Blog

Welcome to our project blog. We will use this space to share learnings from the project, including summary of events and experiences of the project team and community members.

‘Never Look Back, Only Forward’: Roma Stories Collected by Vasile Lincan
Ryan Woolrych Ryan Woolrych

‘Never Look Back, Only Forward’: Roma Stories Collected by Vasile Lincan

by Vasile Lincan

My name is Vasile Lincan, and I am a co-researcher in the RomaPlaceAge project. I have been part of the team from the very beginning, learning about research and how to collect stories through semi-structured interviews, walking interviews, and photo diaries. I found these different methods work well with Roma people, as many are not used to research or may feel unsure about what answers are expected. By using these approaches, we are able to gather their experiences and learn from their stories in ways that feel natural and respectful.

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A Rhetorical Question: Why Did the Shop Owner Trust the Roma?
Ryan Woolrych Ryan Woolrych

A Rhetorical Question: Why Did the Shop Owner Trust the Roma?

by Sasho Marinov

Imagine living in one of the areas of Glasgow that constantly receives a bad reputation. It is often in the spotlight for crime, criminality, and has a substantial history of immigration. You’ve guessed it right, I’m referring about Govanhill.

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“It’s No Problem”: When Ageing Becomes Survival, Not Living. Reflections from a conversation with two retired Roma in Peterborough on International Roma Day
Ryan Woolrych Ryan Woolrych

“It’s No Problem”: When Ageing Becomes Survival, Not Living. Reflections from a conversation with two retired Roma in Peterborough on International Roma Day

by Sasho Marinov

This was my second interview of the day, on a sunny 10th of April. Coming down from Scotland, where we have barely seen the sun this year, the clear skies in Peterborough felt like a gift. It was around 1:30pm and the sun was blinding all three of us. My two respondents were already waiting in their front garden, somehow knowing I might have trouble finding their home – which I absolutely did.

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Building Bridges Through Research: Community Co-Researcher Training
Ryan Woolrych Ryan Woolrych

Building Bridges Through Research: Community Co-Researcher Training

by Sasho Marinov

At RomaPlaceAge, we are on a journey to explore and address the health and wellbeing of Roma communities in the UK in mid to later life (aged 40+). Our project aims to highlight the needs of this often-overlooked group and support them to lead the change by involving members of the Roma community as equal partners in the research process. As part of this process, we have been training Roma community researchers in two locations – Govanhill and Peterborough – with a third training session coming up in Luton later this month.

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