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Lety Concentration Camp: Controversial pig farm to be bulldozed
Lety Concentration Camp, which has been neighboured by a controversial pig farm since the 1970s, is believed to have interned over 1,300 Romani peoples during the Nazi annexation of Bohemia. After significant efforts by Roma activists, the farm was scheduled to be demolished this month on Friday 1st July. There are plans to replace the farm with an appropriate memorial centre. Read more.
The Financial Times: Fighting Financial Exclusion in Gypsy and Traveller communities
This month FFT collaborated with the Financial Times to create a short film exploring the financial exclusion that can be experienced by Romany, Traveller and nomadic peoples. Watch here.
Healthy Bellies: Irish Travellers proven to maintain pre-industrialised gut microbiota
Research by APC has concluded that Irish Travellers maintain gut microbiota resembling that of pre-industrialised peoples. This may contribute to a number of gut health benefits in the Irish Traveller population, and may prove beneficial in furthering our understanding of inflammatory disorders. Read more at The Irish Times or watch APC’s short video. |
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Recess
Parliament went into recess on the 21st of this month and House is expected to return September 5th 2022.
House of Lords: 'Levelling up' for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities
In a debate on ‘levelling up’ for Roma communities in the House of Lords, APPG members asked about the overdue cross-departmental strategy to address Gypsy, Roma and Traveller inequalities. Other peers also contributed to the debate, questioning the Government Minister on education, health and social care, race equality issues and the positive contributions made by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. You can view the debate transcript and also the Twitter thread.
Schools Bill: Committee and Report Stage Debates
Co-chair Baroness Whitaker, Officer Baroness Brinton and Member Lord Woolley spoke in Committee and Report stage debates on the Schools Bill. They discussed recording of ethnicities for monitoring disparities; the bullying experienced by many Gypsy and Traveller children and its impacts on attendance; prejudice and discrimination affecting access to further education and resulting in disproportionate exclusions. View transcripts 1 2 3 4.
PQs: Suicide Prevention Strategy, youth work in England and Youth Investment Fund
APPG member Cat Smith MP asked the Government questions on their suicide prevention strategy, ensuring that Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people are reached by youth work in England, and allocated of funds from the Youth Investment Fund. View questions 1 2 3.
PQs: Economic inactivity, poverty rates and mental health
APPG member Kirsten Oswald MP asked the Government questions on economic inactivity, poverty rates, mental health needs and the impact of racism on mental health among Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities. View questions 1 2 3 4.
Friends Families and Travellers act as Secretariat to the APPG for Gypsies, Travellers and Roma.
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Survey: Gypsy, Roma and Traveller experiences of maternal healthcare
At Friends, Families and Travellers, we've been given some local and national funding to build a better understanding of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller peoples' experiences of maternal healthcare. We want to hear your experiences - good and bad - so that we can help the NHS to ensure fair access to maternity services. Take survey.
Survey: Workers and Professionals in Health and Maternal Care
Are you a midwife, health visitor, maternity service, CCG, NHS trust or VCSE organisation? We are also looking for your input to develop @NHSEngland guidance on tackling maternal health inequalities for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. Complete our survey now. Take survey.
Your questions answered: Gypsies and Travellers get answers to COVID-19 questions
FFT, in partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council, Arch Healthcare and NHS Sussex Health and Care Partnership, have released a video answering recurring questions from Gypsy and Traveller communities about the Coronavirus vaccine. Watch here.
We are working closely with policy makers at the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England. If you would like to raise specific challenges being faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities at this time, please get in touch.
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Survey: Emergency Vehicle Access
Our investigation into emergency vehicle access to local authority sites is ongoing. If you've experienced or know anyone who has experienced limited access to emergency services (such as an ambulance or fire engine) as a result of living on a site, please complete our short survey. Alternatively you can get in touch with us at emma.whitcombe@gypsy-traveller.org or leave a message on: 07881 541 438.
Free Inclusion Health Training for PCNs
Inclusion health training is currently being funded by NHS England and Improvement to support Primary Care Networks in embedding actions which tackle health inequalities and disparities. Complete the Inclusion Health Audit Tool and book a free session to receive practical advice and guidance tailored to your PCN. Developed with experience from Friends, Families and Travellers, National Ugly Mugs, Doctors of the World, Homeless Link and Stonewall Housing.
Calling All Gypsies and Travellers: MFC Seeking Projects to Support Gypsies and Travellers Living Roadside
Moving for Change are looking for Gypsy and Traveller people to pitch their ideas for Roadside Support Projects that focus on supporting Gypsies and Travellers living roadside. These projects will support or raise awareness for Gypsy and Traveller people living roadside for part or all of the year, as well as those in insecure accommodation. Take a look if you fancy submitting a proposal! |
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The Showman Doctor: BBC Spotlights Dr. Luke Castle
BBC News recently wrote a glowing piece on Dr. Luke Castle, a Showman doctor and University of Oxford graduate. Luke describes his pride in his culture and the duality of being both a medical professional and a member of the Showman community. Read here.
'The Future is Our Hands: Apprenticeships promoted in Newport
Welsh training providers have collaborated with schools and organisations to promote apprenticeships among Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. The event was hosted by Maindee Primary School following the Welsh Government's statement that it wants to see more ethnic minority apprentices placed as early as December this year. Read more.
Remember the Dangers of Racism: Pavee Point launches photo exhibition for Roma Genocide Memorial Day
This month Pavee Point launched a photo exhibition showing family photographs of Roma and Central German Sinti individuals who died during the Holocaust. It will remain open for upcoming Roma Genocide Memorial Day (August 2 nd). The German ambassador Cord Meier-Klodt, who spoke at the launch, promoted awareness of the Roma and Sinti genocide while acknowledging its historic lack of recognition. Read more.
Pride of Romani: New grassroots organisation in Cheshire
‘Pride of Romani’, a new grassroots organisation founded by Charmaine Abdul-Karim, launched this month in Nantwich. The organisation’s focus is breaking down barriers in their native Cheshire. Read more. |
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Advice Line - If you have an issue or problem which you would like support with, call our helpline on 01273 234777.
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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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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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Gypsy and Traveller Cultural Awareness Training - Improve your engagement with Gypsy and Traveller communities by taking our award winning training.
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Use our Inclusion Health Audit Tool to help your organisation to embed action on tackling health inequalities into your everyday activities.
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Services Directory - Find services which support Gypsies, Roma and Travellers in your area.
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Crystal's Vardo 10 Year Anniversary
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It's 10 Year's Old!
This year on June 22, Crystal's Vardo celebrated its tenth anniversary at The Attenborough Centre in Brighton.
June was a particularly exciting month for us this year, being back on the road after COVID as we toured the play to Wales, Somerset, Hertfordshire, Worcestershire and Durham which included a castle, a prison and a vast ray of other venues!
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Update from our casework:
"On 20th July we organised a session for young people to meet the Children’s Rights Alliance England and Just for Kids Law. The session explored what children’s rights are and the young people talked about some of the issues they face. This will be used to feed into a report to the committee on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child."
Abbie Kirkby, Policy and Public Affairs Manager
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