Working with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities

Gypsies, Roma and Travellers have a long established history as part of our community. We are working to encourage race equality, eliminate discrimination and foster good relations.

We aim to meet the needs of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) communities who pass through the borough and those who have settled on a local private site, council run site or in bricks and mortar.  We offer support and advice with local settled communities, councillors and key partners. 

Romani Gypsies

Romani is a collective term that includes English Romanichal, Welsh Romanichal and Kale and Scottish Romany Gypsies, and European Roma. 

The term Romani describes the stateless Nation of Romani communities in a similar way to ‘First Nations’ collectively describing tribes of Native Americans.

Romani Gypsies have the longest known history of the Nomadic communities with their roots being traced back to Northern India over 1,000 years ago. Their language is known as Romanes. The diaspora of the Romani is the same but their migration journey is different. They were called “Gypsies” because Europeans mistakenly believed they came from Egypt.

Irish Travellers

The first Irish Travellers were recorded in the 8th Century as travelling metal workers and menders of household utensils. Their language is called Cant or Gammon. Many are of the Catholic faith although this has changed recently with many becoming Born Again Christians in the Light and Life Church.

Gypsies and Travellers are recognised under Equality Legislation

Gypsies share many of the same cultural practices, language and belief systems, as do Irish Travellers and Scottish Travellers; the groups are culturally quite different. They may all mistakenly be referred to as Travellers. They are recognised as separate ethnic minority groups under equality legislation.

All Gypsy, Roma and Travellers have and still suffer marginalisation and historic racism.  All public sector organisations including local authorities and police forces have a positive duty under the law to eliminate racial discrimination and promote equality of opportunity.

Many Romani and Travellers are of the Roman Catholic faith although this has changed recently with many becoming Born Again Christians and go to the Light and Life Romani Churches.

Light and life Church, Sandbach

Working together

We're working together to share information about the best way to support Gypsy Roma and Traveller families, local residents and businesses. 

Community Liaison Officers

The team support residents from the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, migrant families, refugees, and asylum seekers.

To request support email communitycohesion@cheshireeast.gov.uk, or to contact a specific officer.

Education

Fair access protocol - help for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children to get a place at school

CEIAS - our Cheshire East Information and advice service can help with accessing education

Elective home education - for parents who choose to educate their children at home

Health, Social Care and well being

See our Live Well pages for information on health services, health conditions, social care and community and voluntary support.

Domestic abuse

Suicide prevention

Keeping adults safe and Keeping children safe

Health Equalities and keeping well

We make assessments of the provision for Traveller sites.

Housing policy and reporting illegal encampments

Planning policy assessment for Gypsy accommodation

Licensing of park homes and caravan sites.

We have an information PowerPoint produced and delivered by Public Health Improvement and Cheshire Gypsy and Traveller Coordinator.

The session covers learning objectives:

• Define Health Inclusion groups.
• Understanding of the wider determinants and health inequalities
• Awareness of our local Gypsy, Roma, Travelling community strategy group.
• References, Toolkits and Resources to make your setting inclusive.
• Lifestyle on Prescription
• Health Inclusion session slides June 23 (PDF, 1.8MB)

Police

We work with the police to protect you and your neighbourhoods.

Gypsy Roma Traveller Police Association - The group offers education and awareness around GRT culture to support Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Police Officers and other Police staff to reduce instances of prejudice and racism. 

Reporting Hate crime in Cheshire

Remedi

Remedi - offering victims of crime the opportunity to engage in a restorative intervention with the person responsible. 

There are two schemes in Cheshire:Got your back and Female support

GRT support organisations

Friends, Families and Travellers

Friends, Families and Travellers (FFT) work on behalf of all Gypsies, Travellers and Roma. They  promote health and wellbeing, contribute to research and policy making and deliver training.

They aim to protect the right to live a nomadic life and end racism and discrimination against Gypsies, Travellers and Roma.

The Traveller Movement

The Traveller Movement (TM) is a national charity committed to protecting the human rights of ethnic minority Gypsy Roma and Traveller people.

Irish Community Care

Irish community care Merseyside - a leading participant in the provision of support, information & guidance for all Irish, Irish Gypsy and  Traveller communities.

Irish Community Care Manchester -  identify and respond to the needs of both the Irish and Irish Traveller communities across the north west.

Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain

 

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Page last reviewed: 20 June 2022