For members of Nottingham’s Polish community living with persistent pain, a new approach from Nottingham CityCare is making a real difference.
Alongside the South Asian Ladies Group, CityCare’s Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Service (Mosaic) launched a dedicated Polish Pain Management Group—delivering care in the patients’ own language and with cultural understanding at its heart. The group was led by Purba Bhattacharjee, one of our physiotherapists, and aided by one of our volunteers, Magdalena, as the translator.
Originally, the Pain Management Programme (PMP) was delivered exclusively in English, which often left non-English speakers at a disadvantage. Now, thanks to CityCare’s pioneering approach, Polish-speaking patients can access this vital service in their own language, supported by clinicians and interpreters who understand both the language and the lived experience of chronic pain.
The group concluded on 17 September, after eight weekly sessions attended by 5 participants. The sessions covered a wide range of topics, from physical activity and pacing to mental health and flare-up management. Michal, a participant of the group, attributed the group to his new lease on life:
“It was a new experience in my life. There were times when I was unable to leave my home, although the urge to belong to the group gave me motivation. The urge of belonging is bigger than I expected or imagined.”
He reflected on the power of community and urged others to take the reins when starting their pain management journey: “Please don’t ignore. Try to be present and open to new methods and ways to deal with pain.”
The Polish Pain Management Group is part of CityCare’s commitment to making healthcare accessible and meaningful for all communities in Nottingham. By delivering sessions in patients’ primary language and drawing on interpreters with lived experience of pain, the service ensures that care is not only clinically effective but also culturally sensitive and personally relevant.
Reflecting on the importance of this initiative, Chief Executive Nic Atkinson commented, “Delivering care in a patient’s native language is more than just communication—it’s about dignity, respect, and giving everyone the best chance to manage their health. I am proud that CityCare is leading the way in providing culturally sensitive support for Nottingham’s diverse communities.”
Purba’s thoughts as the lead of the group commended all participants for their hard work and enthusiasm: “It was truly encouraging to see everyone engaged, contributing ideas, asking thoughtful questions, and supporting one another. The positive energy created in a collaborative and motivating environment, which significantly enhanced the overall experience for everyone involved in the group. Post-group all participants have had significant improvement in their Pain self-efficacy score, anxiety and depression score.”
Magdalena as not only a CityCare volunteer but also as a member of Nottingham’s polish community reflected on her role: “It was a great experience to be able to attend as a CityCare Volunteer, Polish Community Pain Management Group. I am glad to be able to make a difference and help both CityCare and the Polish community of Nottingham with my ability to speak both English and Polish.”
The success of the Polish Pain Management Group showcases the value of inclusive, community-focused healthcare. CityCare’s long-term ambition is to extend this model to other communities and languages across Nottingham, such as Arabic and Kurdish, building trust and empowering more people to manage their pain and improve their quality of life.
Date published: 28 October 2025
