The document summarizes a residential project that brought together members of the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller community over 3 weekends to share their histories and life experiences. The project used various creative mediums like filmmaking, art, crafts, music, and poetry to engage participants and preserve their stories. Participants spent time outdoors doing team-building activities, shared meals together, and presented their work to the group on the final day of the residential. The organizers viewed it as a successful first step and plan to apply lessons learned to make the next residential an even more inspiring experience.
1. Telling and Sharing our Histories
A Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Community Project
2. The aim of the project is to bring together members of
the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Community to share and
participate in learning on 3 residential weekends.
Learning through
having fun and
working together
Making a Book
Talking about our lives
Who we are and what we
believe in
Discrimination
Our histories and life
stories
Sharing Poetry and
Songs
Singing together
Performing
Listening to poetry
Using musical instruments,
costume
Art and Craft
Using paints to explore
Making pictures
Film Making
Learning how to use the
camera and equipment
Filming each other
Evaluating the project on
film
3. The Team
Jackie Nevin from Redbridge Traveller Group, Oxford
Youth Workers from the Harrow Club
Phil Regan, Project Leader
Volunteer Lucy Purcell: Film maker
Iona Constantinesco: Film maker
Volunteer Lisa, musician and song writer
Valdemar Kalinin. Poet
Sylvie Parkes: Teacher
4. Climbing, helping and supporting each other, working as a team, balancing and thinking about safety
Orienteering and assault Course
The residential was set in the beautiful grounds of High Ashurst Activity Centre.
There were lots of opportunities to be outside and join in team building activities….and getting lost!!
5. We were dressed for al weathers. The setting was beautiful and very well equipped. ‘Where adults and young people engaged with activities there seems to have been some real learning, strong stories and fun for all’ Phil Regan
‘I liked the way we could begin to think about how we wanted to learn and what we felt was important to record. It felt like the beginning of something very special’ Jackie Nevin
6. We shared our meals together in the big hall giving us the chance to get to know each other. Here is Pat giving his grandson a helping hand at breakfast
Jose talked about her work with the Gypsy and Traveller Support Group. Tina is also setting up a Women’s Group for Travellers in London. ‘We have all got to know each other a little bit more’ Jackie Nevin
Young Travellers talked about their lives, learning to drive, education and the discrimination they face in the settled community. ‘The community need to take on board the importance of this project and how it will contribute towards Gypsies and Travellers histories for generations to come
7. Lisa came as a volunteer. She brought with her a guitar, sang songs and made up a poem about the weekend. The children loved singing and wanted to perform lots of songs on stage.
We slept in Cabins that could be used in the day to have tea, talk to each other, make some music and get creative,
We dressed up in some traditional Gypsy clothes brought in by Valdemar
8. At the end of the residential we all gathered in the main hall. Tina and Jose took to the camera to film our thoughts about the experience.
Lots of people wanted to perform in front of the camera and share their talents, so the end of the residential turned into a very spontaneous little show.
We are on our way to developing a Traveller archive through film, audio, art, a book and an exhibition for the Traveller and Gypsy History Month.
As it was our first residential it was hard to know how things would pan out, as much of the time was participant led, finding out what people wanted to create. We worked together as a team, being aware of what we would change for the next residential. We thought about what worked well and not so well and are planning a meeting to make the next residential a truly inspiring experience! So until next time….
