Welcome to Belonging and Beyond: Exploring Belonging Through How We Live and Die, brought to you by Princess Alice Hospice with your hosts Rach Basak, Head of Community Involvement and Support and Sarah Dowd, Head of Inclusion.
In this series, we’ll have honest conversations about inclusion, belonging, and the barriers created in society for some. Together with guests from all walks of life, we’ll be unpacking big questions like: What does belonging look like? Who gets to belong? And how can we build communities where everyone feels seen and included?
We are excited to be here and hope it sparks reflection, connection, and maybe even change.
Today, we’re honoured to be joined by Shirley from One Voice 4 Travellers, a passionate advocate for Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller women, girls, and families. Shirley’s story is one of strength, community, and lived experience as a woman from the Romany community. 
In this episode, Shirley guides us through the unique customs and rituals surrounding dying, death, and bereavement within the Traveller community. We’ll hear how these traditions shape experiences of loss, and why understanding and respecting them is so important—especially in healthcare settings, where cultural understanding can make all the difference. 
If you would like to share your thoughts, views or be part of Belonging and Beyond please do get in touch at sarahdowd@pah.org.uk and rachaelbasak@pah.org.uk.
 
Hosted and produced by Rachael Basak and Sarah Dowd
Produced by Sarah Dowd 
Edited by Sarah Dowd and Elizabeth Lattimore


Resources:


One Voice 4 Travellers – One Voice 4 Travellers


Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) support - Surrey Community Action


Inclusion Health Team (supporting Gypsy, Roma and Traveller, Showmen and Boater, Homeless and Asylum-Seeking families)


Friends, Families and Travellers


National survey exposes racism and discrimination faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people - Friends, Families and Travellers

Beyond Labels - Belonging and Dying in the Traveller Community

Providing free, high-quality compassionate care & support for patients, families & carers, living in a large part of Surrey, south west London and Middlesex.