Settling in · Dunkirk
Landing in Dunkirk? Start here.
The first fortnight in Dunkirk, 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
77 places in Dunkirk 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.
Nothing nearby matches that yet. Try a shorter word.
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
Brick Kiln Lane, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 7AS
About 4 km away
The Salvation Army - Tunstall
Christian, Salvation army
Dunning Street, Tunstall, ST6 5AP
About 5 km away
Salvation Army Church
Christian, Salvation army
Camp Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 1LF
About 7 km away
Bethal Evangelical Church
Christian, Evangelical
New Hall Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 5HQ
About 8 km away
Kingdom Hall of Jehovahs witness
Christian, Jehovahs witness
Seagrave Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 1LB
About 7 km away
The Baptist Church Butt Lane
Christian, Baptist
Church Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST7 1NX
About 2 km away
Halmer End Methodist Church
Christian, Methodist
High Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST7 8BJ
About 4 km away
Bradwell Methodist Church
Christian, Methodist
Cardway Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 8NW
About 4 km away
St. Luke the Evangelist
Christian, Anglican
Former Stoke-Market Drayton Line, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 6QB
About 6 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Markaz At-Tawheed (Stoke on Trent City Centre Mosque)
Muslim
Rectory Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 4PW
About 8 km away
Stoke-on-Trent Muslim Welfare and Community Centre
Muslim
Bedford Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 4PL
About 8 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Manchester
About 42 km away
101 Edge Lane, Stretford, Manchester, M32 8PU
Worship services: Tue 7:00pm · Sat 8:00am (Tagalog) · Sat 11:00am · Sat 1:00pm (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
Fortune House
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: Tu-Su,PH 16:30-23:00
85 Macclesfield Street
About 7 km away
Mumbai Blues
Indian. restaurant
7 Liverpool Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 2AU
About 7 km away
Peony
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Tu 12:00-21:30; We off; Th-Su 12:00-21:30
35 Bridge Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 2RY
About 7 km away
Peaches
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: We-Sa 17:00-22:00; Su 17:00-21:00
1-2 Silverdale Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 2TB
About 7 km away
Wagamama
Asian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th,Su 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00
Unit 1, Etruria Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 5NS
About 8 km away
Bon Pan Asian
Asian. restaurant
Bryan Street, Hanley, Stoke on Trent, ST1 5BN
About 8 km away
Peter's Tavern
Polish. restaurant. Hours: Mo-We off; Th 14:00-20:00; Fr-Sa 13:00-23:00; Su 13:00-20:00
43 Piccadilly, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 1EN
About 8 km away
Hanley Kebab & Pizza House
Pizza, kebab, burger. takeaway
65B Piccadilly, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 1HR
About 8 km away
Vietnamese Phoenix Flowers
Vietnamese. restaurant
69A Piccadilly, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 1HR
About 8 km away
Roti Restaurant
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00
89 High Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST8 6AB
About 9 km away
Bauhinia
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Th 17:30-22:30; Fr-Sa 12:00-15:00, 17:30-23:00; Su 12:00-22:30
2 Lyme Drive, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 6NW
About 9 km away
Lotus Blossom
Chinese. takeaway. Hours: Tu-Su,PH 16:30-23:00
143 Ford Green Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 1PF
About 7 km away
Sports and clubs
Kidsgrove Sports Centre
Fitness, swimming, football, badminton, netball, cricket nets, cricket, gym, gymnastics, hockey, futsal, basketball. Sports centre
Fourth Avenue, Stoke-on-Trent, ST7 1DR
About 3 km away
Gordon Banks Sports Centre
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Th 07:00-22:00; Fr 07:00-21:00; Sa,Su 09:00-16:00; PH off
Knutton Lane, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 2SG
About 7 km away
Jubilee2
Multi. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-21:30; Sa 06:30-20:00; Su 08:00-20:00
Brunswick Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 1HG
About 7 km away
Laser Quest Stoke
Laser tag. Sports centre. Hours: Tu-Fr 12:00-19:00; Sa 10:00-21:00; Su 10:00-18:00
High Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 1PT
About 7 km away
Destination Gym
Gymnastics. Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-22:00; Sa-Su 08:00-18:00; PH 08:00-18:00
