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Keep up-to-date with the latest info and events affecting Gypsies and Travellers in the UK. View this email in your browser
Dear Friends and Colleagues, 

As we entered a year of unknowns, we were able to breathe a collective sigh of relief this month when judges rejected Bromley's appeal on High Court Injunctions and ruled that Gypsies and Travellers in Bromley "have an enshrined freedom" to travel. A well deserved victory for London Gypsies and Travellers and team!

But our fight is not over yet. Our new consultation form has made it easier than ever to object to the Government consultation on trespass, in just two minutes. There is little over a month to encourage friends, family and colleagues to resist these draconian proposals and stand together with Gypsies and Travellers.

Warmest wishes, 
Sarah Mann
Director
News
Charities call on Speaker to tackle hostile language against Gypsies and Travellers
With others, we wrote to the House of Commons Speaker, asking him to put an end to dehumanising language in parliament. Find out more.

Unfair treatment of UK's Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities raised to the UN
With a coalition of charities, we submitted evidence to the UN outlining the Government's failure to make progress in tackling inequalities. Read more.

Samson Rattigan awarded British Empire Medal (BEM) in Queen's New Year Honours list 2020
FFT's Samson is one of the youngest people to receive an award in the Queen's New Years Honours List. Congrats Samson! Read the news. 
Publications
Submission to Committee for the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
A coordinated submission to the United Nations Committee identifies violations experienced by Gypsies, Roma and Travellers. Read the report.

Gypsies and Travellers: Worst changes for a decade
FFT's Emma Nuttall writes for Runnymede Trust on taking action agaisnt the Government consultation on trespass. Read it here.

Dissident Island Radio - Interview with Emma Nuttall
In the context of the consultation, Emma Nuttall discusses policy changes leaving nomadic Gypsies and Travellers with nowhere to go. Listen online.
Update from the APPG
Back in action!
The APPG was reconstituted at an event in London last week and are looking forward to working with members to fight for the rights of Gypsies, Roma and Travellers in parliament.

Events
On January 22nd, parliamentarians and representatives from human rights groups met in Westminster to discuss a coordinated approach to oppose the government consultation on trespass.
Update from the HWAlliance
Personal Health Budgets - what are they?
NHS England have developed this brief video to help people get the care that's right for them. Watch the video.

How to access and use equality and health inequalities data
On 18th March 2020, NHS England and NHS Improvement are holding an event in London for the voluntary sector. If you would like more information, get in touch.
Update from our casework:
"As the new Hate Crime Officer at FFT I have been receiving reports of racist posts on social media and in the comments of online newspaper articles. Last year we reported two students to the police for filming and sharing hate speech in a video online. This week we heard that the students have been dismissed and suspended from their University. 
If you have been the victim of hate crime, you can contact your local Hate Crime Officer in Hertfordshire, Brighton and Leeds. You can find our numbers online."


- Ivy, Hate Crime Officer 
Take me to:
> News
> Publications
> Update from Parliament
> Update from the HWAlliance
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Advice Line - If you have an issue or problem which you would like support with, call our helpline on 01273 234777.
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We provide Secretariat to the APPG for Gypsies, Travellers and Roma which is a group of MPs and peers who work to address the inequalities faced by Gypsies, Roma and Travellers.
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VCSE Health and Wellbeing Alliance - Want to share your experiences and ideas with NHS England, the Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England?
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Our critically acclaimed play Crystal's Vardo uses dance, drama, humour and music to share the rich history of Gypsy and Traveller communities.
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Online Gypsy and Traveller Cultural Awareness Training - Improve your engagement with Gypsy and Traveller communities by taking our award winning e-learning.
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Use our Inclusion Health Audit Tool to help your organisation to embed action on tackling health inequalities into your everyday activities.
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Services Directory - Find services which support Gypsies, Roma and Travellers in your area.
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Spotlight
Clockwise from top: Crystal landed in Bedford last week, with a new vardo in tow; Lord Bourne, new Hon. President of the APPG signs his pledge to stand with Gypsies, Roma and Travellers; Suzanna King, Director and creator of Crystal's Vardo formed part of a panel at an Equity event on Gypsy, Roma and Traveller representation on stage and screen; the APPG reconstitute and invite members to discuss opposition to the government consultation on trespass.
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