Wicklow Traveller Primary Healthcare Project
The Wicklow Traveller Primary Health Care project has had an extremely busy start to 2026. Building on our annual review in December 2025, we gained valuable insight into what is working well, where gaps remain, and what the community would like to see developed. Gathering this feedback required extensive engagement, including meetings with community health workers, service providers, and key stakeholders, as well as ensuring that the voices of our group members were central to the process. This collaborative approach has helped shape the early stages of new initiatives, workshops, campaigns, and group-based activities.
To date, we have held WTG team meetings and met with a wide range of partners, including the Traveller Mental Health Coordinator, the NCCP, Sláinte Healthy Communities Coordinator, the Marie Keating Foundation, Bray Traveller Development Group, the NTP, and various HSE representatives. These initial conversations have been very encouraging and point to 2026 being another strong and productive year for the TPHC project. We are excited to continue delivering health education within the community in ways that are culturally appropriate, innovative, and purposeful. Central to our work is a commitment to co-designing services with the community and those who use them, so we warmly encourage people to drop in, share their ideas, and let us know what matters to them
Representatives from across Wicklow Travellers Group recently took part in a field trip to a unique venue that showcased an innovative approach to supporting and promoting positive mental health. Over sandwiches, gathered around an open fire and accompanied by the gentle sound of a homemade ukulele played by our host, we reflected on how this special space could be used to harness Travellers’ natural creativity and strong connection to music and nature.
From this, ideas began to form around developing a project that celebrates Traveller heritage while also supporting wellness and positive mental health in meaningful and sustainable ways. Watch this space.
Our Active Age group has also resumed chair yoga sessions with the Wicklow Sports Partnership ESF+ Social Innovation in Sport Officer. Participants are already noticing the benefits of movement and are becoming more aware of the importance of listening to their bodies. Once the programme is completed and the group has built up strength and stamina, it is hoped they will begin a walking group as the weather improves. The value of providing chair yoga in a culturally safe space such as CEART cannot be overstated. It allows participants to explore a new form of movement alongside peers who share similar traditions and values. Feeling safe is central to transformative learning, and this environment supports confidence-building and engagement. As confidence and familiarity with exercise grow, we hope to support the group in accessing activities in the wider community and in feeling that they belong and have a right to be there. This group occurs every Monday in CEART from 10:00 am. Over 50’s welcome.
Our colleague Jim arranged a visit from the Marie Keating Foundation for local Traveller men. We were delighted by the strong attendance of dads, brothers, husbands, and uncles. The session focused on reducing cancer risk, recognising warning signs, and the key message: “If in doubt, check it out.” Following this, members of the PHC team, the FLW project, and the Active Age group also met the Marie Keating Foundation nurse, to learn more about female cancers, self-checking, and the importance of screening. These sessions highlighted that many cancer risks can be reduced through awareness of bodily changes and by following up promptly with a GP.
We are looking forward to another great year in Wicklow Travellers Primary health care project and hope to see you in CEART and out in the community.
Community Development & Youth
January 2026: A Fresh Start for Youth Work at Wicklow Travellers Group
January has been a busy and positive month at Wicklow Travellers Group as all of our youth groups returned after the Christmas break. It has been great to welcome everyone back, reconnect after the holidays, and start the new year with renewed energy, enthusiasm, and purpose.
Youth Groups Back in Action
All of our youth groups resumed this month, providing safe, inclusive, and supportive spaces for young people to come together. The return to routine has allowed participants to rebuild connections, settle back into group life, and ease into the year ahead through fun, engaging, and meaningful activities.
Across our groups, January focused on check-ins, relationship-building, and reflecting on the Christmas period. Young people were encouraged to share how they are feeling, what they enjoyed over the holidays, and what they are looking forward to in the year ahead. These conversations are an important part of developmental youth work, helping young people feel heard, valued, and supported.
Planning for the Year Ahead
A key theme throughout January has been planning. Youth workers and young people worked together to explore ideas, interests, and goals for 2026. Through group discussions, brainstorming sessions, and informal chats, young people had the opportunity to shape the programme and have their voices included in decision-making.
Plans discussed included workshops, health and wellbeing activities, creative sessions, trips, guest speakers, and opportunities to build life skills and confidence. By involving young people in planning from the beginning of the year, we aim to empower them, encourage ownership of their groups, and ensure activities are relevant and meaningful.
Building Confidence and Life Skills
January activities also focused on setting personal and group goals, building confidence, and supporting positive routines. Whether through creative activities, group discussions, or practical workshops, young people were supported to develop communication skills, self-awareness, and respect for themselves and others.
Looking Forward
As we move into the rest of 2026, we are excited about what lies ahead. January has laid a strong foundation for the year, with young people re-engaged, motivated, and actively involved in shaping their journey within Wicklow Travellers Group.
We look forward to continuing to support Traveller young people through developmental youth work that promotes inclusion, participation, wellbeing, and opportunity throughout the year ahead.