Children's Fund money has enabled Janet Timmins, Teacher Advisor for Traveller Education, and Sam Wilson, Traveller Project Worker, to work more effectively alongside children from the two Gypsy sites in Hart and housed Gypsies in Yateley.

We have used the money to fund weekly visits by The Forest Bus which has enabled us to run after school type activities, and enabled visits from other agencies.

This has opened up better communication between the families and so has had far reaching effects on increased use of local facilities, for example, Yateley Library, Citizen's Advice Bureau, Schools, Youth Service, and improved access to health care for the whole family.

The Fund has been used to resource and provide training for Sam Wilson and given him the opportunity to arrange new experiences for a number of Gypsy children. For example, a pantomime visit and a trip to Paultons Park.

Thanks to the Children's Fund we have been able to ease the transition from junior to secondary school, funding individuals' P.E. equipment and clothing, books including culturally inclusive material for use in their schools throughout Hampshire.

Following the success of a specialist worker with Gypsies in Hart, the Children's Fund has meant we have been able to recruit additional support for those Gypsy children with special needs in 5 schools.
email swilson@hartvolaction.org.uk 01252 815652
or Call the Forest Bus on: 023 80 663866
Hyperlink: http://www.forestbus.org.uk/