November has been another busy month for the kavarna.  We have continued to help people with problems, which without the kavarna drop-in would go unsolved. Unfortunately the initial funding we have received from Awards for All has now run out.  We are hopeful of more funding and intend to continue on a voluntary basis until such funding is secured.

During the 11 months that the drop-in has been open , we have been able to help over 200 individuals and families. We want to not only keep this work going, but develop it and help the Roma community in Gateshead to become both more self-sufficient and feel more part of the wider community on Tyneside. in so doing, we wish to help the Roma community to overcome the dual barriers of language and the effects of the discrimination they have faced in other parts of Europe. 

We are also working towards helping members of the Roma community to learn what to do regarding Brexit and help them to learn how they can get Settled Status.      

Whatever happens in the future, we hope to be able to continue making a positive contribution to the lives of the Roma community in Gateshead and in so doing to the wider community on Tyneside. 
Our thanks again to Gateshead Citizens Advice Bureau, Healthworks and all of our other supporters.

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