About the Conference

Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller communities experience some of the worst outcomes of any ethnic groups across a huge range of areas, including education, health, employment, criminal justice and hate crime. Despite decades of inquiries, damning reports and policy papers our communities remain persistently left behind and underserved. It is clear that this is an issue of systemic exclusion.

This chronic exclusion and discrimination has a material effect on the lives of community members and the opportunities that they have access to. Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller communities have the lowest attainment of any ethnic group across all key stages and the highest rate of suspension and exclusions. Although Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller people have higher rates of self-employment than any other ethnic group they experience economic inactivity at a higher rate than the ‘White British’ ethnic group and are more likely than the general population to experience profound poverty. Lack of access to opportunities at a young age have profound lifelong impacts on individuals and their wider communities.

It is clear that accommodation insecurity, poor living environment, low education attainment, economic exclusion, community isolation and discrimination all have a negative impact on Romani (Gypsies), Roma and Irish Travellers physical and mental health, access to opportunities and ability to live full and happy lives. Life expectancy for Romani (Gypsies) and Irish Travellers is 10 to 12 years lower than the general population. Site provision in England and Wales is insufficient, with too few sites that are often overcrowded and in high demand. Mapping all permanent and transit sites across the UK reveals that a sizeable proportion present risks to residents’ health due to their geographical proximity to pollutants.

The issues facing Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller communities are too often labelled as ‘too difficult’ or ‘too niche’ by many policymakers leaving our communities chronically left behind by legislation and interventions which are supposed to serve the most vulnerable in our society. Placing the most disadvantaged communities at the heart of any government action on equality is the only way to ensure no one is left behind.

This conference is an opportunity for government to engage directly with the communities and organisations working to tackle some of the most persistent and urgent inequalities in British society. Through our panel discussions and workshops we aim to bring the priorities of Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller people and communities to forefront of all policy discussions. We will present constructive, evidence-based recommendations on education reform, community safety, and tackling entrenched poverty with a focus on Romani, Irish Traveller and Roma communities, who remain at the sharpest edge of exclusion.

We invite cross-sector collaboration, fresh thinking, and accountability not blame as we work together to create solutions that work for everyone. Our workshops will bring together key experts, to discuss topics such as poverty, access to opportunities for young people, the criminalisation of our communities and building the next generation of community advocates.

Join us at our 2025 CPD certified conference to begin building trust, fairness and opportunities for our Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller communities.

Find the Conference Brochure here