| | | | | | | | Welcome to the January edition of Spotlight | | | | Happy New Year! Welcome to the first edition of Spotlight for the year.! 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 and TikTok
| | | | | | Dear Colleagues,
As we step into a new year, I am delighted to welcome you to the first news bulletin of 2025. It’s been a dynamic and productive start to the year, and we’re excited to share some key highlights from the past few weeks, as well as our vision for the year ahead.
We began the year with a significant milestone—giving evidence to the COVID-19 inquiry. This moment marks what we hope will be a much needed turning point in addressing the systemic health failings and glaring disparities faced by Romani (Gypsy), Roma, and Irish Traveller communities. The inquiry provides a critical opportunity to advocate for equitable health policies that leave no community behind. At the same time, we continued our work in holding institutions accountable. Following the controversial mass dispersal order issued by Greater Manchester Police, we took decisive action by lodging a formal complaint with the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). In parallel, we hosted a sector-wide advocacy workshop aimed at equipping families and individuals with the legal tools and guidance they need to challenge injustice and assert their rights.
Our commitment to driving change also extended to knowledge-sharing. Earlier this month, we proudly released our annual conference report, highlighting key insights, challenges, and opportunities for advancing equity and inclusion for our communities.
On a more personal note, we’re thrilled to welcome Sarah Dunne to our Partnerships and Advocacy team. Sarah brings a wealth of experience and passion to our work, and we’re confident her expertise and lived experience will strengthen our efforts to build meaningful collaborations and drive impactful change.
As we look ahead, 2025 promises to be a year of growth, determination, and innovation. The green shoots of progress are already visible, and we’re ready to build on this momentum to create a brighter, fairer future for all. Thank you for your continued support, and here’s to a year filled with meaningful action and lasting impact.
Yvonne MacNamara, CEO
| | | | | | | | | | Traveller Movement Annual Conference
| | The UK is entering a new era, one the Traveller Movement hopes will bring policy changes that will substantially improve in the lives of Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller communities. The Traveller Movements 2024 conference aimed to bring together key voices who could lead the way towards the new dawn of policymaking for Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller communities. The TM Annual Conference took place on Thursday 21st November 2024 in Lambeth Town Hall. Please find the report here
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Equality and Social Justice Unit (ESJU)
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Our Community Advocacy Caseworker has been handling a variety of cases recently, including some relating to the incident in Manchester in November 2024. A reminder that we can support on cases relating to discrimination, School Attendance Orders (SAO), SEND, and other education related issues. Our Caseworker can be contacted on 07908433413 or by email at esju@travellermovement.org.uk
We have also organised several upcoming Know Your Rights sessions as well as a joint webinar on Hate Crime with Gate HERTS, Roma Support Group and Stop Funding Hate UK. Please see below for more information on how to register for these events.
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As we continue to work on the follow-up report to Fought Not Taught: Addressing Coercive Exclusions of Romani (Gypsy), Roma, and Irish Traveller Children, we are seeking to gather key voices focused on solutions to coercive exclusions. If you feel you have valuable insights, experiences, or solutions to share, we encourage you to contribute. Your perspectives are vital in shaping a more inclusive and fair education system for Romani, Roma, and Irish Traveller children. Please get in touch with education@travellermovement.org.uk if you are interested in being part of this important conversation. Our team continues to raise awareness among the sector of the findings of the Fought not Taught report. This month this included our Senior Policy & Advocacy Officer attend the Differences IncudeED Conference. The panel focused on what helps & what hinders in a brilliant session about how schools can support the Romani (Gypsy), Roma & Irish Traveller communities to engage & thrive. | | | | | | | |
The Traveller Movement submitted evidence this month to the Sentencing Review, ensuring that the unique challenges faced by Traveller communities are properly considered in sentencing decisions. Our submission highlighted the importance of cultural awareness, the impact of systemic discrimination, and the need for a fairer, more equitable approach to justice. Law Friend Society in partnership with the Traveller Movement and Hodge Jones and Allen Solicitors have produced a seminar on the experiences of Romani (Gypsies) and Traveller people in the criminal justice system. The seminar draws from our Pre-Sentence Toolkit published in 2023. View the seminar here. | | | | | |
Our CEO, Yvonne McNamara, gave evidence to the Covid-19 Inquiry, Module 4 on Vaccines. In her statement, she highlighted critical issues including the data desert, literacy and digital exclusion, and the removal of mobile health units. Yvonne's testimony emphasized the need for addressing these barriers and in ensuring that Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller ethnicities are added to the NHS data dictionary in order to ensure these issues do not persist. You can watch her full statement here.
