Structure of the Organization
The Roma Support Group's work is managed and developed by an elected Management Committee, which comprises both Roma and non-Roma members. There are eleven members of the Committee who meet every two months. The Management Committee oversees the current work/action plan of the RSG and sets the agenda for the following year.
The Roma Support Group's work is organized and supervised by the Co-ordinator, who is responsible to the Management Committee, ensuring a fluency of exchange between the Committee, staff and volunteers.
A Brief History
- 1998 Autumn - The Roma Support Group was established at a meeting attended by over 80 Roma people at the Holy Cross Church in Kings Cross. The constitution, aims and objectives were adopted.
- 1999 Winter - Acquired our first base at St Stephens church in Royal Oak from where we ran an advice centre and social activities with the help of volunteers.
- 2000 Spring - Two advice centers were opened at the White City Community Centre in Hammersmith & Fulham and at the Froud Community Centre in Manor Park, Newham.
- 2001 Autumn - We acquired a grant from the Association of London Government, which helped to establish our advice and advocacy project by being able to employ workers on a part-time basis.
- 2002 Spring - We opened a new venue at the Newham Renewal Project Centre in Harold Road, Upton Park, Newham.
- 2002 Spring - Autumn - Funding obtained from the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund which helped an expansion of our projects and the establishment of an art and sport inclusion project with the employment of two new staff on a part-time basis.
- 2003 Spring - Development into outreach work as well as the production of our first publication - a book of children's art work supplemented with their own stories called “Colours of Hope”.
- 2004 Autumn - Moving into a new office in Canning Town thereby centralising our casework in East London.
- 2005 Spring - Recording of the first CD Journey by our cultural project Romani Rad.
- 2005 Summer - Release of CD “Journey” by our cultural project Romani Rad
- 2006 Spring - "Launch of the DVD 'Be Roma or Die Tryin"
- 2006 Winter - Participation in Refugee Communities History Project and exhibition – Belonging: Voices of London’s Refugees at the Museum of London.
- 2007 Autumn – The First London Roma Talent Show is organised with the involvement of more than 100 Roma children and young people. The grand finale takes place at Stratford Circus.
- 2008 Summer – The Roma Support Group was commissioned by Department for Children, Schools & Families to organise the first national Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month Celebration with special events in London and in Leeds.
- 2008 Autumn – we organised the Roma Support Group’s 10th Anniversary celebration which also gave us an opportunity to display an exhibition ‘A Decade of Roma Migration – 10th Anniversary of RSG’.
- 2009 Summer – Organising Young People Roma Awareness Seminar, models of good practice shared with over 100 professionals, launching of the Mentoring Project’s Evaluation Report
- 2010 Winter – Organising a conference, The Big Issue for Roma: Exclusion of Engagement?, Old Town Hall, Stratford
The Roma Support Group is a registered charity (Charity No. 1103782) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales, No. 4645981. Registered office address is: The Junction, 318 Barking Road, London, E13 8HL.