Purpose: The aim of the Bradford District Roma Strategy is to improve engagement between statutory public services and the Roma community – through working with the community.
Stimulus/Rationale:
Process:
The first step was to map the existing provision for the Roma community and identify gaps though a robust and thorough asset-based engagement process with the community and various agencies. The strategy addresses the local priorities and needs of the community primarily working with Health, Clinical commissioning groups (clinically-led statutory national health service bodies responsible for the planning and commissioning of health care services for the local area), Fire and Rescue Service, Police and the Bradford Council.
The strategy also aims to increase Roma participation and improve access to local services and ensure that the Bradford District has a strong united voice in influencing policy and practice affecting Roma at national and local levels.
Members of the Roma community were heavily involved in the production of the Strategy. They continue to be included in consultations and are invited to attend meetings and working groups around Bradford’s work on diversity and inclusion where and whenever appropriate.
Impact:
A lack of knowledge about the community, its diversity, its needs, and what they felt were preventing them from integrating or thriving in the district were the biggest barriers to the development of the strategy. However, through the development of the Roma strategy new key links have been made, knowledge has been gleaned and actions and recommendations have been co-produced. In addition, the Roma community has felt truly listened to - perhaps for the first time at this scale. The decision to co-produce the strategy, and to really understand the Roma community, is probably the best example of good practice in relation to supporting the Roma community in the Bradford district.
Key reference documents:
- European Roma Communities - A Strategy for the Bradford District 2021-2025
- Presentation on the Bradford District Roma Communities Strategy
