Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month takes place every June and aims to tackle prejudice, challenge myths, and amplify the voices of the traveller community through education and raising awareness.  It also demonstrates the need to respect and celebrate Gypsy, Roma and Traveller culture.

The theme of this year’s Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month is “What Makes A Home”. This theme encourages people to consider what home means to different people, often more than bricks and mortar to concepts like safety and family.

Although some Gypsies and Travellers see travelling as part of their identity, they can choose to live in different ways including:

• moving regularly around the country from site to site and being ‘on the road’
• living permanently in caravans or mobile homes, on sites provided by the council, or on private sites
• living in settled accommodation during winter or school term-time, travelling during the summer months
• living in ‘bricks and mortar’ housing, settled together, but still retaining a strong commitment to Gypsy/Traveller culture and traditions

For more information about the history of Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, showmen and nomadic peoples, visit Friends, Families and Travellers (gypsy-traveller.org) or Gypsy Roma and Traveller History Month | The Traveller Movement to read some personal accounts and stories, and see how you can get involved this month.