believed that Lviv would remain Polish after war, but this never happened. It now belongs to the Ukraine. They had to evacuate to Wroclaw and leave all their possessions behind when she was only 7 years old. She still remembers the day when the Soviet soldiers knocked on her door and took her dog which they used to seek out and detonate mines.

Jerzy Strymowicz

in the summer of 1944, Jerzy was a 16 year old boy fighting in the Warsaw Uprising - the Polish underground resistance attempting to liberate Warsaw from German occupation. He was shot in the leg on the 4th day of fighting, and could only help after dark by looking for food supplies. His worst memories were not of the actual fighting, but of the clearing up. He had to sort out the hundreds of bodies from the rubble of destroyed buildings. His father (who was fighting for the Allies) returned from the war, gave Jerzy some gold coins which he later used to “buy off” Russian soldiers. This enabled him to stow away, hiding between beer barrels on a cargo train heading to West Germany. Eventually he made it to England, where he later met his wife Krystyna.He gained his education in an Oxford college by working during the day and studying in the evenings to become a respected engineer. 

Stanislawa Slotwinska & Sean MacDermott

Stanislawa was born in 1935 in Lviw. She came to England 45 years ago as a single mother, looking for a better future for her daughter. She arrived alone and had to start working and earning money to be able to bring her daughter here. She worked for over 20 years in the Peter Jones department store, starting from the bottom, packing home deliveries, Management soon spotted her talent for mental mathematics and she was swiftly promoted. Her boss said she was the best worker they ever had. She met her husband Sean (pictured) through a mutual friend. Sean enjoys going to the senior club with her, even though he doesn’t speak polish. He loves the traditional food and deserts they serve.

Teresa Piekarski

Teresa (left) arrived from Communist led Poland in England for a holiday in 1966. She was a nurse, but re-trained here as a dental nurse. Teresa is always involved in cultural and social life of polish community and never miss the balls organised by Polonia Club.

Krystyna Kozlowska

Krystyna escaped from Poland with her 10 year old son after the introduction of martial law in Poland in 1981. She was one of 14 children and is the only one still alive and has no relatives left in Poland. She is now living in care home in South London and suffer of dementia. 

Greta Foremna

Greta is 11 years old and born in London. She has been dancing at the Polish Folk Group called “Karolinka” since she was 4. Greta goes to Catholic school, and is an altar server at the Polish Church in Norwood Junction. Her mother Agnieszka is hoping to return to Poland, and has always made sure that Greta is fluent speaking, reading and writing in Polish.

Janina Jackowska is celebrating her 90th birthday at the Polish Senior Club, Oliver Grove.

Many of the post World War II generation poles have no family left in Poland, attending The Polish Senior Club every Wednesday is the highlight of their lives where they can enjoy talking to friends and feel like home.