CEE us. Centrala Communities Network

CEE us. Centrala Communities Network A network of collective innovators creating a Migrant presence. join us https://bit.ly/3hFwFwa We want to train future leaders and migrant activists.

See Chances, Inspire Changes, Make Noise
A network of collective innovators creating a Migrant presence as a part of Centrala ( )
In the last years, we have been fostering communities and establishing a Central and Eastern European migrant presence in the UK society, public life, cultural scene and beyond. Centrala is and art and community space in Digbeth, Birmingham and consist of

cafe, independent bookshop, art gallery, music venue, meet up and workshop spaces open Wednesday to Saturday 12-6pm

Our main aims are to address the underrepresentation of Central and Easter European migrants in the UK,xeno-racism and hostility. We want to encourage, empower and promote CEE migrant individuals to share their voices and we want to foster networks to take action. We are encouraging collaborations, developing individual practices and promoting CEE leadership and talent. Bearing in mind different individual and community needs we are achieving this with several initiatives

👤CEE Leaders Forum. Regular meetings of the CEE community of leaders providing response, representation and promotion of migrant rights.
đź‘ĄCEE open Forum. A monthly opportunity to meet others and discuss issues relevant to our communities and build solidarity, open to all.
🏆Unleash Your Social Power!. A migrant leadership and activism training programme https://fb.me/e/4XqVKS3Un
👨‍🎨CEE Creatives Network. A Network to support CEE migrant creatives currently working in the UK arts and culture sector. http://bit.ly/3UxfWdl
🇺🇦Ukrainian Support Programme and network. http://bit.ly/3AcVGFC
👩‍💻Skills and professional development and training workshops. No matter what your professional background. CEEus, is a community of all CEE migrants who want to participate and develop their careers. You can now sign up for our mailing list where you can get news on new events and opportunities and join our network for exclusive members-only professional development training. Join us here: http://bit.ly/3hFwFwa

* By Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) we mean the East part of Europe, all the countries and territories located in Europe but are not understood and identified as Western Europe: Poland, Romania, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Transnistria, Slovenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, Northern Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia, Albania, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Russia. Please check Centrala website or page for art, music and cultural events

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✨ Next CEEus! Leadership Session Announced!Creating real change within migrant communities often means navigating comple...
22/08/2026

✨ Next CEEus! Leadership Session Announced!

Creating real change within migrant communities often means navigating complex funding systems, stretching limited resources, and advocating for equal access to power and decision-making spaces.

That's why we're delighted to invite you to the next session in our CEEus! Network Leadership Programme 2026: Leading for Economic Justice — Power, Funding & Community Resilience, taking place in person at Centrala on Friday, 18 September (10:00 AM – 2:30 PM).

This practical, interactive session is designed for migrant leaders, project managers, community organisers, volunteers, and emerging leaders from all migrant communities who want to build financial resilience and strengthen their collective influence.

Together, we will explore:

How power and resources are distributed—and why certain communities remain under-resourced.
Navigating the current funding environment from both funder and applicant perspectives.
Practical strategies to access local funding, resources, and decision-making spaces (like advisory groups and partnerships).
How migrant leaders and organisations can unite to build collective power and advocate for fairer access to resources.
The session will be facilitated by Migrant Voice, a renowned migrant-led organisation bringing deep expertise in advocacy, collective action, and economic justice to our Leadership Programme.

🥗 Lunch, refreshments, and beverages will be provided!

🎟️ Secure your place now: https://bit.ly/4xPXks5

📧 Questions or accessibility needs? Reach out to us at [email protected].

(Supported by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Barrow Cadbury Trust)

Language should never be a barrier to good health. đź’šFor many migrants, accessing healthcare isn't simply a matter of mak...
21/08/2026

Language should never be a barrier to good health. đź’š

For many migrants, accessing healthcare isn't simply a matter of making an appointment.

Being able to explain how you feel, describe symptoms, understand medical information, ask questions and feel confident navigating an unfamiliar healthcare system can make a huge difference. Language barriers can contribute to wider health inequalities, leaving people less confident accessing support or understanding the care available to them.

At CEE Us!, we believe that addressing inequalities also means recognising these everyday barriers—and working together to create practical solutions.
That's why we're really pleased to share our next FREE 5-month ESOL for Health & Wellbeing course, starting 22 September 2026.

The course combines English learning with practical health knowledge, helping participants build confidence using medical English, talk about their own health, understand healthcare information and feel more confident accessing health services.

