The report Room to Roam: England’s Irish Travellers was formally launched at a conference in central London on 23 September 2004.
In general, the research found that there was a lack of recognition of the specificity of the position, culture and experiences of Irish Travellers. This lack of recognition inhibits the ability of statutory and non-statutory agencies to develop appropriate support and outreach for Irish Travellers. More specifically, Room to Roam provides new information and research about the experiences of Irish Travellers in Britain in their relationships with health, welfare, criminal justice and educational agencies.
It is hoped that the report will offer a starting point for further investigation into the health and welfare needs of the Irish Traveller community, and that it will contribute to the empowerment, improved quality of life and life chances of that community, particularly in the spheres of health, education and social welfare. It is also hoped that the report will encourage and assist statutory bodies and other agencies in the development of progressive strategies and policies in relation to the Irish Traveller community in Britain, and that it will lead to an improvement in health and welfare service delivery.