National Lottery funding will increase educational opportunities for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller families.

National Lottery award to raise the educational aspirations of young people from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.

Northumbria University has been awarded £245,061 from The National Lottery Community Fund to establish the first North East and Cumbria Centre for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.

The project will provide safe, trusted spaces in which Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities from across the North East and Cumbria can come together, learn and support one another, as well as challenge the racism and prejudice they experience in society and public services.

The project, which builds upon a successful pilot with Darlington Traveller Education Service, will involve the delivery of outreach activities for young people and their families across the North East and Cumbria, enabling them to learn new skills in areas including creative arts, sport and technology. It will provide tailored leadership training, volunteering opportunities, careers advice and employment pathways, and create hub sites where communities can build trust and networks, celebrate their cultures and feel empowered to have a voice. CPD training will also be developed to enable professionals and the wider community to address structural barriers and foster inclusive environments in future practice.

Professor Joanne Atkinson, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Health & Wellbeing at Northumbria University, said: “ We are very grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund for supporting this project, which will enable communities in our region to thrive. At Northumbria University, we are committed to unlocking potential and changing lives through education. This outreach project will support our role in driving social mobility and spreading opportunity across the region by exposing young people and their families to a range of educational options and pathways.”

Roseann Black, Project Coordinator and a Northumbria graduate with Gypsy and Traveller heritage, explained: “ Members of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities often experience barriers in educational settings that prevent them from realising their potential, including bullying, discrimination and poor understanding and recognition of their diverse cultures.”

Natalie Forster, Assistant Professor in the School of Communities and Education, added: “ With the support of The National Lottery Community Fund, the Centre seeks to reverse this trend across the North East and Cumbria, enabling young people and their families to develop new and existing skills and interests, identify and celebrate their strengths, and work towards their personal ambitions.”

Ceri McGhee, Funding Manager at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “ We are delighted to support the first North East and Cumbria Centre for Gypsy, Roma & Traveller communities. This project will create meaningful opportunities for people to build confidence, improve wellbeing and develop valuable skills.

“It’s all made possible thanks to National Lottery players. We look forward to seeing the impact of this project over the next three years as it promotes cultural understanding and builds stronger, more connected communities.”

The support of The National Lottery Community Fund forms part of Northumbria University’s Higher Education Without Barriers campaign, which has raised over £5.5 million to improve access for under-represented groups since it was launched in 2022.

To find out more about the Centre, contact Roseann Black, Project Coordinator. To discuss how you can work in partnership with the University to support social mobility within the region, contact Sue Vout, Northumbria’s Trust and Foundation Manager.