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Maciej, who’s 26, came to Manchester with his brother two years ago. Like many Poles, he’s worked hard to earn money that would have been impossible to back home in Pszemysl, near Krakow.

"I came to Manchester because I was struggling in Poland," said Maciej. "You can’t get decent money back home. And then I heard that a lot of people were coming to England and getting a job."

On the decks

With the money he's managed to save, Maciej has kitted himself out with decks, mixer, amp and speakers, and is starting out as a club DJ. Ìý

“All this equipment cost me £1,200. In Poland, I could never have earned that sort of money. It would have cost five times as much back home.�

Work ethic

Like many Poles, Maciej is also able to send money back to his family in Poland. But to be in that position, he’s had to work hard.

“It was really good money because there was a lot of overtime,." he said. "There were many Poles working there. And then something happened and they had to get rid of a lot of people. Including me.�

Being signed up with the Workers’ Registration Scheme for migrant workers, Maciej was able to look for other work and now has a job in a call centre selling Sky TV which pays quite well.

DJ Extreme

But his real passion is music. As DJ Extreme, he’s played just one gig at the Polish Club in Oldham. But on Friday (5 October), Maciej is playing at a special Polish club night at the legendary Ritz club in Manchester city centre.

Maciej (right) with a friend

And, with help from his friend Martin, he’s also been able to set up his own internet radio station – called Radio Manchester Polskie.

"It’s for Polish people in Manchester and, basically we play music that they want to listen to, play Polish songs, and talk about Polish events.

"And we’re hoping to find someone to do a talk show in the daytime to give advice and help to Poles who have just arrived here. Coming here has worked out for me OK, but it's not always that way. "ÌýÌý