Doncaster's first Euro cafe to open to offer EU citizens support and friendship

Doncaster’s first Euro cafe is to open its doors next month to offer help, advice and support to EU citizens living in the town.
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The Back In Time cafe in St Sepulchre Gate will be the venue for the event which organisers hope will become a regular gathering where EU citizens and European supporters can gather to share coffee and cake, make friendships and also receive help and advice on living in the UK after Brexit.

The very first Euro cafe will be held from 1pm to 3pm on April 5 at the cafe at 78 St Sepulchre Gate and is open to all EU citizens as well as pro-European campaigners.

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The prime focus of the event will be to help those with concerns about settled status with applications to remain in Doncaster following Britain’s departure from the EU.

Petra Palenikova of Back In Time cafe with Giulia Savini of Best for Doncaster.Petra Palenikova of Back In Time cafe with Giulia Savini of Best for Doncaster.
Petra Palenikova of Back In Time cafe with Giulia Savini of Best for Doncaster.

The project is the brainchild of Doncaster-based pro European campaign group Best For Doncaster, Back In Time cafe co-owner Petra Palenikova, who originally hails from Slovakia and Settled, the charity set up to help EU citizens achieve settled status.

Best for Doncaster vice chairman Giulia Savini, an Italian national who came to Britain eight years ago and has lived and worked in Doncaster for the past six years, said: “I am very proud of this project.

“As an EU citizen I understand the difficulties and challenges that Brexit has caused on people's lives and mental health.

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“Even now, with Brexit having taken place on January 31, there is no deal on citizens’ rights agreed beyond December 2020, so for us the uncertainty continues.

The aim of the cafe is to offer help and support to EU citizens.The aim of the cafe is to offer help and support to EU citizens.
The aim of the cafe is to offer help and support to EU citizens.

“Many have yet to apply for settled status, or may be unsure of what they need to do. We want to guide them to the information they need.”

“In particular, the idea of the EU Cafè is to connect with our European friends who live in our town in a friendly and welcoming way. We want to make them feel welcomed and supported. "

Following Britain’s departure from the EU on January 31, European nationals wishing to live and work in the UK need to apply for settled status – but many are unaware of the scheme or that they need to apply.

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The cafe will help people in filling in forms and answer questions they may have.

Attendees requiring help with settled status will need their mobile phone, email address, passport or national identity card, National Insurance number, documents to prove you have been living in the UK for five years, valid ID and evidence of relationship for children and non EU family members.

One of the aims of the project is for like-minded individuals to be able to discuss European matters over a chat and refreshments as well as making friendships.

The website for the charity Settled is at settled.org.uk and has information on how to apply for settled status in different languages.

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