GYPSY ROMA TRAVELLERS HISTORY

Who are Gypsy Roma and Traveller children?

The term Gypsy Roma Traveller refers to a number of quite different communities who share some similar characteristics, predominantly a travelling lifestyle or history of a travelling lifestyle. Many Gypsy Roma and Travellers have ethnic minority status and are therefore protected under the Equality Act 2010.

Darlington’s Traveller History

Romany Gypsies and Travellers have been living in and visiting Darlington for over two hundred years. Travelling remains a recognised part of their heritage for some families, even if only for part of the year, alongside very specific social and cultural traditions.

Although some families still live in trailers on official traveller sites, as like the rest of the UK, the majority of the community in Darlington now reside in ‘bricks and mortar’ accommodation

Some families continue to travel as a unit or extended family to find work. This period of travel can be for a few weeks, months or years. Families often return to Darlington to be with their extended family. They may travel many hundreds of miles or in fact travel to Europe, America and Canada or they may remain in Darlington. Often the Gypsies and Travellers are discriminated against for their ethnicity and lifestyle. Part of the services work is to challenge perceptions and educate children and young people so that the experiences that the Travellers receive are positive and fair.