Gypsy Roma and Traveller communities (GRT)
The term Gypsy Roma Traveller (GRT) describes different ethnic and cultural groups.
They often share similar challenges in accessing public services and experiencing discrimination.
Each group has their own traditions, customs and languages.
Gypsies and Travellers
Defined as minority ethnic groups, these communities include:
- English and Welsh Romany Gypsies and Scottish travellers (who are also a Romany group)
- Eastern European Roma
- Irish travellers
Some travellers may live in a home, caravan, boat, or vehicle due to family tradition or familiarity.
Others travel in search of a better life, for economic or environmental reasons.
These travellers include:
- circus or show people
- boat dwellers
- new travellers
- vehicle dwellers
Arriving in the area
When you arrive in the area we can help you:
- apply for a school place
- find a traveller site
- visit and speak with your child’s new school
- with welfare matters such as school grants, applications and transport
Our teaching assistants provide in-school support for two of the main schools with GRT learners. They are:
Traveller sites
We have two GRT traveller sites. A warden lives on each site and our Liaison Officer visits often.
Briton Ferry traveller site
Briton Ferry has two small sites totalling 24 plots. The location is ideal due to its:
- local schools
- local shops and amenities
- transport links
- medical centre
Cae Garw, Margam traveller site
Cae Garw is a larger more isolated site with 38 plots. The site is on a regular bus route with a short drive to:
- a local primary school
- local shops and amenities
- GP surgery
- train station
Apply for a traveller site place
To apply for a place on one of our sites, you will need to contact our Estates Department.
Educating GRT children
We have a legal duty to give pupils from the GRT community access to education.
We work with families, communities, schools and partner agencies to make sure:
- schools understand the GRT culture and use appropriate learning materials
- schools improve their services for the GRT community
- parents are engaged in their child's education
- bullying, discrimination, literacy and cultural issues are dealt with properly
- we help them find appropriate college and adult learning courses
- we promote the attendance of pre-school traveller children at early years settings
- we share good practice
We offer free GRT awareness training to schools and other organisations to promote inclusion.
Contact us
For more information and advice, please contact:
More advice is available on Wales Gypsy, Roma and Travellers at TGP Cymru.