Celebrating Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month

Every June since 2008, people from across the UK have celebrated Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month. Through celebration, education and raising awareness, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month helps to tackle prejudice, challenge myths and to amplify the voices of Gypsies, Roma and Travellers in wider society.

At Elim, we are proud to have a role in the ownership or management of 90 Gypsy and Traveller pitches across five separate Local Authorities. We also sit on the National Policy Advisory Panel on Gypsy and Traveller Housing, with an aim to tackle discrimination and promote best practice and the supply of appropriate and affordable homes for Gypsies and Traveller.

Chubbards Cross Micro-event celebration!

As part of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month 2022, we were delighted to be awarded micro project funding by Moving for Change to create a celebration event as part of the Roadside Futures Project.

The event was held at Chubbards Cross, a site which is owned by South Somerset District Council, and managed by Elim. Residents and family members were joined by Elim staff and a representative from South Somerset District Council, with opportunities for residents to share and celebrate their family histories and experiences. Residents at Chubbards Cross treated attendees to pony trap rides whilst some of our younger residents took part in themed crafts throughout the day.

K and D, residents at Chubbards Cross, said:

“It was so nice to feel valued and appreciated, and to have some social time to focus on us and our culture. It was such a good day -the kids absolutely loved it and have wanted to make things all the time since. We felt we celebrated ‘us’ and built some trust with the officials. Lace (the horse) loved being the centre of attention -we would love to do it again next year”

Jon Batty, Housing Specialist at South Somerset District Council said;

“A big thank you to all at the event. It’s very rare that we get out on site nowadays and have a chance to just stop, take in the view, and chat to some of the residents.
It was super to see the horses being proudly shown off, and it was a side to the site that I haven’t seen for a very long time, so thank you!”

As well a chance to celebrate, it was also an important opportunity for Elim to listen to our residents’ views on the service we provide and the improvements we can introduce. Over the last year Elim have commissioned a video project to record the diverse voices of the households that we work with, and we were pleased to use the celebration event as a launch for our Gypsy and Traveller site residents to share their stories.

Gypsy, Roma & Traveller Flag Raising at Bristol City

At the beginning of the month, Elim were present at the raising of the GRT flag at City Hall. This is the first time the GRT flag has been formally raised by Bristol City Council and we were delighted to be part of this active celebration of the local Gypsy Roma Traveller community.

You can read more about the Bristol flag raising ceremony here. 

To find out more about Elim’s work with housing for Gypsies and Travellers please contact us on 01454 411172 or email us at info@elimhousing.co.uk.