DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY:

Introductory Speeches	Giles Diggle: Head of READS	Some Organisation stands
General view of the Event	Bishops' College pupils on stage	'Gypsy Young'
Craft Activities	Face Painting	Bead Craft
Hair Braiding	Outside games	READS Team

A Sunday afternoon in March 2009 saw the fourth annual Eastern European Roma Fun Day taking place. This year it was on an even bigger scale than before and declared a success by all those attending -approximately 300 people. The majority of these were Roma Families. The Event was held at Chequers Bridge Community centre, an excellent venue in that it has outside space for sports activities. Thanks go to Luke Bennett of Prospects Youth Service for assisting with the organization at the venue,  and for arranging for several of the regular users of the centre to perform on stage, alongside the Roma youth.

Many READS staff were on hand to help with the children's activities, which included face painting, bangle making, Mothers’ Day cards, soft animals and stick puppets, whilst Mo Gangat (GDAS) and his colleagues provided football games outside for the older children.

Families also enjoyed posing for family photographs which were later given out to the families who received them enthusiastically. We all enjoyed watching and dancing to live music on stage, admirably played by ‘Gypsy Young’, a band of teenage boys, largely from Bishops’ College and an older group of Roma men called ‘Gypsy Glostr’. Both of these groups are currently recording their traditional Romany music and other genres such as Hip Hop, in Chequers Studio. This has been made possible by Alby Stockly (Young Gloucestershire) and the release of their CDs is eagerly awaited.  The enthusiasm of the boys was demonstrated by their commitment to the scheduled rehearsal times Alby had organized after school, which were attended without fail in the run up to the event.

Everyone enjoyed the plentiful light refreshments of drinks and cakes and it was a chance for families to chat together and also for children to meet many of the READS EMA teachers who support them in school.

Whilst the main purpose of the social event was to have fun and relax together, there was a serious message to be got across. Giles Diggle (Head of READS) in his opening speech spoke of positive inclusion and also the issues of culture and ascription, whilst stressing the importance of regular attendance at school, which will make the difference to the individual child’s future.

The event was funded by a grant from GlosREC. In October, a small Roma steering group was set up. This consisted of Bren McInerney (Barton & Tredworth Trust), Mo Gangat (GDAS), Eva Goodhead and Amanda Barns (READS). A number of meetings focused on the needs of the Roma community in Gloucestershire and how both statutory and voluntary organizations can support them. Decisions were made on which organizations and services needed to be invited to participate in the event. After discussion with a few individuals and families from the Roma Community, we narrowed it down to those who could offer guidance and advice on issues that most affect the Roma Community. These ranged from health issues, like drinking and drugs, to social issues, such as housing, but also included issues such as the way the Roma Community interacts with various Authorities. After the event there was positive feedback from these representatives who felt it had been a worthwhile venture and they had managed, with the support of paid interpreters, to be able to pass on useful information.

One outcome of this communication is an initiative to set up a youth project, targeting Roma young people after school. It is hoped to use the Friendship Café and be supported by a number of agencies, including the Police, with the aim of giving them a safe meeting place. Some of the key people who will be involved in this project are already making links with the youngsters by regularly coming in to Bishops’ College to lead informal lunchtime sessions. For example, Zain Patel recently discussed alcohol and drug issues.

Staff in schools and attendance officers are trying hard to work with families, children & young people to improve attendance. The message to all our Roma Pupils from us at READS is that each and every one of you is welcome in our schools, where we and our other teaching colleagues will include you and treat you in the same way as all our pupils, supporting you with any difficulties, celebrating your success, delighting in your progress in the British education system and recognizing your unique culture. We look forward to the community’s support in this.