Pride of Romani

20/08/2026

MEET OUR TEAM

WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED

There are moments when you stop and look around you and realise that something has been quietly taking shape.

Not by accident.

Not by force.

But through time, faith, trust, sacrifice and divine timing.

Today, our hearts are incredibly full as we introduce the people who stand together as the team behind Pride of Romany:

Charmaine Abdul-Karim
Andy Kelly
Anna-Marie Smith Clark
Charlotte Fawcett
Nevada Smith
Anne-Marie Scragg
Lexy Stanley
Violet Eastwood

These are not simply names on a team page.

These are people who have stood in the work.

People who have shown up when it was difficult.

People who have given their time, their energy, their knowledge and their hearts.

People who have demonstrated, time and time again, that their commitment is not dependent upon applause, recognition or convenience.

They have simply stood.

And sometimes, standing is an act of courage.

There is a verse in Jeremiah that speaks to us deeply:

“Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord… They will be like a tree planted by the water… its leaves are always green.”
— Jeremiah 17:7–8

A tree planted by the water does not fear the heat.

Its roots go deep.

When the winds come, it does not run.

When the seasons change, it remains.

It continues to grow.

It continues to bear fruit.

And that is what we see in this team.

They have not been moved.

There is a song whose words have carried generations through struggle:

“We shall not be moved.
Just like a tree that’s planted by the water,
we shall not be moved.”

Those words are more than a song to us.

They are a declaration.

Because our people know what it means to have our history overlooked, our voices spoken for, our identity misunderstood and our stories left out.

We know what it means to have to fight to be seen, fight to be heard and fight to ensure that our children inherit more than silence.

So we plant our roots deeper.

We remember those who came before us.

We carry their names.

We protect their stories.

We honour their struggles.

And we refuse to allow our history to disappear.

We shall not be moved.

This team understands that protecting Romanichal heritage is not about preserving something frozen in the past.

It is about protecting the living heartbeat of a people.

Our language.

Our traditions.

Our memories.

Our families.

Our elders.

Our stories.

Our photographs.

Our music.

Our places.

Our identity.

Our right to tell our own history in our own voice.

And that is why this moment means so much.

Because this is by our people, for our people.

We are not here to ask permission to be proud of who we are.

We are not here to apologise for our identity.

We are not here to allow our history to be diluted, rewritten or forgotten.

We are Romanichal.

Unapologetically.

Steadfastly.

Proudly.

And together, we stand as caretakers of what was entrusted to us by those who came before.

To our incredible team — thank you.

Thank you for standing.

Thank you for believing.

Thank you for protecting.

Thank you for challenging.

Thank you for giving.

Thank you for remaining when it would have been easier to walk away.

And thank you for understanding that sometimes the greatest contribution we can make to our people is simply to keep standing.

Because movements are not built by one person.

They are built by people who decide that something matters enough to stand for.

People who become the roots.

People who become the branches.

People who shelter others from the storm.

People who carry the flame when the night is dark.

People who look towards the next generation and say:

“We were here.
We remembered.
We protected it.
And we did not move.”

Our hearts are full.

Our roots are deep.

Our faith is strong.

Our people are strong.

Our history will be remembered.

And whatever winds may come, we shall not be moved.

We are planted.
We are rooted.
We are standing.
We are Romanichal.

PRIDE OF ROMANY

For our people. By our people.
Protecting our heritage. Preserving our history. Building our future.

09/08/2026

❤️🎄 WOMEN SUPPORTING WOMEN – WE NEED YOU! 🎄❤️

This November Pride of Romany is doing something really special.

As part of our Nantwich Christmas Ladies Shopping Day , we are helping raise money for women and children who have fled domeatic abuse we are also doing a toy donation, we are putting together a Women’s Fundraising & Planning Committee to help us raise money collect new toys and to come and work together to support these incrediblly brave women and children.

And we are looking for WOMEN who want to get involved and make a difference.

You don't have to be a professional fundraiser.
You don't have to have experience.
You don't have to be able to give loads of time.

We need women with ideas, contacts, energy, businesses, connections and big hearts.

✨ Could you help us organise raffles?
🎁 Could you help collect new toys?
🤝 Could you approach businesses for sponsorship or prizes?
⛪ Could you get your local church or community group involved?
📣 Could you help spread the word?
💡 Have you got a fundraising idea?
🎄 Could you help us make Christmas special for children who have had to leave their homes to escape domestic abuse?
📱Could you use your social media to promote and support the event?

Whatever you can bring to the table, we want to hear from you.

This isn't about one person doing everything.

It's about women coming together, women supporting women and our community standing behind families who need us.

🎁 NEW TOY DONATIONS
🎟️ RAFFLES & FUNDRAISING
🤝 SPONSORSHIP & PRIZES
⛪ CHURCH & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
❤️ SUPPORTING WOMEN & CHILDREN

We want to build a committee of women who can help us turn this year's Christmas Ladies Day into something that doesn't just look beautiful — it actually changes lives.

✨ If you'd like to be part of the committee, please message Pride of Romany.

Bring your ideas.
Bring your contacts.
Bring your skills.
Or simply bring yourself.

Because when women stand together, we can make a difference. ❤️

27/07/2026

Important Update from Pride of Romany

We are aware of recent speculation regarding our quieter presence online and would like to reassure everyone that Pride of Romany remains fully operational.
Our online communications have been more limited in recent weeks as the CEO's family has been navigating the reality of a family member living with a life-limiting illness. Whilst our social media activity has been quieter, our work has continued behind the scenes, with ongoing advocacy, partnership working and the development of a number of important projects.
To be absolutely clear, Pride of Romany is going nowhere. We remain fully committed to our mission and to the people we serve.
Over the coming weeks, we will be sharing lots of news, including exciting project announcements, new team members joining us, and the return of the heritage and information videos that our people have always enjoyed.
We would like to thank our incredible team, our people and our supporters for their patience, kindness and unwavering support during this time. Your messages, your prayers and your kindness have been felt more than you know.
Thank you for standing with Pride of Romany. As always We look forward to sharing the next chapter with you all.

