Understanding
GYPSY, ROMA & TRAVELLER COMMUNITIES Heritage + Inclusion + Support + Learning
A practical guide for professionals, families, and community partners.
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Early Intervention & Family Support
Contents Welcome Introduction to this Guide Section 1: Understanding Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities 1.1 Beginner's Guide to Traveller Inclusion 1.2 Searching for the Travelling People 1.3 Roads from the Past 1.4 A Short History of Irish Travellers
Section 2: History, Heritage and Traditions 2.1 The Romani Holocaust 2.2 Appleby Horse Fair and Traveller Heritage 2.3 Funeral Traditions and Cemetery Culture 2.4 The Patch: Death, Bereavement and Traveller Culture
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Section 3: Inequality, Discrimination and Social Barriers 3.1 Equality Survey Findings 3.2 Supporting Positive Practice 3.3 Traveller Experiences of Discrimination
Section 4: Mental Health and Wellbeing 4.1 Patrick: A Young Traveller Lost 4.2 Understanding Suicide in Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities 4.3 Showmen's Mental Health Awareness
Section 5: Family Safety and Community Support 5.1 Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Support 5.2 Addressing Harmful Practices and Honour-Based Abuse
Section 6: LGBTQ+ Support 6.1 Traveller Pride and Inclusive Communities 6.2 Where to find support 6.3 LGBT Gypsies and Travellers - Our Stories
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Section 7: Housing, Advocacy and Social Care 7.1 Accommodation and Advocacy Services 7.2 Navigating Children's Social Care Systems
Section 8: Education, Children and Young People 8.1 Tackling Targeted Bullying 8.2 Online Education Support for Traveller Young People 8.3 ABC for Travellers (Under Fives) 8.4 Children's Activity Books
Section 9: Films, Stories and Cultural Representation 9.1 Float Like a Butterfly 9.2 Stories from the Traveller Community
Section 10: Organisations, Helplines and Support Networks 10.1 Friends Families & Travellers 10.2 Traveller Times 10.3 Traveller Movement 10.4 London Gypsies and Travellers 10.5 Shannon Trust 10.6 Roma Support Group 10.7 Traveller Helpline Directory
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Building understanding. Creating inclusive communities. Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) communities have rich histories, cultures and traditions that contribute enormously to life in the UK. Despite this, many continue to face barriers and discrimination. This guide provides accurate, evidence-based information to promote understanding, challenge stereotypes and celebrate the diversity and contributions of GRT communities.
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Information & Links Gypsy, Roma, Traveller and Showmen Resources Guide 1. Understanding Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities Resources introducing culture, identity, heritage and inclusion. Beginner's Guide to Traveller Inclusion https://education.tapestry.info/beginners-guides/gypsy-roma-andtraveller-inclusion/ Searching for the Travelling People https://www.travellerstimes.org.uk/heritage/watch-heritagedocumentary-searching-travelling-people Roads from the Past (Short Film) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bhBbMrF8Z0 A Short History of Irish Travellers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0pF1fUaUnE
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Information & Links 2. History, Heritage and Traditions The Romani Holocaust Ian Hancock's article exploring the persecution of Roma and Traveller people during the Holocaust. https://www.travellerstimes.org.uk/features/romani-holocaustian-hancock Appleby Horse Fair and Traveller Heritage Joe Cannon Snr shares his heritage and traditions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiIexJZPuYk Funeral Traditions and Cemetery Culture Guidance on customs and traditions surrounding death and bereavement. http://www.gypsy-traveller.org/wpcontent/uploads/2017/03/Cemetery-Culture-and-Traditions The Patch BBC Sounds programme exploring Traveller culture, death and bereavement. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001y1xl
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Information & Links 3. Inequality, Discrimination and Social Barriers Equality Survey on Social Barriers https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/09/social-barriersfaced-by-roma-gypsies-and-travellers-laid-bare-in-equality-survey Supporting Positive Practice Advice for professionals working alongside Traveller communities. https://www.communitycare.co.uk/content/news/working-withgypsy-and-traveller-communities-tips-for-positive-practice Traveller Experiences of Discrimination https://evidencebank.org.uk/evidence/inclusion/discrimination-ofgypsy-roma-young-people-and-their-communities/
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL
Information & Links 4. Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Patrick: A Young Traveller Lost BBC programme exploring the impact of bullying and suicide. https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002jchy/patrick-ayoung-traveller-lost Understanding Suicide in Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities https://www.gypsy-traveller.org/news/research-summaryexperiences-of-suicide-in-gypsy-roma-and-traveller-communities/ Showmen's Mental Health Awareness https://www.showmensmentalhealth.com/
Need urgent help? NHS 111 | Samaritans 116 123 Speak to your GP
Information & Links 5. Family Safety, Domestic Abuse and Community Support Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Support https://travellermovement.org.uk/domestic-abuse-and-sexualviolence Addressing Harmful Practices and Honour-Based Abuse https://wp-main.travellermovement.org.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2025/12/Breaking-the-Silence-Dec-2025.pdf
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Information & Links 6. LGBTQ+ Support Support for LGBTQ+ members of Traveller communities Traveller Pride Support, advocacy and representation for LGBTQ+ members of Traveller communities https://www.consortium.lgbt/member-directory/traveller-pride/ Where to find support if you’re struggling with your sexuality https://travellermovement.org.uk/lgbt LGBT Gypsies and Travellers - Our Stories https://youtu.be/d-9QW8wBi2c?si=7PijBj2ZJcl4tTuS
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Information & Links 7. Housing, Advocacy and Practical Support Accommodation and Advocacy Service Provided by London Gypsies and Travellers. https://www.londongypsiesandtravellers.org.uk/work/homes/ Navigating Children's Social Care Research and guidance relating to Gypsy, Roma and Traveller families. https://travellermovement.org.uk/policy-and-publications/thecare-system-and-gypsies-roma-and-travellers-an-investigation
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Information & Links 8. Education, Children and Young People Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Targeted Bullying https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/tools-information/all-aboutbullying/at-risk-groups/racist-and-faith-targeted-bullying/gypsyroma Online Education Support for Traveller Young People https://www.odet.org.uk/ ABC for Travellers Book (Under Fives) https://read.bookcreator.com/Geapq5mqYGYyqTf8XSYo8GGbAD G3/uwpkze30T8OLGeS88CkFEg/FQ6P7QugQ8CSmM12MTEauw Activity Books Under 5s Over 5s
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Information & Links 9. Films, Stories and Cultural Representation Float Like a Butterfly Film about a young Traveller girl pursuing her dream of becoming a boxer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yU7vwmQzR40
Information & Links 10. Traveller and Roma Organisations Friends, Families and Travellers https://www.gypsy-traveller.org/ Helpline: 01273 234 777 Traveller Times News, stories and community updates. https://www.travellerstimes.org.uk/news Traveller Movement https://travellermovement.org.uk/ London Gypsies and Travellers https://www.londongypsiesandtravellers.org.uk/ Shannon Trust Literacy and numeracy support for adults, including those in prison. https://www.shannontrust.org.uk/ Roma Support Group https://www.romasupportgroup.org.uk/
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Early Intervention & Family Support