Gypsy Roma Traveller Leeds
The permanent site of the Gypsy Roma Traveller Communities
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Roma/ Gypsies
The Roma originally came from the Indian subcontinent, which they left about a thousand years ago. They entered Europe in the 13th Century. When they arrived in Europe they were thought to be from Egypt and were called Egyptians, which is where the word "Gypsy" comes from.
There are now substantial Roma/Gypsy populations across the world.
Information for Health Care and other professionals
A Better Road
A Better Road is a booklet produced by Derbyshire Gypsy Liaison Group in collaboration with the Derbyshire Traveller Issues Working Group. The following text is an introduction from the booklet itself.
The purpose of this booklet is to help health care staff and other professionals understand the Gypsy/ Traveller culture. Hopefully with correct information the attitudes towards the community and services offered will become more positive.
The subject has been handled from the Romani/ Gypsy's point of view. It is necessary to remind the reader that the customs introduced in this guide might not represent the views of every Gypsy/ Traveller that you may came across and further more all cultures change and adapt over the course of time.
Professional workers will most likely meet in their daily work Gypsies/ Travellers who will not require any special treatment but it is useful to understand certain aspects of their culture.
There is no need to raise any culture onto a pedestal. The Gypsy/Traveller people only wish that their cultures would be appreciated and be recognised.
There is diversity in all groups. The words Romani/ Romany/ Gypsy Traveller are used interchangeably throughout the booklet.
Why the need for the Booklet?
Derbyshire Gypsy Liaison Group (DGLG) have frequently been asked by health workers for information as there was nothing culture specific as a resource.
As this booklet was being compiled recent incidents were brought to our notice for example:
- by a midwife who realised she had upset the family by washing her hands on the way out of the caravan in the pots bowl
- an Environmental Health officer who was having great difficulty in persuading a family to have a sink for 'preparing food' in the facility block in order for them to obtain their site licence
- an old man refusing to live in a house with all the 'mucky pipes' in it but preferred to live in the garden and let his horse live in the kitchen.
To Obtain a Copy of the Booklet
Write to:
Derby Gypsy Liaison Group
Ernest Bailey Community Centre
Office 3,
New Street.
Matlock
DE4 3FE
01629 732 744
How to get a copy
To Obtain a Copy of the Booklet Write to:
Derby Gypsy Liaison Group,
Ernest Bailey
Community Centre,
Office 3,
New Street,
Matlock DE4 3FE
01629 732 744
Also read about
Making a Difference
The Travellers Health Partnership work to improve the health and living conditions of Travellers in Leeds. Read about their report 'Making a Difference.'
Police Training Pack
An excellent training pack has been developed by Police Training Officer John Coxhead.
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