Here’s what I think is being done for Travellers - Nothing! Because there are those people who are supposed to be helping Travellers, but all this work is getting done and nothing is really happening because camps, pull-ins and other places that Travellers like to stay on are either getting closed up or gates made barriers put up or fences built.

So really what has been done for Travelling people, they’re still not getting to stay in areas or camps because Police are moving them on and when they do stay on an area then they shift the Council are in there as soon as they can putting up no over-night parking signs. So there’s nothing being done for Travellers really when it comes to staying places. So if the Government or Gypsy Councils want to do something important for Travelling People then start opening camping areas so that Travellers can stay on them. It would be better for Travellers too because they’d be happy because they have somewhere decent to stay.

So if people say that are working to improve things for Travellers let’s see some of the things that have really changed. So think to yourself what difference has been made for the Travelling community. There is no need really to be closing all the areas that Travelling people want to live in. So people that are working to help Travelling families, help by opening places that have been closed and fenced up, help by fighting to get places open for the Travellers to live in. That’s what should be done for Travellers.

Councils are building sites to put Travellers in but it’s just to get Travellers out of the way and hidden away because people can’t be bothered to give Travelling People the time of day to stay where and when they want, because I think half the time it’s too much bother for the council to go and open an area and just let Travelling families pull out and in whenever they want. I think it’s like racism against Travelling Gypsy people just because Travelling folk live in caravans here and not much people have time for them. Well it’s time all Travellers stood up for their rights to live when and where they want. That’s what I think because I’m a Traveller and that’s what I think!!!

By Emma Louise aged 17
Scotland

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