Traveller Primary Healthcare Project – April 2025 Highlights
April was a powerful month of progress, participation, and advocacy for the Traveller Primary Healthcare (PHC) Project. Our team took part in several key initiatives that promoted health, education, and inclusion across the community.
1. Social Inclusion Forum Preparations
PHC team members attended an online workshop with EAPN and CWI in preparation for the Social Inclusion Forum (SIF) 2025, in February. The SIF held this forum on the on May 8th in Croke Park. Kathleen and Nicky attended this forum and Kathleen was one of the contributors who spoke on behalf of Travellers at this event. The forum explored themes of poverty, discrimination, and inclusive policy-making. Our team strongly advocated for retaining medical cards post-employment for Travellers, to reduce healthcare-related employment barriers—an idea supported by other attendees in the workshops.
2. ‘Tiny Voices – Big Connections’ Parent & Toddler Group
In partnership with WTG and supported by Tusla, we hosted our first Parent, Baby & Toddler Group in CEART, guided by the Lundy Model of Participation. This sensory-friendly space supports early development, play, and parent well-being. Plans are in place to run monthly coffee mornings that will include guest experts and peer learning.
3. Lifelong Learning through Sewing
A six-week sewing course with KWETB and @refashioned gave women from PHC, Active Age, and Shuttle Knit a chance to learn or revisit sewing skills. The initiative boosted mental health, social connection, and supported economic empowerment. Due to high demand, an eight-week follow-up course is due to be launched in May.
4. Staff Development and Well-being
Structured staff reviews were conducted with all 15 PHC team members. The findings showed high job satisfaction and strong team cohesion. Key insights included a need for refresher training, clearer outreach tools, and private 1:1 review space. CEART’s mental health supports were praised, reinforcing its role in boosting staff well-being.
5. Traveller Cultural Awareness Training
Several team members completed Traveller Cultural Awareness Training (TCAT), strengthening our ability to educate service providers and advocate for culturally competent care. In partnership with Peter O’Reilly, Kathleen and Jim then delivered cultural awareness training to students in the MSc Mental Health course at Trinity College Dublin. This is the second time that the PHC team and WTG have been asked to speak to this cohort, highlighting an increased interest in service providers to educate themselves on Traveller culture and ethnicity.
6. One-to-One Family Support
With support from Public Health Nursing and the Traveller Primary Health care project families facing challenges in housing, elder care, and health service access received tailored help. This included nursing home applications, grant support, and fast-tracking appointments for those with chronic illness.
7. April also saw us finalising plans for the lunch time discussions series hosted by the Wicklow Traveller Mental health steering group. The Co. Wicklow Traveller Mental Health Steering Group is pleased to announce the sixth event in its “Lunchtime Discussions” series, which focuses on key issues impacting Traveller mental health. These discussions aim to create a space for sharing personal stories, building relationships, and strengthening connections between the Traveller community and service providers. The upcoming event will take place on Wednesday, 28th May 2025, from 12:00pm to 2:00pm at The Little Flower Hall, Main Street, Bray, A98 WK35 (with car parking available behind the hall). A light lunch will be provided. The theme of this session is “I Am Change – Empowering the Future”, which will focus on the next generation of Irish Travellers, exploring empowerment, identity, and the role of community in supporting mental health and well-being.
Wicklow Travellers Group Community Development Project Highlights – April 2025
Schools of Sanctuary Initiative
We began the month with a proud moment as students from St Mary’s presented a powerful piece on Traveller fashion as part of the Schools of Sanctuary initiative. Schools of Sanctuary are inclusive schools committed to creating a culture of welcome and safety for all, especially those seeking sanctuary. The students’ presentation was so impressive that they secured a well-deserved place in the All-Ireland Schools of Sanctuary Celebration—a fantastic achievement reflecting their hard work and pride in their heritage.
Over-18 Men’s Fishing Trip to Kilmore Quay
On the 15th of April, a group of 12 Traveller men participated in a much-anticipated boat fishing trip to Kilmore Quay, County Wexford. The trip was organised as part of WTG’s ongoing commitment to supporting the health, wellbeing, and social inclusion of Traveller men in the community.
Fishing has held a special place within WTG’s activities for many years, offering not only an enjoyable pastime but also a valuable opportunity for relaxation, cultural connection, and peer bonding. The sea has long been a traditional source of livelihood and recreation for many in the Traveller community, and events like this help keep that connection alive.
The day began early, with participants meeting at the WTG building to catch the coach to Kilmore Quay to prepare for a day on the water. Spirits were high as the men boarded the boat, ready to enjoy the fresh sea air and hopefully land a few good catches. The weather held up beautifully, making for smooth sailing and a comfortable fishing experience.
Throughout the day, there was a strong sense of camaraderie, with laughter, stories, and friendly competition filling the boat. For some, it was their first time deep-sea fishing, while others shared their experience and knowledge of fishing techniques. Everyone had a chance to get involved, regardless of skill level.
