Copyright © Ethnic Minority Communities Programme

Compiled & Edited by: Cardiff Communities First and Ruth Whiting Bates

Published by: Ethnic Minority Communities Programme

Third Floor, 113 -116 Bute Street

Cardiff CF10 5EQ

EU Roma Communities in Cardiff: Community Needs Analysis Report

Enquiries: emc-communitiesfirst@cardiff.gov.uk

ISBN – 978-0-9568468-1-5

Cardiff Communities First Ethnic Minority Communities Team

EU Roma Communities in Cardiff

Community Needs Analysis

Summary Report

April 2011

Contents

Foreword ii

Introduction iii

PART 1: Purpose and Scope of the Community Needs Analysis 1

PART 2: Methodology 2

PART 3: Roma Specific Policy in the UK 5

PART 4: Conclusions & Recommendations 6

Discussion of Key issues 6

Conclusions 7

Heritage and Culture 7

Policy and Legislation 7

Reasons for Migration 8

Barriers to Employment 9

Social Inclusion 9

Summary 10

PART 5: Recommendations 11

Opportunities for Employment 11

Community Involvement and Participation 12

Policy and Legislation 13

Initial Action Recommended 14

PART 6: Case Studies 16

ii

Foreword

In March 2010 a number of organisations and services met with the purpose of identifying

the challenges they had faced when engaging with, responding to and providing services

for EU Roma individuals and communities living in Cardiff. Amongst the varied issues

raised were those who had engaged well with the [largely Czech] Roma communities but

where unable to access additional or appropriate support and/or resources, and those who

felt unable to negotiate the communities’ language, culture and traditions.

While the EU Roma communities living in Cardiff care culturally distinct from the resident

Gypsy & Traveller communities (language being one, key dissimilarity) there are also clear

comparisons. The pattern of discrimination and social isolation experienced by Roma

communities across the EU is something that they all share. This factor has in many cases

adversely affected the way services have been provided or in some cases not been made

available to this sector of society; this has [inevitably] impacted on the communities often

negative expectations of service providers and authorities.

This needs analysis aims to bring together the experiences and expectations of a sample of

Cardiff’s EU Roma residents and the experiences of service providers. This we hope will

help both benefit from a more meaningful pattern of engagement and identify where

resources can be directed to support the needs of this particular population group.

I would like to thank all of the consultation team for their substantial contribution to

developing and delivering this study. Additional thanks go to Sue West (Coordinator,

Adamsdown Communities First) for her input into initiating the research and the application

process, Owain Williams (Cardiff Communities First, Central Team) for additional support

compiling data and summaries and Robina Samuddin (Community Cohesion Officer). This

of course would not have happened without funding via the Transforming Neighbourhood

Team (Community Cohesion Fund) for which we are very much appreciative.

Tony Hendrickson

Coordinator

Ethnic Minority Communities Team

Cardiff Communities First

iii

Introduction

Why this needs analysis, why here, why now?

The recent arrival of visible EU Roma communities in Cardiff has provided a challenge to a

range of organisations and caused them to re-assess their methods of engaging with

minority ethnic communities. This millennium has seen a sizeable increase in EU

(predominantly Czech) Roma communities living in the city.

This is a citywide issue and while there are population concentrations in the south east of

the city, it is as much of a concern for service providers working with families who are

isolated in other parts of the city.

Cardiff has been home to European and non-European migrant populations (representing a

variety of ethnic groups and faith communities) for generations. Over the years, much work

has been undertaken to address the issues faced and inequalities experienced by these

communities. This is reflected in the large number of community/voluntary groups whose

remit is to work with and/or represent minority ethnic (and faith) communities. Many

statutory and public sector organisations and bodies also seek to provide services that are

inclusive of, or seek to address the issues and barriers faced by, minority ethnic

communities.

The recent migrant EU Roma communities that have settled in Cardiff have provided a new

set of challenges to statutory services, community development and equalities

organisations. Since 2008 there has been a steady increase in enquiries about these

communities. Some of these enquiries have been from organisations that have a good

track record of working with minority ethnic groups and communities, but are facing unique

challenges in meeting the needs of this particular group.

