Gypsy and Traveller communities - good practice examples

We are highlighting examples of good practice. Some of these are described in (sometimes hard to find) documents. Others have been provided by nurses working with excluded groups.

You might also like to refer to the guidance, policy and voices sections for further information on Gypsy and Traveller communities.

If you would like to send us an example of good practice please use the online form.

Culturally specific information for Gypsies, Travellers and health service staff

Gypsies and Travellers have their own culture and traditions with some groups such as Roma and Irish Travellers retaining their own unique language. An understanding of these distinct cultures is essential in order to improve access and effectiveness of health and related services.

Derbyshire Gypsy Liaison Group (DGLG) have frequently been asked by health workers for culturally specific resources.  In response they produced 'A Better Road', a booklet produced in collaboration with the Derbyshire Traveller Issues Working Group.
 
The booklet is written to put across the Romani Gypsy's point of view and the examples given reflect actual customs, although it is acknowledged that these change over time and might not represent the views of every Gypsy/ Traveller. As the Gypsy Roma Traveller Leeds site states, quoting the booklet:"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" (Gypsy Roma Traveller Leeds, para 4-5).

The DGLG have produced other leaflets about health issues for Gypsies and Travellers. These include: diabetes, heart disease and stress, arthritis, traveller safety and children’s needs. These are available in portable document format from their website (Derbyshire Gypsy Liaison Group).

Friends Families and Travellers: Sussex Traveller Health and Wellbeing Team

The team has worked to involve Gypsies and Travellers in the local involvement networks known as LINkS and other health fora, as well as assisting Gypsies and Travellers to access adult social care (Friends Families and Travellers). Most of the team who are involved in outreach work are from Gypsy and Traveller communities. The project sees itself as a model of how specialist voluntary organisations can work in partnership with local authorities building the confidence of Gypsy and traveller communities to engage with local services (Local Government Improvement and Development 2010a).

The project found that discussions about food and the dental problems associated with processed food helped to engage Traveller women and enable them to raise other health issues. The collection and description of traditional recipes led to the publication of the Sussex Traveller Women’s Health Project Recipe book. (Local Government Development and Improvement (2010b).

Health ambassadors

In Leicestershire a Travelling Families Service, which was started in 1995, is now staffed by a specialist nurse, health visitor, nursing auxiliary and clerical worker. In 2008 the unit launched a scheme employing Gypsy and Traveller community members to act as ‘health ambassadors’ between the NHS and local communities in Leicester and the surrounding areas. The health ambassadors receive a training alongside health professionals and  have helped health professionals locally to understand the culture and needs of Gypsy and Traveller communities and how health awareness in their own communities can be increased. “They have also advised community members on practical health matters, such as medications to take. As a result, immunisation rates have improved for children and cancers have been detected at an earlier stage” (Local Government Improvement and Development 2011).

The scheme is part of  the Pacesetters programme which was set up to test new new ways of working to address inequalities in health and health services (NHS Midlands and East 2009). 

References

The items listed are available online. They were last accessed on 27 April 2012.

Some may be in PDF format - see how to access PDF files.