| | | | | | | | Welcome to the April edition of Spotlight | | | | Welcome to your April Spotlight! Read on to find out about our work over the last month and remember to follow us on social media for regular updates. X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok
| | | | | | | | Dear Colleagues,
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
As we move closer to summer, we’re gearing up for a busy period, with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month on the horizon and planning is already well under way (see below for more).
This month, we were proud to host Autism Awareness training delivered by the National Autistic Society. The session was well attended, underlining the demand for high-quality, culturally informed training in this area. We’re pleased to say we are exploring options to offer a follow-up session in the autumn.
We also welcome the news that the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has agreed to review our formal complaint regarding the Manchester mass dispersal order which took place last November. The incident, which saw large groups of Romani Gypsy and Irish Traveller children and young people prevented from attending the city’s Christmas market, has raised serious concerns about discriminatory policing. Officers involved were accused of being "heavy-handed" and targeting young people based on their ethnicity. We’re grateful this issue has received national media attention you can read more here. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Ryan Bradshaw of Leigh Day Solicitors Manchester office and Romani Gypsy community leader Billy Welch for their continued support and advocacy in pursuing justice on this matter.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support and solidarity.
Best wishes,
Yvonne MacNamara CEO
| | | | | | | | | | Community Advocacy & Casework Expansion | | We are continuing to provide support on many cases relating to education advocacy particularly around SEND provision and home education. We are also experiencing an increase in enquiries around child custody issues and families seeking information around accessing higher education.
If you or someone you know needs support around discrimination and/or issues relating to education (including bullying, school attendance issues, exclusions and more), please give us a call. Our Caseworker can be contacted on 07908433413 | | | | | | | |
The Education Policy Team has continued to make significant progress this month, contributing to a number of key national education reform efforts:
- Our Public Affairs Team is continuing to work on the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, ensuring that all changes to social care and education are culturally competent and inclusive. Our evidence to the Public Bill Committee was published recently. We are collaborating closely with Janet Whitaker and other MPs and Lords to table amendments that will better reflect the needs of Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller communities. This will include a requirement to record and report racist incidents in schools. If you want to have your say on this important issue, we encourage you to contact your local MP and share your views. Your voice can help shape a more inclusive and equitable future for all children
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Criminal Justice Policy Update
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The Criminal Justice Policy Team has been leading efforts to oppose the recently introduced Sentencing Guidelines (Pre-Sentence Reports) Bill. The team has long advocated for the consistent use of pre-sentence reports for individuals from all ethnic minority backgrounds, including Romani (Gypsy), Roma, and Irish Traveller people.
Traveller Movement’s publication, Fair Sentencing for Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller People, sets out the critical role that pre-sentence reports play in ensuring fairer outcomes within the criminal justice system. The proposed legislation represents a significant regression, undermining years of advocacy work led by TM and its partners across the sector.
Supporters are encouraged to take action by contacting their MP before 22 April, urging them to oppose the Bill and support equitable sentencing practices.
We have made a submission to the Crime and Policing Public Bill Committee emphasising the need to end the criminalisation of roadside living and the need to reform the use of dispersal powers, citing the example of the extraordinary policing in November at the Manchester Christmas markets. We will seek to make changes to the Bill when it reaches the House of Lords.
| | | | | | Women's Advocacy and Policy Update
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In April, the National Autistic Society delivered a training session on Understanding and Supporting Autistic People at the Traveller Movement’s office in Stockwell. This training was open to community members (including our WEN members) and organisations supporting Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller communities. Attendees found the training very useful, and we hope to deliver a similar training session in the future as we are aware of the level of demand for this type of training amongst the communities that we work with. We are looking to deliver another WEN training event in July so keep an eye on our social media pages for any updates!
In other news, we are excited to begin work on the final year of our City Bridge project. We will be working with Romani (Gypsy) and Irish Travellers across London to improve referral pathways to mental health services.
