Settling in · Staffordshire
Landing in Staffordshire? Start here.
The first fortnight in Staffordshire, in order: the paperwork that has to happen, then the places that make it feel like somewhere you could stay.
Week one and two
The order to do things in
1
Ring your Sama contact when you land
Whoever placed you. Tell them you arrived and that you are all right.
2
Apply for your National Insurance number
You can start work before it arrives, but do not leave it: your tax will be wrong until you have it.
3
Open a bank account
Passport, visa or share code, and proof of address. A letter from your employer usually does it.
4
Get a UK SIM
A local number makes the bank and the GP straightforward.
5
Register with a GP
Free at the point of use. Do it in your first week.
6
Check your tax code with HMRC
Get on the right code early or you will be paying too much for months.
7
Save your share code
You will be asked to prove your right to work and rent more than once.
8
Find the nearest shop, place of worship and club
The part that decides whether you stay, and the part no handbook covers.
Official, and free
Official finders
Run by the State, so they stay current. Search each one for your own town.
Find a GPThe NHS list of GP surgeries, searchable by postcode.Apply for a National Insurance numberYou need one to be taxed correctly. Apply once you are in the UK.Find an NHS dentistHarder than the GP. Start early and ring around.Check your visa and BRP or eVisaView and prove your immigration status online.Find your local police stationEmergency is 999 or 112. Non-emergency is 101.Understand your tax codeCheck what HMRC thinks you earn, so you are not overtaxed for months.Driving on a foreign licenceHow long you may drive on it, and whether it can be exchanged.Renting: know the rulesYour rights as a tenant, deposit protection and what a landlord may and may not do.Citizens AdviceFree, independent help with anything at all.Public transportNational rail and bus times and tickets.
Near you
79 places in Staffordshire worth knowing in week one
From OpenStreetMap, the map that locals build, plus places our team knows. Every card has a map link. If one has closed or moved, WhatsApp us and it comes down.
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Places of worship
Every faith near you, listed so people can find a community when they arrive. Sama Talent Group is not affiliated with any religion or religious organisation.
Churches
Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
7 Anglesey Street, Hednesford, WS12 1AB
About 10 km away
St Michael and All Angels, Colwich
Christian, Anglican
Main Road, Stafford, ST17 0XT
About 2 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Buddhist temples and centres
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Birmingham
About 35 km away
2 Causeway Green Road Oldbury, West Midlands B68 8LD
Worship services: Wed 7:00pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:30pm (children)
Addresses and worship service times from the Iglesia ni Cristo directory, checked October 2026. Times can change, so check the locale's own page before you go. directory.iglesianicristo.net
Shops from home
Food and takeaways
The Shimla Palace
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:30-23:00
Lichfield Road, Stafford, ST17 0XS
About 3 km away
Golden Orient
Chinese. restaurant
Unit 7, Hurricane Close, Stafford, ST16 1GZ
About 10 km away
Zaal House
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Su-Fr 17:00-22:30; Sa 16:30-22:30
1 Station Road, Stafford, ST20 0EZ
About 17 km away
Nowka 71
Indian. restaurant
Lombard Street, Lichfield, WS13 6DR
About 17 km away
Paprika
Indian. restaurant
Tamworth Street, Lichfield, WS13 6JW
About 18 km away
Waterside Thai
Thai. restaurant
Barton under Needwood FP 13, East Staffordshire, DE13 8DZ
About 20 km away
The Blue Tiffin
Indian. restaurant
1003 Uttoxeter Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 6HE
About 21 km away
Major Curry Affair
Indian. restaurant
3 Bridge Cross Road, Chase Terrace, WS7 2BJ
About 14 km away
The Annapurna
Nepalese, indian. restaurant
25 Market Place, East Staffordshire, ST14 8HL
About 14 km away
Thai Lanna - Stone
Thai. restaurant. Hours: Tu - Th 18:00-22:30
11 High Street, Stone, ST15 8AJ
About 15 km away
Bombay
Indian. restaurant
11 High Street, Brownhills, Walsall, Brownhills, WS8 6ED
About 17 km away
Sports and clubs
Lichfield Rugby Club
Rugby union. Sport club
Lichfield WS14 9JE
About 20 km away
Cannock Cricket & Hockey Club
Sports centre
Watling Street, South Staffordshire, WS11 1SB
About 13 km away
Stafford Rugby Club
Rugby union. Sports centre
Blackberry Lane, Stafford, ST16 2TT
About 9 km away
Hawkins Sports & Social Club Sporting Grounds
Soccer. Sports centre
Hayes View Drive, South Staffordshire, WS6 7EX
About 15 km away
Willenhall Rugby Club
Rugby union. Sports centre
Bognop Road, South Staffordshire, WV11 2AZ
About 19 km away
GT Fitness
Crossfit, yoga, fitness. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-20:00; Sa,Su 09:30-20:00
Bridge Street Industrial Estate, Trinity Road, Uttoxeter, ST14 8SP
About 14 km away
Chasewater Outdoor Education Centre
Multi. Sports centre
Pool Road, Burntwood, WS7 3QY
