We are launching a follow-up report to Fought not Taught, addressing coercive exclusions of Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller children. The report provides practical recommendations to tackle suspensions, exclusions, and attainment gaps, aiming to improve lifelong outcomes for children and communities. 

Report Launch: 

• Date: 23 October 

• Venue: Parliament, Committee Room 1 

• Host: Bishop of Lincoln, Right Reverend Stephen Conway 

• Panelists: Jonny Uttley (TEAL), Ellie Harris (The Difference), Shaun Mongan (Traveller Movement) 

• Register here 

Poor experiences in schooling have a profound lifelong impact on individuals and on whole communities. This impact is deeply felt by children from Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller communities, as highlighted in our case studies, through their disrupted education, damaged wellbeing and often lifelong disconnection from learning. These lifelong impacts ripple across the whole community and harms the social and economic mobility of our communities. Our report aims to finally end this cycle for our communities and give them the opportunities other children have.   

To mark the launch of our new report we wanted to spotlight a beautiful poem written by a young community member. This poem highlights the damage discrimination, racism and prejudice has on the lives of young people in our communities.  Savannah will be attending our annual conference to read her poem.  

I wrote this poem as even still today in 2025, travellers are perceived as villains in society.  Discrimination, racism, prejudice and stereotypes are prominent within society.  As a young traveller girl I fear that my future may be shaped by the ignorance and in just ways of non-travellers.  However, I believe society can change their perceptions of us and realise that we’re not the actual villains but that the stereotypes that plague our culture are.  I hope that as I grow up society realises that we deserve a chance too, it’s important for me to talk about this as nobody else (who is a non-traveller) is willing to, is social change really too much to ask for? 

‘Still Not Settled’    

By Savanna Furey aged 14. 

In twenty-five, the signs still rise,  

Not in ink, but coded guise- 

“unauthorised encampment”, “noise complaint”, 

The same old hatred, fresh with paint. 

The trailers gleam with satellite plates, 

But no tech can breach these iron gates. 

They watch from drones, they tap your name, 

Then call it safety – just the same. 

You speak with pride, but accents burn. 

In job interviews, where backs turn. 

A child’s enrolment “needs review”, 

a thousand ways to say, “not you”. 

You’re Irish, yes – but not enough. 

Too traveller, too loud, too rough. 

They’ll claim it’s not about your face, 

While locking toilets in your place. 

In courtrooms, schools, in every lane,  

the whispers buzz like static rain. 

“Keep an eye”, “they move too much”.  

As if your wheels were bombs, not crutch. 

Still stories pass from van to van, 

of halting sites, of fights of bans. 

Your songs survive on TikTok feeds, 

but come with warnings, shame and needs. 

They want your rhythm, not your roots, 

your weddings, not your worn-out boots. 

Your slang becomes their music track, 

while real lives crack beneath the lack. 

And yet, you drive.  You ride, you stay 

not settled, no, but still you pray. 

For justice not wrapped up in fear,  

For roads that welcome, not just sneer. 

You carry more than pots and pans – 

You carry pride that never ran. 

And though the system says erase, 

You hold your place. 

We regret to inform our members and partners that, due to the conclusion of funding for our advice service, the Traveller Movement is now able to provide limited casework support for emergency cases only. 

We recognise this will be disappointing and may cause difficulties for those who have relied on our service. Please be assured that we are working intensively to secure new funding so that we can re-establish this vital provision. 

The Equalities and Social Justice Unit has played an essential role in supporting individuals and families facing discrimination and exclusion. We are determined to keep this work alive, but we cannot do so without support. We are open to partnership opportunities and would welcome any offers of funding or collaboration to help sustain and expand this service. Please contact business@travellermovement.org.uk 

In the meantime, we want to ensure that community members can still access the help they need. Below is a list of alternative support organisations offering advice and assistance:  

Derbyshire Gypsy Liaison Group - A community-led support organisation providing assistance and information to the Gypsy community in and around Derbyshire. Call: 07799 443830 

Friends, Families and Travellers - A support organisation providing assistance to the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities as well as Boaters, Showmen and New Age Travellers. Call: 01273 234 777 

GATE Herts - GATE Herts is a community-led support organisation working in Hertfordshire and surrounding areas to promote awareness of the issues affecting Gypsy and Traveller Communities. Call: 01707 247088 

Leeds GATE - A grassroots organisation supporting Gypsy and Traveller people across West Yorkshire. Call: 0113 240 2444 

Leicestershire GATE – A grassroots organisation supporting Gypsy and Traveller people in Leicestershire. Call: 020 7607 2002 

London Gypsies and Travellers - A support organisation which challenges social exclusion and discrimination, working for change in partnership with Gypsies and Travellers. Call: 020 8533 2002 

Luton Roma Trust - A support organisation working to enhance the lives of the Roma community in London. Call: 01582 510709 

Pride of Romany - A community-led organisation dedicated to promoting Romany Gypsy culture and heritage. Email: prideofromani@gmail.com 

Roma Support Group - A Roma-led community organisation supporting Eastern European Roma. Call: 07949089778 

York Travellers Trust - A community-led organisation supporting Gypsy and Traveller communities. Call: 01904 630526 

For emergency cases, please contact the Traveller Movement team on: esju@travellermovement.org.uk 

You can also ring: 020 7607 2002 or alternatively, TM’s Community Advocacy Caseworker, on 07908433413.  

The Justice Committee's latest inquiry seeks to examine how advice and legal services are adapting to secure access to justice across civil, criminal, and family law. It will focus on the scope for future innovation in the nature of services, funding, regulation and technology to support effective access to justice in England and Wales. They welcome submissions of evidence until 30 September here.

The Women & Equalities Committee is welcoming submissions to their inquiry on reproductive health of women and girls. It is assessing progress in diagnoses, treatments and pain management of conditions including endometriosis, adenomyosis and heavy menstrual bleeding. You can submit evidence until Tuesday 30 September 2025 here.