This report is the product of a preliminary consultation exercise, which has been

undertaken in order to begin exploring the needs of both the EU Roma Community in

Cardiff, and those of the services and organisations already engaging with them, or wishing

to do so. Community Support, Race Equality, Advice and Advocacy organisations, Schools

iv

and Play services, Adult Education, the Police, Parks, Housing and Fire services have all

voiced their concerns regarding effective communication and engagement with EU Roma

communities. The much-needed information gathered from this consultation exercise, as

presented in this report, is intended for use as an initial evidence base to inform all of the

above services, regarding further action that may be taken towards improving practice. It is

hoped that both EU Roma people and communities in Cardiff will benefit directly as a

result, through the development of more inclusive and effective service delivery across a

whole range of services already available to Cardiff’s wider community.

Consultation Team

Tony Hendrickson Co-ordinator

Coordinator of the [Cardiff Communities First] Ethnic Minority Communities Team, Tony

has fulfilled a number of roles working within the community and voluntary sector. Prior to

joining Communities First, he worked with [substance misuse volunteer and training

organisation] NewLink Wales and the Black Voluntary Sector Network Wales and sat on

the committees of Voluntary Action Cardiff and Community Development Cymru.

Patricia Barrera Principal Researcher

MSc Sociology & Spanish. Has worked as Community Development Worker and

Researcher with the Adamsdown Project, BME Women’s Network and as the Gypsy &

Traveller Participation Officer with the Black Voluntary Sector Network Wales. Before

returning to [her homeland] Columbia, Patricia was Chair of the Adamsdown Communities

First Partnership.

Ruth Whiting Bates Bilingual Research Consultant (Romanian Language)

BA (Hons) East European Studies, Adv. Cert. Romanian Language, Dipl. Romanian

Cultural Studies, MSc. Applied Social Studies. Ruth is an independent consultant, volunteer

Director of RGTN, and currently a PhD researcher at Cardiff University. She spent most of

the 1990s living in Eastern Europe, including within predominantly Roma communities. She

has worked professionally in the UK for the past eight years with British and EU Roma/

Gypsy/Traveller communities, in Education, Youth Work, Health and Housing capacities.

Continued

v

Gareth Davies Research Assistant

BSc Econ Political Theory and Government, MA International Relations. Currently working

with Butetown Communities First. Previously worked for Local Government (Cardiff,

Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Bristol) in a range of service areas, including Community

Development, Housing and Regeneration and third sector organisations delivering welfare

to work provisions.

Katerina Pustkova Bilingual Research Assistant (Czech/Slovak Languages)

Kat is a Czech National who grew up in the Czech Republic and has lived in the UK for 10

years. She is fluent in Czech, Slovak and English languages and has worked professionally

in South Wales as an interpreter and Translator for the past 3 years, including in Cardiff.

Kat has extensive experience of interpreting for Roma people in a wide range of settings

and excellent links with local Czech and Slovak Roma communities. She is also currently a

part-time student at the University of Glamorgan

Participating Organisations and Individuals:

Czech Roma, Slovak Roma and Romanian Roma residents of Cardiff

Ethnic Minority Communities First Team, Cardiff Communities First Central Support Team

& Adamsdown Communities First

Race Equality First

Plasnewydd Community Centre

Roma Gypsy Traveller Network (South Wales)

The Big Issue Cymru

Cardiff Council EMAS

Cardiff Council Schools

Cardiff Play and Youth Services

The Parade (Cardiff Adult Education Services)

Wales Strategic Migration Partnership

Youth Music Skills for Czech, Polish & Native Young People

1

PART 1: Purpose and Scope of the Community Needs Analysis

The overarching purpose of this analysis was to increase understanding of the needs of the

EU Roma communities currently living in Cardiff. We are seeking to explore how best to

improve understanding of EU Roma culture and expectations; this needs analysis will

underpin the development of an action plan to improve social/community cohesion between

EU Roma and the wider community.

Core Aims

Assess literacy levels and needs

Identify barriers to community and social cohesion

Improve communication between EU Roma Communities and service providers

Facilitate the development of an action plan to address the needs of EU Roma

Communities.

