Getting Involved

This section of our website has been produced by the Irish Travellers Movement in Britain as a guide and inspiration for members of the Travelling Communities who want to help celebrate their culture during GRTHM 2009 in June by hosting a show or using their own special skills whether that be music, art or performing

The Guide covers:

How to play a part in GRTHM 2010 from initial idea to the event
Useful advice and information to help you make your ideas happen
Ideas and inspiration

It gives examples of what has been done, what can be done and how to go about organising an event.

You’ll find useful information and contacts to help make your ideas a success. You’ll also find samples of letters you might need to write and an invitation to place your skills and expertise on a cultural database looked after by the irish Traveller Movement in Britain.

Get involved, celebrate your culture and lifestyle, and enjoy yourselves.

Use the menu on the right to quickly navigate this section.

1. What is Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month?

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities across Britain will be celebrating their third Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History month in June 2010.

Decorative wagon

From all over the country Gypsy, Roma and Travellers will be working with each other as well as working in partnership with schools, councils and other public bodies to celebrate the history and culture of Gypsy's, Roma's and Traveller's, Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month is a great way for you to get involved a easy way to help change the minds of those who have stereotyped Gypsy Roma and Travellers in the past. There are lots of events going on across the country such as Pavee Ceilidh which was a great success last year also lots of competitions one of the major ones is Travellers Got Talent. Plans are under way to make sure GRTHM 2010 is more successful then ever before.

2. What Can You Offer?

There are lots of activities you can do to celebrate and educate people about your culture.

Here are just a few examples:
Storytelling
Celebration and Parties
Ideas exchange
Poetry
Talks and demonstration on culture
Traditional crafts and arts
Teaching traditional language
Boxing Tournament
Music and song
Cooking

Ferdinand workshop GRTHM 2009: Roma Artist Ferdinand Koci held Art workshops in schools in Leeds and London

Remember – what is ordinary to you is fascinating to others!

3. How Can I Get Involved?

There are many ways to get involved and events will be held up and down the country throughout June 2010.

First: decide what you can do. What would you like to do to educate others about your culture? How would you like to celebrate GRTHM?

Second: put your details on the GRTHM database. The GRTHM database will feature on this website. Being on the database will allow schools, libraries, museums, local community groups and Traveller Education Services, across the country to find out about what you are able to offer and contact you. Please contact info@grthm.co.uk or call 0207 607 2002 to request a form. You can find an example at the back of this booklet.

Third: Contact people with your ideas. When you have decided what you would like to do there are several people you can contact:

Local Traveller Education Service

The National Association of Traveller Teachers have a contact list www.natt.org.uk

They can give you advice on getting involved and point you in the direction of possible opportunities.

Why not write to your local

Museum
School
Playgroup / Nursery
Library
Arts Centre
Old people’s Home
Community Centre
Sports Centre

Tell them what you want to do and how you can help them celebrate Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month.

*You can find an example letter at the back of this booklet.

GRTHM 2009. International concerts were held in London and Leeds including Romani Rad (pictured) other musicians and storytellers from the Travelling communities

GRTHM Database

Being on the database will allow schools, libraries, museums, local community groups and Traveller Education Services, across the country to find out about what you are able to offer and contact you.

Fill in our form to join the database >

If you prefer a hardcopy of the form please download a copy.

Download Database Application Form >

If you have any questions regarding the database contact info@grthm.co.uk or call 0207 607 2002.

Who to Contact

When you have decided what you would like to do there are several people you can contact:

Local Traveller Education Service.
The National Association of Traveller Teachers have a contact list on their website at www.natt.org.uk. They can give you advice on getting involved and point you in the direction of possible opportunities.
Why not write* to your local Museum, School, Playgroup/ Nursery, Library, Arts Centre, Old people’s Home, Community Centre or Sports Centre.

Tell them what you want to do and how you can help them celebrate Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month.

*You can download an example letter at the bottom of this page.

4. What Have Other People Done?

Example 1

An Irish Traveller woman went to local library to entertain primary school children by telling story's in the Irish Traveller traditional culture.

Example 2

There was a short film produced by a theatre with Roma students, based upon a story made by a young Romany girl. The film aimed to raise awareness of Gypsy Roma Traveller history, culture and heritage.

Example 3

Travellers organised an event for themselves and invited other members of the community on their site, they had story telling singing and a BBQ.

5. How to Prepare and Present

Discuss your plan with a teacher or community worker before you do it.
Giving presentations/doing cultural activities is great fun but it can be a challenging experience if it is your first time. Practice your activity with friends and family, time yourself.
Know your audience. Make sure you deliver a talk or cultural activity that meets the need of your audience. Are they children or adults?
Keep your audience interested – audiences, especially children, will need to be stimulated to keep their attention. Use lots of pictures and visuals or “doing activities” to keep them interested. Could you involve artwork or drama in your cultural activity?
Breathe deeply to relax and enjoy yourself!

Pavee Ceildh

GRTHM 2009: Irish Travellers held a “Pavee Celidh“ in London and Manchester

6. Money: Funding, Costs and Expenses

GRTHM is a celebration of the diversity of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller culture. You may need money to fund your activity.

What you might spend money on:

Buying an artefact to help with your activity, such as a model bow top wagon
Printing and copying information
Buying arts materials for your activity
Paying for travel costs
Hiring equipment

For GRTHM there is a limited pot of money available to help pay for your activity. Contact your local region for information on how to apply There are small, and limited, grant funds available locally on application. Local regions will distribute the money.

Charging a Fee for your Activity

If you are providing a service or a performance you may want to charge a fee. If you wish to do this you will need to present an invoice.

Generally an invoice should ideally have;
Your contact details at the top
A description of services provided
Itemised expenses and a total of this list
A unique number to identify it in future and to be referred to

Download a Sample Invoice >

Also see:
www.freelanceuk.com/news/2779.shtml >

GRTHM 2008: Presentation at the House of Lords

GRTHM 2008: National Poster competition receiving prizes at the House of Lords

7. Criminal Records Bureau Checks

All people working with children are expected to have a Criminal Records Bureau check.

What is a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check?

CRB form A Criminal Records Bureau check is a means for an employer to make safe recruitment decisions and ensure that a prospective or current employee does not have any criminal convictions.

Organisations that have an enquiry about their Registration with the CRB, or an application to be registered with the CRB; Registration Information Line 0870 90 90 822

Individuals should contact their Local Regional Coordinator (see below) or local Traveller Education Service for information on how to get a CRB. See the contacts page on the NATT+ website www.natt.org.uk to find your local TES.