It has been another busy month at the Gateshead Roma Kavárna.  there have been Roma families who are self-employed and don't know that they have to do tax returns and are not sure how to do it online.  Consequently, they are getting fined for things they were not aware of  People are trying to get employment, but they are struggling with tax returns - these take up to an hour to do. 

One client was being fined for ticking the wrong box for a prescription.  another had received an annual pack from HMRC, which she thought was the new form to fill-in, but didn't know to phone HMRC and speak to them, but child tax credits were stopped. We have also dealt with a change of address issue regarding HMRC.   

Again we have seen families with all sorts of issues with Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payments, housing benefit, council tax, homelessness and as ever debts. In one case the landlord has given a family a one week notice, as he has sold the house and family didn't know that they can raise the issue and cannot be evicted in this time span.  Many families do not know what they are entitled to...  They are getting paid under the minimum wage and often there are two families in the same home.  a while ago, there was one family working for a landlord in a car wash with the children not in school, but didn't know they could get help. The children were in school within two weeks. 

There is a huge trust issue and landlords/employers take advantage of them. We have our clients' trust.  For 18 years there was no project for the Roma and now servcie providers in Gateshead have been supportive, because we have been able to reach this community.  But sadly, there are still low expectations of support among that community..

On a happier note, on Tuesday 28th August, we took a group of Roma families on a day trip to South Shields, which was much appreciated by those who went. We were lucky with the weather and a good time was had by all.  

Peter Sagar from A Living Tradition spoke at a meeting at the Beacon Centre in Newcastle, organised by Newcastle councillor Rebecca Shatwell,  commemorating the brutal murder of the last Roma and Sinti. Peter spoke about the challenges facing the Roma community today and upcoming challenge of negotiating the Brexit process.

Following this talk, on Thursday 30th August Councillor Shatwell visited the Kavárna and was very impressed with the work that was going on there. We also spoke about our long-term aims including wanting to run a women's group, ESOL lessons and community development.  We will also try to help Roma get through the Settled Status process concerning Brexit, by giving information and pointing them in the right direction.

Peter Sagar, Company Secretary, A Living Tradition CIC, and Irma Karchnakova, interpreter and worker, August 2018