Newcastle Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 6PD
About 10 km away
TeamSport Go Karting Stoke
Karting. Sports centre
Waterloo Rd, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 2QB
About 6 km away
Keele Golf Centre
Golf. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-21:00; Sa-Su 09:00-20:00
Keele Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 5FN
About 7 km away
M Club Spa and Fitness
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-21:30; Sa-Su 08:00-18:30
Newcastle Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 6NW
About 9 km away
Clayton Sports Centre
Sports centre
Stafford Avenue, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 3BN
About 9 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Angling Direct
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits. Hours: Mo-We 09:30-18:00; Th-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 08:00-18:00; Su 10:00-15:30
Unit 3, Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 3NQ
About 10 km away
Days out and things to do
Community and support groups
Ramsey Road Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-21:00
Ramsey Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 9BJ
About 6 km away
The Salvation Army - Newcastle-under-Lyme
Community centre
Bridge Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 2RY
About 7 km away
Penkhull Village Hall
Community centre
Trent Valley Road, Penkhull
About 10 km away
Silverdale Community Centre
Community centre
Park Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 6LL
About 6 km away
Cornerstone Community Centre
Community centre
Mill Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 6PF
About 6 km away
Harriet Higgins Community Centre
Community centre
Rotterdam Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 2PE
About 7 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Barbers and salons
Il Capo Barberie
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo 09:00-18:00; Tu-Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 09:00-16:00
47 Bridge Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 2RY
About 7 km away
LDW Hair
Hairdresser
39 Piccadilly, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 1EN
About 8 km away
Carly Nelson
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo,Su off; Tu 09:00-17:00; We-Th 10:00-20:00; Fr 08:00-17:30; Sa 08:00-16:00
22 Newcastle Lane, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 5DR
About 9 km away
Hair Today
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo,Su off; Tu-Fr 09:30-17:00; Sa 09:30-16:00
3 Newcastle Lane, Stoke on Trent, ST4 5DP
About 9 km away
Alter Ego
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-18:00; Fr 09:00-18:30; Sa 08:30-16:30; Su 10:00-16:00
82 Hamil Road
About 6 km away
Nicky's Hair & Beauty Salon
Hairdresser
223 Hamil Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 1BA
About 6 km away
Rogers Barber Shops
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-17:45; Fr 09:00-18:15; Sa 08:30-16:45
11 Ford Green Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 1NT
About 7 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Silverdale Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu 09:00-16:00, Th 09:00-13:00; Fr 10:00-14:00
High Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 6LY
About 6 km away
Newcastle Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 08:30-18:00; Sa 09:00-16:00
Barracks Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 1BL
About 7 km away
City Central Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Th,Fr 09:00-12:30,13:30-17:00; We 09:00-12:30,13:30-18:00; Sa 10:00-14:00
Broad Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 4EU
About 9 km away
Clayton Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu,Th,Fr 10:00-13:00; Mo,We 10:00-16:30
Dartmouth Avenue, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 3PR
About 9 km away
Stoke Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,Tu,Th 09:00-12:30,13:30-17:00, Fr 09:00-12:30,13:30-16:30
South Wolfe Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4SZ
About 10 km away
Audley Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Hall Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST7 8DB
About 2 km away
Kidsgrove Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Meadows Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST7 1BS
About 3 km away
Alsager Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Sandbach Road North, Stoke-on-Trent, ST7 2QH
About 3 km away
Tunstall Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-We 09:00-12:30,13:30-17:00; Fr 09:00-12:30,13:30-17:00; Sa 10:00-14:00
142 High Street, Tunstall, ST6 5TP
About 5 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 Dunkirk
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