Places are limited and will be offered on a first come, first served basis.

📝 Want to join the course? Come to Centrala to register in person. You can pop in Tuesday–Saturday and speak to a member of our team, who will help you with registration.

Don't leave it too late — once the places are gone, they're gone! 💚

How many qualified professionals, innovators, and leaders are overlooked simply because the system sees them as labour o...
20/08/2026

How many qualified professionals, innovators, and leaders are overlooked simply because the system sees them as labour only?

Every unrecognised qualification, every career barrier, and every overlooked skill can shape the opportunities available to you.

Our next online creative storytelling workshop—Working Life After Migration, part of the Quiet Power: Migrant Voices for Economic Justice series—explores these experiences. Together with artist and facilitator Alicja Rogalska, we’ll reflect on moments where your leadership potential was dismissed and turn those lived experiences into community-led evidence that supports our fight for fairer career progression, recognition, and economic justice for migrant communities.

Because no one's potential should be limited by the barriers they face.

đź“… Tuesday, 25 August

⏰ 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

đź“Ť Online

🎟️ Register here: https://bit.ly/4wBPqlp

🎻 The CEE Us! Network is full of talented people—and we're incredibly proud to celebrate them.We're delighted to invite ...
07/08/2026

🎻 The CEE Us! Network is full of talented people—and we're incredibly proud to celebrate them.

We're delighted to invite you to The Soul's Awakening, a beautiful multimedia concert created and performed by CEE Us! Network members Anastasiia Kosishcheva and Elena Bardetska.

Blending original neo-classical music, live piano and violin, storytelling, and stunning illustrations, this unique performance explores identity, hope, resilience, and the power of staying connected to our roots. Created by Ukrainian composer Anastasiia Kosishcheva, whose life has been shaped by war and displacement, The Soul's Awakening is a moving reminder that our language, culture, and memories are not only part of our past—they are a source of strength, healing, and hope for the future.

At CEE Us!, we're proud to support and celebrate the incredible talent within our network, not only as community leaders and changemakers, but also as artists whose work inspires, connects, and brings communities together.

We hope you'll join us for what promises to be a truly special and unforgettable evening, while supporting two wonderful members of our network and experiencing this unique artistic journey.

👉 Book your place here: https://bit.ly/4xp9Eze

27/07/2026

Could a traditional Polish zapiekanka get a healthier, British-inspired makeover? We think so! 🇵🇱🤝🇬🇧

Today we're sharing another favourite creation from our CEE Us! Network Community Cooking Workshop—our healthy fusion zapiekanka, made with homemade wholemeal baguettes and colourful roasted vegetables.

👇 The full recipe is waiting in the comments below. We'd love to know if you'll be giving this healthier twist a try! 🥖🥕🫑

Our Community Cooking sessions are all about celebrating traditional recipes while giving them a fresh twist—bringing together flavours, cultures, and people around the table. Whether we're experimenting with fusion dishes or healthier versions of well-loved classics, every session is filled with creativity, laughter, and plenty of delicious food.

Would you like to join our next Community Cooking session? We'd love to welcome you to the CEE Us! Network, where community is about so much more than meetings. It's about learning new skills, sharing traditions, making friends, and creating memorable experiences together.

And we'd love to hear from you too! Do you have a favourite fusion recipe, a healthier version of a traditional dish, or even a cooking video you'd like to share with our community? Get in touch—we'd love to feature your ideas and inspire others!

Happy cooking! 💚🥖

New Leadership Online Training just announced – and places are already filling up!Understanding migrants' rights isn't j...
25/07/2026

New Leadership Online Training just announced – and places are already filling up!

Understanding migrants' rights isn't just about knowing the law—it's about being able to support your community with confidence, challenge misinformation, and help people access the services and support they're entitled to.

That's why we're delighted to invite you to the next session in our CEE Us! Network Leadership Programme 2026 — Understanding Migrants' Rights & Access to Statutory Services, taking place online on Saturday, 15 August.

This practical online training is designed for migrant leaders, community organisers, volunteers, advocates, and emerging leaders who want to strengthen their knowledge and better support the communities they work with.

Together, we'll explore immigration status, NRPF, EU citizens' rights after Brexit, and how migrants can access statutory services such as housing, welfare benefits, healthcare, domestic abuse support, and more. Most importantly, we'll discuss how this knowledge can help community leaders advocate more effectively and support people facing complex challenges. The session will be delivered by Karolina Borkiewicz-Singh, an experienced Immigration and NRPF Adviser with extensive frontline experience supporting vulnerable migrants.

