WHERE IT ALL
STARTED.
Podaj Dalej C.I.C. started with one simple idea: to create a place where different generations could come together. For Polish families living abroad, where relatives are often far away, having a space to meet, move and build connections really matters. Zumba was the spark that brought people through the door.
ZUMBA WAS
THE BEGINNING.
People first came for movement, music and energy. But very quickly, they also started coming back for the people around them. Different ages, different families, one shared space.
ONLY THREE MONTHS LATER, IT ALREADY FELT DIFFERENT.
Participants organised a birthday surprise for the instructor, brought flowers and gifts and celebrated together. It was one of the first signs that people were no longer simply attending the same activity. They were beginning to build real relationships with each other.
THEN WE MOVED
OUTDOORS TOO.
Running gave us another way to bring people together. Children, parents, friends and people of different ages could all take part in the same activity at their own pace. It was never about being the fastest. It was about moving together.
DIFFERENT AGES. DIFFERENT PACES. THE SAME COMMUNITY.
IN SEPTEMBER,
WE PUT WHEELS IN MOTION.
Roller skating became another new activity during our first year. It brought movement, balance, coordination and plenty of fun. For many children, it was also a chance to try something completely different, learn at their own pace and become more confident each time they got back on their skates. Sometimes confidence starts with simply being willing to give something new a go.
THEN WE TRIED SOMETHING
COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.
High Heels was not simply another fitness class. It brought confidence, movement, posture, expression and a completely different kind of challenge. For many women, walking into that first session meant stepping outside their comfort zone and trying something they had never done before. At the time, there was nothing quite like it locally.
SOMETHING NEW. SOMETHING BOLD.
One of the things we wanted Podaj Dalej to do was introduce activities that people could not already find everywhere else. High Heels became a perfect example. It gave women an opportunity to try something different, build confidence and discover a style of movement that many of them had never imagined themselves doing. The response was bigger than we expected — and showed us that people were ready to step outside the familiar when they were given the opportunity.
MOVEMENT WASN’T
THE ONLY WAY TO CONNECT.
We also created moments that helped Polish families living abroad stay connected to familiar traditions. Making traditional Polish pierogi and decorating festive gingerbread brought children, parents, grandparents and friends together around the same table. It was about sharing traditions, passing them on and creating a little piece of home together.
AND WE FINISHED THE YEAR
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN.
Christmas Zumba brought our first year full circle. What had started as a weekly class had become a bigger shared celebration, bringing together people who had spent the previous months moving, talking and getting to know each other. By then, it was no longer only about Zumba. It was about belonging.
ONE BIG CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION.
Music, movement and people of different generations sharing the same room. It was a fitting way to close our first chapter and celebrate how much had already grown in such a short time.
SIX MONTHS.
MANY GENERATIONS.
ONE COMMUNITY.
2024 started with Zumba.
Then came friendships,
surprises,
running,
roller skating,
High Heels,
family traditions
and shared celebrations.
But the purpose underneath all of it
was the same:
to create a place where people living abroad
could come together across generations,
build relationships
and feel part of a community.
That became the foundation
for everything that followed.
THE COMMUNITY WAS HERE.
NOW WE COULD DO MORE.
2024 gave Podaj Dalej its foundation. In 2025, we created more opportunities for children, teenagers, adults and different generations to move, learn and spend time together. The community was no longer just forming. It was expanding.
MORE WAYS TO MOVE.
MORE WAYS TO JOIN IN.
We introduced more activities for different ages and different kinds of movement. Children gained their own trampoline sessions and Zumba, while teenagers and adults could experience trampolining too. High Heels also returned with a fresh new edition. More choice meant more people could find something that felt right for them.
THE CONNECTIONS DIDN’T
STAY INSIDE THE HALL.
The relationships built through activities were becoming part of everyday life too. Sometimes that meant going out together. Sometimes it meant celebrating important moments together. The community was beginning to exist well beyond the timetable.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
A chance to leave the activity hall, go into town and simply spend time together.
A 40TH BIRTHDAY TO REMEMBER
A beautiful gift, cake, dancing and a shared celebration for one of our instructors. Another moment that showed how much the relationships around Podaj Dalej had grown.
LEARNING DIDN’T HAVE TO
LOOK LIKE A LESSON.
We also created activities that combined play, movement and practical learning. The aim was to give children real experiences and useful safety messages in ways they would remember.
LEARNING ABOUT MONEY
Selling toys gave children a practical introduction to money, choices, value and exchange.
