Wendy Price, Head of Widening Access and Participation at the University of Sunderland shared this video interview with Bronte Sheldon, a second year Media, Culture and Communications student.
Bronte got in touch after learning that we had recently signed the GTRSB into HE Pledge and wanted to share her perspectives on Romani inclusion and identity. Bronte has also agreed to work with Wendy’s Department to develop their priorities and key actions relating to the Pledge.
Universities, regulators, politicians, policy specialists, NGOs and members of the Gypsy, Traveller, Roma, Showpeople and Boater (GTRSB) communities came together on 20 January 2021, to launch the Good Practice in supporting GTRSB students into and within Higher Education Pledge in an online event attended by more than 150 people.
The Vice-Chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University, Professor Nick Braisby, chaired and opened the event calling on senior leaders in Higher Education to take time to understand the experience of the GTRSB communities, to sign the Pledge, and implement the changes necessary to enable more students to flourish.
Speakers included:
Baroness Whitaker, said the Pledge needs to act as a catalyst to create a welcoming environment in universities for the release of talent. Kate Green thought It is really important we tackle discrimination and structural barriers that exist throughout the education system by increasing staff training and raising awareness of the history and culture of their students in curriculum content.
Chris Millward and Prof Buckingham reflected on the opportunities and momentum that the Pledge provides for universities to demonstrate leadership in society and transform the lives of students. Prof Richardson spoke of how institutions may perpetuate systemic racism, acting as a key barrier to inclusion.
Lisa stressed that better support in education, and access to higher education is a matter of social justice and that institutions committed to the Pledge can signal a real step-change and improvement for members of the GTRSB communities. Colin Clark spoke of his own academic journey and emphasised that it was the responsibility of everyone in Higher Education to level the playing field and enhance equalities and inclusion. Martin Gallagher discussed the challenges and barriers he faced at secondary school which ultimately inspired him to return to study in his late 20s while Chelsea McDonagh praised the support she was given by individual teachers which opened up educational opportunities for her. Sherrie Smith told how her journey through Higher Education created a ‘ripple effect’ through her networks and extended family
Dr Aleksandar Marinov said he never came across fellow Gypsy, Roma and Traveller students at university; he hoped the Pledge will encourage institutions to include their history and culture in curricula to increase the visibility of the diverse communities. Shelby Holmes described her “iron will” to gain an education which meant she had to sneak away from fairground duties to complete her schoolwork. She had had conversations with older Showmen who told her that they would have loved to had the chance to experience Higher Education.
Allison Hulmes spoke of her great hope that the Pledge will make a difference to communities and the social work profession which needs to be more aware of diversity and discrimination faced by members of the GRTSB communities. Dr Cisneros discussed the Pledge’s importance in enabling universities and key policy agencies such at the OfS and HESA to gain more data.
Videos from universities who had taken the Pledge prior to the launch event: Hull; Sunderland; Strathclyde; Winchester; and Buckinghamshire New University.
My name is Grace and I work at Leeds Gate a charity working to support Gypsy and Travellers. We need your help to make sure that our young people in West Yorkshire get the best possible chance to reach their full potential!
We are working with Northumbria University, Buckinghamshire New University, together with partners from ACERT and NEON to find out more about the challenges that young Gypsy, Roma and Travellers face in education and the things that work to help our young people in West Yorkshire.
The research is looking at how young people get into higher education, what helps them be successful and what supports them to go further in education.
If you’re a young person or a parent or relation of a young person aged 14- 25 in education in West Yorkshire we would love to hear from you. You can help us by sharing your experiences in education the good and bad.
This research will help advise educators on what works for our young people and what doesn’t and create more knowledge that can support our children to get the beat deal possible deal in education.
Get in touch by calling Leeds Gate on 01132 402444 or email
The findings will be written up into a report for Go Higher West Yorkshire and used to inform outreach and support activities for GRTSB communities in the area. Your knowledge will be hugely helpful in understanding what works and how current provision can improve opportunities for young people. We look forward to receiving your responses!
My names Grace and I work at Leeds Gate a charity working to help improve the life’s of Gypsy and Travellers. At the moment we are working on a piece of research with Northumbria University, Buckinghamshire New University, together with partners from ACERT and NEON. We want to better understand the barriers and enablers to higher education access, success and progression for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller – and also Showmen and Boater young people in West Yorkshire.
