We have continued to support the Roma community during the Lockdown.

We have responded to telephone and online inquiries.

We have continued to pass on vital informations about subjects including the following:

Important information relating to domestic abuse

New voucher schemes for shopping

Changes to shop opening times

News regarding changes to government policy on Covid-19

Explanation of Lockdown rules for over-70s

The new Lockdown rules announced on 11^th May

How and where to buy a face mask

Local council lockdown messages

Updates on limits of how much shoppers can buy each trip

Information regarding online and shopping scams

Travel information

Gateshead Council Covid-19 Support Information

Information about community support groups where Roma community members could get help

Every Thursday we have been delivering food from a local food bank to families complying with the government’s social distancing rules.

We have been contacting HM Revenue about tax issues and also helping families with applying for Universal Credit. A

We have been advising families about the Lockdown extension and helping them to understand what is happening and what is likely to happen.

We have been replying to emails and requests on our facebook page.

Here are some other things we have been doing:

We have dealt with two domestic violence cases including contacting social services
We have distributed food from Fareshare with 3 volunteers We have made a referral to Gateshead Carers for well being. We have been working with Gateshead Carers to help members of the Roma community to know that Gateshead Carers is still working during the Covid-19 Crisis to help careers in the Gateshead area. We have benn organising a few referrals for carers from the Roma community, so that they can have help or be able to take a break.

We have helped with people applying for Universal Credit
We have made a referral for food parcels to council
We have done translation work for Citizens Advice Gateshead
We have continued posting information on Facebook from Northumbria Police and Covid 19 fraud-scam

We have been working on a women’s group online with 8womens
 

We have helped a client with a landlord issue regarding clients getting behind paying rent
We have helped clients who were applying for self employment scheme grant

Due to the Lockdown people are spending more time at home so we have had conversation with individuals regarding domestic violence, that they should open up and reach out if they are experiencing any sort of domestic violence. We have left people with contact details and information to help them.

We have provided home schooling material for parents of children from an Roma background. This has included, Maths, English, Science and Geography work. This has been posted on the facebook group.

We have liaised closely with Northumbria Police to help members of the Roma community to know what is happening, during the Covid-19 Crisis.

Many thanks to Fareshare, Northumbria Police, Citizens Advice Gateshead and all our other partners and supporters.

Peter Sagar, Company Secretary, A Living Tradition CIC, and Irma Karchnakova, interpreter and worker, May 2020