Gypsy and Traveller Health Project
New project aims to Improve health of Travellers
Did you know…
- Gypsies and Travellers are five times more likely to experience ill health
- Gypsies and Travellers have a life expectancy 10-12 years less than the settled population
- Gypsy and Traveller women are five times more likely to experience the loss of a child
- The Gypsy and Traveller community makes up one per cent of the population of Cambridgeshire, and represents one of Cambridgeshire’s largest ethnic minority groups
Cambridgeshire Community Services has developed a Gypsy and Traveller health project initiative in response to the increased health needs experienced by this community.
Shaynie Larwood-Smith, lead nurse Gypsy & Traveller health said: “The team consists of lead nurse for Gypsy and Traveller health, a project development worker from Cambridgeshire Race Equality and Diversity Service, and advocacy support provided by the Ormiston Children and Families Trust.
“Additional local strategic partnership funding from Cambridge City and South Cambs has been allocated to the project for health trainers who will be recruited from within the Gypsy and Traveller community, led by a NHS employed community development worker, to raise awareness of health prevention and promotion.”
The team:
- acts as a central resource and champion for queries/concerns related to Gypsy and Traveller health
- develops and delivers appropriate training and awareness raising about Gypsy and Traveller culture, health needs and barriers to accessing services, to all partner agencies and interested colleagues
- works directly with members of the Gypsy and Traveller community, both on an individual and community basis, to enable them to achieve better health outcomes
- provides generic advocacy support where needed through the Ormston Children and Families Trust, managed by John Souter ______________________________________________________
Reducing inequalities by improving health outcomes, particularly in relation to disabled people, travellers and new migrant populations is a key priority of Cambridgeshire's Vision, the Countywide Sustainable Community Strategy