ROMA SUPPORT GROUP
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        • Stage performances by participants in our instrumental classes
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      • Roma Aspiration Project >
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        • Building bridges and breaking barriers
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    • Gypsy Roma and Traveller History Month >
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        • GRTHM 2021 Art Competition
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    • Intervention Service for Professionals Working with Roma Families and Individuals in Crisis
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​News and Events


Settled status: what should EU citizens do about securing their status in the UK after Brexit?

1/4/2019

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Brexit means that EU nationals living in the UK will have to apply to be able to stay here, with full rights of residence.  This is called the “EU Settlement Scheme”.  Our Guide to the EU Settlement Scheme gives help on what you need to do if you are a EU national living in the UK. See our Roma and Brexit page and click on the first of the four headings "Our Guide to the EU Settlement Scheme".

The Mayor of London and London Assembly have launched a special hub for Londoners who are EU citizens giving them guidance on securing settled status in the UK when Brexit comes into force.

The Home Office/UK Visas and Immigration have also launched a document, "Settled status for citizens and their families", giving similar guidance in European languages.

Any future documents giving help and advice to European citizens wanting to secure settled status will be added to our special Roma and Brexit page.

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Training on Working with East European Roma in Safeguarding Context: Thursday, March 14th - 10% off early booking before 3rd February!

30/1/2019

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The Roma Support Group would like to invite you to attend a full-day training course on Working with East European Roma in Safeguarding Context. This will take place on Thursday, March 14th from 10am to 4pm at a venue in Central London.
​
  • See further details about the content of the course.
  • See details on prices and how to book.

​
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RSG contributes to Parliamentary report on the future for Roma post-Brexit

5/11/2018

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The Roma Support Group is a major contributor to Roma and Brexit, a recently-published report on the future for Roma in post-Brexit UK. The report, from the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) and Migration Joint All Party Parliamentary Groups, is the result of discussions at a roundtable event at the House of Lords on 11 July 2018. The event was co-ordinated by the Roma Support Group.

Roma living in the UK have a huge contribution to make to society and they greatly value living here, working here and being part of the UK community. Yet this is not always understood and recognised. Furthermore, uncertainties about the future status of EU nationals in the UK are a cause for considerable uncertainty among members of the Roma community. We hope that this initial report will be of interest to policy makers in this regard.

Read the full text of the report.

See further information about Brexit and Roma on our Brexit Information and Brexit statements pages.

Item added 11/7/2018

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Roma Support Group celebrate Gypsy/Roma/Travellers History Month at House of Lords

5/11/2018

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​Roma Support Group staff, volunteers, friends, families and travellers were recently invited to celebrate Gypsy/Roma/Travellers History Month with a historical tour of the House of Lords.

On Monday, 25 June 2018, Lord Beecham hosted a House of Lords tour for around fifteen young Roma, Gypsies and Travellers.

The Roma Support Group would like to say a huge thank you to Lord Beecham for giving us all this great opportunity.

Item added 22/6/2018

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Can you help us as an Advocacy volunteer?

5/11/2018

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We are currently looking for a volunteer who can help with our Advice and Advocacy Project, someone to support everyday running of the project including 1-to-1 advocacy sessions, workshops and our Forum theatre sessions.

Please see further information about this opportunity on our Volunteering page.

If you would like to do rewarding work with an organisation who works hard to support marginalised members of our society please get in touch!

This item added 27/6/2018
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Roma Support Group makes submission to Parliamentary Race Disparity Audit

5/11/2018

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In November 2017 the Roma Support Group (RSG) made a submission to the Parliamentary Women and Equalities Select Committee (WESC). This was in response to the results of the Race Disparity Audit originally launched by the Prime Minister to look into racial disparities in public service provision with a view to ending the injustices experienced by many people.

Read the text of the RSG submission here
Read a transcript of the meeting WESC where the RSG’s oral evidence was discussed (20th December 2017)
View video footage of the meeting WESC where the RSG’s oral evidence was discussed (20th December 2017)

This item added 6/3/2018
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Roma Support Group publishes report on the exclusion of Roma children from English schools

5/11/2018

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Many Roma families think that England offers opportunities to young Roma which are denied in the country of their birth but Roma children’s experience of attending school can be difficult.

