Sligo Traveller Support Group Ltd was first established in 2001 as a partnership between Traveller and settled people in the community. Our main aim is to establish a voice for the local Traveller community in Sligo – to address issues of importance such as accommodation, health, education and employment, Youth, Childcare for Travellers and to counteract the causes and effects of prejudice, discr
imination and racism against Travellers. As a developing organisation, our main funding comes from the HSE- Traveller Health Unit funding and the Traveller specific budget. We also secured funding from NWRDTF (North West Regional Drugs Task Force) towards the Prison Link Programme. The NCIP (National Childcare Investment Programme) funds a homework club which is currently running daily in Carraroe National School, Sligo, and 25 children take part in this. The Small Grants Programme fund the Prison Link Art Project which is currently running in Loughan House Prison. We are relentless in our ongoing efforts to secure CDP or Resource House status for STSG which would then enable us to link into the community development supports available to many other community organisations countrywide. Since September 2003 we have employed a community development worker and since October 2004 have also established a Primary Health Care Programme and run a BTEI Programme (Back to Education Initiative). STSG has established links and collaborates with many community organisations throughout Ireland. On a national level these include Pavee Point, Irish Traveller Movement and Minceir Whidden. Locally and regionally STSG has links with Lifestart, Sligo County Childcare Committee, DVAS (Domestic Violence Against Women Association), Traveller Health Unit and its sub committees and the Regional Traveller Health Authority. We have ongoing links with agencies involved in the delivery of services to Travellers – FAS, VEC, HSE, The Department Family and Community Affairs, and Borough & County Councils and numerous Traveller Support and Traveller Development Groups nationwide. In Sligo the Traveller population approximates at about 131 Traveller families with 124 transient families who come to Sligo each year. Locally, Travellers experience similar conditions to that of the Traveller population nationally. Only in very recent years have any efforts been initiated to tackle this situation from a community level perspective. STSG is currently involved in the development of its 5 year strategy to address the issues. We currently employ a Manager, Community Development Worker, 4 Community Health Workers, and a Clerical Officer. The Primary Health Care Programme progressed into the employment of the Community Health Workers. They are Kathleen Stokes, with lead on Health, Rosie Maughan, and Lisa McGinley and Cliona Ward, with lead on Youth.