Register here : https://bit.ly/4gXsOHB



Can a city become wealthier while more people fall into poverty?This was one of the key questions we reflected on after ...
24/07/2026

Can a city become wealthier while more people fall into poverty?

This was one of the key questions we reflected on after attending the latest Economic Justice Brum gathering.

Representing the CEEus! Network, our Community Organiser, Viktoria Zengwa, brought the voices, experiences and perspectives of migrant communities into the conversation, ensuring they were part of discussions about Birmingham's economic future.

One of the most thought-provoking moments came from Conrad Parke, Birmingham Anchor Network Co-ordinator at CLES – The Centre for Local Economic Strategies, who highlighted a striking paradox: while Birmingham's wealth has grown over the last decade, so has poverty. This raises an important question: who is really benefiting from economic growth? As part of the discussion, we highlighted the importance of understanding where migrant communities fit into this picture. Conrad agreed that data broken down by minority and migrant communities would provide a much clearer understanding of inequalities and help ensure that no communities are overlooked.

Through our Quiet Power: Migrant Voices for Economic Justice project and the CEEus! Network, we're committed to ensuring migrant communities don't just take part in these conversations, but they help shape them.

If you'd like to be part of a growing network of migrants influencing change and creating fairer opportunities for our communities, we'd love you to join Centrala's CEEus! Network.

Join us: https://bit.ly/4478BYP

Community isn't always about meetings and serious conversations... sometimes it's simply about having fun together! 🎣🌿At...
18/07/2026

Community isn't always about meetings and serious conversations... sometimes it's simply about having fun together! 🎣🌿

At CEE Us!, we believe that building strong communities also means creating opportunities to relax, laugh, learn something new, and spend time outdoors with family and friends.

This August, we're delighted to be partnering with the Canal & River Trust for two fantastic Learn to Fish sessions. Whether you've never held a fishing rod before or you're simply curious about life beneath the water, it's a brilliant chance to learn about fish, canals, wildlife, and our local environment in a fun, hands-on way.

🎣 Suitable for adults and children
đź“… 13 August & 22 August
đź“Ť Spaces are limited, so booking is essential.

Choose the date that suits you best and come along for a great day by the canal!

👉 Booking links:
13 August: https://bit.ly/4wLVhoC
22 August: https://bit.ly/4ym58mw

Because building community also means making memories together. đź’š

How many opportunities are lost simply because people don't know how the system works?Every form, every system and every...
15/07/2026

How many opportunities are lost simply because people don't know how the system works?

Every form, every system and every unanswered question can shape the opportunities available to you.

Our next storytelling workshop, part of the Quiet Power: Migrant Voices for Economic Justice series, explores these experiences, helping turn lived experience into evidence that supports our fight for greater economic justice and fairer opportunities for migrant communities.

Because no one's potential should be limited by the barriers they face.
đź“… Monday 27 July
đź’» Online

👉 Register here: https://bit.ly/4wBPqlp

Strong leaders build strong communities. 💚What a fantastic day at our latest CEE Us! Network Leadership Training – Stren...
14/07/2026

Strong leaders build strong communities. đź’š

What a fantastic day at our latest CEE Us! Network Leadership Training – Strengthen Your Leadership Without Burning Out.

Community leadership is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be demanding. Many migrant leaders juggle supporting others, running community projects, advocating for change, and balancing family and work responsibilities—all while rarely taking time to reflect on their own wellbeing. This workshop gave participants the opportunity to do exactly that: to pause, learn practical leadership tools, share experiences with fellow leaders, and explore how to lead sustainably without carrying everything alone.

A huge thank you to the brilliant Rob Legge for delivering such an engaging, practical, and inspiring session. The feedback from participants was outstanding, and we're delighted that so many leaders left feeling more confident, supported, and motivated to continue making a difference in their communities.

Through the CEE Us! Network, we're committed to investing in migrant leaders, building skills, confidence, connections, and opportunities so that migrant communities have an even stronger voice in shaping the future.

A special thank you to Ladywood NNS for supporting this training and to all community leaders who joined us last Saturday đź’š

Address

Centrala, Unit 4 Minerva Works, Fazeley Street
Birmingham
B55RT

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm

Telephone

+441215130240

Website

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