Gypsy, Roma and Travellers in Enfield

We are working with various stakeholders to develop suitable sites for the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community in Enfield. To find out how we're meeting these needs, see Site delivery.

Heritage and culture

There are 300,000 Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) people living in the UK – that’s about 1 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
Roma people

Shining light on GRT cultures over the decades

Do you know any of these famous faces? Did you know that Gypsy, Roma, Travellers and Showmen have made significant contributions to arts, culture, film, music, literature, science, maths and sports over the years.

Take a look at our famous faces video for just a snapshot of these wonderful contributions. You may even know some famous faces but never knew about their heritage and culture.

Crystal's Vardo

We were delighted to host Crystal’s Vardo performance, which brought Gypsy, Roma and Traveller culture to life.

We held 4 performances running over Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 November 2022.

The event was well attended with 648 attendees. This included:

full co-operation from leaders who gave a talk at the event
lots of interaction from people who attended
activities for children

"This performance is an enormously important achievement. It remains entertaining while also raising awareness about the racism and injustice faced by Gypsies and Travellers today."
- The Source Magazine, Brighton

Key dates

Important GRT community dates:

27 January - Holocaust Memorial Day
20 February - Commemoration of the abolition of Roma slavery in Romania
1 March - Recognition of Irish Travellers receiving ethnic minority status in Ireland
8 April - International Romani Day
17 April - Recognition of Irish Travellers receiving ethnic minority status in UK
16 May - Romani Resistance Day
1 to 30 June - Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month
2 August - Roma Holocaust Remembrance Day
5 November - International Day of Romani language
10 December - Human Rights Day

Holocaust Memorial Day

Holocaust Memorial Day is held to remember the millions of people murdered in the Holocaust, under Nazi Persecution, and in the genocides which followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur. The theme for this year is ‘Ordinary People’ which will prompt us to consider how ordinary people, such as ourselves, can perhaps play a bigger part than we might imagine in challenging prejudice today.

The Holocaust Memorial Day event was filmed at the Dugdale Centre in Enfield Town on 27 January 2023.

History of GRT

See information on Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people through history (PDF).

Census 2021

Findings from GRT communities lived experiences, culture and identities

Census 2021 Gypsy, Irish Traveller, Roma, be counted, be heard

Within these broad groups, people described themselves in different ways, such as Romany Gypsy, English Gypsy, Welsh Gypsy, Irish Traveller or Romany Traveller. Others said they have mixed ethnicity, including combinations of the above as well as Showmen and ethnic groups from the settled community.

Participants’ accounts portray considerable variation in the individual preference for a nomadic lifestyle, which impacts personal circumstances such as access to services, employment and family relationships.

Close relationships with family were recurrently described as fundamental to Gypsy and Traveller values and well-being, but a move away from traditional lifestyles and, with this, greater separation from family, was felt to be occurring.

Diverse views were expressed on gender roles, with some stepping outside of what were seen as traditional gender roles among Gypsies and Travellers, and emphasising the importance of education for young women. Others valued arrangements described as traditional among Gypsies and Travellers, such as men being the primary breadwinners, while women are responsible for care of family members and the home, with their work outside the home flexing around these roles.

A range of experiences and relationships were described about non-travelling communities. Some felt comfortable and accepted, while others described past negative interactions resulting in wariness of the settled community and a preference for socialising with other Gypsies and Travellers.

In summary, participants recurrently expressed a desire to be recognised as an individual, not on the basis of preconceived ideas about their ethnic group.

The work of the Enfield Council GRT Board aligns with Fairer Enfield’s Policy 2022 to build safe, healthy, fair and confident communities. The Enfield GRTBS Board sets to encourage, educate and empower Enfield GRT communities.

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 and 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.

Free resources for school assembly

We continue to be proud of our schools in Enfield, and their leadership and commitment. We encourage schools and champions to share these resources to ensure they reach those who need them most.

For school assembly resources about GRT heritage and past, including lesson plan ideas and FAQs, visit Travellers Times - Gypsy Roma Traveller history education pack.

Celebrating Roma culture at the Mayor’s Community Weekend

As part of the Mayor’s Community Weekend 2025, which ran from Friday 12 to Sunday 14 September, one of our local charitable organisations – the Bulgarian Centre for Social Integration and Culture – received funding to celebrate and bring our Roma Communities together. Enfield were delighted to host this event.

People standing on a staircase holding GRT flag

The event was attended by:

Ergin Erbil, Leader of Enfield Council
Nelly Gyosheva, The Deputy Mayor
Karen Maguire, GRT Lead at Enfield Council
Nishan Dzhingozyan, GRTBS Project Officer
Bulgarian Centre for Social Integration and Culture
Vasil Hristov, renowned journalist and President of the Foreign Press Association in London

It was a wonderful evening celebrating our Roma residents in Enfield. This will be the start of many more cultural events.