Please see below for our blog on the inquiry.
| | | | | | We are excited to announce that Sarah Dunne has taken on the position of Senior Women’s Worker at the Traveller Movement. For any enquiries, please contact Sarah at women@travellermovement.org.uk Find out more about Sarah here Our Women’s Research and Development Officer has begun work on a peer-research project relating to shame and reputation damage. Stay tuned to find out more about this important piece of research!
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Our London Partnerships Officer is continuing our strategic advocacy work and meeting with representatives from local authorities across London. We are continuing to offer FREE driving theory sessions for Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller young people aged 16-25 living in London. To sign up, please contact Shane from Open Doors Education and Training (ODET) on 07842 311 701 . Young people who attend all 5 sessions with their tutor or pass their driving theory exam before they’ve completed all 5 sessions will receive a voucher to the value of £25.
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Don’t Build an Ark in the Middle of a Flood: Why Our Participation in the Covid 19 Public Inquiry Matters
When the Covid-19 pandemic swept across the UK, Romani Gypsy, Roma, and Irish Traveller communities were left stranded in the floodwaters of government decision-making. Vaccine uptake among these communities was almost non-existent, not because of a lack of need, but because of a devastating lack of communication, inclusion, and trust. They were not seen, not heard, and not included in the vaccine rollout. The result? Vulnerable lives were put at unnecessary risk. This cannot happen again.
Read more here
| | Manchester Mass Dispersal Order Updates
TM are committed to ensuring accountability and justice following the controversial mass dispersal order issued by Greater Manchester Police, and we wanted to share an update on the significant progress made to date.
| | Parliament and Government Announcements
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Our public affairs team is actively working on the Children’s Wellbeing Bill, ensuring that all changes to social care and education are culturally competent and inclusive. 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.
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.
MOPAC (Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime) is conducting a public consultation to help shape its Police and Crime Plan for 2025-2029, which will run until 10 February. The draft plan is available here, along with information on various ways you can participate in the consultation.
The Child Poverty Unit is also looking for people to feed into its work you can submit your views here.
If you would like to get involved in any of our work, please contact publicaffairs@travellermovement.org.uk
| | | | | | 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.
Job opportunity with Irish Community Care:
At Irish Community Care, people matter. We work with our communities to build strength and resilience, break down barriers and change lives. Our diverse communities include, Irish, Irish by descent, Irish Traveller, and Gypsy Traveller people. We are on the lookout for a Community Champion, Advice and Advocacy Worker and Community Engagement and Development Worker. We also have a brand new and exciting Tender Opportunity for a Content Creator. Are you ready to come on our journey with us and make real and lasting change? Further details attached. For more information and to receive an application pack, please contact: admin@irishcc.net / 0151 237 3987 ![null]()
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28th January 2025: Know Your Rights Session with Ben Hoare Bell Solicitors - BOOK HERE
25th February 2025: Dealing with Hate Crime, Hate Incidents and Hate Speech - BOOK HERE
27th February 2025: Know Your Rights Session with Bindmans - BOOK HERE
19th March 2025: Empowering Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller Women - BOOK HERE
3rd April 2025: Know Your Rights Session with Criminal Injuries Helpline - BOOK HERE
9th April 2025: Autism Awareness Training - BOOK HERE
| | | | Community facing survey We are currently working on a research project around the effects of shame and reputation within the Romani (Gypsy), Roma, and Irish Traveller communities. This project takes a peer-led approach, which means we will be actively involving community members to ensure our findings genuinely reflect the lived experiences and voices of community members. As part of this research project, we have created a survey and we would love to hear what you have to say around this topic.
Please feel free to share this survey to your family and friends. The link to the survey is here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GXB8SXF. We will also be putting the link to this on our social media.
| | | | Contact TM's Community Advocacy Caseworker on
079 0843 3413
| | Contacts TM's Domestic Abuse Helpline on
0754 1637 795
| | | | 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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