This document summarizes the findings of an assessment of the accommodation, learning, and health needs of families living on Stable Way, a site for Irish Travellers in London. Interviews with 17 residents found needs for additional pitches and improved living conditions. Health issues like depression, anxiety, and headaches were common. Most residents left school at a young age and many lacked interest in further learning due to barriers like childcare and lack of confidence. The assessment aims to inform support provided by the Westway Development Trust to better meet the needs of families on the site.

1. A short report on an
assessment into the
accommodation, learning and
health needs of families on
Stable Way (2014)
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. The Westway Development Trust (WDT) as
part of its ongoing involvement with the
families on Stable Way commissioned this
assessment in Oct 2013.
1.2. The assessment was undertaken between
Oct 13 – Jan 14 by Phil Regan, a freelancer
engaged by the WDT.
2. BACKGROUND
2.1. Made official in 1976, Stable Way (formerly
the Westway Travellers site) has been a
traditional stopping place for Gypsies and
Irish Travellers for centuries. With 20 pitches
it is home to Irish Traveller families
comprising approximately 100 people.
2.2. For the past ten years, WDT has been
funding work with families on Stable Way. In
2011 to help inform that work it
commissioned a report by Regan and Ahmed
into the ‘Learning Needs and Opportunities of
families on Stable Way’. At a seminar in May
of that year that report presented a number of
recommendations to support Traveller
inclusion in learning, training and
employment.
2.3. Recently WDT has undergone an
organisational re-structuring and with that, a
review of how it engages best with the
communities it serves. This assessment is
presented to inform that WDT review.
3. ASSESSMENT AIMS
3.1. The study aims:
1. To identify and describe the family
accommodation, learning and health needs of
Irish Travellers on Stable Way; and
2. To set out a programme of future activity
that is agreed with families on Stable Way
4. METHODOLOGY
4.1. This assessment is based within an ongoing
piece of Participatory Action research. Given
that the research has an explicit remit of
seeking Irish Traveller views in enhancing
community engagement, equality and social
justice, a Participatory Action Research
methodology has been adopted. See Regan
and Ahmed (2011) for a fuller discussion of
the methodology.
5. RESEARCH TOOLS
5.1. Research tools used for this assessment
included:
1. Semi-structured interviews with families on
Stable Way
2. Report sign-off consultation
3. Document collection and analysis
5.2. Semi-structured interviews with families on
Stable Way
Interviews were conducted with 17 Irish
Traveller people on Stable Way during
Oct13 – Jan 14. Interviews took place in 13
of the 20 pitches (including Triangle site)
resulting in a 65% total pitch sample. On 4
pitches 2 interviews were carried out and one
interview each with the remaining 9 pitches.
5.3. The sample comprised 5 males (29%) and 12
females (71%).
5.4. The majority of respondents were aged 25-49
(76%); 12% were aged 19-24; and 12% were
aged 50-75
5.5. Respondents were asked to indicate the
numbers of adults, young people and
children living with them at the time of the
survey. In total 31 adults (age 19+), 11
young people (age 11-18) and 22 children
(age 0-10) were residing on the 13 pitches.
From this two-thirds figure we can estimate
that the stable way total population is made
up of roughly 100 people.
5.6. Average family size per pitch = 4 to 5 people.
However there was wide variation to this,
with one pitch accommodating just 1 person
and another accommodating 11 people.
5.7. Report sign-off consultation
A draft report was provided to each pitch and
residents invited to comment either in writing
or verbally. In the majority of cases families
provided no further comment, although in
some cases information was asked to be
removed or re-worded.
5.8. Document collection and analysis
An examination of documents was
undertaken – including minutes of resident
meetings; letter communications with RBKC;
HF and RBKC Core Strategies; London Plan;
LGTU Survey into London Boroughs
response to meeting Traveller
accommodation need;

2. 5.9. The examination was particularly concerned
with a qualitative investigation of the levels of
involvement of Irish Travellers in learning;
and the impact of health and accommodation
inequalities on families on Stable Way.
6. RESEARCH FINDINGS
6.1. The assessment had a clear focus on
accommodation, learning and health. The
findings presented here are summary though
will be presented more fully in a report
published later in 2014.
6.2. To gain an insight into the individual value
residents placed on learning, accommodation
and health, they were asked to indicate the 3
most important things to them.
6.3. In response there was a clear value placed
on family (94%); Health (82%) and
Accommodation/Living Conditions (82%).
6.4. Learning – whether school, college,
university or training - was not valued as
important by the vast majority of
respondents.
