Roots & Rights brings together professionals and decision-makers to tackle Gypsy, Roma & Traveller issues

Beyond the Headlines: Roots & Rights

Gypsy, Roma & Traveller Conference 2026

One day. Powerful voices. Honest conversations. Real solutions.

Join Gypsies and Travellers Essex (GATE), soon to be TravelStronger, on 23 October 2026 at Robertson House, Stevenage, for a powerful conference bringing Gypsy, Roma and Traveller lived experience together with leading academics, professionals, planners and decision-makers.

This isn’t a conference about Gypsies, Roma and Travellers without us — our communities are at the heart of it.

We will go Beyond the Headlines to examine the issues shaping people’s lives: safe sites, planning and accommodation, health and mental-health inequalities, education, racism and hate speech, representation, and the experiences of our children and young people.

Hear from Professor Margaret Greenfields, Joseph Jones, Sally Barter, Esther Stubbs, Scarlett Smith, Myles Cash and GATE founder and CEO Sherrie Lisa Smith, alongside further expert and community contributors.

Expect powerful lived experience, expert insight, interactive sessions and honest discussion about the realities facing Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities — and, importantly, what needs to change.

If you work in planning, local government, health, education, social care, policing, housing, safeguarding, equality, the voluntary sector or community services, or your work affects Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people, this is a conversation you should be part of.

Your ticket includes more than the day

Every attendee will receive a comprehensive conference pack containing practical resources to take back into their organisation and continue the learning, including:

Professional guidance • Toolkits • Teaching and education resources • Health and wellbeing materials • Planning and accommodation resources • Gypsy, Roma and Traveller information and resources

Attendees will also receive a CPD Certificate of Attendance, recognising their participation and professional learning during the conference.

Everyone is welcome

Tickets are £10, helping us encourage confirmed attendance and ensure our limited places go to people who genuinely intend to participate.

However, cost should never be a barrier. If you would like to attend but are unable to pay the £10 ticket price, simply email Sherrie.GATEssex@gmail.com and we will provide a free ticket — no explanation or justification required.

Come to listen, learn, challenge assumptions, share experiences and make connections.

Beyond the headlines are real people, real families and real lives.

23 October 2026 | 10am–4pm | Robertson House, Stevenage

Places are limited — secure your place and be part of the conversation.

Description supplied by the event organiser.