If you would like to get involved in the Women's Empowerment Network, please email WEN@travellermovement.org.uk
| | | | | | Women's Advocacy and Policy Update
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Preparations are underway for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month in June. We have a few events coming up to celebrate, including an event at the Irish Cultural Centre on Wednesday 25th June 2025. This will be an evening event celebrating Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller culture through storytelling, music and other art forms.
We have also been invited to speak at several school assemblies in Hounslow – this will be a great opportunity to raise awareness about Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month amongst Primary school students and to encourage students to celebrate with their Romani (Gypsy), Roma or Irish Traveller classmates.
Would you like us to advertise an event you are holding for Gypsy, Roma, Traveller History Month? If so, let us know and we will aim to put this out in our next Spotlight in May. Email details of your event to operations@travellermovement.org.uk
| | | | | | Dignity Campaign - Stable Way
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In April, our short film director (Charlie Doherty) and film crew (Flexible Films) met to discuss the upcoming short film which will focus on the living conditions on Stable Way site. Filming will commence next month so keep an eye on our social media pages for any updates! For more information or to get involved, contact business@travellermovement.org.uk
| | | | Propel Pan-London Partnerships Project - Strengthening Policy and Community Engagement
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The Partnerships team are busy preparing for an event in City Hall which aims to shine a light on the support local authorities in London are currently providing to Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller residents and to highlight any gaps in this provision. London MPs and Councillors have been invited to attend this all-day event to improve their understanding of the issues facing Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller residents in London. We appreciate your ongoing support in advocating for fairer policies and greater inclusion. If you would like to learn more, contribute to this initiative, or attend the event, please contact us at Partnerships@travellermovement.org.uk
| | | | Parliament and Government Announcements
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The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Miscarriages of Justice has launched an inquiry into Joint Enterprise. The Traveller Movement will submit evidence to the Committee, if you or your family have been affected by the controversial law please reach our Criminal Justice Worker at cjs@travellermovement.org.uk
Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, is currently under scrutiny in the House of Lords, ensuring the perspectives of marginalised communities are reflected in emerging legislation. If you want to have your say on this important issue, we encourage you to contact your local MP and share your views. Your voice can help shape a more inclusive and equitable future for all children
| | | | Jude Tisdall is a long time supporter of The Traveller Movement and was involved with many aspects of the film Never Going to Beat You. Although semi-retired now Jude was an educator and theatre practioner during her working life, Jude is also an ambassador for The Steve Sinnott Foundation and is an activist and pioneer around housing, particularly co-housing.
Portsmouth Branch of NEU (National Education Union), Steve Sinnott Foundation and The Traveller Movement held it’s AGM on Friday April 25th. Around the AGM several organisations and speakers were invited to take part. The Traveller Movement, in collaboration with The Steve Sinnott Foundation, were invited to screen the film Never Going to Beat you as part of the 2025 AGM of Portsmouth NEU.
On Thursday evening the film was shown at the Southsea Cinema and Arts Centre. The film was introduced by Jude Tisdall representing the Traveller Movement. Jude is also an ambassador for the Steve Sinnott Foundation. The film was shown to an invited audience of NEU member including teachers and educators. NGTBY is a film about domestic abuse, based on true stories of 18 Romany, Gypsy and Irish Traveller women. It is powerful and hard-hitting film, commissioned with the purpose of raising awareness. It is a masterful portrayal of how domestic abuse can destroy lives and effect families and community.
The film is part of the Traveller Movement Education Programme and can be used to raise awareness among service providers and professionals or, as a discussion opener with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, or indeed any community where such topics are seen as taboo. Domestic abuse and violence is of course not limited to any one community or any one sector of the population. This is a problem that cuts across all sections of society; it is not age related, class, culture of gender related. The showing was followed by a discussion.