Table 1: Three most important things as
percent of all respondents
% important things
12 Learning
53 Accommodation
82 Health
94 Family
6 Work
6 Freedom of movement
29 Living conditions
12 School
6 Childcare
7. ACCOMMODATION
7.1. Stable Way is placed within a number of
regeneration initiatives. To the west is
Hammersmith and Fulham, White City
Opportunity Area Development. To the north
and immediately adjacent is Westway
Development Trust Regeneration Plan. To
the east is the RBKC, Silchester Garages site
and Latimer Road development.
7.2. Recently the RBKC gained approval for GLA
matched funding to develop a triangle piece
of land at the entrance to Stable Way. The
development was abandoned by the RBKC
after negotiations between the residents,
WDT and authority officers failed to come up
with an agreeable layout.
7.3. The only entrance to the site is a winding
road. There has been a continuing
conversation about widening the cut through
at the entrance to the site for most of the last
5 years. It is understood from officers, that
funding has been granted from the RBKC to
WDT and it is not clear why to date this has
not happened.
7.4. Participants were asked whether they had a
current or future (5-10 years) accommodation
need, how much new provision was needed
and to identify the type of accommodation
best able to meet that need.
7.5. Current sample need: 8 of the 13 (62%)
families interviewed did not have a current
additional accommodation need.
7.6. Of the remaining 5 (38%) families
interviewed, there was a current need for 7
new accommodation units.
7.7. Future sample need: 7 of the 13 (54%)
families interviewed indicated they did not
have a future additional accommodation
need and 1 family (8%) was unsure.
7.8. 5 (38%) families interviewed identified having
a future need over the next 5-10 years
7.9. Total Stable Way need: 8 of the 13 (62%)
families interviewed indicated that they had a
current or future accommodation need.
7.10. Given that this assessment sample was
made up of roughly two-thirds of all families
we can estimate a total current need for the
whole site of 9-10 new accommodation
units. This figure is lower than though
roughly in keeping with the only London wide
research into Gypsy and Traveller
Accommodation Needs conducted by
Fordhams in 2008 that indentified 12 new
pitches needed in RBKC by 2017.
http://www.westlondonhousing.org.uk/upload
s/London%20GTANA%20final%20report.pdf
7.11. There was concern amongst some
respondents that new arrivals to Stable Way
were being prioritised, over longer
established families.
‘The longest people living on the site and on the
waiting list should be priority.’
7.12. It was evident from the discussions that
accommodation was not just about pitches
and new sites; it was also about living
conditions. Some comments:
We need motorway protection nets to stop people
throwing stuff onto us. I had a heavy car chain link
thrown onto the trailer just before Christmas that has
left dents in it. Imagine if that had been onto a child.
We need more protection from the motorway – sound
barriers and netting.

3. On the site there is not enough space.
I like the flower beds at the front. Just wish the rest of
the site was in the same way.
Dust and muck from the motorway is constantly falling
on us. I can clean every day though cannot keep up
with it.
Might as well make more use of the Hut as it is just
sitting there empty most days.
7.13. Parking on the site is limited and was
clearly an environmental issue for some:
The parking on the site is a danger. Ambulances
cannot get onto the site when needed. I don’t know
what we would do if there was a fire on the site.
Need more parking at the front of the site where the
business units are. Or where the new flower beds are.
7.14. Those 8 residents who had a current or
future accommodation need were invited to
identify all the types of accommodation that
could meet that need.
7.15. In response 87.5% identified additional
pitches; 75% a new site and 12.5% a move
into bricks and mortar
It’s all about accommodation. Nothing is going to
change unless we get more pitches or a new site.
If move into a house has to be in Kensington because
don't want to disrupt children's schooling.
7.16. It was readily acknowledged that the site
manager had made a substantial difference
to the environment of the site particularly
around repairs and maintenance and also
provided needed confidential welfare support.
7.17. There was however a concern that the
service was not daily as had been initially
agreed when the Tenant Management
Organisation had been awarded the contract.
Danny is great when it comes to repairs though when
he’s on leave or sick no-one is ever on site to cover
him.
You can phone the [TMO] office though they pay no
heed.
8. HEALTH AND WELLBEING
8.1. Disability: All respondents were asked to
indicate if they had a disability.
8.2. 8 of the 17 (47%) respondents indicated that
they did have a disability. This included
mental and physical disabilities. 7
respondents (41%) indicated they did not
have a disability and 2 respondents (12%)
preferred not to say
8.3. Current Health: Respondents were invited to
identify if they currently experience any
medical conditions. 3 respondents (18%)
preferred not say. Of those 14 people that
did answer there was common regularity in
some of the experienced health conditions.
79% of respondents reported experiencing
migraines/headaches; 64% depression and
57% anxiety.
