Our Purpose
The London Gypsy and Traveller Unit is both a community development organisation and a regional strategic organisation. We seek to support Travellers and Gypsies living in London, to have greater control over their lives; to influence decisions affecting their lives; to improve their quality of life and opportunities available to them; and to challenge the discrimination they routinely experience. We use this detailed local and regional experience to contribute to national consultation and debate, and have done so over the past 20 years.
What do we do?
- Accommodation and Advice - An advocacy and advice service to Gypsies and Travellers living on sites and in houses in North and East, on accommodation, benefits and access to services
- Community development - support on sites, particularly in relation to site provision and site management.
- Youth groups - for young Irish Travellers in North and East London
- Learning support - for Travellers in literacy, IT and life skills.
- Media - We work with the media and Gypsies and Travellers, to challenge negative coverage and towards ensuring a fair presentation of their views.
- Research - on a commissioned basis. We also routinely respond to requests by other researchers to facilitate consultation with the community.
- Strategic and policy work - in partnership with agencies and Travellers on local, regional and national policies
- Advice and information - to agencies, professionals, community groups, the media and students. We have a number of resources available for sale.