Gypsy / Traveller Carer Support Service

What is the MECOPP Gypsy/Traveller Carer Support Service?

The Gypsy/Traveller Carer Support Service works with carers in the Gypsy/Traveller community in Scotland. Working closely with community members, we aim to improve the health and wellbeing of Gypsy/Traveller carers and their families, raise awareness of the barriers faced by the community and support service providers to respond better to their needs. We work with Gypsy/Travellers of any age who live in housing, on sites or on roadside camps. Our Carer Support Team works closely with our Gypsy/Traveller Community Health Team to provide a comprehensive support service

What we do

- We provide direct support to carers and their families in Edinburgh and the Lothians, Perth & Kinross and Mid and North Argyll. Our young carer service is available in Edinburgh and the Lothians, Fife and Lanarkshire. We can help with access to health, social care and other services in the community, income maximisation and applying for welfare benefits, specialist advice and support on accommodation and housing related matters, providing advice and information on rights and entitlements, sign-posting to services and practical and emotional support.

- We deliver awareness-raising sessions led by community members to a wide range of service providers. Our sessions are highly interactive and aim to raise awareness of issues facing Gypsy/Travellers, dispelling myths about the community and encouraging culturally competent practice.

- We produce a range of publications including our own newspaper – The Barrie News – to raise awareness within the wider community and support community relations.

- We advise on, and develop policy, at both local and national Government level. We hold the Secretariat for the Scottish Parliament Cross Party Group on Gypsy/Travellers.

- We use the Creative Arts to raise awareness of issues, to challenge negative stereotyping and to improve the health and wellbeing of the community. Our work is wide-ranging from film and photography, to dramas, creative writing and arts and crafts. Our work is regularly exhibited in venues across Scotland, including our renowned Moving Minds exhibition.

- We bring Gypsy/Traveller women from across Scotland together through our Women’s Voices participation work to have their voices heard both locally and nationally. Our focus is to support personal and community development in civil and civic life.

- We support Gypsy/Traveller men to engage with policy makers on issues that are important to them through our ‘Men Aloud’ participation work.