Your questions answered: Gypsies and Travellers get answers to COVID-19 questions

Last, week, Friends, Families and Travellers (FFT) released a second short film on common COVID-19 questions asked by Gypsy and Traveller people. The film was made in partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council, Arch Healthcare and NHS Sussex Health and Care Partnership. You can watch the film here.

In conversations with Gypsy and Traveller people in Brighton and Sussex, we heard that there were a number of recurring questions being asked about the coronavirus vaccine. We asked Gypsy and Traveller people to disclose the issues that were important to their families so we could raise these with GP Tim Worthley of Arch Healthcare.

As COVID-19 cases are rising again, it’s extremely important that everyone is up to date and informed on relevant information about the vaccine. If you are able to get the vaccine, please do so.

FFT released a range of resources to support healthcare professionals in understanding barriers which may impact vaccine uptake and how healthcare services can be more accessible for Gypsies and Travellers. View the resources for healthcare professionals.

Speaking about the vaccine film, Tommy Buck, Projects Coordinator at Friends, Families and Travellers said:

“The video has been a important resource so community members can have access to correct information about the COVID-19 vaccine. I hope the video supports the communities in making an  informed decision around whether to have the vaccine or not. Thanks to everyone involved in the film.”

Previously, Samson Rattigan, Sussex Projects Manager at Friends, Families and Travellers had this to say about the first film:

“We asked Gypsy and Traveller people in Brighton and Sussex what they wanted to know about the Covid-19 vaccine and we were really grateful with the honest concerns shared with us. We hope that people find this film a useful resource to learn what the vaccine does in the body and how it’s preventing the spread of the virus.”

Here is the full video:

NOTES FOR EDITOR

About Arch Healthcare:
Arch is a GP surgery providing holistic primary care in the heart of Brighton, for people who are homeless or insecurely housed. Periods of homelessness can have a devastating impact upon health and we believe our patients deserve the highest standards of healthcare. Our surgery is one of the few in the UK rated as Outstanding, across the board, by the CQC.

About Friends, Families and Travellers (FFT)
Friends, Families and Travellers is a leading national charity that works to end racism and discrimination against Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people and to protect the right to pursue a nomadic way of life.

Media Contact

Sami McLaren, Communications and Campaigns Lead

Tel: 01273 234 777 Email: [email protected]

Additional resources

Video: Gypsies and Travellers get answers to questions about the Covid-19 vaccine. Watch here.

FFT materials for healthcare professionals to support Gypsies and Travellers access the Covid-19 vaccine. Access here.

Sign up to our Newsletter

Scroll to Top