Sussex Traveller Health Project : Friends, Families and Travellers

Sussex Traveller Health Project

Introduction

Initially funded by Department of Health. Its remit is to establish a model of Traveller participation in the promotion of health; to develop the skills of Traveller Women in providing community based health services and to assist in the dialogue between Travellers and Health service professionals; as well as reducing inequalities in existing services & highlight gaps. The project has more recently been supplemented by Community Support Workers and a Youth Worker.

Our aims and objectives:

Establish a model of Traveller participation in the promotion of health:

To involve Travellers in all aspects of the project

To increase Traveller awareness and knowledge of health issues

To access and disseminate information to Travellers

To support Travellers in gaining access to health care

To develop culturally appropriate education materials

Develop the skills of Traveller Women in providing community based services:

To provide training in health skills and information, whilst building on existing awareness of health matters

To facilitate group discussions with the wider community on health issues.

To participate in the formulation of health policy on Travellers

To assist with dialogue between Travellers and Health Service Providers:

To prepare a health profile of women involved and their families.

To analyse and disseminate findings

To educate health service professionals in their work with Travellers

To challenge racism and discrimination

Inform other health professionals about the project

Women’s Health Project Banner

Health Banner1 The Sussex Traveller Women’s Health Project has produced an informative and decorative textile banner to communicate Traveller health issues to a wider audience. This project has been funding through Say Aah, an initiative from Brighton and Hove council to promote Arts in Health.

The Sussex Traveller Women’s health project has been set up to address the health issues faced by Travellers. Traveller communities often have poor health and the prejudice they receive makes them one of the most discriminated minority groups in the country. On top of this many are unaware of health entitlements and find it hard to locate an understanding GP. Through a series of activities, workshops and talks the Traveller women’s health group aims to increase health awareness amongst Health Banner2 Travellers and break down some of the barriers between their communities and health care.

Artist Nancy Evans has facilitated a series of textile printing workshops with Women to produce an informative and decorative textile banner.

The sessions acted as a forum for discussion about Traveller health issues and concerns and resulted in each participant creating their own individual panel based on the health issues faced by Traveller communities.

These panels were then sewn together creating a collaborative banner giving the woman a voice and symbolising the growth and participation of the project.

The completed banner will be used as a visual aid when the group are presenting themselves, improving awareness of Traveller issues and in turn decreasing misconceptions and discrimination. Health Banner3

The Sussex Traveller Women’s Health Project’s Recipe Book is now available.

CookBook The book was launched by the Traveller women who contributed recipes. They displayed their cookery skills to the public, using recipes from the book.
Copies are priced as follows:
1. Gypsies and Travellers: send a self-addressed envelope (A4 size) with stamps to the value of £1.01 to the address below.
2. Organisations: £4.95 per book + p&p. Please email admin@gypsy-traveller.org or telephone the office, asking for Suzanna, to order your copy.