Objectives

a) To identify EU Roma population groups and voluntary organisations who can

contribute to the project.

b) To provide facilitated meetings, one-to-one and group discussions, to:

Share positive and negative experiences

Develop a better understanding of the needs of EU Roma people and

communities

Compile a report of the findings

Circulate the report to the Service Providers Network to monitor and evaluate

activities related to the development of an Action Plan and share best practice

and lessons learnt with partner organisations.

Scope of analysis

Small-scale, exploratory/revelatory case-study (Cardiff)

Preliminary, partial, ‘snapshot’

Seek both Service Provider and Service User perspectives

Self-report, structured interview/questionnaires

Qualitative and quantitative data collected

2

Primarily interpretative analysis

Communities First have in the past successfully consulted a range of communities. In

addition, during 2009, two Communities First Development workers and two Czech Roma

individuals visited the Roma Support Group in London in order to learn about how this

organisation was able to engage effectively with Roma people locally. Furthermore, the

research strategy for this consultation exercise was informed by the experiences gained

from previous successful consultation exercises with the cities varied communities.

Limitations

Methodological (Not definitive or statistically significant, Specific to Cardiff-

findings/conclusions/recommendations may be of general interest with regard to

other areas with EU Roma populations, but not intended or suitable for direct

generalisation)

Time

Budget

PART 2: Methodology

This consultation used a predominantly qualitative methodology. Both qualitative and

quantitative data was collected, and some initial analysis is quantitative, but secondary

analysis is interpretative.

Researchers

This consultation required the active participation of people from EU Roma communities,

who have experienced extremely discriminatory treatment in their countries of origin as

outlined in the Background section of this report. As such it was accepted that the

researchers were highly likely to encounter reticence about ‘opening up’ and the

registration of even basic information, due to the inherent distrust of ‘outsiders’. As a matter

of priority, the consultation team thus included individuals with, in addition to essential

research skills,

Experience of working with very marginalised communities

3

Experience with and understanding of various EU Roma communities in both their

countries of origin and in the UK/Cardiff

The language ability and knowledge/experience to be able to communicate

effectively, and in a culturally sensitive manner, with the target communities

Research Tools

Self-report questionnaire/structured interview schedule for service users

Self-report structured interview schedule for service providers

Microsoft Excel (graphs and charts)

Sampling of Service Providers

An initial group of approximately 50 potential respondents from both voluntary and

statutory organisations were purposively selected and invited by email to participate.

Those who responded were asked to make recommendations for further potential

participants.

Second phase combined email/telephone follow-up of non-respondents from the

sample group, with a secondary (successful) snowball sample based on suggestions

made by respondents

Service provider participants were either interviewed face to face, or recorded their

responses to the interview schedule in writing and returned these electronically.

In the interests of time, active data collection continued until the minimum set quota

was reached (12x Service provider interviews and 25x community member

interviews).

Sampling of EU Roma residents of Cardiff

Initially, individual Romanian and Czech Roma respondents were approached and

invited to respond to the questionnaire on the basis that they were already known to

the researchers to self-identify as Roma from previous work with local Romanian

and Czech communities. Sampling was then snowballed from these initial contacts.

Slovak Roma respondents were approached randomly in a purposively selected

public place where the researcher knew there was a high likelihood of meeting

participants from this background, and again invited to respond to the questionnaire.

4

Data Collection

Qualitative and quantitative data was collected from service providers and Roma people.

The majority of service providers were interviewed face-to-face and individually in a

professional environment, however a small number of providers were interviewed either by

telephone or by emailing an electronically self-completed interview schedule.

Roma community members were consulted in a variety of settings and circumstances:

Some in their own homes, some in the homes of friends/neighbours/relatives, and some in

a public or semi-public place (e.g. local ethnic convenience store, local McDonalds, sitting

on a park bench). In a few cases the respondents were alone when giving their responses,

however in most cases, although the interviews were all focused on a single individual,

other members of the family or wider community were present for all or part of the meeting.

Data Preparation

Due to the small amount of data collected, information that could be expressed

quantitatively was presented using Excel in graph/chart form, and qualitative data was

coded, cross-referenced manually and expressed in Excel graphical formats.