A new report, produced by the Roma Support Group with the support of Barrow Cadbury Trust, looks at extensive evidence which indicates that Roma pupils are excluded from some English schools.

See the full text of the report.

This item added 21/10/2017
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Training course on Roma Cultural Awareness, 10th July 2018, London

14/6/2018

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We are holding a full day’s training course on Roma Cultural Awareness on Tuesday 10th July 2018.
*There is a 10% saving on bookings made before 31st May 2018*
This is what a previous attendee had to say about the training:
“As a result of this training I am planning to promote a Roma intervention programme in order to improve understanding of Roma culture and the needs of the Roma community and to reduce crime.”
– Metropolitan Police officer

Where and when?

Central London (full location details will be sent to you on receipt of your booking)
Tuesday 10th July 2018, 10 am – 4 pm (registration starts at 9.30 am

How do I book?

If you want to attend this training it is essential to book.
Fill in our booking form (Word document) and email it to us at [email protected].

Prices:

Commercial sector: £170
Public and Charity sector: £130
Small charities (maximum 5 paid staff): £100
Independent professionals: £100
Students: £80
*There is a 10% saving on bookings made before 31st May 2018*

Further information

See further information about the training on our separate page.
If you have a question please contact Gaba on 07751 496920 (Mondays to Thursdays) or Marta on 020 7511 8245 (Fridays) email [email protected]
​
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New online reporting site for hate crime incidents towards Roma

15/1/2017

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Gypsy and Traveller Empowerment Herts (GATE) have set up an online reporting tool for incidents of hate crime and hate speech towards Gypsy, Traveller and Roma community members.
Wherever possible, such incidents should be reported to the police at a local police station or by phoning 112 (or 999 in an emergency). The GATE project understands however that many community members are reluctant to report directly to the police for many differing reasons. They have set up this online tool so that reports can be made anonymously.
  • Go to the Report Racism site to report a hate incident
  • Read background information about hate crime and the Report Racism site



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Three important new publications on Roma people and their rights

12/8/2016

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Three important publications about Roma people and their rights have just appeared:
  • The London Borough of Brent, The Met Police and the Romanian Police, UKBA and the Romanian Roma: a joint briefing paper with AIRE Centre – Roma and other migrant workers are being denied the right to work in two neighbourhoods of Brent. And Romanian police are working alongside UK Visas & Immigration staff in Brent at the same time. This briefing paper has been prepared by Roma Support Group and the AIRE Centre to explore the why the right to work is being denied. And how the removal of EU migrants workers is already being explored by local agencies; is this a sign of things to come? – Read the full paper
  • Mainstream approaches aren’t working: The European Commission’s 2016 assessment of member states’ progress towards Roma integration: the case of the UK government.  A briefing paper – The European Commission have recently issued a damning indictment of the UK government’s policy towards Roma people (which includes Gypsy and Traveller communities and families). Many organisations have argued that the UK government’s refusal to develop an explicit ‘National Roma Integration Strategy’ – and instead adapt existing social inclusion policies to achieve Roma integration – is destined to fail. It seems that the European Commission has reached the same critical view. This briefing paper summarises the issues raised. – Read the full paper
  • Free school meals and Roma children: a review of recent evidence in twenty local authorities in England – Many Roma families, if they are short of work and unable to sustain themselves, have known that their children will not be made to suffer at school. The children will have free school meals as the family are receiving a particular qualifying benefit; and the school will be able to claim additional funding under the Pupil Premium scheme. Thanks to a series of Freedom of Information requests, we are now able to describe the most recent trends throughout England. It seems that Roma children have experienced a sudden decline in being eligible for free school meals – and so their schools are denied additional funds to support newly arriving children, and children with particular language needs. This decline is not matched by any new found wealth which has been suddenly enjoyed by Roma families. This leads us to believe that the decline in eligibility is due to the impact of benefit changes since 2014 which have been sharply felt across England by Roma families. – Read the full report.​
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Roma Support Group report on Roma rough sleepers published

5/8/2016

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A new report has been published, prepared by the Roma Support Group on behalf of St Mungo’s and Westminster City Council. It presents the findings of research carried out with Roma migrants sleeping rough in Westminster, including interviews with sixty-four Roma rough sleepers.
The report offers recommendations for the Greater London Authority, Westminster City Council and homelessness organisations in order to improve engagement with Roma rough sleepers and reduce rough sleeping in Westminster.
Read the full report.
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Roma Support Group issues statement following outcome of UK referendum on EU membership

