Creating Better Places for Scotland’s Gypsy/Traveller Communities 2020
Webinar, 3rd November 2020
The Gypsy/Traveller community is deeply rooted in Scotland with its long history and culture. Despite this, Gypsy/Travellers are too often marginalised and excluded from decisions that affect them. The roots of the inequalities experienced by the Gypsy/Traveller community are complicated and multifaceted, for example under-provision of sites, prejudice and stigma over many generations and a lack of understanding of their nomadic culture together with systemic barriers to access and participation in public services.
During the current pandemic, Gypsy/Travellers face additional risks from Covid-19, particularly efforts to limit the spread within Traveller sites. We know that Gypsy/Travellers are more likely to have pre-existing health conditions and be at increased risk of poverty, fuel poverty, food insecurity etc. so it is important that they are linked to wider local support and services during the pandemic. The Covid-19 pandemic is now having a multiplier effect on existing inequalities for many Gypsy/Travellers.
The Scottish Government and COSLA published their joint Action Plan on Gypsy/Travellers, which coincided with the Planning (Scotland) Bill 2019 gaining Royal Assent and we now have the new programme for Government. These will all play an important part in improving outcomes for Gypsy/Travellers across a wide range of areas including education, health and social care and in securing quality accommodation, services and amenities which meet and respect cultural needs.
PAS has been working with Gypsy/Traveller community for many years to raise awareness of and access to the planning system to allow the Traveller community to have greater awareness, input, influence and control of decisions about place that affect their day to day lives.
Studies have shown that places where we spend our time have an important impact on our lives, health and wellbeing. Through various partnerships, PAS has been working with Gypsy/Travellers across Scotland to help improve understanding of the impact of place on health and wellbeing.
This event is an ideal opportunity for Gypsy/Travellers, local and national government officers, elected representatives at local and national level, planners, community planning, community councillors, public health professionals, employers, infrastructure providers and all other relevant stakeholders to engage with other thought leaders and potential partners that can help forge solutions to the challenges faced by the community.
Event Agenda:
10:00 Introduction from the Chair – Davie Donaldson, Activist
10:10 Opening address – Kevin Stewart MSP, Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
10:30 Understanding the needs of Scotland’s Gypsy/Traveller Communities – Davie Donaldson, Activist
10:50 Why Place Matters – Petra Biberbach, CEO, PAS
11:10 Addressing housing needs of Scotland’s travellers – Cllr Elena Whitham, Joint Community Wellbeing Spokesperson, CoSLA
11:30 Place, health and wellbeing – Emma Doyle, Health Improvement Manager – Place, Public Health Scotland
11:50 Case Study – Dominique Barr, Policy and Participation Officer, Migration, Population and Diversity Team, CoSLA
12:10 Fostering engagement between the Gypsy/Traveller Community and academia – Dr Lana Ireland, Lecturer in Psychology, Glasgow Caledonian University
12:30 Q&A
12:50 Closing remarks from the Chair
12:55 Close
We have a limited number of ‘early bird places available for this event for just £30 each and include a recording of the event for future use; simply enter the promotional code EarlyBird (case sensitive) when booking your place(s). Delegate places for this webinar are a limited and these will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis, so we do recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.
You can book your place by clicking here, or using the button below.
If you are interested in sponsorship or promotional opportunities, please contact us at events@impactengagement.co.uk.