Traveller Movement Conference 2026 - Power, Place, Participation

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EVENT WILL BE ON THURSDAY 26TH NOVEMBER AND YOU CAN REGISTER THROUGH OUR EVENTBRITE PAGEE

Penny Hobman joined the Equality and Human Rights Commission in January 2025 as its Deputy Chief Executive. Prior to this, Penny spent more than 20 years working as a civil servant in the UK government. Most recently she worked at the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government as Director for Homelessness and Rough Sleeping between 2020 and 2025 and as Director for Integration and Communities between 2019 and 2020. She has previously worked in the Department for Education, the Government Equalities Office, the Department for International Development and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. Penny started her career in the UK charity sector working on international development and women’s rights.  

Panel 1:  From Westminster to the Town Hall: Devolution, Democracy and what this means for Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish, Scottish and Welsh Traveller Communities 

As powers shift from Westminster to local and regional government, devolution presents both a real opportunity and a genuine risk for Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish, Scottish and Welsh Traveller communities. This panel brings together advocates, policymakers and community voices to explore what local power really means in practice, and how we can ensure it delivers for some of the most marginalised people in the UK. 

The discussion will focus on: 

• Representation and participation, ensuring communities have a seat at the table when decisions are made 
• Local decision-making, understanding how new powers over health, housing and education will be used 
• Health, education, housing and employment, what devolution could change on the ground 
• Preventing a postcode lottery of inequality, ensuring devolution doesn’t leave some communities further behind 
• Partnership, not consultation, moving beyond tick-box engagement so Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish, Scottish and Welsh Traveller communities help shape the future, not just respond to it 

Featuring Liam Shrivastava- Lewisham Mayor; David Beaney – Kent County-Cllr; Jackie Duffy – CEO, Leicestershire Gypsy and Traveller Project; Dobromir Trifonov – CEO, Roma London; Howard Dawber – Deputy Mayor for London for Business and Growth 

Panel 2: Around the Campfire: Identity, Belonging and Representation 

An honest and reflective conversation about identity, belonging and representation. 

This session will explore: 

• Who gets to speak for our communities? 
• The importance of lived experience. 
• Cultural identity and pride. 
• Intergenerational leadership. 
• Young people’s voices. 
• Building a stronger collective voice while respecting the diversity of our communities. 

Featuring Olivia Morrison – Chair; Liv Hammond – Community Development Worker, TM; Wolfgang Douglas – Business Man;  Tina McInerney –Women’s Advocacy and Support Officer, TM; Davie Donaldson – Development Lead at IRISS and DEI Consultant; Roseann Black – CEO of Traveller and Gypsy Support CIC;

WORKSHOP 1:  Reimagining Futures: Skills, Employment and Economic Opportunity for Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish, Scottish and Welsh Traveller Young People

Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish, Scottish and Welsh Traveller young people experience some of the poorest educational and employment outcomes in the UK, yet they remain largely invisible in NEET strategies, skills funding and local economic planning. As powers over apprenticeships, employment support and economic growth shift to Combined Authorities, there is a real chance to change that, but only if provision is designed with, not for, these communities. 

This workshop is a space for honest, solutions-focused conversation. We will bring together young community representatives, policymakers, employers and skills providers to explore what is working, what is failing, and what must happen next. 

Featuring Alanna Witney- Luton Irish Forum; Karl O’Dare – Ignite; Ayesha Baloch – Impetus; Roger Mitchell – Rippley Academy; Esther Stubbs – National Education and Participation Lead; Olivia Arkaah – DWP 

WORKSHOP 2:  Our Mothers, Our Stories: Improving Maternity Care Through Lived Experience, Advocacy and Community Leadership 

Health inequalities remain a major concern for Romani Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. 

Building on the findings of the Amos Report on Maternity Care and the Traveller Movement’s award-winning Maternity Plus programme, this workshop will explore how devolved health systems can work differently with communities. 

Featuring Lourdes O’Brien – The Traveller Movement;  Crystal Grace Smith – Rooftop Group; Elizabeth Cox – NHS Hammersmith and Fulham; Tina McInerney – The Traveller Movement; Representative from NCT

WORKSHOP 3:  Men’s Mental Health: Breaking the Silence, Building Support 

Mental health and wellbeing are increasingly recognised as priorities within local and regional strategies, yet the experiences of Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller men remain underrepresented. 

Featuring Liv Hammond – The Traveller Movement;  Charmaine Abdul-Karim – Pride of Romany; Nevada Smith – Pride of Romany; Rachel Tynan – People’s Health Trust; Felix Lynne; Daniel Balaz – Connecting Roma; Jake Ferguson – Black Men 4 Change (BM4C)

WORKSHOP 4:  Building Inclusive Councils: Stronger Partnerships, Better Services and Thriving Communities

Councils are on the front line of devolution. As powers over housing, health, education and community safety shift from Westminster to town halls, local authorities have a real chance to do things differently, but only if they build genuine partnerships with the communities they serve. 

For Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish, Scottish and Welsh Traveller communities, the question is simple: what does an inclusive council look like?  Drawing on Traveller Movement work with councils across England this workshop moves beyond theory into practice. We will explore how councils can stop consulting and start sharing power. 

Featuring Mark Watson – Traveller Movement; Mena Mongan – London Gypsy Traveller; Councillor Binnie-Lubbock – Hackney Lead on Travellers; Councillor Fleur Donnelly-Jackson – Brent, Chair of Housing Scrutiny committee; Karen McGuire – Enfield Council; Cllr Natalie Thomas – Lewisham Council