Data Analysis

Although demographic and basic background data is expressed quantitatively, the

emphasis in this research is on qualitative, interpretative secondary analysis with the aim of

offering a description and better understanding the current situation regarding needs of and

service provision for the Roma communities in Cardiff. Relationships within and between

data sets were analysed through discussion.

5

PART 3: Roma-Specific Policy in the UK

Relevant EU Policy has already been discussed at Section 1/2.1, and the UK is expected

as an EU Member State to fully comply with this.

The UK, as other destination states1, currently lacks any official national policy with regard

to EU Roma, with little local evidence either of a formal policy or strategic response to their

presence. The lack of policy is unsurprising given that the negative media attention,

unsupportive political attitudes and explicit anti-EU Roma campaigning described earlier,

are as widespread in the UK as elsewhere.

Conversely, the UK benefits from specific legislation and policies for groups similar, and in

some cases distantly related, to EU Roma (Gypsies and Travellers); for example, Race

Relations and Equality legislation and Traveller Education policy. These have provided an

initial policy context for EU Roma people coming to the UK, and have impacted on their

experiences and treatment, irrespective of whether they have been applied consciously,

directly or appropriately. Some services whose existing work is based on such policy

(particularly Traveller Education and Ethnic Minority Achievement Services), have adapted

effectively to achieve positive engagement, good knowledge and understanding of, and

excellent work with, new EU Roma communities.

However, taking the example of official UK policy specifically for Gypsies and Travellers,

this remains notoriously patchy. Although Traveller Education Policy is working well within

its own field, it cannot address either the broader needs of UK Gypsy and Traveller groups

themselves, or those of EU Roma migrants, for example with regard to housing or

employment, and similarly strong and effective targeted UK policy is lacking in these areas.

Many unmet needs thus fall outside the remit of agencies and organisations achieving good

engagement based on strong and easily-adaptable policy. Their work is hampered, or even

rendered ineffectual by the lack of similar policy, and the resulting absence of effective

complementary support and services, in other service fields. For example, being vulnerably

housed and living in extreme poverty will invariably impact on a child’s ability to benefit from

education, regardless of the dedication of education workers.2

1 FRA, 2009; Fremlova, 2009

2 European Commission, 2005; Fremlova, 2009

6

Part 4: Conclusions and Recommendations Discussion of key issues

Due to the methodological, financial and time constraints of the present needs analysis

exercise, it was possible to collect only a small amount of first-hand data. The findings

from this report therefore cannot be considered to be in any way either statistically

significant, or suitable for direct generalisation beyond the immediate sample of

participants. However, it is of interest and value to note that the data collected from both

Roma residents and service providers in Cardiff correlate broadly with the findings and

conclusions of larger-scale studies conducted across the EU, including in other areas of the

UK.

It is likely, therefore, that an enhanced awareness and understanding of them will be of the

same relevance and benefit with regard to the Roma communities of Cardiff, as they are for

practitioners working with Roma people in the rest of the UK and the wider EU.

The following section will address key findings with regard to the following:

1) ‘Voluntary’ vs. ‘Forced’ Migration and the concept of ‘Home’

2) The importance of Legitimate, Stable Employment

3) Racism, negative stereotypes and discrimination in policy and practice

4) Lack of Representation

5) Lack of Awareness/Information regarding Migration Rights (on all sides)

6) The need for a Holistic Partnership approach to Intervention

7) The importance of Realistic Timescales for Inclusion Work

A more detailed comprehensive discussion can be found within the full Report.

7

Conclusions

The increase of EU Roma families and communities identified in Cardiff, particularly since

the start of the millennium, has meant that serious consideration needs to be placed into

how inequality and social barriers affecting EU Roma people can be addressed and

combated. In order to break down social and economic barriers and help these

communities integrate into the wider community, it is important to first establish what needs

exist and what resources are required before they can be addressed and recommendations

put forward.

