Introduction

Voscur Gypsy and Travellers information sheet

Gypsies and Travellers are among the most disadvantaged groups in our society. Social exclusion experienced by Gypsies and Travellers is one of the drivers for higher infant mortality rates, poor educational and health outcomes in comparison with the wider settled community and other BME groups.

• Romany Gypsies or English Gypsies have been in the British Isles since around 16th century. Roma people originated from north-west India, the Punjab (not Egypt as originally thought, to which they owe their name). They were recognised as an ethnic group in 1989.
• Irish Travellers are thought to have an indigenous origin as a nomadic group in Ireland. They were recognised as an ethnic group in England in 2000. 
• Showpeople are a cultural minority with a long history of providing travelling entertainment. Families have a busy calendar between April and October and have a system for ensuring that everything runs smoothly at each location. They are not protected under EHRC legislation. 
• New Travellers or New Age Travellers are members of the indigenous settled British community who have adopted a nomadic lifestyle some time since the 1960s. There are now second or third generation New Travellers. They are not protected under EHRC legislation.
• Barge Communities are communities living on boats and may carry cargo for a living; they have a nomadic lifestyle and along with Showpeople are sometimes referred to as occupational travellers because their travelling lifestyle is a necessity for making a living.  For more information please see visit.

Gypsy and Traveller History month (June)

Events

Tuesday 22 June 2010

Gypsies and Travellers Roots, routes and issues (6.30pm – 7.30pm)

Free, informative, informal talks at The Pierian Centre, Portland Square, BS2 8SA

Speakers Sarah Cemlyn, School for Policy Studies, with members of the Gypsy and Traveller communities.

Gypsies and Travellers are often seen as outsiders to mainstream society and receive hostile responses, despite their multiple contributions to the economy, the arts and communities. This talk explores the roots of different Gypsy and Traveller cultures and the social issues faced by these communities today.

Free but booking is required in advance.

For more information and / or to book please contact Diane Thorne on (0117) 331 8318 or Email: diane.thorne@bristol.ac.uk

Key legislation

Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act (1960)
Caravan Sites Act (1968)
The Housing Act (2004: Section 225)
The Equality Act (20060
For more information see:
Direct Gov
Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)

Resources

•  New EU Roma web portal now available. 

• Gypsy and Traveller Myth-busting booklet (2006), Bristol City Council
• Bristol MIND (February 2008) ‘Do Gypsies, Travellers and Showpeople get the support they need with stress, depression and nerves?’ 
• Brown, P and Niner, P, (2009), ‘Assessing local housing authorities’ progress in meeting the accommodation needs of Gypsy and Traveller communities in England’ Equalities and Human Rights Commission
• Cemlyn, S et al (March 2009) ‘Inequalities experienced by Gypsy and Traveller communities – a review’ by Bristol University, Buckinghamshire New University and the Friends, Families and Travellers’ Organisation. 
• Communities and Local Government (July 2009) ‘Progress Report on Gypsy and Traveller Policy’
• Equality and Human Rights Commission (March 2009), ‘Simple Solutions for Living Together’
• Greenfields, M, (January 2009) ‘Gypsies, Travellers and accommodation’ a Race Equality Foundation briefing paper
• Jenkins, M (2005) ‘No Travellers – a report on Gypsy and Traveller Women’s Experience of Maternity Care.’ Recommendations and Guidelines to improve Gypsy and Traveller women’s experience of maternity care.
• Jesper, E, et al, (January 2008) ‘A qualitative study of the health experience of Gypsy Travellers in the UK with a focus on terminal illness’ Cambridge Journals (£14.00)
•  Matthews, Z, (November 2008) ‘The Health of Gypsies and Travellers in the UK,’ a Race Equality Foundation Briefing Paper
• McCarthy S, (2005) ‘Housing and Support Needs Analysis – Gypsies and Travellers’ Wigan Social Services
• MIDIRS (Midwifery Digest), 9 Elmdale Road, Bristol, BS8 1HL, tel: 0800 581 009,
• Niner, P and Walker, B, (July 2008) ‘Gypsies and Travellers Financial Toolkit for RSLs’ Centre for Urban and Regional Studies University of Birmingham 
•  Parry, G et al (2004) ‘The Health Status of Gypsies & Travellers in England’ University of Sheffield. 
• Tavares, M et al (2001) ‘Gypsies and Travellers in Leeds – making a difference. An exploratory study on the health needs of Gypsies and Travellers.’ In partnership with Travellers Health Partnership
• Van Cleemput, P, (2000), ‘Health care needs of Travellers’