Resources for Primary Schools  

Plymouth & Devon REC is working on a collaborative project with Plymouth University to produce short films for Primary Schools about Gypsies and Travellers. It is hoped that this resource will enable Primary School children to understand and accept different backgrounds and lifestyles. Each five minute film will focus on a single Gypsy/Traveller child in Devon and his/her family. This project started in October 2012 and will be completed in mid 2012.

Planning Guidance

Plymouth & Devon Racial Equality Council has recently been involved in a project to provide planning guidance for local councils in Devon. The project was funded by Devon County Council and co-ordinated by PDREC with the Community Council of Devon. The project involved members of Gypsy and Traveller communities in Devon with experience of applying for planning permission, working together with local councillors to produce a guidance booklet. This booklet has been circulated to all local councils in Devon and it is hoped that it will increase understanding about Gypsies and Travellers where there are planning applications for sites.

for more information:

Booklet

 

Media Work

Gypsies and Travellers are often portrayed negatively in both the local and the national media; this is damaging to their communities and can lead to prejudice and discrimination.  A group of Gypsies & Travellers in Devon have been working with Plymouth & Devon Racial Equality Council to find ways to ensure that a more balanced approach is adopted by media in Devon. This work has included:

Awareness raising sessions with BBC ( Plymouth) and ITV (West Country) in 2012.

Work with an Exeter & Express and Echo and BBC Online to produce articles about local Romany Gypsies.

Production of a booklet to inform Gypsies and Travellers how they can respond to and challenge unfair and unbalanced media articles. 

Some Gypsies and Travellers attending media skill courses.

A presence on ITV West Country’s diversity panel.

Booklet