Roma Support Hub

The Roma Support Hub was established initially in 2020 as a Covid-helpline for the Roma communities across the city of Belfast. Since 2021, the RSH developed further and now maintains a telephone helpline, provides English classes and offers welfare/social benefit and immigration (EUSS) advice and drop-in services around employment, housing, justice, health care, education support and makes referrals to other organisations when required.  The RSH team works collaboratively with key partners and stakeholders, both statutory and non-statutory to strengthen all aspects of delivery wraparound support for the Roma in Belfast and ultimately encourages their inclusion in wider society in Northern Ireland.

The RSH works primarily with Romanian and Slovakian Roma but assists Roma from no less than 6 countries. It provides capacity building and skill development activities including hosting two Women’s Groups, as well as fostering positive relations between the Roma and the wider community and organises a variety of intercultural events and activities.

The RSH advocates for Roma rights and works on behalf of individuals in situations of racism, injustice, exploitation or unfair treatment.  The RSH engages with government departments and agencies and provides written and oral submissions to government consultations and reviews of policies and legislation.  The RSH contributes to treaty monitoring bodies and provides evidence to organisations such as the Equality Commission Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission for their reports on the UK governments’ human rights and equality obligations.