BUSINESS and civic leaders from across Cumbria came together this week to learn the benefits of a diverse population.
Celebrate – don’t discriminate was the theme of a day-long conference which drew about 100 delegates to Carlisle racecourse. The event, called Equality and Diversity in Cumbria, was organised by the Cumbria Strategic Partnership with the county council and the North West regional assembly. Sarah Carling, from the NWRA, said: “Diversity helps – not hinders – our region realise its economic potential and improves the quality of life for all – culturally and socially.”

One of the keynote speakers was our very own Justyna Zmuda who only set foot in this country for the first time three years ago, but now regards Carlisle as her home. Justyna Zmuda was travelling extensively across Europe after completing a finance degree back in Poland when she visited her brother who was working in a Lakeland hotel. She said: “The county was so lovely that I decided I wanted to stay.”

25-year-old Justyn initially worked in a pub in Keswick and found her English improved by leaps and bounds. Justyna moved to Carlisle 18 months ago and did voluntary work with the Red Cross, working in their shop by day and in a restaurant by night. Nine months ago she join Riverside Recruitment as European Welfare Consultant and has helped Riverside corner the market in the supply of European Workers locally.

That role means she helps to look after the interests of hundreds of workers from countries within the enlarged European Union on a daily basis. She said: “People come to me with a whole range of problems, not just work related. If I can’t help them directly, then the chances are that we will know someone who can.

“That is because of the contacts I have made with a whole range of businesses and organisations. I’m happy and proud to say that I now have a shelf full of useful information at Riverside Recruitment. Justyna, who can also converse in Czech, Slovakian and Lithuanian, regularly helps migrant workers to find a doctor and a dentist.

She said: “I have found people in Carlisle, including my employers to be very nice and very helpful. We even have regular social nights at a city bar now when Polish music is played.”