Latest news

Here you will find regular updates and news from our ongoing work and relationships between you, the community, and cross-sector services. Please check back regularly for updates.

Accommodation needs assessment

Help us provide the right services.

RRR Consultancy is collecting insight for the Greater London Authority. Your responses will help shape future accommodation plans.

Please complete our accommodation needs assessment below.

If you are Gypsy and Traveller in bricks and mortar accommodation, complete the London GTANA Bricks and Mortar Survey.

If you are a member of the Roma community, complete the London GTANA Roma Community Survey.

Please complete the survey by Friday 19 May 2023.

Living Room Library event

We held a walk-in event at The Living Room Library, Edmonton on 20 April 2023.

Previous accommodation needs assessment

In 2020, we spoke with our GRT communities and service providers, to prepare a report to identify Gypsy and Traveller accommodation needs in Enfield.

We now understand the need for residential pitches and transit provision and are exploring delivery options.

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, see our Enfield and Brexit page.

If you would like help, or need us to complete the census for you, please contact us.

New Policing Act guide

Friends, Families and Travellers and Community Law Partnership have launched a new Policing Act guide to help Gypsies and Travellers understand new powers on roadside camps. Please share this widely.

For more information, visit Friends, Families and Travellers - Know your rights.

Pledge for schools

We encourage all schools to take the Gypsy, Traveller, Roma, Showmen and Boaters' Pledge for Schools (PDF).

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month

June is Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month (GRTHM).

This year's theme is 'Weaving Journeys', looking at historic patterns and traditional stopping places of Romany Gypsy, Irish Traveller, Roma, New Traveller, Liveaboard Boater and Showmen communities. To bring GRTHM to life, traditional patterns have been used from each of the communities.

View Weaving Journeys GRTHM 2023 (PDF) for stories from the community and history throughout time in the UK.

Enfield will also be hosting a variety of events in libraries over the month and schools are also getting involved. There is a trip to City Hall for 15 local school students on 13 June 2023.

You will also find activities throughout the month of June at Ordnance Unity Library, Palmers Green Library, Enfield Town Library, Edmonton Library and The Living Room Library Fore Street.

On 1 June we will be raising the Roma Flag at the Civic Centre at 11am to kick start the celebrations for GRTHM in Enfield. All welcome.

Health

Enfield Council branded Youth bus

Your local health stop – free vaccinations

We are running a new drop-in vaccination campaign to support the GRT community in Enfield.

The campaign provides:

free catch-up vaccinations for children, young people, and adults – all ages welcome
drop-in sessions – no appointment needed
on-site GP registration support
diabetes health check

Additional services (availability may vary – please check monthly post):

Dental checks and referrals
Mental health support
Women’s health, including cervical screening and menopause support
Midwifery support
Smoking cessation

Which vaccines are offered leaflet

About the vaccines offered

View Which vaccines are offered? (PDF, 484.99 KB).

View translation PDFs in the following languages:

Event calendar

Drop-in sessions only. No booking required.

Each consultation takes around 20 minutes.

Date	Time	Venue address	Available service
Friday 30 January 2026	10am to 2pm	Green Towers Community Centre, N9 0BU	1. Vaccinations: HPV, DTP, MenACWY, Flu for children, MMR 2. Health checks: blood pressure, BMI 3. GP and dental registration 4. Diabetes health check
Friday 27 February 2026	10am to 2pm	Green Towers Community Centre, N9 0BU	1. Vaccinations: HPV, DTP, MenACWY, Flu for children, MMR 2. Health checks: blood pressure, BMI 3. GP and dental registration 4. Diabetes health check
Friday 27 March 2026	10am to 2pm	Green Towers Community Centre, N9 0BU	1. Vaccinations: HPV, DTP, MenACWY, Flu for children, MMR 2. Health checks: blood pressure, BMI 3. GP and dental registration 4. Diabetes health check

Complete the form below before your session, or fill it in on-site with our team.

Health wellbeing survey for GRT community

Community gallery

Midwifery and infant feeding support

We are working with partners to provide trusted health guidance for mothers, babies, and families in our community.

To know more about practical guidance on breastfeeding and baby feeding, visit Friends, Families and Travellers – New infant feeding resources released.

Vaccination support and myth busting

Vaccination UK provides trusted information about vaccines:

Additional resources from our partners

Friends, Families and Travellers, in partnership with UKHSA and the Roma Support Group (RSG), have produced short animations with key information on childhood and maternal vaccinations, as well as measles and whooping cough:

Other resources

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 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.