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This is the fourth instalment in our four-part series covering the latest news and updates from The Traveller Movement from May 2026. Catch up on Part 1 , Part 2, or Part 3 if you missed it, or sign up to our newsletter to get the full story straight to your inbox each month.

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Gypsy, Roma, Traveller History Month

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Kushti Bok Dorset’s favourite time of year, JUNE History Month

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Betty Billington Smith CEM speaks to the Traveller Movement.  Betty is the Chair of Kushti Bok.  Her work includes advocacy, community engagement, and representing Kushti Bok in discussions with local authorities and partner organisations.

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What we did in 2025 or should I say what didn’t we do.

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We started off in May when some of the team attended the Gate Herts Moving for change Conference. All listening, speaking and networking encouraging everyone to fight prejudice and persuade our Local authorities to change policies for our Travelling communities for sites and to be accepted, also talking about what we all planning for History month.

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Then again in May many of us attended the Friendly Churches Conference, where I was asked to speak in Salisbury Cathedral, all about how we are working with the church who are promising water and Sanctuary to Travellers, hoping the church will provide transit sites for the Travelling communities. 

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June we had our stand at the local Horsefair, it was great when a local Parish Councillor attended and I think by the time she left she thought differently about us, also a lot of people were helped by one of our Advocacy workers. It was a good place to advertise our History day and our Roma Holocaust service in August .

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Again in June we all attended the Dorset Council Gypsy and Traveller Forum, where a lot was learnt from both sides.

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Much time spent in advertising History month, and making sure the Romany flag was flying over County Hall Dorchester, Corn Exchange Dorchester, Bournemouth Civic offices, Kingston Maurward College Dorchester.

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We were so busy in June that we held our Kushti Bok History day on 7th July 2025.Then some of the team attended One World event showing many Romany crafts and again advertising GRTHM.

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Yes we start early and go on for as long as we can. There are so many things that Gypsies and Travellers can do, we must not be the forgotten people, we stand loud and proud.

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This year so much more planned.We started again in 22nd May 2026 taking the Kushti Bok stand to two 4 day exhibitions in Hampshire just on the Dorset Border. This has brought many requests to join us and many offering photographs and stories,lots in Dorset, and many now putting our Dorchester History day 13th June 2026 in their diaries.Some wanting to attend as visitors and some wanting to volunteer. Manylocal Travellers proud to know the Romany Flag will be flying over Christchurch Old Town Hall, Bournemouth Old Town Hall,Dorchester County Hall, Dorchester Town, and other venues. 

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We have the Horse fair in Verwood on 20th June, then Beautiful World on 21st June. On the 17th and 18th we have funded Crystals Vardo to do four performances in four local schools, with other schools attending, so 10 schools in all will be able to attend and Kushti Bok members will be at each performance, talking to the school contacts about History month, and hoping to do some awareness training for staff and help with any Traveller children and parents who might need some support. We do have an extra performance of Crystals Vardo for any parent/teachers or local Travellers to attend on an evening . 

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Then we have been working with East Dorset Museum to showcase the Travelling Communities, many exhibits about “HOMES”. Started in History month and will be on display for 6 months. They are looking at having a permanent place in the East Dorset museum.

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Every year we do more and put out the word asking others to get those flags flying and events happening.

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Events

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We have now just moved into June which marks Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month (GRTHM), an important opportunity to celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller communities. 

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We encourage schools, councils, local authorities, employers and organisations across the country to actively recognise and participate in GRTHM through events, education, awareness raising and meaningful engagement with communities. 

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Representation and visibility matter. GRTHM remains an important opportunity to challenge harmful stereotypes, promote inclusion and celebrate the richness and diversity of our communities. 

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1st June – 30th June 2026 – Belongings & Belonging Social Media campaign – find here

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13th June 2026 – Roma History Day – Celebrating Gypsy, Roma & Traveller Heritage  – find out more by emailing Kushti Bok or phone them here

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18th June 2026 – 6th September 2026 – Roaming Britain.  Gypsy and Traveller Homes Exhibition – find out more here

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18th June 2026 – Onwards with Hope at;

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Haringey Learning Partnership, Commerce House, Commerce Road, London, N22 8DZ. 

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For more information email Gerry Robinson

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Opportunities to get involved in our work

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Collaborate With Us 

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We are always open to strategic collaboration, commissioning opportunities, and funding partnerships that advance equity for Romani Gypsy, Roma and Irish Traveller communities. 

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We also offer a range of CPD-accredited training programmes, alongside bespoke and tailored packages designed to meet the specific needs of organisations, institutions, and sectors. All of our training and programmes can be adapted to context, ensuring relevance, impact, and practical application.  To find out more about our training packages, click below.

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Crucially, all of our work is grounded in lived experience leadership and co-production, with programmes designed and delivered by people from Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller communities. This ensures authenticity, trust, and meaningful engagement, as well as direct relevance to the communities we serve.

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If you are interested in collaborating, commissioning our expertise, or supporting our work financially, please contact Olivia Morrison below

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Advisory board ongoing recruitment – find out more here.

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TM are also recruiting for a new Intern for the Partnerships team.  Find out more here.  This is an ideal opportunity for anyone with an interest in film making, social media and/or digital design. For enquiries on this:

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Upcoming Dates

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  • 25th June 2026 – City Hall GRTHM Event – please visit Cityhall pageor further information 
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  • June 2026 – TM Youth Conference ‘Shaping Tomorrow’ – Book here
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  • 23rd July 2026 – TM Summer BBQ – Book here
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Never Going To Beat YOu Online Training – Available dates to book

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Our highly acclaimed online domestic abuse awareness training includes the viewing our film ‘Never Going To Beat You’ followed by a Zoom webinar training delivered by Traveller survivors. The training has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from service providers and professionals working across the women’s sector.

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26th June – Book Here
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28th August – Book Here
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25th September – Book Here
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