‘Medical reasons why I am not working. The struggle
to overcome my medical condition and looking after
the children makes other work hard.’
Table 2: Currently experienced medical
conditions as a percent of all respondents
% of
respondents
Medical condition
14 Heart disease
64 Depression
14 Diabetes
21 Asthma
57 Anxiety
21 Arthritis
79 Migraine/Headaches
7 Sciatica
7 Cataracts
8.4. Since Burchill et al (2005) a high incidence of
anxiety and depression has been reported on
the Westway/Stable Way. Regan and
Ahmed (2011) recommended a ‘more
holistic approach to tackle anxiety and
depression, including counselling’ These
recommendations seem not be being taken
forward.
8.5. Given the health needs, there has been a
lack of continuity in health staffing. Each
time the community start to build
relationships with the health visitor they leave
their post or duties change. During the last
three years three different health visitors
have been involved with Stable Way.
8.6. A new health visitor is now in place and
looking to deliver monthly surgeries on the
site.
8.7. Cigarettes: Respondents were asked to
record if they smoked and how many
cigarettes per day that was.

4. 8.8. In response13 people (76%) identified that
they do not smoke. Of those that did smoke
1 respondent (6%) smoked 5-9 cigarettes per
day and 3 people (18%) smoked 10-19
cigarettes per day.
8.9. Alcohol: Respondents were asked to
indicate if they drank alcohol weekly and how
much they consumed
8.10. In response 8 of the 17 (47%)
respondents identified that they did not drink
weekly with 1 person (6%) preferring not to
say.
Table 3: Weekly alcohol consumption as
percent of all respondents
% Units of alcohol consumed
weekly
12 2-4
18 5-12
6 13-20
6 41+
47 None
6 Prefer not to say
Some weeks I have none [alcohol] and then may drink
for a bit for a couple of weeks
Looking to slow down and not really drinking at the
moment
Don’t go to the pub unless there is an occasion
When there is a celebration then I drink otherwise do
not drink each week
Go drinking about once a fortnight
I’m not an at-home drinker
8.11. Exercise: Respondents were asked to
indicate if they were happy with their
bodyweight.
8.12. In response 41% were happy with their
body weight with 18% preferring not to say.
8.13. Of those 41% that were not happy with
their body weight, there was an across
8.14. gender indication that weight gain was
issue.
trying to put on weight though have a fast metabolism
trying to do something about it [weight] trough diet and
gym
Want to put weight on though keeping loosing it
through stress
got sick and lost stone and a half - need to put weight
on
8.15. Respondents were asked how frequently
they exercised each week.
8.16. In response 71% indicated that they did
not formally exercise weekly. 6% exercised 3
times / week and 18% exercised more
frequently than 3 times / week.
8.17. On reflection the survey could have better
defined the term exercise. From feedback it
is evident that what was understood from
respondents was that the question related to
‘formal’ exercise’ in a workout or gym. It is
evident that many women are informally
exercising daily through walking, domestic
duties and child rearing.
Can’t [exercise] with my back which gets me down
I occasionally jog
Walk most days though since illness not as easily as I
used to and I get winded easily
9. LEARNING
9.1. Schooling: 14 (82%) of respondents left
school below the age of 16. The remaining 3
(18%) people left school at age 17-18.
9.2. An analysis of age and schooling leaving age
reflects something families describe
themselves. 100% of age 50-75 respondents
left school in contrast to 100% of age 19-24
continuing onto Further Education.
In 2 years, between 12-14 I did all my schooling
I didn’t attend school at all. We were on the move all
the time so did not have the chance. I learnt to read
and write in prison.
We are Travellers and can survive anywhere. Life
skills are just as important as anything at school or
college.
For a long time Travellers have been going to school.
It was different in my mum and dad’s days when they
were on the move though I went to school and so are
my children.
Table 4: Scale ranking of interest in learning
as percent of respondents
Interest in developing learning
1 2 3 4 5
% 41 6 12 6 35

5. 9.3. Interest in learning: Residents were asked
to rate how interested they were in
developing their learning, training or
employment opportunities. 1 indicating no
interest and 5 very interested.
9.4. In response 41% (7 people) indicated that
they had no interest in contrast to 35% (6
people) indicating being very interested.
9.5. Those 10 respondents that indicated some
interest in developing their learning (i.e. rated
2 or above) were asked to identify any
barriers to taking their learning forward.
Table 5: Barriers to learning as percent of all
respondents
No. of people Barrier to learning
5 Childcare
5 Confidence
4 Cost
4 Lack of information
4 Transport
4 Family commitment
4 Time commitment
1 Prefer not to say
9.6. Those same 10 respondents were also asked
to indicate how much time they could commit
each week to develop their learning, training
or employment opportunities.
