Travelling Ahead has recently begun delivery of pilot training sessions to young people in Cardiff as part of the 'Good Practice in Education' project. The project, funded by Children in Need, will be designed and delivered by a young people’s reference group. Young people will be trained and supported in their research to talk to their peers and to service providers, and make recommendations to improve the approach to supporting and engaging them in education.

August saw the first round of research training, with young people looking at what research is, deciding what method of data collection they would like to use, as well as coming up with questions they’d like to ask their peers as well as key figures in local councils. The group have also had a taster filming and interviewing session; preparing them for further training in the autumn.

This is an exciting new direction for Travelling Ahead and we are looking forward to engaging further with groups of young people to give them a unique opportunity to develop a stronger voice, gain knowledge and skills and influence the models of educational support available to them across Wales.

If you would like to be involved, or to find out more about the project, please contact Trudy or Beckie on travellingahead@savethechildren.org.uk or call 02920 396838

This summer saw the first meetings of the new Travelling Ahead Regional Forums. Groups from South West Wales, South East Wales and North Wales held their first meetings to discuss how the new youth forums will develop as well as coming up with an action plan, a name for each forum, taking part in fun activities such as t-shirt design, ceramics and also contributing additional filming for the hate crime resource that Travelling Ahead is currently developing.

Feedback from the days has been really positive, with all the young people agreeing that the regional forums were a good way to link up in-between the National Forum. Young people from each group have volunteered to help organise the second meetings in the autumn - the south west regional forum will be held on the 17th October in Swansea with dates to be confirmed for the other 2 forum meetings.  

If you’d like to know more about the regional forums, please contact Trudy on T.Aspinwall@savethechildren.org.uk or phone 02920 396838

Travelling Ahead is looking for young people from across Wales to join our Young Reporters project. The project aims to give a safe space for young people to report on issues that matter to them- anything from where they live, their education and everything in-between. Young people can submit written articles, films, photography and art work.

The project has a pilot website www.travellingaheadyoungreporters.wordpress.com which also has a link to a young reporters pack; put together to help young people and workers create great content for the site.

Content can be submitted to the website via our email address along with any photos. Content will be moderated before it goes live on the site to ensure there’s no swearing or other nasties but the overall voice of the article will remain the young persons.

If you’d like to know more about the Young Reporters project, please contact Beckie or Trudy on travellingahead@savethechildren.org.uk or phone 02920 396838.

In Travelling to a Better Future the Welsh Government promised to bring in new rules and policies to improve services for Gypsies and Travellers in Wales - this autumn they are looking for your views on a number of new documents which could affect you if you are a Gypsy or Traveller living  in Wales.

if you are a young person you can have your say on these reports through our regional forums. If you would like a paper copy of any of these reports please let us know. Call Trudy on 02920 396838.

Travelling to Better Health sets out new guidelines for health workers on delivering better services to Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communites - click on the title link above to see the report and make your comments by 30 October.

Designing Gypsy and Traveller Sites in Wales - draft guidance will help councils design better sites. Click on the title link above to see the report and make your comments by 21 November

Managing Gypsy and Traveller Sites in Wales - draft guidance will make sure councils properly manage thier local sites. Click on the title above to make your comments by 21 November

Undertaking Gypsy and Traveller Accomodation Assessments - draft guidance this will help councils do good quality assessments. Click on the title to comment by 21 November

This is a weekend  event for adults and young people organised by the Travellers Aid Trust to build links, share experiences and campaign on issues of joint concern  - there will also be evening entertainment and lots of social time. It's being held in Margam Park near Neath on October 11th and 12th and there are a number of free places and travel expenses available if you are a Gypsy, Traveller or Roma community member  – have a look HERE  for information or ring Alice on  (01554) 891876 to book a place. 

There will be debates and workshops on health, youth, education, sites, the Scrap Metal Act and more – all run by community members. Travelling Ahead will be supporting the young people’s activities – if you would like to get involved give Trudy a call 077 88 412 760.

The Great Gypsy, Roma, Traveller Debate will be held on Monday 20th October  at the Pierhead, Cardiff Bay from 10.30am – 4pm. Organised by the Romani Cultural and Arts Company, the day will provide an opportunity for Gypsies, Roma and Travellers to express their views, in their own words while responding to the questions and concerns raised by service providers, local authority managers, teachers, health professionals and police officers.

Discussions from the day will also provide the  basis for a report to government that will better inform how the EU National Roma Integration Strategy will be taken forward in Wales. To find out more and to book your place, please click HERE.