Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities are a connected but distinct collection of ethnic groups who share similar historical themes and traditions around nomadism. Although the term ‘GRT’ is used regularly when discussing Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, it is preferable where possible to express the term fully, demonstrating clearly that ‘Gypsy, Roma and Traveller’ communities are separate and distinct ethnic groups.

What brings our communities together is a shared sense of history and traditions, but also the discrimination we face in everyday life. Deep misunderstanding of who Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people are is commonplace in the UK, with most people not know the difference between a Gypsy, Romany Gypsy, Roma, or Traveller person. Damaging stereotypes and myths are populated in the media, with shows like My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding and The Truth About Traveller Crime portraying inaccurate and harmful narratives though either the guise of entertainment or through misinterpreted facts presented as evidence to the general population.

We encourage citizens, organisation, educators, leaders, health care professionals and the like, to understand for themselves who Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people are and above all remember that Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities are people who are the same as anyone else. They are British, they are European, there are teachers, lawyers, police officers, academics, there are also individuals who don’t always do what they should do, the same as any other race group existing in the UK today, irrespective of nationality, colour, faith or creed.