ROLLER SKATING & SAFETY
Roller skating also became an opportunity to talk about protective equipment, awareness and safer participation.
WATER SAFETY
Practical workshops helped children think about risk, responsibility and staying safer around water.
AROUND 400 PEOPLE.
ONE DAY. ONE COMMUNITY.
Children’s Day became one of the biggest moments in our story so far. Around 400 people came together with volunteers, games, giant characters, inflatable castles, traditional Polish food and activities for families. The day also had a special purpose. It was connected with a charity action supporting Amelia, a girl living with neuroblastoma. A day of celebration also became a day of helping.
A BIGGER EVENT. A BIGGER COMMUNITY. A PURPOSE BEYOND THE ACTIVITIES.
COFFEE BROUGHT
GENERATIONS TO THE SAME TABLE.
Our barista workshops brought something completely different into the programme. Coffee created real curiosity across different age groups. Younger people, adults and older participants could learn side by side, ask questions, try practical skills and share the experience together. One shared interest became another way to connect different generations.
OUR HEART IS ALWAYS
OPEN TO HELP.
Children’s Day had already given us the opportunity to support Amelia. Later in the year, we were also invited to join a charity event for Oskar, who was waiting for a heart transplant. We came along, brought Stitch and tried to add a little joy, energy and support to the day. For us, community is also about showing up when someone needs it.
SOMETIMES HELPING MEANS SIMPLY BEING THERE.
We cannot change every difficult situation. But when our activities, our people or our presence can bring some support to a child and their family, we want to use what we have to do something positive.
WE ENDED THE SEASON
WITH ENERGY, COSTUMES & FUN.
A children’s marathon, Halloween Zumba and Halloween trampoline sessions gave familiar activities a completely different atmosphere. Movement, fun and community — with a little more imagination.
AND THROUGH IT ALL,
ZUMBA STAYED WITH US.
While 2025 brought many new activities, Zumba remained one of the regular spaces that kept people connected throughout the year. People still wanted the music, the movement and the atmosphere. We finished with another special festive edition — this time with Santa lollipops and a little extra Christmas fun.
2024 BUILT THE COMMUNITY.
2025 EXPANDED WHAT IT COULD DO.
New activities gave more people
a way to take part.
Practical workshops brought learning
into the community.
Large events showed
how many families
could now come together.
Intergenerational projects created spaces
where children,
adults
and older generations
could share the same experience.
And opportunities to support
Amelia and Oskar
showed that community
can also reach beyond our own activities.
2025 made Podaj Dalej broader,
more confident
and ready for the next stage.
2026 OPENED
NEW DOORS.
This year has taken Podaj Dalej into new spaces, new formats and new relationships. We have continued what our community already loves, while creating new opportunities for people to move, meet, learn and belong.
FORMATS
New activities, new ways to take part and new ideas in action.
PLACES
New venues, care homes and activity beyond our usual setting.
CONNECTIONS
New families, partners, instructors and relationships across the community.
CARDIO DRUMMING
FOUND ITS COMMUNITY.
When Cardio Drumming first started, the group was small. But the combination of music, rhythm and movement quickly connected with people. More people came. Then they came back. And the group kept growing.
JUST A FEW PEOPLE.
A new format, a small group and a simple idea: make movement energetic, social and enjoyable.
AROUND 30 REGULAR PARTICIPANTS.
What began with a handful of people has developed into one of our established regular groups.
WHEN FAMILY IS FAR AWAY,
COMMUNITY MATTERS EVEN MORE.
For families living away from relatives, school holidays can be difficult to manage. Our first Half Term programme created days filled with creative activities, sport, Zumba, face painting and even cinema time with popcorn. And one birthday came with a very special Stitch surprise.
FOR CHILDREN, IT WAS FUN.
FOR FAMILIES, IT WAS ALSO PRACTICAL SUPPORT.
THE CONNECTIONS DIDN’T END WHEN HALF TERM DID.
Some children met each other for the first time during these activities. Months later, some of them are beginning secondary school together — already recognising familiar faces and already knowing someone before walking through a completely new school door. That is the kind of impact that continues long after an activity finishes.
SUPPORTING FAMILIES
IN DIFFERENT WAYS.
Not every community need is answered through exercise. In 2026 we also created smaller workshops around real decisions families face in everyday life.
ARE WE READY FOR ADOPTION?
A practical conversation about responsible animal adoption, family readiness and the commitment involved.
BEFORE YOU GIVE THEM A PHONE
A space to think about smartphones, social media, online responsibility and children’s digital lives.
