Craigavon Travellers Support Committee

Craigavon Travellers Support Committee working towards equality and social justice!

[Craigavon Travellers Support Committee @CTSC1989]

📢 CTSC Submission to the Draft Framework for Race Relations Consultation
Today we are publishing our response to The Executive Office's consultation on the Draft Framework for Race Relations.
While CTSC remains committed to working towards a Northern Ireland where everyone is treated with dignity, equality and respect, we do not believe that the current draft Framework is fit for purpose.
In our submission, we highlight concerns about the lack of a robust evidence base, the absence of a full review of the previous Racial Equality Strategy, weak accountability mechanisms, and the failure to adequately address the specific experiences and inequalities faced by Irish Travellers and other minority ethnic communities.
Northern Ireland needs a racial equality strategy that is ambitious, properly resourced, evidence-based and capable of delivering measurable change. Unfortunately, we do not believe the current proposals meet that standard.
We have therefore called for the Framework to be substantially revised and co-designed with affected communities before being taken forward.

We have therefore called for the Framework to be substantially revised and co-designed with affected communities before being taken forward.

📷 Read our full consultation response below.

https://t.co/JSHUNj6D1x...
#RaceEquality #IrishTravellers #TravellerRights #Equality #NorthernIreland #ConsultationResponse #CTSC

[Craigavon Travellers Support Committee @CTSC1989]

Recent changes to UK law show that harmful anti-Traveller policies can be challenged and changed.

Following a High Court ruling, the UK Government is now rolling back some of the harshest powers targeting Traveller communities — including reducing exclusion orders from 12 months back to 3 months.

This is a reminder that rights matter, and collective action works.

But challenges remain — especially around accommodation, equality, and access to culturally appropriate services here in Northern Ireland.

We call on decision-makers to:
✔️ Deliver safe, adequate Traveller accommodation
✔️ Uphold human rights protections
✔️ Meaningfully include Traveller voices in policy
Progress must continue — not just in law, but in real lives.
#TravellerRights #HumanRights #NorthernIreland

[Craigavon Travellers Support Committee @CTSC1989]

Craigavon Travellers Support Committee would like to extend our congratulations to @GypsyTravellers and everyone involved in securing this important step forward for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.

The acceptance of the UK Government’s amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, following the High Court ruling, is a significant development. Reverting the PCSCA area ban from 12 months back to 3 months helps to roll back one of the most harmful pieces of anti-Traveller legislation introduced in recent years.

We recognise the courage of Wendy Smith in bringing this challenge forward, and the hard work of Friends, Families and Travellers, Liberty, and all those who stood up to defend the rights, dignity and cultural traditions of Gypsy and Traveller communities.

From here in the North of Ireland, we know how important it is that the rights and way of life of Travellers are respected and protected across these islands. While this decision is a positive step, there is still much more work to be done to ensure fairness, proper accommodation, and equality for our communities.

Today we welcome this progress and stand in solidarity with those who continue the fight for justice and recognition for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people.

[Craigavon Travellers Support Committee @CTSC1989]

NIHEs Vision is that:
"Everyone is able to live in an affordable, sustainable and decent home, appropriate to their needs, in a safe, attractive, and climate resilient place'.
This is how the reality for Irish Travellers looks.
Traveller families in Craigavon have had to endure conditions like this for nearly 20 years whilst waiting on a new site to be built despite NIHE having been awarded planning permission to replace this "temporary" site in 2011.

[Public Health Agency @publichealthni]

It’s HPV awareness day.

HPV is a very common virus – about 8 out of 10 people catch it at some time in their lives.

The HPV vaccine helps to prevent HPV-related cancers from developing in young people.

To find out more visit: https://t.co/RqmZk6OH4i

[Craigavon Travellers Support Committee @CTSC1989]

The Irish Traveller Counselling Project (ITCP) is here to help people to access counselling with counsellors who are culturally sensitive to unique challenges faced by members of the Irish Traveller community. To find out more contact us via social media or by email on [email protected] or telephone on 02838342089

[Craigavon Travellers Support Committee @CTSC1989]

Despite international legal protections for nomadic cultures, nomadism has effectively been criminalised for Irish Travellers in Northern Ireland.

Irish Travellers continue to face evictions, lack of serviced sites, and laws that make stopping anywhere a risk of fines, vehicle seizure, or arrest.

