Our Vision
The Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) population is generally recognised as one of the most marginalised groups in society. Enfield has a long-standing GRT population, and we want to engage and empower these communities. We are here to listen, and by working together and having better conversations we can become stronger, and turn your voice into action.
We want to make everyone’s lives better and improve inclusivity across the entire borough. To help us do this, we’ve set up the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Project Board.
What we will be doing
The main purpose of the board is to bring together a cross-section of the community, including professionals, GRT advocates and GRT members, to proactively support Gypsy, Roma and Traveller residents in Enfield.
The focus of the board will be to:
- improve the quality of health
- improve education
- improve housing
- enhance community development initiatives
We are concerned about the low level of engagement from GRT communities. This is acting as a barrier to accessing services, which can contribute to a poor quality of life.
We’ve already been working with groups to get insight and feedback, but we need more so we can build the right services for your community.
We have nine working groups with a focus on:
- health and wellbeing
- site delivery
- education
- community engagement
- equalities monitoring
- community safety
- heritage and culture
- financial inclusion and employment
- census working group
If you want to get involved with the GRT Board, contact us.
You can view ongoing updates in our latest news. More information will be available in 2021.
Heritage and culture
Did you know that there are 300,000 Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people in the UK – that’s one in every 200 people.
This includes Romany Gypsies, Irish Travellers, Scottish Gypsies and Travellers, Welsh Gypsies and Travellers, New Travellers, Liveaboard Boaters, Travelling Show people and Roma people.
The Census 2021 is coming, which will help us understand the size of the GRT communities. We will report these findings next year.
Roads from the Past
Other resources
Funding for local groups
If you’re trying to get a project off the ground that supports your community, Open4Community is a one-stop shop for funding information. It is a free service which aims to empower community and voluntary groups to take control of their future and ensure that projects can progress.
For more information or help using the portal, visit Open4Community or email cdt@enfield.gov.uk.
GRT LGBTQ+ Spoken History Archive
The Romani Cultural and Arts Company has developed a new online archive of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller LGBTQ+ spoken history.
This archive brings together the important and moving stories told by members of the GRT LGBTQ+ community and celebrates their heritage, culture and experiences from around the world.
To read the stories, visit Romani Cultural & Arts Company.
Stories of Enfield project
Stories of Enfield celebrates the cultural heritage of all communities and residents. We want the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community to be a part of it. We’re currently looking for steering committee members to help guide the project, so this is your chance to get involved.
Latest news
Here you will find regular updates and news from our ongoing work and relationships between you, the community, and cross sector services. So please continue to revisit this page.
Accommodation needs assessment
During 2020, we spoke with our GRT communities and with service providers, to prepare a report to identify Gypsy and Traveller accommodation needs in Enfield.
We now understand the needs for residential pitches and transit provision, and are looking at options for how to deliver them.
View the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment 2020 (PDF, 845.11 KB).
EU settled status
We understand that many of you may have questions about settled status after Brexit. For help or more information, visit our Enfield and Brexit page.
If you would like help, or need us to complete the census for you, please contact us.
Events
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month – June 2021
Every June since 2008, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month (GRTHM) has been celebrated across the UK. Through education and raising awareness, GRTHM helps tackle prejudice, challenge myths and amplify the voices of Gypsies, Roma and Travellers in wider society. Across Enfield, we are celebrating and embracing the chance to learn about each other.
Enfield’s family fun day
To celebrate GRTHM in 2021, show you are proud to be a part of the community and join us for Enfield’s Family Fun Day on Sunday 27 June from 12pm to 4pm at Enfield Town Library. View the library contact details.
There will be storytelling for children, flower arranging for the adults, dance classes, outside games and much more for the whole family.
Get involved
Friends, Families and Travellers have created this social media card (PDF) for you to download and write why you're celebrating Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month.
Take a photo with your card and post it using the #ProudToBe hashtag.