30/6/2016

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The Roma Support Group has issued a statement following the outcome of the referendum on EU membership:
“This is a difficult time.  The majority of people in the UK have said that they want to leave the European Union.  This will have an impact on the Roma communities throughout the UK.
​Roma families have made contributions to this country for many years; through their work and their payment of taxes.  Whether they have been born in the UK, or are nationals from other EU countries, Roma women, men and children have rights to live here and to work here.  These rights still exist.  They can only be removed by an act of Parliament.  These rights enable Roma to live and work in the UK, to have their families and dependants with them in the UK, to live in safety – free from harassment – in the UK and for them and their children to use public services (schools and health services) just as any of other UK citizen can do.  None of this is changing at present. If and when it does change all Roma communities in the UK will be aware.  We ask you to be vigilant for yourselves, and for others.  Do not take any hasty decisions. You have every right to live and work and be happy in the UK.  Exercise your rights.”
Roza Kotowicz, Chair
Sylvia Ingmire, Chief Executive
Roma Support Group

30 June 2016
We are putting together some information for organisations and individuals who, like ourselves, are struggling to come to terms with the implications and possible ramifications of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union:
  • Our Brexit Statements page includes our own statement (as above) and one issued by Migrants Organise
  • Our Brexit Information page links to further statements from other organisations, blogs, briefings and other documentation relating to Brexit. We will continue to add content to this page as more information becomes available
  • To access our Brexit information more easily, see the drop-down options from the white “Brexit” button on the blue navigation bar towards the top of any of our web pages.
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  • Home
    • About Us
    • Trustees
    • Staff
    • Our Funders
    • News & Events
    • Vacancies >
      • Jobs
      • Volunteering
      • Volunteering as a trustee
    • History
  • Projects
    • Advice & Advocacy >
      • Service User Agreement
      • Roma Community Advocacy Project (2014-19)
      • Elder Roma Engagement Project (2011-14)
      • Young Roma Advocacy Project (2010-13)
    • Art & Culture >
      • Roma Bridging Sounds Orchestra
      • Instrumental music classes in East London >
        • Stage performances by participants in our instrumental classes
        • Dance classes
        • Exhibitions
        • Romani Rad
        • Promoting Roma musicians and artists
        • Visual arts workshops
        • Forum Theatre Project
    • Aspiration Project >
      • Roma Aspiration Project >
        • Education Support Projects
        • Young Roma enjoy orienteering in Lee Valley Regional Park
        • Roma children visit Parliament
        • Building bridges and breaking barriers
        • Kids’ Cookery School
    • Mental Health Project >
      • Health Projects
    • Ketane - Together: Roma Shaping Futures
    • Policy and Campaigning
    • Roma and Brexit >
      • Stay Settled in Newham Project
    • Roma News Project
    • Romano Kher: Roma Housing Advocacy Project
    • 'Roma Stories': Roma Oral History Project
    • Roma Support and Engagement Programme >
      • Roma Support Group Expertise
    • RSG 25th Anniversary
    • Sport Inclusion
  • Campaigns
    • Mishto Campaign >
      • Support the Mishto Campaign
      • Mishto Pledge for Charities
      • Mishto Pledge for Local Authorities
      • Mishto Pledge for Schools
  • Resources
    • Newsletters
    • Our Publications
    • Annual Reports
    • Our Research
    • Resources for the Roma Community
    • Health Research and Guidance
    • Gypsy Roma and Traveller History Month >
      • Gypsy Roma and Traveller History Month 2020
      • Gypsy Roma and Traveller History Month 2021 >
        • GRTHM 2021 Art Competition
      • Gypsy Roma and Traveller History Month 2022 - RSG Art Competition
      • GRTHM 2023 Art Competition
      • GRTHM 2024 Art Competition
    • Robert Dawson Collection
    • Alternative Service Providers
    • Other Resources
  • Support for Professionals
    • Intervention Service for Professionals Working with Roma Families and Individuals in Crisis
    • Training for Professionals and the Community
    • Specialist Support for Research and Consultation
  • Support us
    • How to donate
    • Membership
    • Legacies
  • Contact
    • Make a referral