Heritage and Culture

‘At the Cardiff Gypsy, Traveller and Roma [History Month] event held at the

Pierhead last summer (2010)…people initially identified themselves as Romanian

and only with support identified themselves as Roma. Faith and confidence are

needed to express Roma identity’ (Service Provider)

This research has helped demonstrate the significance of heritage and culture within EU

Roma Communities based in Wales. As a collective ethnic group, EU Roma don’t benefit

from a specific geographical residence, however, it has become clear that there is a

collective sense of pride of their shared heritage and background, with the majority of the

research sample identifying themselves as Roma. On the other hand, this also draws

attention to the fact that certain stigmas and prejudices continue to exist. The initial

respondents from the sample group were identified as Roma through prior contact and

relationship building, but with only 84% of respondents disclosing their Roma ethnic

identity, the case remains that more needs to be done to combat these social prejudices

that force EU Roma to feel discomfort regarding the disclosure of their ethnic background.

Policy and Legislation

With visible social discrimination at the forefront of EU Roma segregation and isolation

within communities, one of the important issues to emerge from this research is the extent

to which Roma communities in the U.K, including Cardiff, should benefit from and be

protected by policy and legislation. As a member of the EU, the U.K is expected and

required to comply with all European Legislation that protects the rights of EU citizens,

8

including Roma individuals. However, there is currently a lack of both National and Local

policy relating specifically to Roma communities, compared to similar minority groups such

as Gypsies and Travellers. With the visible presence of EU Roma communities only being

revealed in the past few years, significantly more research into their needs will have to be

conducted before the implementation of policy and legislation aimed at benefiting EU Roma

can be considered.

Reasons for Migration

‘There was no life for us [there]… we had no work and it was very hard. We heard

that life in the UK was better so we came hoping to find work’. (Roma Person)

‘I’m here because I want my children to have a better life…although I’m currently

homeless I’m still grateful for the chance to try at making a better life for them. I

hope I can get back on my feet and find work so I can bring [my wife and children]

over here too… I have been trying to send [them] what I can until I can afford to

have them all here… it is very hard and I really miss them’ (Roma Person)

As an ethnic group with no collective country of residence, the EU Roma migrate

throughout Europe searching for a better quality of life for themselves and their families

without persecution based on their ethnic identity. The research findings from this study

have identified employment opportunities as the primary ‘push’ factor for Roma

communities migrating to and establishing themselves in the UK, followed closely by hopes

for a better life for their children. Although it was beyond the scope of this needs analysis

exercise to explicitly investigate the reasons for Roma communities establishing

themselves in Cardiff as opposed to other areas of the UK, a number of the sample group

claimed that it was more peaceful in Cardiff, compared to other areas in the UK where they

had previously lived. Employment opportunities are also perceived to be greater in Cardiff.

However, despite the overwhelming desire from Roma groups to access comfortable and

secure employment opportunities, certain social and educational barriers have been

identified that have made the quest for Roma people to provide for their families

increasingly difficult.

9

Barriers to Employment

‘[I would like there to be somewhere]…like the job centre, but with self-employment

opportunities’ (Roma Person)

‘A consequence of the restrictions [on work] is that Roma are still in the same

place/situation as before [EU] Accession…’ (Service Provider)

Those members of the Roma community in Cardiff included in our sample expressed a

overwhelming desire and positive attitude towards work, and this obvious desire for secure,

paid employment seems to challenge the negative stereotypes perpetuated in the media

and politics which portray EU Roma individuals as ‘benefit tourists’ who migrate to the U.K

simply to take advantage of the benefit system. However, Roma people face significant

barriers to employment, not least of which low levels of education, with only a third of the

research sample completing all secondary school education. The obvious knock-on effect

from such low levels of education and one that is essential towards gaining and maintaining

employment is the ability to read and write English. Although this research found that the

majority of EU Roma who were interviewed feel confident engaging in intermediate levels

of conversation in English, very few felt that they possess any ability in reading and writing

English and this is a cause for great concern. However, it should be possible to engage

with these communities to combat illiteracy if this is approached in a sensitive and culturally

appropriate way.

