Hello and Welcome!
Welcome to the March edition of the Friends, Families and Travellers Newsletter.
This month we waited to send our newsletter a little later so we could make sure you had prompt news of the much awaited launch of the Women and Equalities Committee report on inequalities faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.
This past month has been an interesting one - between the launch of our mystery shopping report on GPs to our Spring Graduation celebrating the amazing achievements of Gypsies and Travellers in Sussex and Surrey. It is clear to us that the inequalities faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities are great but we are encouraged to see many community members and allies standing up for what is right.
We hope you will join with us in celebrating all of the small victories and in challenging all that is unjust - we are stronger when we work together.
Warmest wishes,
Sarah Mann
Director
Friends Families and Travellers
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How easy is it to register at a GP without an address or ID?
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This month, we released the results of a piece of research we carried out which found that almost half of GP surgeries surveyed in England won't register patients without proof of ID and a fixed address.
This is against human rights law, NHS principles and has a devastating impact on Gypsies and Travellers, homeless people and vulnerable migrants. Read the report.
In a joint letter with 37 other organisations, we called on Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to address the recommendations made in our report. Read the letter.
In the Guardian.
In the Mail Online.
In the Big Issue.
Read our press release.
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Update from the Secretariat to the APPG for Gypsies, Travellers and Roma
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Since our last newsletter the APPG have asked a number of parliamentary questions on:
- the concerns raised by a number of United Nations Human Rights Committees about Gypsy, Traveller and Roma communities being frequently refused registration at GP practices. View the question.
- improving access to primary care for Gypsies and Travellers, homeless people, vulnerable migrants and people in contact with the criminal justice system. View the question.
- the government review of the criminalisation of trespass when setting up an encampment and engagement with members of Gypsy and Traveller communities. View the question.
If you would like to find out more about the APPG's members, activities and how to get involved, visit the APPG minisite.
Friends Families and Travellers are Secretariat to the All Party Parliament Group for Gypsies, Travellers and Roma. |
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Publications
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Friends, Families and Travellers: 'No room at the inn: How easy is it for nomadic Gypsies and Travellers to access primary care?' Read the report.
Friends, Families and Travellers: Chrissie Browne from King's College London talks about supporting Gypsy, Roma and Traveller students into University through widening participation and shares more about upcoming 'Rom Belong' events. Find out more.
Women and Equalities Committee: 'Tackling inequalities faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.' Read the report.
EHRC: 'Help with discrimination in housing' toolkit. Find out more.
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As members of the VCSE HWAlliance, this month we have:
- met with PHE to advise on immunisation uptake in Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.
- spoke at the Pathways conference about our Inclusion Health Audit Tool.
- held an event on racial disparities and mental health with Race Equality Foundation.
- attended a series of events to share the experiences of young Travellers with low level mental health issues.
Get involved:
- Sign up to the DHSC Voluntary and Community Sector Newsletter. Use this link.
- Join the conversation on Twitter using the #HWAlliance hashtag.
We want to work with you! If you want to hear more about the HWAlliance or to get involved, please contact sarahsweeney@gypsy-traveller.org.
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Women and Equalities Committee report launch
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Today, the Women and Equalities Committee have released a report concluding that there has been a persistent failure by policy makers to tackle the long standing inequalities faced by Gypsies, Roma and Travellers in the UK.
The two year inquiry heard about inequalities experienced in a range of areas including education, healthcare, data collection discrimination and hate crime.
We will be using every tool in our bag to call on the government to address these recommendations and the chronic shortage of sites.
Our response in the Guardian.
Our response on Sky News.
Our response on BBC.
Read our press release.
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Spring Royal Society of Public Health Graduation
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On Wednesday 27th March 2019, we celebrated the accomplishments of over 50 Gypsies and Travellers who have completed Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) training in Health Awareness, Improvement and Behaviour Change at our training centre in Brighton.
For many of those graduating, this was their first formal qualification. As we heard the story of each graduate, it became very clear the huge contribution each person is making to their local community. Congratulations to everyone!
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News
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Pulse Today: 'Government must solve poor GP access for patients without fixed address, says charity'. Read the article.
The Big Issue: 'Travellers and homeless people are wrongfully denied GP appointments'. Read the article.
Jewish News: 'Jewish calls to safeguard Europe’s largest ethnic minority'. Read the article.
Travellers' Advice Team: New opening hours for enquiries. Find out more.
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Work, Education and Training
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Open Society: Full time Program Officer position available in Berlin for Roma and Democracy. Deadline of 15 April. Find out more.
Luton Roma Trust: Vacancies for Community Project Worker and Support and Empowerment Officer close on 15 April. Find out more.
Romani Cultural and Arts Company: LGBTIQ Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Conference, a free event in Cardiff on 4 July. Book your place.
Romani Cultural and Arts Company: Gypsy, Roma & Traveller History Month, Children's Festival 2019 on 8 July. Find out more.
Romani Cultural and Arts Company: Gypsy, Roma & Travellers: Rights & Responsibilities Training in Cardiff on 9 July. Book your place.
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International Roma Day
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Monday 8th April is International Roma Day! We would like to wish our friends from the Roma communities a wonderful day!
Don't forget to see if there are events happening locally.
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Get your voice heard!
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GATE Herts: A survey for young people, under 25, about education and employment. Find out more.
KCL: Filming Opportunity for current or recent university graduates from Gypsy, Roma or Traveller communities. Find out more.
Travellers' Times: Complete this survey and enter a prize draw to win £250. Take the survey.
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Thank you for your continued support!
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