23/07/2026

Yesterday we had a meeting that brought together an exceptional group of partners who share our commitment to improving the health and life chances of British Romanichal men.For generations, the men in our culture have carried strength, responsibility and resilience — yet they have often been the hardest to reach when it comes to advocacy, health and change. Beyond the Bell project is all about shifting that narrative.
Built on the legacy of British Romany boxer Laddie Hind, we have created something unique, culturally grounded, and never done before — a new approach rooted in heritage, identity and the boxing tradition that has shaped our men for decades. Our sincere thanks to: Nathan Clarke South Cheshire ABC Boxing Gym, whose gym is already a trusted environment where our men already feel at home. The incredible Claire Smith Project Manager CCICP Transformation Team, our partner whos dedicated to ensuring culturally informed, community‑led health improvement. Crewe Town Council Stuart Mackay Mayor of Crewe, recognising the importance of this work for local wellbeing and community resilience. Our own Neveda Smith Pride of Romany Men’s Network Lead, who strengthens this project the pride he has in our identity, a role model who is trusted and respected by our people.Together, we are building something powerful. The foundations are set. The momentum is building.
Follow us and drop us a message to hear more.

26/06/2026

Last Thursday We attended the opening of Roaming Britain: Gypsy and Traveller Homes at RIBA RIBA North West Region, in partnership with Tate Liverpool, as part of Pride of Romany were one of the contributors of the exhibition.

Historically, our community have too often been spoken about as one single “lumped” identity, with little understanding of the very real distinctions between different cultures, ethnicities, and lived experiences or chosen sub cultures. For British Romanichal people specifically, that lack of clarity has often meant our identity is misunderstood or absorbed into broader narratives where it is not always accurately represented.

That is why being part of this exhibition mattered so much to us.

We will be honest — We went into the project with some apprehension. There is a long history of our community being grouped under labels we do not identify with, and I was cautious about how the work might frame us. We were particularly aware of concerns around the same acronyms and categories that often erase important distinctions.

What We experienced on the night, however, was something very different.

We want to acknowledge Lauren for the way she listened carefully to everything we advised and took time to understand those distinctions. That care is visible in the final exhibition. The differences between communities, identities, and cultural histories have been handled with clarity and respect.

Seeing British Romanichal history, families, and echoes of our ancestors reflected in a space like RIBA and Tate was powerful. These are institutions where we have not always seen ourselves represented clearly or specifically as who we are.

Representation is not a small thing. Visibility shapes how communities are understood, how histories are preserved, and how future generations see themselves.

We left feeling genuinely impressed and, importantly, reassured that our voice had been heard.

Pride of Romany is proud to have contributed to this exhibition and to have helped ensure that British Romanichal identity is represented with care, accuracy, and respect. To all the other contributors very well done ♡

22/06/2026

Friday was a powerful reminder of what community really looks like.

There’s been a lot going on behind the scenes recently, and hosting large event isn't easy. But Pride of Romany was carried through by the strength of the people who showed up, stood together, and made it happen.

For the first time, there was space to actually step back, take in the moment, and connect properly with everyone there — and that was only possible because of the support around the event.

A huge thank you goes to the Pride of Romany team members who were able to attend and pulled together in every way possible to make the day run smoothly.

Special appreciation to Charlotte, Violet, and Melissa who travelled from Lancashire to support the event. Their help with cooking, setting up, packing down, and everything in between made a real difference. One of them even arrived on very little rest, and still gave full energy and support throughout the day.

Thank you as well to Neveda, who spent the day welcoming people, talking, and helping create such a positive and inclusive atmosphere. Also who has ordered hoodies for the team and continues to support the work being done.

Gratitude also goes to the family members and who gave their time after work, supported with their children’s activities, and still showed up to be part of the day. And to the wider Romany community network — your presence matters more than you know.

It’s easy to focus on the big events, but often it’s the smaller, more grounded gatherings that carry the most meaning. The ones built on people simply showing up for each other.

Friday reflected exactly that: community, teamwork, and support in action.

Its also no better time than to announce Neveda, Charlotte and Alexis (whos across the pond in the usa) will be joining Charmaine, Anna-Marie, Andy amd Anne-Marie on our team, we will be moving mountains thats a promise.

Thank you to everyone who came, helped, and stood with Pride of Romany. It is genuinely appreciated. ❤️

17/06/2026

12/06/2026

As we celebrate Romany History Month, we want to express our sincere gratitude to Jamie and the team at CreweCreates for their support of our community.

From providing us with a space to hold our community event on 19th June, to giving us the opportunity to display part of our exhibition, Jamie has shown what genuine community engagement looks like.

What stands out most is that he listens. He doesn't simply talk about inclusion and diversity—he creates opportunities for communities to tell their own stories in their own voices. He understands that artistic freedom and authentic representation matter, especially for ethnic minority communities whose histories and experiences have often been overlooked.

Jamie has helped create a welcoming space where people feel respected, valued, and empowered to share their culture and heritage. That kind of support makes a real difference.

On behalf of Pride of Romany, thank you, Jamie, for believing in community-led creativity, for opening doors, and for helping us celebrate and share Romany history and culture with pride.

We look forward to continuing to work together to build a more inclusive and culturally rich Crewe.

11/06/2026

Ethelann Smith ♡