To help us learn about the GRT heritage and cultures, Friends, Families and Travellers have also created this useful participation pack (PDF, 1935.97 KB) which has more information, a timeline showing key dates in the heritage of Romany Gypsy, Irish Traveller, Roma and Scottish Gypsy Traveller ethnicities and useful phrases in the Irish Cant, Scottish Cant and Romani Dialects.
Virtual events
London Gypsies and Travellers are excited to be taking part in organising London Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month 2021. After the great success of their event last year, the celebrations will be held over two days with a mix of stories, discussions and music.
Film screening - Our Romano Drom, a History of the 1971 London World Romani Congress
On 23 June from 12:45 to 1:45pm there will be a history documentary using archive footage and photographs. Grattan Puxon takes us through the 60's in Ireland where he became involved in Traveller issues, to the UK early campaigns against evictions, the setting up of the Gypsy Council and the lead up to the 1971 Congress in London.
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month celebration
On 24 June from 6 to 6:50pm there is a panel discussion on the impact of the proposed Policing and Crime Bill on the culture and lives of Gypsies and Travellers in the UK.
From 7 to 8pm there will be a celebration with an exciting mix of musical performances and presentations, including:
- Nile Rice, writer and journalist from Paddington
- Ando Glaso Collective
- Marian and Co
- Bridging Sounds Orchestra
Health
Doctors of the World mobile weekly health clinics for GRT
Find out information about weekly mobile health clinics being offered by Doctors of the World in partnership with Enfield Council.
2021 National lockdown measures
Doctors of the World have provided translation PDFs in the following languages:
More translations will be added soon. They will be available by visiting Doctors of the World.
To see the Covid-19 roadmap to recovery, view the Gypsy and Traveller Empowerment Hertfordshire (GATE Herts) Facebook page.
Give Covid the jab
To find out about traveller vaccination and roll out, visit Pavee Point.
Other resources
- How to tackle health inequalities in Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities (PDF)
- Travellers Times: Coronavirus Information and News
Could you be a health champion?
We’ve already been working with the community to understand your accommodation needs. Now we’re looking for health champions to help us learn your needs around health.
A health champion is someone based in the community who works to raise awareness of important health issues to you and to your community. We can offer you training and support, so please let us know if you want to help.
Domestic or sexual abuse
The Solace Women’s Aid Irish and Irish Traveller Project provides free, confidential and specialist support for women and girls of Irish descent in London, over the phone and in person. They and also run workshops to raise awareness about domestic and sexual abuse for Irish and Irish Traveller women and young people.
For more information, view the Solace Women’s Aid leaflet (PDF, 911.67 KB) or call 0808 802 5565.
Mental health and suicide awareness
Coronavirus has had an impact on all our lives and taking care of your mental health is as important as ever.
GP access
Everyone has the right to register and receive treatment from a GP practice. You can use this NHS digital card (PDF, 64.02 KB) when you go to a GP surgery, if you have any health concerns.
Census 2021
Have your say
We want to make sure the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities are proudly represented within the Census 2021. Now is the time to use your voice and make an impact. We also want to reassure you that no identifiable information will be released for 100 years, so you can safely participate.
We really want to understand our communities so we can better serve you and have access to more funding to deliver local services.
View the Census 2021 poster (PDF, 5346.34 KB).
You can view the census information in the following languages:
Contact us
We’re always looking for ways to listen better and work closely with you. If you want to participate in our work, or get in touch to talk about any of the topics on this page, please use the contact details below:
- Email - grt@enfield.gov.uk
- Telephone - 020 8132 0958
Resources
- Friends, Family and Travellers
- Travellers Times
- Travellers Times (YouTube channel)
- What does being Gypsy, Roma or Traveller Mean? (YouTube)
- How to tackle health inequalities in Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities (PDF)
- COVID-19: What is the Tier System? (YouTube)
- Travellers Times: Coronavirus information and news