‘A [Romanian] Roma man accessed information and support from us to apply for a

Pedlar Licence. He did everything correctly… waited months…eventually the licence

was issued, authorising him to act as a Pedlar anywhere in the country. He was

over the moon, but the second time he went out to work, the police [not in Cardiff]

stopped him, confiscated all his merchandise without giving a receipt, and told him

to move on. He said that he protested and showed them his [Police-issued] licence,

but they just said they couldn’t be sure it wasn’t fake, because they didn’t believe

‘someone like him’ would be able to get a real one… (Service Provider)

Social Inclusion

‘[Many Roma people] seem to have a sense that they are not entitled to

‘mainstream’ activity, whether that be access to services, or just feeling normal and

doing ‘normal’ things like just going to the pub. That rarely happens except in the

10

security of a big group...’ (Service Provider)

Similar to the barriers experienced in securing employment, this research has found that

the EU Roma sample felt that more could be done to offer ‘Roma-friendly’ services in the

community, run by those who understand the needs and discrimination experienced as a

social and ethnic group. However, again this issue needs to be approached with great care,

since if activities and services are targeted at Roma people in less than appropriate ways,

there is a danger of increasing community segregation and social exclusion from the wider

local community, as well as reinforcing negative stereotypes. Whilst service providers were

generally positive about the possibility of developing Roma-specific services, feelings about

this were mixed within our Roma sample, with a majority consensus unconvinced of the

desirability of services with a strictly EU Roma participation. Those EU Roma who

participated in the interviews clearly felt they would benefit most from better access to

various services in the local community. However, it also appears that the inequality and

discrimination that EU Roma people have faced previously have led them to believe they

will also face persecution in Cardiff.

Summary

This research has suggested some key discussion points on EU Roma Communities in

Cardiff, as well as broadly identifying some of the needs and opportunities that appear to

exist in local Roma communities.

Having emigrated from their original countries of origin due to discrimination and high levels

of unemployment, the vast majority of our sample from the Roma population in Cardiff have

demonstrated a strong work ethic, and an obvious desire for their families to be provided

with better life opportunities to help them succeed in the future. There are, however, certain

barriers that are currently restricting entry to a fair and secure employment market; most

notably poor levels of English, particularly with regard to reading and writing, as well as

generally low levels of education, and in the case of Roma from A2 countries currently,

complicated and difficult-to-navigate regulations governing their rights to work.

In addition, it seems that the local EU Roma interviewed in the course of this research

appear to fear that they will continuously be subjected to social discrimination and isolation

11

by stating their need for Roma-specific activities, events and information. They perceive

themselves as a segregated group, possibly due to many years of prejudice and

intolerance from other EU states where they have resided, and perhaps have an

expectation that this will continue in Cardiff.

This, of course, should not be the case. If methods of community participation, access to

work, services and learning opportunities can be implemented, the social norms and values

held by the Roma community, such as close family ties, working hard and a genuine desire

for better education can help them to integrate and positively contribute to the wider

community.

Part 5: Key Recommendations This research has begun to develop a greater understanding of the needs of Roma

communities, why they have migrated and settled in Cardiff, as well as identifying certain

barriers and stigmas that continue to impede upon the culture and heritage of EU Roma

people, forcing many to feel they must hide and not celebrate their ethnic identity.

With some key issues clearly identified, we can begin to discuss the most beneficial and

appropriate methods of increasing employment, education, and housing opportunities, as

well as combating discrimination.

Opportunities for Employment

With a strong desire to find and secure paid employment, increasing access to (and

support with managing) employment opportunities would significantly improve the

economic and social situation of EU Roma individuals and families in Cardiff. However, with

poor English skills and particular problems with reading and writing, these groups would

benefit greatly from targeted Adult Learning Classes to help improve their language and

literacy skills. With spoken English significantly more developed among the Roma

population in Cardiff, it would be possible and beneficial for an English-speaking teacher to

tutor adults. This, in turn, will lead to better employment prospects, as well as increasing

confidence in language communication and integration with other members of the local

community. However, further consultation with Roma people themselves on this, in

12

particular on the issues raised in the course of this research including scheduling and child

care, will be essential in order to plan provision that will be flexible enough to successfully

meet their needs within their current economic situation

Similarly, wider information and comprehensive support on practical aspects of

employment, such as applying for and obtaining National Insurance Numbers and

managing self-employment obligations would also be extremely beneficial. Again, this could

be conducted either in learning classes or as part of Enterprise and Learning Centres

located throughout the city.