When a way of life is protected on paper but punished in practice, that’s not protection — it’s discrimination. #IrishTravellers #HumanRights #NorthernIreland

‘Nomadic life has all but disappeared from Traveller culture in the north’ https://t.co/0AOFkBuDwE

[TravellersAgainstRacism @TravellerRacism]

Our ancient culture, our very identity, was treated as something to erase.

That wasn’t policy rooted in equality. It was policy rooted in forced assimilation.

It's 2026, and the damage of that way of thinking didn’t disappear.
We’re still living with its legacy today.

[TravellersAgainstRacism @TravellerRacism]

In 1963, the Irish government Commission on Itinerancy report described Travellers as a problem to be eliminated.

It didn’t seek to support our community, it aimed to absorb us, settle us, and bring our way of life to an end or else take our families and children away.

[Craigavon Travellers Support Committee @CTSC1989]

Today, on Traveller Ethnicity Day, we proudly recognise and celebrate the rich culture, history, and contributions of the Traveller community.
From all of us at CTSC, we want to extend our sincere thanks to the individuals, families, and communities we are privileged to work with and for. Your strength, resilience, heritage, and lived experiences continue to shape and inspire the work we do every day.
We are committed to standing alongside you — promoting inclusion, respect, equality, and opportunity — not just today, but every day.
Thank you for your trust, partnership, and the invaluable contributions you make to our wider community.

#IrishTravellerEthnicityDay #TravellerPride #EndTravellerDiscrimination

[Craigavon Travellers Support Committee @CTSC1989]

"Site licencing is a crucial safeguard for ensuring Travellers’ sites in NI are adequately habitable and serviced" - The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission - 2018
As of February 2026 only 2 of the 4 Northern Ireland Housing Executive Traveller sites hold a licence. That is because they do not meet the Model Licencing Conditions set out in Law. They are in effect being operated illegally by NIHE, the Statutory Housing Authority for Northern Ireland.
NIHE continues to get away with providing substandard and de-facto illegal Traveller Accommodation in the North because Council's are not challenging them despite a legal obligation to do so.

[The Traveller Movement @GypsyTravellerM]

Our Operation Traveller Vote Campaign is underway. Make sure you are registered to vote by Monday 20th April in preparation for the May 7th Local Elections. This is your chance to have your voice heard. #TravellerMovement #OperationTravellerVote #ElectionAwareness #YourVoteMatters #LocalElections #2026 #VoteRegistration @Shoutout_UK @OpBlackVot @ElectoralCommUK @mhclg @JRRT1904 @shoutoutuk_official @electoralcommissionuk @thedemnet @londongypsytrav @gypsytravellers @connectingroma @travellers_times @londongypsytraveller @friendsfamiliesandtravellers @southwarktravellersactiongroup @westway_trust @westwaytrust

[Craigavon Travellers Support Committee @CTSC1989]

In light of the stark mental health statistics facing the Traveller community, support has never been more vital. The Irish Traveller Counselling Service provides culturally aware, accessible counselling designed by and for Travellers. If you or someone you know needs support, reach out. Change starts with a conversation.
Telephone [phone] or email [email protected]

#TravellerMentalHealth #CommunitySupport

A Silent Crisis: Why Are We Failing Romani and Traveller Mental Health? https://t.co/3wKgWgC57D #Real voices

[Craigavon Travellers Support Committee @CTSC1989]

Have Your Say!

The Department of Education is consulting on its Early Learning & Childcare Strategy.

Early years support can make a huge difference for our children and families. If you have experience of childcare, preschool, or early education — your voice matters.

Now is the time to share what’s working, the barriers you face, and what needs to change.

📝 Respond to the consultation here: Consultation on the draft Executive ELC Strategy | Department of Education

#EarlyLearning #Childcare #IrishTravellers #HaveYourSay

[ABC Council @abcb_council]

Women from across the borough are invited to join a special, free, International Women’s Day event offering a welcoming, inclusive and safe space for women to come together. Whether attending alone or with friends, every woman will be welcomed. More: 👉 https://t.co/zg46nKdzOw

[Pavee Point @PaveePoint]

Do you have strategic thinking, policy, community development, advocacy and management skills? Do you have a passion for challenging racism and structural inequalities by addressing the root causes of social injustice?

[London Gypsies&Travellers @LondonGypsyTrav]

The @mhclg is asking us about planning changes. It's important to get the rules right for Gypsies and Travellers. If you are a Gypsy or a Traveller and you have views on social rented pitches and needs assessments, fill out the survey https://t.co/yensiFZqea