The trip not only provided a break from the everyday routine but also encouraged physical activity, mental wellness, and social connection—all key goals of WTG’s men’s health programme. Feedback from the participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing interest in future trips and similar group activities.
We’d like to thank everyone who took part, as well as the staff and volunteers who helped make the day a success. Events like these continue to highlight the importance of culturally appropriate and engaging programmes for Traveller men, and we look forward to organising more in the near future.
WTG’S Annual Ester Egg Hunt
Before the Easter break, we celebrated the season with our much-loved annual Easter Egg Hunt—an event that has become a cherished tradition for WTG and the wider community. Held on a beautifully sunny day, the event was filled with joy, excitement, and plenty of sweet surprises.
Families gathered early, eager to take part in the fun. Colourful decorations, cheerful music, and the warm spring weather set the perfect scene for a day of celebration. Children of all ages were given baskets and clues, and with huge smiles on their faces, they set off on the hunt for hidden eggs scattered throughout the grounds.
There was laughter echoing across the space as children raced from one spot to another, with parents, grandparents, and staff cheering them on. The eggs were tucked away in clever hiding spots behind trees, under benches, and beneath flowerpots making the hunt just challenging enough to keep everyone entertained.
In addition to the egg hunt itself, there were arts and crafts stations, and a few sweet treats for both kids and adults to enjoy. The event created a relaxed, festive atmosphere where families could spend quality time together and build lasting memories.
More than just a fun activity, the Easter Egg Hunt is a way for WTG to bring people together, strengthen community bonds, and celebrate the joy of the season in an inclusive and welcoming environment. Events like these are especially important for families in the Traveller community, offering safe and positive spaces for connection, celebration, and play.
We would like to thank everyone who attended and helped make the day such a success, especially our volunteers and staff, who worked hard behind the scenes to make it all run smoothly. We’re already looking forward to next year’s hunt and even more magical moments to come.
Children Lead the Way in Traveller Pride Planning and Biodiversity Garden Project
April was a month full of creativity, imagination, and meaningful beginnings at WTG, as we entered the early planning stages for our upcoming Traveller Pride celebrations and began work on an exciting new biodiversity garden. What made both projects truly special was the leadership and enthusiasm shown by the children who stepped forward to share their ideas, shape the vision, and ensure that their voices remain at the heart of everything we do.
For the Traveller Pride celebrations, children have been brainstorming vibrant ways to honour their culture and heritage from artwork and performances to decorations, fashion, and storytelling. Their ideas have been inspiring, colourful, and full of energy, reflecting not only a deep sense of pride in their identity but also a desire to share that pride with the wider community. By involving young people from the very start, we’re building an event that’s truly rooted in the lived experiences and hopes of the Traveller community.
At the same time, another exciting initiative began to take shape: the creation of our biodiversity garden. This green space is being designed as a place where nature, learning, and community come together. Once again, children took the lead, sharing their thoughts on what plants to include, how to attract bees and butterflies, and how the garden can be used for both relaxation and education.
Through drawings, group discussions, and hands-on activities, the children are helping to lay the foundation for a space that will grow along with them. Their involvement not only sparks their curiosity about the natural world but also teaches responsibility, collaboration, and respect for the environment.
Both of these projects highlight WTG’s commitment to creating spaces where young voices are not just heard but valued and celebrated. By involving children from the very beginning, we’re fostering leadership, creativity, and a strong sense of belonging.
We can’t wait to see how their ideas come to life in the coming months and we’re proud to say that the future of our community is in very good hands.
Building Friendships and Making Memories: A Day Out with Young People from Kilcoole, Wicklow and Arklow.
Bringing together young people from Kilcoole, Wicklow, and Arklow, we spent a lively and laughter-filled afternoon at Wicklow Bowl, an event designed to strengthen friendships and celebrate the growing bonds between our groups. From the moment the bowling shoes were laced up, the energy was high and the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement.
It was more than just a day of fun, it was a chance for young people from different areas to connect, support one another, and share in a positive experience. Friendly competition, cheers of encouragement, and high-fives after every strike (or even gutter ball!) helped build a real sense of community and belonging.
After the games, we made the most of the spring sunshine with some well-earned outdoor time. Ice creams were shared, stories were swapped, and laughter echoed during relaxed local walks. These simple yet meaningful moments allowed everyone to unwind, enjoy the fresh air, and deepen their connections in a natural and informal setting.
Days like these are a vital part of the work we do at WTG, creating safe, inclusive, and joyful spaces for young people to come together, make friends, and feel a part of something bigger. The success of this day out was clear to see on the smiling faces and in the new friendships formed.
We’re proud of the growing links between our groups in Kilcoole, Wicklow, and Arklow, and we look forward to many more shared adventures in the months ahead.
Education Development
As we move closer to the end of the school year, we continue to work closely with schools and community services, building and maintaining strong, positive connections that support Traveller children and young people in their educational journeys.