Community Involvement and Participation

One of the main reasons behind social segregation is a lack of community involvement and

participation. This may be due to a lack of local community facilities, inaccessible public

transport or language and communication barriers. Allowing, encouraging and enabling EU

Roma to integrate within their local communities would be contribute immensely to a better

quality of life, as well as ensuring that this particular ethnic minority group are not, and do

not feel, segregated.

In addition to adults being provided with readily accessible opportunities with regard to

learning classes, community events and employment, Children can and should be actively

encouraged and supported to mix with other children in the community from different

backgrounds, whether through activities or learning opportunities. It is clear from their

contribution to this needs analysis that various local Education, Community and other

workers already have knowledge and experience of working with children from these

communities which will be very valuable in developing further initiatives. However, at this

early stage, the possible ways in which greater social inclusion across the age ranges

could be achieved cannot be predicted. Partnership work has been strongly advocated by

the service providers who took part in this study, and fresh efforts must be made to also

include Roma people and communities as equal partners in making decisions and plans for

their inclusion and participation. Further in-depth research and consultation with EU Roma

people about what they feel would help them successfully engage and interact within their

local communities must therefore be conducted.

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Policy and Legislation

Very little National and Local UK Policy / Legislation relates directly to EU Roma, but it is

debateable on how effective or positive such ‘Roma policy’ would be in reality. EU Roma

should be protected and have exactly the same rights as every other individual living in the

UK. With both general EU Legislation (such as the Free Movement Directive 2004), and

various general UK National Legislation (such as the Equalities Act 2010) in force, it could

be argued that Roma communities are already effectively protected in law against

discrimination. Similarly, some may argue that by introducing either National or Local Policy

relating specifically to EU Roma, that by ‘singling out’ a particularly ethnic group. barriers

and segregation would only be reinforced, and that this would be contradictory to the

continuous aim for an equal, multicultural society. However, with more research and

consultation into the subject, an assessment might be made regarding how productive and

effective policy and legislation at this level would be. More importantly perhaps, discussion

should be had urgently about whether Roma people benefit equally alongside other

minorities from existing legislation designed to protect them, if not, why not, and what could

be done to support them in more fully in enjoying the protection of the law as it currently

stands.

Initial Action Recommended:

a) Formation of Service Provider Network, as a forum for:

i. Discussion of this consultation report and the previous research that

informed it;

ii. Sharing information, particularly with regard to best practice in policy-

and service-development

iii. Accessing support to meet challenges when these are encountered.

iv. Partnership development

v. Action plan execution

It is hoped that participation in this forum will enable service providers to continue

developing their understanding of the perspective, priorities and needs of EU Roma

residents of Cardiff.

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b) Development of a ‘Community Action Plan’ to address the needs of EU Roma

communities, as discussed and agreed by the Service Provider Network members in

further (and ongoing) consultation and partnership with members of the Cardiff EU

Roma communities. The specific contents of the Plan are thus yet to be decided;

however it is recommended that the plan make particular reference to the following;

i. Strategies for Community Engagement and Community Development

Towards a better understanding on the part of service

providers of the culture(s) of the specific EU Roma groups

currently resident in Cardiff and their life experiences both

prior to and since arriving here, and how these impact on

their expectations and aspirations.

Towards better communication, understanding, tolerance

and support between individuals, communities and service

providers.

In order to encourage and support wherever possible the

development of a community-based representative group

(or groups, as appropriate), to ensure that the Network’s

discussions, plans and activities remain focused

appropriately on Cardiff’s EU Roma residents.

ii. Whether existing services and activities might be appropriately

developed or adapted, and if so how;

iii. Whether new targeted services and activities might be needed, and if

so how and by whom these should be developed;

iv. How and by whom activities undertaken as agreed in the Action Plan

will be monitored and evaluated, with the purpose of continuing to share

both best practice and lessons learned back to Service Provider Network

partners.

c) Further Consultation and/or Research: As has been stressed, this report

represents a preliminary, partial consultation only, and much remains to be learned.

