Gypsies and Travellers - PP/Backup

Romany Gypsies - Irish Travellers - New Travellers - Welsh Travellers - Scottish Travellers - Travelling Show people
HISTORY: Thought to have originated from N. India Migrations from 11th Century onwards: Middle East , SE Europe Slavery – Balkans First arrived in Britain around 1500
Oppression and Injustice- 1471 First anti Gypsy law in Switzerland 1492 anti Gypsy laws in Spain 1512 driven out of Sweden 1637, Sweden, Law requiring expulsion or hanging of Gypsies 1504 Louis XII prohibited Roma living in France. 1563 Rome declares gypsies cannot be priests Louis XIV, France, attempts to prohibit Roma (corporal punishment, galleys, flogging and deportation to the French colonies) Germany 1800s, Gypsy hunting a sport 1803 Napoleon Bonaparte prohibits residence in France 1926 Switzerland –eugenics- Roma children removed from families
In Britain : - 16th Century - a felony to reside in Britain as an “Egyptian” (punishable by death): Henry VIII 1554 “Egyptians Act” 1547 Edward VII branding of gypsies. 1573 gypsies banned from Scotland 1822 Turnpike Act Gypsies camping on the roadside are fined. 1908 Children Act education compulsory for half of the year. 1960 Caravan Site and Control of Development Act (la’s able to control unlicensed development of sites). 1968 Caravan Sites Act (statutory framework for the provision of Gypsy accommodation)
2011 Census - Gypsies and Travellers have been part of British Society for over 500 years 2011 Census: First time census allowed people to identify their ethnic origin as Gypsy or Irish Traveller (excluding Roma) 58,000 Smallest ethnic group 0.1% pop’n
Actual number much higher (300,000) Fear of revealing identity Important to include Gypsies and Travellers in the census to understand and address needs. ONS: The census is used for planning. It’s hard to plan services for Gypsies and Travellers – like schools, accommodation and support – if no-one knows how many people belong to this community. When we asked all of the organisations that use census data which groups they needed more information about, Gypsies and Travellers came near the top of the list. We really need Travellers to fill in their census questionnaires.
1. Census findings - 88% born in the UK English commonest language (91%) 45% households had dependant children (E&W average 29%) 45% households with dependant children lone parents 61% live in house/bungalow 24% caravan/mobile home/ temporary structure Twice as likely to live in social housing Highest proportion of no qualifications than any other ethnic group (60% compared to E&W 23%) 47% economically active (compared to E&W 61%)
Accommodation: All Gypsies live in caravans - Severe shortage of accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers. 1960 Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act. 1968 Caravan Sites Act. 1994 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act. 2004 Housing Act. 2006 ODPM Planning for Gypsy and Traveller sites. 2010 Regional Strategies revoked. Accommodation: fundamental to education, health and other services. Significant number want a nomadic life. Absence of culturally specific accommodation. Response: self help/unauthorised development. Poor quality site provision. Cost of rent/utilities. Barrier to provision – sedentary population. Evictions. Poor outcomes for housed Gypsies.
Housed Gypsies and Travellers. - 50-70% live in housing frequently as a result of inadequate site provision or health/education concerns. Preferred to continuous eviction. Design important. Desire to return to caravans. Isolation. “Neighbour trouble”:Tension, harassment and racism.
Gypsy and Irish Travellers had the lowest proportion of people rating their health as good or very good (70% compared to 81% overall) ONS 2011 Census Analysis
Life expectancy: 12 years less for women and 10 years less men than the settled population. Poorer health and more self reported symptoms of ill health than other UK residents, including chest pain, respiratory problems and arthritis. ScHARR (2004) The Health Status of Gypsies and Travellers in England.
Pregnancy - Low uptake of family planning, screening and immunisation. Higher incidence of low birth weight. Higher incidence of congenital abnormalities. Higher stillbirth perinatal and infant mortality rates.
Environmental hazards- Infection. Exposure to pollutants, e.g. lead in soil. Lack of play facilities. Proximity to hazards such as busy roads and water. Lack of choice.
Mental health - High rates of depression. Long term anti depressant use and absence of other appropriate intervention. Inappropriate use of medication.
Lifestyle - Higher incidence of cigarette smoking. Decreased opportunities for physical activity. Unhealthy diet.
Access to health care - Difficulty accessing primary care: bureaucracy, lack of understanding and prejudice. Barriers to registering with a GP. Reliance on A&E, walk in centres.
Policy and practice - Targeted provision: dedicated health visitors; mental health services; ante natal care. Gypsy traveller involvement in service planning and delivery Community development. Cultural awareness and sensitivity. Improve access to mainstream services/Better GP registration Patient held records. Health information in an appropriate format. Interagency working.
Primary Health Care for Travellers (Pavee Point) - Traveller participation/involvement. Traveller Community Health Workers. Needs assessment informing community based health work. Training for health workers. Culturally appropriate health promotion. Media work. Mental Health Art Project.

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Gypsies and Travellers - PP/Backup

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