Advice for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people

Accommodation

Traveller sites

There are several local authority traveller sites in Cambridgeshire:

Three sites in East Cambridgeshire
One site in Huntingdonshire
Two sites in South Cambridgeshire

There are limited places at the sites and each site has its own waiting list, which is often long. To find out more about pitches and how the sites are run, contact the district councils.

Support with homelessness

If you need help with a homelessness application, read get help to avoid becoming homeless. Outside of office hours – between 5pm and 9am, and on weekends and public holidays – phone 0330 053 8109 for emergencies about homelessness.

Calls are charged at the same rates as calls to landlines, and are included in inclusive minutes packages.

Access to social housing

We have a single point of contact for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people needing support with Home-Link, the online application system we use for accessing social housing.

You can book an appointment for assistance via the Housing Advice Coordinator, our single point of contact. You will need to state that you are from a Gypsy, Roma or Traveller background. Appointments will take place at Mandela House, 4 Regent Street, Cambridge, CB2 1BY between 10am and 3pm.

You will require a National Insurance number to register for social housing. You will also require a method of contact such as a valid phone number, email address of contact address.

Unauthorised encampments

If you set up an unauthorised encampment, whom you meet will depend on the type of land you are on.

If you are on privately owned land then it could be the landowner who first visits you, however, if the landowner reports trespass to the police, it might be the police you first meet.

If we are the landowner, a council officer will visit you. You will be asked questions about your situation, your health and welfare, and if you need any other support.

Unless anyone in your group has specific needs, we may take legal action. We will also leave you rubbish sacks and arrange to collect them.

If the landowner is Cambridgeshire County Council, or your camp is on a right of way or a highway, a Cambridgeshire County Council officer will visit.

Advice and advocacy

Health and education

If you want advice on any health issues, you should be able to see any local GP or dentist, even if you are not registered.

You can also get 24-hour help and advice by calling 111.

For advice for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people, please contact Jo Chisholm, Community Development Officer for the Gypsy Roma Traveller Community, on 01223 457374 or 07704 019 537.

Reporting hate crime

Racial Harassment Service, Cambridge City Council

Call our Racial Harassment Service on 01223 457967 or 07973 883 261. For further information visit the racial harassment webpage.

Report Racism Gypsy, Roma, Traveller

There is a national service managed by Gypsy and Traveller Empowerment Hertfordshire for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people to report hate crimes. Visit Report Racism Gypsy, Roma, Traveller for more information.

Cambridge City Council