For full details of all trainings offered by The Traveller Movement please visit https://travellermovement.org.uk/training-and-consultation
Among the invited speakers at the AGM on Friday evening, April 25th were Ann Beatty CEO of the Steve Sinnott Foundation and Shamella Dhana Chair of Trustees and Founder member of Portsmouth City of Sanctuary. Portsmouth City of Sanctuary
PCoS is grassroots, award winning, humanitarian charity, primarily assisting Portsmouth’s migrant community with direct action. The PCoS volunteer team aims to compassionately uphold the dignity and independence of all individuals it supports, regardless of status, and strives to do so with respect and welcoming warmth for everyone. Shamella spoke about the organisations work in helping local asylum seekers, refugees and migrants, sharing some of the enormous range of projects which include a Refugee Hub, Action Asylum, Welcome Box arrivals, Welcome Wheels. There is a female only space HAVEN which has a programme of activities and support to those who have suffered gender violence. And much, much more. Shamella is an inspirational speaker, passionate and knowledgeable.
For further information of the work of PCoS please go to https://portsmouth.cityofsanctuary.org
The Steve Sinnott Foundation is a small charity organisation with an enormous reach. Their mission is to change lives through education by creating a worldwide community of educators and learners. striving for universal access to quality education and ongoing improvement of teaching and learning. Ann Beatty, CEO of the charity spoke of some of the current projects supporting this vision to accessible education are - Positive Periods: a project which started out in one country and has now been rolled through to Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Uganda, Malawi, Senegal, Haiti and Cuba. On reaching puberty girls can miss out on up to a quarter of school time by not having the materials to manage their periods
- Running workshops on gender-based violence. Creating safe spaces to talk, explore and understand.
- Mother Tongue Literacy Classes
Ann thanked the NEU for continued support and spoke about Steve’s ambitions and dreams in relation to education for all. She also noted that the work of the Traveller Movement and Portsmouth City of Sanctuary had similar and overlapping purpose and hopes in relation to cultivating an awareness and creating change around gender-based violence in all its forms.
For further information please visit: https://www.stevesinnottfoundation.org.uk/
| | | | Opportunities to get involved in our work | | Advisory board ongoing recruitment – find out more here
TM are also recruiting a new intern for the Partnerships team. Find out more here. This is an ideal opportunity for anyone with an interest in film making, social media and/or digital design. | | | | 🚨Important Update:Traveller Movements new replacement LinkedIn account🚨
Dear Followers,
Unfortunately, we have lost access to our original LinkedIn account, and despite numerous attempts, we have been unable to recover it. While this is frustrating, we’re not letting it slow us down!
We’re excited to announce that we’ve set up a brand-new LinkedIn account, and we’d love for you to reconnect with us there. By following our new page, you’ll stay up to date with our latest work, campaigns, and advocacy efforts.
🔗 Click here to follow us: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-traveller-movement-tmofficial/
Your support means everything to us. Please take a moment to follow, share, and help spread the word so we can continue building a strong and engaged community. Let’s keep the momentum going! | | | | 🚨 Traveller Movement is now on Blue Sky 🚨
Social Media platforms are constantly growing, and the Traveller Movement have now joined Blue Sky. If you would like to follow us on there, a profile can be found here: https://t.co/iJn2ZM71Vy | | | |
30th May - NGTBY Training (spaces available) - Book here
1st June - Kushti Cumpenia GRTHM event - Book here
25th June - TM’s GRTHM event at Hammersmith Irish Centre – Booking link coming soon
27th June – GRTHM City Hall Event - please keep an eye on their website for further information
27th June - NGTBY Training - Book here
31st July – TM Summer BBQ – Booking link coming soon
20th November – TM Annual Conference (Tickets on Sale from 1st September)
| | | | | | Contact TM's Community Advocacy Caseworker on 07908433413
| | Contacts TM's Domestic Abuse Helpline on 07541637795
| | | | Follow our EventsBrite page to keep up to date on what Events we are holding | | Visit our Women's microsite for information and support for Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller Women
| | Visit our Education microsite support Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Travellers in the UK to navigate Education
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