Dear Colleagues, 

Every June since 2008, people from across the UK have celebrated Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month. Through celebration, education and raising awareness, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month helps to tackle prejudice, myths and to amplify the voices of Gypsies Roma and Travellers in our society. The theme of the 2023 Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month is ‘weaving journeys’ a celebration of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) lives and cultures. 

As a City of Sanctuary, Bristol welcomes many different traveller communities and Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month is being included in a number of events and activities.

https://thebristolmayor.com/2022/06/11/grt-month/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=grt-month

There is a useful website to support settings and school to find out more about how they can share in the celebrations of GRT lives and histories with a free downloadable educational pack. https://www.gypsy-traveller.org/grthm/

https://www.gypsy-traveller.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/FFT_GRTHM_2023_Education-Pack.pdf

Representation of children from all the communities that make up our wonderful city in our early years provision is important. There are a number of picture books celebrating the lives and stories of characters from GRT heritages that are suitable for early years. A useful list can be found here: 

https://www.newsfromnowhere.org.uk/books/DisplayBooklist.php?BookListID=1451

We hope you enjoy taking part in Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month. Please do contact your lead teacher if you need any support with this or anything else. 

The Early Years Team