9.7. Those same 10 people were also asked
where any learning or training should be
delivered.
9.8. There was a strong indication (60%) that any
new learning or training opportunities should
take place on Stable Way.
9.9. Respondents were asked to indicate whether
they are currently or have been since leaving
school involved in adult education activities.
9.10. More than half of all respondents (53%)
had been involved in informal or formal
learning adult learning activities during the
last 3 years. This included informal activities
like sewing, cooking and computer sessions
and also formal qualifications like BTEC
Gypsy Traveller Site Management, BTEC
Hair and Beauty and CPC training.
Feel that the course was a waste of money because
nothing has come out of it - no paid work.
I did CPC Training in 2013 funded by the Westway
Development Trust
9.11. Learning/Training Need: Residents
were asked to indicate the types of learning
activities they were interested in taking
forward.
9.12. There was a strong statement that any
new learning needs to be in a short course
format, with clear tangible outcomes and
preferably accredited.
9.13. Often learning activities in the past,
particularly the informal ones have been
targeted at Children/Young People and
women. Activities for the men should be
explored e.g. sport (fishing).
9.14. One of the men on Stable Way was
delivering Boxing sessions at the Harrow
Club to young men and women in the
Borough. Something like this would be
welcomed again.
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
currently during the
last 3 years
not in the
last 3 years
none
Graph 1: Residents involvement
in adult education
Table 6: Respondents time commitment to
future learning opportunities.
Time commitment each week
1-2
hrs
3-5
hrs
1-day 2-3
days
full
week
% 40 30 0 20 10
Table 7: Respondents preferred location for
future learning opportunities.
Location of any new training or learning
OnStable
Way
Near
StableWay
InRBKC
InLondon
Online
Anywhere
% 60 20 10 10 0 10

6. Table 8: Respondents preferred learning
activities
% of
respondents
Type of activity
18 ICT
18 English
41 Cooking/Baking
35 Job related training
35 Sewing
24 Trade Skills
24 Learning that led to qualifications
6
Tutoring support for young people
at secondary school
12 Job/work experience
6 Maths
6 Floristry
12 Hair and Beauty
6 Things for children – drama
6 Sports activities for young people
Personally need a job that is paid part-time work
I would like to have another go at sewing. By time I
acknowledged it was happening it was the last lot of
sessions. Learning for the men, particularly for the
younger ones should be trades like brickwork. I would
like to learn how to use a laptop
Training to help with employment - JCB, HGV and 360'
driving. Architect would be brilliant though I’d be no
good at that. Didn’t mind driving the machines. Any
training should be short and help towards employment.
I know I can drive though need the paper, and I want
to earn.
The Hut should be open 3/4 days week to give mums
a break. Don’t need Country people to tell us how to
look after children. We have young people who have
reared kids who could help out and give parents a
break.
Something I can do with my hands - electrical training
or plumbing.
Should be training for machinery - truck driving.
Qualifications in site management for foreman jobs
Extra tutoring for the kids. My daughter is going to
school though she could really do with extra help.
When I first hear about things I have interest though
loose that after going along.
My preferred career is hairdressing though I need to
build up confidence. Would like to work in
hairdressers for extra training.
Would like to have my own shop of some kind - Bistro.
Rather do something short for say 6 weeks - that was
clear on what was to be produced and had a short
turnaround on getting qualification
The kids loved the residentials last year and there
should be more for the kids and parents
10. RECOMMENDATIONS
10.1. Meeting accommodation need is crucial in
looking to tackle other inequalities in health
and learning. There is a clear needs
assessment of 9-10 new pitches. This should
be the primary focus.
10.2. Living conditions can be much improved
by providing a footpath at the beginning of the
Stable Way, improved parking and improving
safety from the motorway through sound
proofing and some form of net protection.
10.3. Anxiety and Depression are clear health
issues that have been repeatedly identified in
research. There is perhaps not a
straightforward solution here, though this
should be identified in Local Authority Health
Strategies and targeted funding be made
available to help address this persistent need.
10.4. Families are highly skilled though with few
qualifications. Accredited, employment
focussed training and learning are key to
addressing some needs
10.5. The Mini-Club activity be staffed in part by
members of the community. If not paid then
could the placement be counted towards an
award in childcare.
10.6. The ‘Hut’ could be more utilised. One
suggestion is to continue the baking / cooking
sessions. This would require some
refurbishment of the kitchen area beforehand.
10.7. Stakeholders to remember the ‘not about
us without us’ ethos that is the cornerstone of
good development activity. Strong
recommendation that any funding application
to work with or support families should be
discussed at the residents meeting prior to
submission.