Our Vision for Change
Friends, Families and Travellers is a leading national charity that works to end racism and discrimination against Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people and to protect the right to pursue a nomadic way of life.
We support individuals and families with the issues that matter most to them, at the same time as working to transform systems and institutions to address the root causes of inequalities faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people.
You can find out more about our commitment to Equalities and Human rights here.
Our main areas of work
Health
We believe that everyone should receive the support, care and treatment they need, with the compassion, respect and dignity they deserve.
Accommodation
We believe that everyone has the right to safe and adequate living conditions and that the government has a duty to facilitate the nomadic way of life.
Hate
We believe that everyone has a responsibility to stand up against hate, prejudice and negative stereotypes and that the government has a duty to prevent and punish discrimination and hate crime.
Education
We believe that every child and young person has a right to learn in a safe environment that is free from bullying and that is affirming towards their culture and way of life.
We believe that:
- to address the inequalities faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities then Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people must be at the heart of all of our work.
- the inequalities faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities are rooted in historic oppression and structural racism and must be understood and addressed in this context.
- there is much to celebrate within Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, including cultural traditions, historical events, community values and individuals’ achievements.
- we have a role to play in upholding and protecting human rights and equalities, because we are stronger when we work together and show solidarity with other minority groups.
- all services provided to wider society should be accessible to and inclusive of members of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.
Therefore, we commit to:
- Support members of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities to have an active and influential role in all aspects and at all levels of our work.
- Ensure that when we are given a platform to speak about Gypsy, Roma and Traveller equality, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people are given a meaningful chance to speak.
- Recognise and share the unique and diverse histories of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, in order to challenge oppression and structural racism in modern day.
- Celebrate the remarkable and immense contributions Gypsy, Roma and Traveller individuals and communities bring to wider society.
- Show solidarity with other groups experiencing marginalisation or discrimination.
- Share our knowledge and understanding of inclusive service provision with other organisations and to challenge organisations when and where barriers do exist.
You can also read about our commitment to Equalities, Human Rights and LGBTQ+ Gypsies, Roma and Travellers here.
Our strategic plan sets out how we aim to achieve our goal of ending racism, discrimination and the inequalities faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. View our Strategic Plan for 2023-2026.
The heart of our work will continue to be a practical advocacy and legal support service to all Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities across the UK, pushing to get a fair deal and protect the nomadic way of life, and will now include a concerted push towards active campaigning and making best use of strategic litigation.
We recently launched our 2023 Annual Report. The report gives an overview of some of the achievements that FFT have had over the 2023 period in supporting Gypsies, Roma and Travellers by providing practical advice and legal support and ensuring the protection of their right to pursue a nomadic way of life.
