Using drama to address discrimination and stereotyping of Gypsy Traveller communities

Rachel WemyssHealth Policy Officer Friends, Families and Travellersrachel@gypsy-traveller.org

Anti-Bullying

Bullying at school is one of the main barriers for Gypsy Traveller children to engage well with education.

• GRT pupils are reported to be amongst the lowest achieving ethnic groups within schools in England

“The other kids call me names over and over again making me feel completely worthless and alone, not that

you’d care”

Building Trust

Lack of trust between Gypsies and Travellers and healthcare professionals is a key barrier to access that prevents communities from – • receiving equal access and treatment

– e.g health visitors not going on to site

• going to the doctor in a timely fashion due to fear of discrimination

“Mum says I should go to school and get myself an education, but what’s the point when I just get picked on. I ask my mum when will

it stop? When the gorgers open their hearts and minds.

The Act Concerning

Egyptians 1530

Anyone who is an Egyptian will

be made to forfeit their goods and

ordered to leave the realm within

15 days or be imprisoned if they do not

obey.

Henry VIII

Racism

Romany Gypsies, Irish Travellers and Roma are all recognised ethnic minorities. They are protected by the Equality 2010.

The Public Sector Equality Duty. Public bodies must show ‘due regard’ to the need to – • eliminate discrimination• advance equality of opportunity • foster good relations between groups

On her travels Crystal meets Zekia a Serbian Roma girl in hiding from the Nazis

“The last ‘acceptable’ form of racism” - Commission on Race Equality

Gypsy Traveller Health InequalitiesShorter Life Expectancy 10 - 25 years lower life expectancy

even when adjusted for socio-economic status

Long term conditions 42 per cent of English Gypsies are

affected by a long-term condition

Immunisation & Screening • Low uptake rates of immunisation • Poor access to screening, especially

if no fixed abode or not registered with a GP

Prevalence of long-term conditions (Cemlyn et al, 2009)

Long-term illness

Arthritis

Asthma

Chest pain

Mobility Problems

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

Gypsy Traveller

Age and sex-matched Comparators

Gypsy Traveller Health InequalitiesMental health Higher rates of stress, anxiety and

depression High incidence of male youth suicide Poor access to bereavement support

Social care Gypsies and Travellers provide the

most unpaid care of any ethnic minority

Gypsies and Travellers have the poorest self-reported health of all ethnic minorities according to the

2011 Census

Social Determinants of Health

Few Gypsies & Travellers

educated beyond secondary school

Loss of traditional trades Unauthorised

encampments may have no access to

water or sanitation

Racism and Discrimination Lack of support for self-employment

National shortage of site provision and

existing sites often in poor condition.

Lack of access to healthy food

Poor access to health care

Feedback from the play

Very well put together, more people need to be made aware of this play’ …

‘thank you for educating me today and giving me an understanding of the Gypsy and Traveller community’

Sussex Police Training event

The children really had a thought provoking and up-lifting experience!

There is a real change in attitude from the children who saw the play. The

message is now clear!Teacher, Belvedere Primary school Kent

I think Crystal’s Vardo is an excellent way of learning about Gypsy and

Traveller history in an interactive and fun way. I think adults and children alike would benefit from seeing the

show as it has the capcity to make all age groups think about issues of

discrimination and prejudice. Health Visitor, South Gloucestershire