About 15 km away
The Chase Sailing Club
Sailing. Sports centre
Pool Lane, Lichfield, WS7 3QY
About 15 km away
énergie Fitness
Fitness, cycling. Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Su 00:00-24:00
6A Gresley Row, Lichfield, WS13 6JF
About 18 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Days out and things to do
Community and support groups
Minster Hall
Community centre
Dam Street, Lichfield, WS13 6AE
About 17 km away
Meir Heath and Rough Close Village Hall
Community centre
Grange Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 7BH
About 19 km away
The Crossing Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Tu, Th 10:00-13:00, 14:00-16:30; Su 10:00-15:00
Station Approach, Stone, ST15 8ER
About 16 km away
Curborough Community Centre
Community centre
37 Reynolds Close, Lichfield, WS13 7NY
About 16 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Barbers and salons
Shear Genius Hairdressing
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo,Th 09:00-18:00; We,Fr 09:30-19:00; Sa 08:00-16:00; Tu,Su off
2B Oulton Road, Stone, ST15 8DZ
About 15 km away
Gardners Hair and Barber
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu,Th 10:30-19:00; We,Fr 10:30-17:30; Sa 10:00-15:30; Mo,Su closed
Station Road, East Staffordshire, DE13 8DS
About 20 km away
Trim Barbershops
Hairdresser
Bushbury Lane, Wolverhampton, WV10 9UL
About 22 km away
New Look Barbers Club
Hairdresser
Tamworth Street, Lichfield, WS13 6JW
About 18 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Lichfield Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,We,Fr 08:30-17:00, Tu, Th 08:00-18:00, Sa 09:00-16:00, Su off
Market Square, Lichfield, WS13 6LG
About 17 km away
Blythe Bridge Community LIbrary
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu,Th,Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-13:00
Uttoxeter Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST11 9JR
About 19 km away
Holmcroft Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 09:00-13:00, 14:00-17:00; Tu 14:00-19:00; We 09:00-13:00, 14:00-17:00; Fr 14:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-13:00
Holmcroft Road, Stafford, ST16 1JG
About 9 km away
Norton Canes Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Burntwood Road, Cannock Chase, WS11 9RF
About 14 km away
Uttoxeter Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
57 High Street, Uttoxeter, ST14 7JQ
About 14 km away
Baswich Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Lynton Avenue, Stafford, ST17 0EA
About 5 km away
Nelson Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Weston Bank, Stafford, ST18 0BF
About 6 km away
Rugeley Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Anson Street, Cannock Chase, WS15 2BB
About 6 km away
Barton Under Needwood Community Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Dunstall Road, East Staffordshire, DE13 8AX
About 19 km away
William Salt Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Eastgate Street, Stafford, ST16 2NG
About 8 km away
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. We do not make places up: if the map has it wrong, fix it on openstreetmap.org and it comes through at the next refresh.
Saving money
What locals use to spend less
The shops and sites people here use for cheap clothes, second-hand furniture, a car, and the weekly shop. We are not paid to list any of them.
Facebook Marketplace and GumtreeSecond-hand furniture, bikes, tools and cars, often for very little. Meet in public, and never pay before you see it.Freecycle and OlioThings people give away for free, and food from neighbours and shops that would otherwise go in the bin.Too Good To GoSurprise bags of food from cafes, bakeries and supermarkets at the end of the day, at a fraction of the price.PrimarkCheap everyday clothes, work basics and bedding.Aldi and LidlThe cheapest big supermarkets for the weekly shop.B&M and Home BargainsCleaning products, kitchen kit and household bits for less.Charity shopsClothes, coats and furniture, and the money goes to a good cause.MoneySavingExpertFree guides to cheaper phones, energy, bank accounts and sending money.
Getting around
Getting around from Staffordshire
TravelineBus, coach and train times for the whole of Great Britain.National RailTrain times, tickets and railcards.Transport for LondonThe Tube, buses and the Oyster and contactless fares.
Driving here on your licence
Once you live in Great Britain you can drive a car or motorcycle on your full, valid licence for 12 months. After that, a licence from a designated country can be exchanged for a GB licence; from other countries you apply for a provisional licence and pass the theory and practical tests. Lorries, minibuses and buses have stricter rules: check before you drive one.
Check your licence on GOV.UK Exchange a licence
Hiring a car
Each rental company sets its own rules on age, how long you have held your licence and which licences it accepts, and young drivers often pay more. Check those rules before you book, and bring your licence and passport to the desk.
Driving rules taken from the official pages linked above, checked October 2026. They change, so the official page is the one to rely on.
While you are here