Since 2008, communities across the UK have marked Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month (GRTHM) every June. Through celebration, education, and awareness, GRTHM seeks to challenge prejudice, amplify Gypsy, Roma and Traveller voices, and reshape public understanding. The theme for 2026 is Onwards With Hope, and looks to 'explore how transformative hope can be within Romany Gypsy, Roma, Irish Traveller, New Traveller Showmen, and Liveaboard Boater communities, and what we need to do together to build a brighter future.'
At Sussex, we are committed to being an equal, diverse, and inclusive community where we prioritise race equality, as reflected in initiatives such as our Race Equality Charter Bronze Award, Anti-Racist Pledge, and our Gypsies, Travellers, Roma, Showmen and Boaters (GTRSB) Pledge.
As part of recognising this year's Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller History Month the Widening Participation (WP) Team is supporting local schools to promote awareness and celebrate a rich but often misunderstood culture. The team works particularly closely with schools where there is a known representation of students from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. Initiatives include supporting school leaders to increase awareness, promoting a more inclusive curriculum, and providing resources to help young people see themselves more clearly reflected within their educational environment.
Additionally, Widening Participation will be contributing to a NERUPI (Network for Evaluating and Researching University Participation Interventions) conference focused on Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, showcasing the University’s recognised good practice in this area.
Throughout the month the GRT flag (pictured) will be flying above Sussex House, and there will be representation at the ‘Sussex Retold: Sites, Sounds, Stories’ event taking place on the 19th June: Sussex Retold: Symposium on Sussex heritage diversity and progressive futures.
To get involved, or for further information on GTRSB communities you can contact Chris Derbyshire (C.J.Derbyshire@sussex.ac.uk) or Dr Emily Danvers (E.Danvers@sussex.ac.uk) .
The following links also provide useful resources:
- Anti-racist Sussex: our pledge : Equality, Diversity and Inclusion : University of Sussex
- GRT History Month Resources produced by Friends, Families and Travellers
- A Reading List formulated by Leeds Beckett University