Hello and Welcome!
Welcome to the December edition of the Friends, Families and Travellers Newsletter.
The past month has been a whirlwind of activity in our offices and our newsletter will give you insights into some of the work we have been involved in this last month. We couldn't do what we do without your support and want to say thank you!
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,
Friends, Families and Travellers
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Highlights from our work this month
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It would be impossible to sum up all our work in such a short space, but here are a few highlights. This month we:
- celebrated news that the Roma community will be recognised in the 2021 census after years of campaigning by organisations and activists. Find out more.
- met with the team leading the NHS England Long Term Plan to ensure the health needs of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities are considered and addressed.
- raised awareness of the impact wide injunctions on unauthorised encampments are having on over 3,000 families who have no place to stop. Find out more.
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Update from the Secretariat to the APPG for Gypsies, Travellers and Roma
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It's been a busy month so far! Since our last newsletter the APPG have:
- raised concerns with the Equality and Human Rights Commission regarding the sentiment used in a Bill presented to parliament by Andrew Selous MP.
- asked a parliamentary question to the Housing Minister calling for the provision of sufficient, safe and adequate sites for Gypsies and Travellers.
- wrote a letter to the Minister for Suicide Prevention calling for action regarding suicide prevention in Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.
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 APPG for Gypsies, Travellers and Roma.
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News
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London Gypsies and Travellers: 'Legal case against injunctions begins'. Find out more.
Travellers Times: 'Romany Gypsy teenager creates free online education resource for use in KS3/4 classrooms'. Read the article.
South Wales Argus: 'Record results for Gypsy and Traveller children in Torfaen'. Read the article.
BBC: 'Flintshire food bank inundated with Traveller donations'. Read the article.
The Morning Advertiser: 'Gypsies and Travellers 'regularly' face discrimination in pubs, says charity'. Read the article.
Irish Passports: You can now apply for your Irish passport online on the DFA website. Find out more.
NHS England: Survey open on access to end of life care medicines in the community. Complete survey.
NHS England: Consultation on a review and update of CCG guidance on Items which should not be routinely prescribed in primary care. Respond to consultation.
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On screen
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Damian La Bas on BBC One: 'A Very British History: Romany Gypsies' captures the political and social changes which have changed the lives of Gypsies and Travellers since the 1960s.
Wrestling With My Roots: Documentary from Travellers' Times filmmaker, Charles Newland about Romany Gypsy and professional wrestler, Chris Royles.
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Meet our Happy Champions!
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Three of our brilliant staff members made it into the Brighton and Hove Happy List 2018.
Congrats to Marya, Angela and Suzanna who inspire us and make us smile everyday! View the list.
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Publications
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EHRC & Friends, Families and Travellers: 'Using UN human rights treaties to effect change: Capacity building workshop for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller organisations'. View the presentation.
Avril Fuller and Sarah Sweeney (FFT): 'How can we provide quality and personalised end-of-life-care to Gypsy and Traveller communities?' - organised by St Ann's Hospice. View here.
VCSE Health and Wellbeing Alliance (led by Hospice UK): 'Care committed to me: Delivering high quality, personalised palliative and end of life care for Gypsies and Travellers, LGBT people and people experiencing homelessness.' View the resource.
Pathway: 'Homeless and Inclusion Health standards for commissioners and service providers'. View the resource.
Civil Society Futures: 'Let's Talk About Race: Civil Society and Race Equality.' A look at the way voluntary organisations and individuals can work to a sustainable future for race equality. Read the inquiry.
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Crystal's Vardo hits the big city!
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Our highly acclaimed play 'Crystal's Vardo' will be back for a short run of performances in January 2019, with two performances in London!
Join Crystal as she explores her Romany Gypsy heritage at one of these performances:
The Ovalhouse, London
24th January 2019
7pm - £10/£8 concession
Northolt Library, London
26th January 2019
2pm - FREE
All Saints Arts Centre, Lewes
31st January
1pm - FREE
Stay up to date by following Crystal's Vardo on Twitter and Facebook.
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As members of the VCSE HWAlliance, amongst lots of other things, this month we have:
- been working to ensure the inequalities faced by Gypsies, Roma and Travellers are addressed through the NHS Long Term Plan.
- held focus groups on mental health and worklessness. We have passed the findings on to project leads and these will be included in guidance produced.
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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Work, Education and Training
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Equality and Human Rights Commission: Submit to the into the inquiry on racial harassment in higher education. Find out more.
King's College London: New programmes designed with priority spaces for year 12 students from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities wanting to study Medicine and Dentistry. Find out more about Medview and Dentview. Deadline 6th January.
London Gypsies and Travellers: Young Gypsies and Travellers living in London are able to attend a range of workshops on photography, cooking and more in the new year. Find details on their Facebook page.
Romani Early Years Network: The World Forum Foundation is looking for 2 candidates for the Global Leaders for Young Children Program from the Roma and Traveller community. Find out more.
Northumbria University: A PhD opportunity available exploring interventions to tackle service provider discrimination against Roma, Gypsy and Traveller communities. Find out more.
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Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us at FFT
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Thank you for your continued support!
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