AMELIA’S STORY
STAYED WITH OUR COMMUNITY.
In 2025, our Children’s Day helped support Amelia, who was living with neuroblastoma. But our connection with her story did not end with that event. In 2026, when people were invited to send Amelia birthday cards, our community joined in too. We collected cards together and travelled to deliver them to Amelia in person.
THEN CAME ANOTHER SPECIAL WISH.
Amelia wanted to see people dance the Macarena for her. So during one of our sessions, we joined thousands of other people who were dancing it too. It was a small gesture from one community becoming part of something much bigger.
SOMETIMES SUPPORT IS PRACTICAL.
SOMETIMES IT IS SIMPLY HELPING
TO MAKE A CHILD’S WISH BIGGER.
BRINGING MUSIC,
MOVEMENT & JOY
TO CARE HOMES.
Cardio Drumming developed in another completely new direction. We adapted the format for residential care homes, creating an accessible way for residents to engage with rhythm, music and movement.
SOMETIMES ONE MOMENT SAYS EVERYTHING.
One resident began the session seated. Then, caught by the energy in the room, she stood up and joined in. A simple moment — but one we will remember.
A NEW PLACE.
THE SAME COMMUNITY.
2026 also brought a change of venue. Another chapter was closing, but the people, the energy and the sense of community came with us. The setting looked different. What we had built together did not disappear when the address changed.
THE PLACE CHANGED.
THE ENERGY CAME WITH US.
THE COMMUNITY WANTED IT AGAIN.
SO WE BROUGHT HALF TERM BACK.
The first programme showed us how valuable this type of support could be. So we did it again. Another programme of movement, creativity, games and time together — and another opportunity for children and families to build connections.
FAMILY POLISH CAMP
WITH POLISH CREATIVE HUB.
One of the year’s biggest partnership projects brought together around 70 people for a shared family experience. Families spent time together, took part in activities and created memories outside our usual weekly setting.
AROUND 70 PEOPLE.
ONE SHARED EXPERIENCE.
THE CAMP ENDED. THE CONNECTION DIDN’T.
Working with Polish Creative Hub strengthened the relationship between our organisations, expanded our network and opened new opportunities for future collaboration.
A NEW SPACE
FOR MEN, BOYS & CHILDREN.
In 2026 we welcomed Daniel to the project. That gave us the opportunity to introduce another completely different style of activity: functional training with elements of calisthenics.
MEN & BOYS 12+
Strength, functional movement, body control and elements of calisthenics. A new route into community activity for an audience we wanted to reach differently.
STRONG FOUNDATIONS FOR CHILDREN
A separate session gives younger participants space to develop coordination, movement skills and confidence through functional training.
COMMUNITY ALSO HAPPENS
BETWEEN THE ACTIVITIES.
Sometimes it is a surprise guest. Sometimes a new prop appears in the room. Sometimes there is a themed party, an event somewhere completely different or a moment nobody expected. Sometimes we stay a little longer before or after a session just to talk. And sometimes, there is an emotional goodbye.
THESE MOMENTS ARE NOT ON THE TIMETABLE.
BUT THEY ARE PART OF THE IMPACT.
They are where conversations happen, friendships deepen and people begin to feel that they genuinely belong. The activity may be what first brings someone through the door. The relationships are what often continue outside it.
ONE SPACE. 20 STALLS.
A COMMUNITY DAY OF OUR OWN.
One of our most recent events brought something completely different to the Podaj Dalej calendar. Instead of a class or workshop, we created a relaxed community space where people could sell clothes, toys, household items and other things, while families could spend time together and children could enjoy activities of their own. With 20 stalls, different people, different ideas and plenty happening throughout the day, the space became much more than a marketplace.
A PLACE TO SELL, SHARE, PLAY AND MEET.
The idea was simple: give people a reason to come together in a way that felt informal, useful and open to everyone. Some came to sell. Some came to browse. Some came with children. Some simply came to see what was happening. It showed another side of what Podaj Dalej can create — not only organised activities, but spaces where people can meet, take part and feel comfortable spending time together.
MORE CONNECTION.
MORE MOVEMENT.
MORE BELONGING.
Behind every class,
workshop,
trip
and shared experience
is a simple aim:
to give people more reasons
to leave the house,
meet others
and feel part of something.
For children,
parents,
older people
and different generations,
those regular connections matter.
They create opportunities to move,
talk,
build friendships
and spend time together —
especially for people
who may otherwise feel isolated.
We want to keep creating places
where people can stay active,
stay connected
and feel that they belong.