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Keep up-to-date with the latest info and events affecting Gypsies and Travellers in the UK. View this email in your browser
Dear Friends and Colleagues, 

This month, like you, we have faced new challenges. We’ve called on the Government to ensure Gypsies and Travellers needs are not forgotten in this pandemic; for evictions to be halted and for local authorities to ensure everyone has access to water and sanitation - basic facilities which are now more important than ever.
 
We’ve also tackled challenges we’ve faced before. Channel 4 have again aired an inflammatory and dehumanising programme, this time misrepresenting Gypsies and Travellers as criminals. Over 7,000 people asked us to complain on their behalf. When these complaints are answered, we hope we will finally see a commitment from Channel 4 to treat Gypsies and Travellers with compassion, dignity and respect, like anyone else.

Warmest wishes, 
Sarah Mann
Director
News
FFT's response to Channel 4's 'Dispatches:The Truth About Traveller Crime'
Channel 4's Dispatches show was dehumanising and unbalanced - we're calling for an apology and change at Channel 4. Find out more.

Covid-19: Efforts to support Gypsies and Travellers in England must go further
Government guidance to councils in England has been released but does not go far enough. Find out more.

We want to hear your feedback on our services and our campaigning work
We've made a survey so you can let us know how you feel about our work and what you think we could do better. Complete the survey.

Covid-19: FFT raise Government's lack of support for Travellers with Council of Europe
We wrote to the Commissioner for Human Rights to highlight our concerns. View the letter.
Update from the APPG
The APPG have been working behind the scenes to push the Government to address the needs of Gypsies and Travellers during the Covid-19 crisis.

Parliamentary Questions
Lord Bourne asked the Government about engagement with Gypsies, Roma and Travellers during Covid-19. View the question.

Letters
Writing to the Local Government Association, members asked how they plan to support Gypsies, Roma and Travellers during Covid-19. Read more.

Kate Green MP and Baroness Whittaker wrote to Channel 4 regarding the documentary 'Dispatches: The truth about Traveller crime'. View the letter.

Friends Families and Travellers act as Secretariat to the APPG for Gypsies, Travellers and Roma.
Update from the HWAlliance
Friends, Families and Travellers dedicated page for information on COVID-19
We've created a page bringing together our advice for community members, Traveller site managers, local authorities and more. View the page.

A time to quit: Experiences of smoking cessation support among people with severe mental illness
We supported a number of people from Gypsy and Traveller communities to have their voice heard in this report. Read the report.

We are working closely with policy makers at the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and Public Health England. If you would like to raise specific challenges being faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities at this time, please get in touch.
Update from our casework:
"This month has been particularly busy on the helpline and we're glad to have been on hand. In just one case, we've supported a family to access facilities, left in limbo when the country went into lockdown as they were awaiting planning permission on their land. The family includes children, older relatives and someone with a health condition making her vulnerable. They have now been given stand-pipes to access water and are being visited by refuse collectors and on top of this, the local leisure centre is opening so they can use the facilities to wash."

- Rosie, National Caseworker
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> Update from Parliament
> Update from the HWAlliance
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We provide Secretariat to the APPG for Gypsies, Travellers and Roma which is a group of MPs and peers who work to address the inequalities faced by Gypsies, Roma and Travellers.
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VCSE Health and Wellbeing Alliance - Want to share your experiences and ideas with NHS England, the Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England?
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Our critically acclaimed play Crystal's Vardo uses dance, drama, humour and music to share the rich history of Gypsy and Traveller communities.
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Services Directory - Find services which support Gypsies, Roma and Travellers in your area.
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Spotlight
'Bigging up the frontline workers': Last week we received this lovely photo from Liz and the kids at Slough Green Park and a nice message thanking all front line workers, including our own brilliant team. It really made us smile.  
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