Meet Piotr, one of our involved customers
My name is Piotr. I’m 48 years old and I’m a family guy. At home it’s me, my wife, our two kids, two cats, and a dog. If we’re being honest about the family hierarchy, I’m probably somewhere behind the dog.
My family and I came to the UK in 2009. We’ve lived in Bristol and Birmingham, and since 2015 Peterborough has been our permanent home. Over time you build routines, you learn your local area, and you start to feel rooted. When you’ve got children, that sense of stability matters even more.
The reason I got involved with Accent was simple – I wanted a nice, safe neighbourhood and a friendly community for me and my children. It’s not about anything complicated. It’s about feeling comfortable where you live, knowing your kids can grow up in a place that feels secure, and feeling like you’re part of something rather than just passing through.
These days I’m part of the East Customer Group and also the Accent Engagement Group. For me, being involved is about trying to make things better in practical ways, especially for the people whose voices are too often missed.
The thing I care about most is disability and accessibility. I grew up with both disabled parents, and I have a disabled child. That means I’ve seen, first hand, how much the quality of life for disabled people can depend on the support and services around them, and on whether people take the time to understand what’s needed. It also means I notice quickly when systems are harder than they need to be, or when help is inconsistent.
I believe everyone should be treated the same, with the same chances and opportunities. And I also believe that treating people fairly sometimes means offering extra help when it’s needed, so that everyone can live well and take part fully in their community.
One of the reasons involvement works for me is that it feels manageable. It helps that meetings are scheduled in advance so I can plan around family life. I also like that it’s flexible commitment. The group is friendly, and I can join in when it suits me without it feeling overwhelming. That makes a real difference, because most people are balancing a lot, and it’s easier to get involved when it fits around real life.
If you’re thinking about getting involved yourself, I’d encourage you to give a little bit of your time. You really can make a difference – for yourself, your community, and your neighbourhood. You have a voice, so use it.
If you’d like to register your interest as an involved customer, you can sign up here.