Your Stories

It may come as no surprise to find that 39.5% of the total registering were from Poland.

So with thousands of Polish people in the county, what help is on offer for those with limited English?

Translation services are currently available at all councils in Gloucestershire and the Police recently held a forum for Polish people in the Cheltenham and Gloucester areas. In addition to this, Alison Griffin from Gloucestershire Hospitals says they've translated health advice for Polish patients, and Polish workers at hospitals in the county help out when patients can't speak English.

However, to take this a step further, a Gloucestershire recruitment agency is about to launch an English school in Warsaw.

Omega Resource Group in Stonehouse say the classes will not only help them fit in with life in this country, but importantly understand such vital information as health and safety notices.

James Strickland is Group Director from Omega Resource Group, and you can hear what he had to say to BBC Radio Gloucestershire's Breakfast Show by clicking on the link at the top right of this page.

Adam Turbanski moved to Cheltenham from Poland three years ago, and runs a Polish Deli. He says that he thought he could speak some English when he came here, but soon realised that he couldn't, he didn't understand people and it was very difficult.

He says that it is much easier for those coming over from Poland if they have basic language skills.

Three years on, he recognises that more and more Polish are visiting and staying for longer in order to live a better life and receive the warm welcome that he believes Gloucestershire offers.

BBC Radio Gloucestershire's Mark Smith spoke to Adam Turbanski. (Click on the link at the top right of the page to listen to this interview).