Health and Social Care

The Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic was one of the biggest challenges our country and our communities dealt with. As Restrictions were being lifted and the country reopened, it was important to still be mindful of the people around you and adhere to the current regulations.

When the Covid-19 pandemic swept across the UK, Romani (Gypsy), Roma, and Irish Traveller communities were left stranded in the floodwaters of government decision-making.

The Covid-19 Inquiry is an unprecedented opportunity to ensure the failures of the past are not repeated in the future.

Don’t Build an Ark in the Middle of a Flood: Why Our Participation in the Covid-19 Public Inquiry Matters

Read our January 2025 Blog here as the Traveller Movement made an impactful and hard-hitting opening submission to Module 4 of the Covid Inquiry.

Full BLOG here

Training and awareness raising is at the forefront of all TM policy and development. All our current training packages are developed from first-hand experience and in consultation with the Traveller communities.

Training delivery to date has included Local Authorities, Police, Legal Firms, Prison Service, Probation Services, Social Services, NHS, Health and Wellbeing teams, Community Safety teams, Civil Society Organisations.

To find our more about the training packages we have on offer including our CPD certified training, please visit our Training and Consultation page.

Nell, an Irish Traveller mother of five, was referred to the Traveller Movement following a period of severe domestic abuse and separation from her partner. She presented to our team in acute distress and expressed suicidal thoughts.

Through our Women’s Work programme, we provided an immediate advocacy response. Our team coordinated emergency intervention, including contact with crisis mental health services, access to safe accommodation, and ongoing welfare support.

Because the local statutory agencies involved had previously taken part in the Traveller Movement’s cultural competency training, their response was informed and respectful. They demonstrated an understanding of Traveller culture, the stigma surrounding domestic abuse, and the barriers faced by women from Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller communities in accessing mainstream support.

This partnership approach meant that Nell received timely, culturally appropriate, and trauma-informed care. Over time, she regained stability and continues to engage positively with services.

Nell’s case illustrates the impact of combining frontline advocacy with systemic change through training and awareness-raising. It shows how the Traveller Movement’s model of linking direct support with professional education creates safer, more responsive services for Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller women.

With support from City Bridge Trust, the Traveller Movement is currently delivering a project designed to improve referral pathways for Romani (Gypsies) and Irish Travellers into talking therapy services.

The project consists of three strands:

1. A steering group to guide the direction of the project. This steering group is comprised of the following organisations:

• Leeds GATE

• Leicestershire GATE

• The Maya Centre

• ICAP

• Irish in Britain

• ReThink Mental Illness

• One Call Away

• Brent Centre for Young People

2)  Community focus groups with Romani (Gypsy) and Irish Travellers. The aim of these focus groups is to understand community members’ experiences of mental health, access to and experiences of talking therapy services.

3) The Traveller Movement aims to bring the learnings from the steering group and focus groups together to develop a CPD accredited training course for talking therapy providers.

The aim of the project is to improve Romani (Gypsy) and Irish Traveller communities’ access to and experiences of talking therapy services, in London and beyond.

Explore our policy work and publications on health and social care, highlighting key research, reports and recommendations for change.

Please see more about our Maternity Care videos below on our YouTube Channel.