Jacqueline Bolton, Ormiston's Programme Development Manager with responsibility for social inclusion will be speaking at a national conference about Gypsy and Traveller inclusion in June. Delegates from across the UK will be meeting in London to discuss issues affecting Gypsy and Traveller families today.
Gypsies and Travellers experience significant inequalities compared to the settled population and continue to be the focus of social tension and to be vilified in local and national media. The lack of suitable and secure accommodation is at the heart of the problem. The Government has set a target for local authorities to significantly increase the number of Gypsy and Traveller sites by 2011.
Gypsies and Travellers experience worse health, are less likely to receive effective, continuous healthcare, and are more likely to die earlier than the rest of the population.
There are high suicide rates among the communities and increasing substance misuse. Educational achievements are poor and declining still further, participation in secondary education is low. Racism towards Gypsies and Travellers is still common, frequently overt and seen as justified - trust and confidence in criminal justice agencies to protect their concerns and interests is low.
The conference will give delegates insight into these issues and look at ways housing, health and education services can support Gypsy and Traveller families.
To read more about the conference or to book a place click here
Ormiston has been working with Gypsy and Travelling communities through its Travellers' Initiatives in Cambridgeshire and Norfolk for more than six years, providing a range of activities aimed at supporting children, young people and their families. The work also ensures that the communities are involved in relevant consultation with service providers, giving opportunities to influence service development and delivery. This has included the staging of events which have brought together members of Travelling communities and professionals.
Ormiston has also undertaken a range of research which highlights the needs and experience of children and young people within Gypsy and Travelling communities. This research has given a genuine voice to the children and young people and has been used to inform both our own practice and to press for change to increase opportunity and access to services.
Children's voices: changing futures presents the findings of 18 months of participatory research into the lives, views and experiences of young Gypsies and Travellers in the UK today. The project involved 148 children, aged from 5-13 years, who came from English Romany Gypsy, Irish Traveller and Showmen's communities and was funded by the Cambridgeshire Children's Fund. The research involved those living on sites, on roadside stopping places and those living in houses. It also included children who attended school, those who were home educated and those outside the education system. Documented through the words, photographs and artwork of those involved, Children's voices: changing futures explores issues of identity, accommodation, racism and learning.
Download a copy of the Children's Voices Executive Summary.
Purchase a copy of the full publication
Children's Voices Exhibition Display Hire
Our Children's Voices display uses the children's artwork, photographs and words to provide a unique insight for anyone working with Travelling communities, and is available to organisations based in the Eastern Region to hire from the Consultancy Service.
What People say about our display.
Cambridgeshire's Gypsies and Travellers challenge the myths surrounding their way of life...
Gypsies & Travellers: Fact or Fiction looks at home and family, work and education, cultural identity and community links.
For more information contact Jacqueline Bolton, Programme Development Manager,Telephone: 01223 418002.