Welcoming Sarah to the Team

By Sarah Dunne

Hi, my name is Sarah Dunne and I recently joined the Traveller Movement as Campaigns and Advocacy Officer. Since commencing my role here, I have had the opportunity to speak at the annual Traveller Movement conference where I addressed the audience on the topic of identity. The conference afforded me the opportunity to network and learn more about the fantastic work undertaken by the organisation to support the wider Traveller community.

Prior to working at The Traveller Movement, I was a full-time secondary school teacher of English and Religious Studies here in London. Before making the move to the UK to begin my career as a teacher, I graduated from Trinity College Dublin (in 2014) with a Master’s Degree in education. I made the decision to become a teacher as I felt that my community is heavily underrepresented when it comes to the teaching sector. My goal was to become an effective teacher, to provide equal education, ensuring no child felt left out or anxious about learning. I have always had an interest in advocating for human rights, especially the rights of the Travelling community. My father, a well-known Irish Traveller musician, ‘The Pecker Dunne’, instilled this passion in me through his music and song-writing. A champion of the Travelling community, he highlighted the prejudice and injustice faced by the community through his song, music and story-telling. The musical heritage of the Irish Travelling community is something I hold proud and dear, being a singer and musician myself.

I welcome the change from the classroom to The Traveller Movement as I can use my skills and education to affect change for the better of the wider community. Next year I will commence a new role within the organisation as ‘Senior Women’s coordinator’, which I very much look forward to starting.