It is thus strongly recommended that further consultation and research be

undertaken, as appropriate and possible, when the need for this is identified either

15

by Roma community groups, individual Service Provider Network partners, or the

Service Provider Network collectively. Any additional study undertaken should seek

to take into account:

i. Impact of Devolution: Consideration re whether Devolution is having any

significant effect on policy/service provision to EU Roma in Wales and

how the duties placed in the 2004 EU directive could be positively

actioned here.

ii. Specific vs. Inclusive Service: Further research into and consultation

around the following question: Is the development of separate statutory

‘Roma-Specific’ services advisable, or, since non-Roma migrants often

encounter similar issues, and some Roma people do not want to identify

themselves or be singled out, in the interests of social cohesion might

some kind of broadly inclusive, non-discriminatory/Roma-friendly support

service for A8 and/or A2 migrants (regardless of ethnicity) be a preferred

route to take?

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PART 6: Case Studies

6.1 Case Study 1

Mrs. P, mid-forties, married mother of several children with additional responsibility for an

older, disabled parent; living in private rented accommodation with extended family, and

working part-time as a cleaner. After completing the questionnaire for this needs analysis,

the researcher reported that Mrs. P. asked her to look at an English language benefit

application form that had been filled out for her disabled parent by a local member of the

non-Roma community from their country of origin. By translating back to the family what

was written on the form, it was established that some of the details were incorrect or

exaggerated, to the extent that this could potentially cause (quite justified) suspicion on the

part of the benefit agency concerned. Mrs. P. had paid a fee of £30 to the ‘helper’, who is

apparently well-known to this particular Cardiff Roma community, and reportedly claims to

be ‘employed by the British government’, for filling out the form on their behalf. Mrs. P was

broadly aware of the implications of the inaccuracies, and frightened of the potential

consequences.

6.2 Case Study 2

Mr. D., early thirties, homeless rough sleeper, occasionally working in the informal

economy but generally begging or selling the Big Issue. Mr. D. originally came to Cardiff to

look for work, accompanied by his common-law partner, and leaving their three young

children with their maternal grandparents in their country of origin. The couple initially lived

in privately rented shared accommodation, sending money from their earnings from

informal work back to their family to pay for the children’s keep. However, Mr. D’s partner

then became pregnant, had a baby here and was unable to continue working. Due to not

being officially registered as resident, they were presented with a £2000 medical bill in

relation to the birth, and were no longer able to manage their finances. They subsequently

fell into rent arrears, were evicted and became homeless rough sleepers with the new

baby. They borrowed money for Mr. D’s partner to return with the baby to her parents and

other children. Mr. D. continues to sleep rough, beg, and sell the Big Issue. He is suffering

health problems, has been threatened, has had his belongings stolen and has lost his

passport. However, in spite of his poor circumstances, he is determined that staying in

Cardiff gives him a better opportunity to support his wife and now 4 children, than returning

to his country of origin. He hopes to eventually save enough to rent another flat in order to

bring his wife and children all here.

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6.3 Case Study 3

Mr. and Mrs. I, late twenties. Post- EU Enlargement, this young married couple immediately

moved away from their country of origin to look for work, originally trying to settle elsewhere

in the EU. However, for 2 years they experienced barriers to establishing themselves in

formal employment or self-employment there, finding only sub-minimum wage opportunities

in the informal economy, and they struggled financially as a result. After also facing racist

violence, they fled, coming to Cardiff last year to join relatives already living here. The

couple share a privately rented, three- bedroom house with three other (related) couples

and their children. With help from their relatives, both started casual self-employed work

and acquired a NINO on this basis, but neither they nor their relatives had any idea what to

do next or where to go for advice. Thus, nobody in the entire extended family registered for

Tax and National Insurance within the initial three month period required, and no social

assistance was accessed, leaving the family in poverty and struggling to pay their rent even

collectively. After a chat in public with an Outreach volunteer from a community support

organisation, in which they initially asked about whether their primary-school aged child,

(left with grandparents in the country of origin), would be allowed to go to school if they

brought him to Cardiff, the family self-referred for further information and support. Mrs. I

now accesses support regularly in taking steps to further stabilise their situation. This has

included, for example, registration of their self-employment with HMRC, acquiring a bank

account, record-keeping, payment of NICs, self-assessment, applying for work cards, and

since their son arrived in Cardiff and started school, applying for Child Benefit and Tax

Credits.