More freetime, better future

Polling Polish mums

Six young Polish mothers spoke out about their migration experience and their plans for the future.

All six women are in a similar situation - they are between 24 and 31 years old, live in Bournemouth and all have Polish partners who work in the UK. They have children under the age of three and five are full-time mums.

Four said their children had been important in their decision to move abroad. The main motivation to migrate was financial, three said. Only one woman said she wanted to get to know another culture.

All six women mentioned that they had more time for themselves, the family and freedom and possibilities for personal development since coming to the UK.

Three said family life in Poland was generally different. Anna, 30, said: "English people enjoy life more than Polish people." Sabina, 26, said: "In Poland families don't have the same time for their children because they have to work hard for their living."

The major downside seemed to be the fact to be apart from the rest of the family in Poland. Four said they missed their family, friends and country. One woman stated language difficulties were her biggest problem and two were concerned about the quality of education in Britain. Nevertheless, four mothers thought their children had a better future ahead of them in the UK.

Renata, 28, said: "If the situation was better most people would prefer to go back to Poland."