Gypsy - Salford City Partnership

Gypsy community
IN Salford
A directory of our BME communities | www.partnersinsalford.org
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Introduction
This profile is part of a project to raise awareness of the Black and Minority
Ethnic (BME) communities in Salford. It was initially commissioned by Partners
IN Salford, the city’s local strategic partnership.
The ethnic diversity of Salford has changed significantly in recent years. Not only
has there been a rapid growth of the BME population as a whole, but a much
greater diversity of communities exists now than ever before.
The profiles are intended:
� as a first step in recognizing
the status and history of each
community, their geographical
location, population size, levels of
inclusion and the distinctive issues
they face.
The profiles include:
� To help agencies across Salford
to become more informed in
their understanding of Salford’s
ethnic diversity, to increase their
awareness and enable them
to deliver services which are
responsive to the needs of each
community.
� A summary of headline data such
as the location of each community,
the population size, age and gender
mix.
� The response of Partner
organisations to address these
issues, through relevant policy
development and service delivery.
� Particular issues and considerations
for each community and barriers to
services in key areas, for example
health, housing and community
safety
� Information about community
groups which work with each
population.
The directory is a shared enterprise and owes much to the invaluable knowledge of
communities themselves and professionals who work with them. It is owned by all of
you, and while co-ordinated by Salford City Council on behalf of the LSP will rely heavily
on the information and awareness of communities themselves to keep its intelligence
up to date. It will be published online on the Council’s website and each profile will be
regularly updated.
The information supplied in this profile is derived from a number of sources including extensive
contact with communities, feedback from workers with established links to communities
and an analysis of existing research and data. Certain statements may, therefore, reflect
community perception. Although the authors have tried wherever possible to cross reference
evidence to establish a valid base, we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions
and caution the reader to be aware that some of the information contained within this
document may represent the views of a group or individual and not the common consensus.
Black and Minority Ethnic Communities IN Salford
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Romany Gypsy community
Background Information
Gypsies living in the UK today are the descendants of nomadic Roma travellers who arrived in this
country sometime around 1500 AD. They are connected to the networks of Roma people elsewhere in
the world through language, culture and beliefs. Until the second half of the 20th century, many Gypsy
families followed a time honoured way of life travelling around the country in distinctive caravans, with
large numbers engaged in seasonal agricultural activities such as fruit picking and hedge laying as well
as craft based trades. While on the road, Gypsy groups would stop in traditional locations, known as
“Hatching/‘Atchin Tans” (Romany for stopping place) many of which had been in use for centuries, and
often still appear on maps with such evocative names as Gypsy Wood or Gypsy Corner.
Different sources refer to Romany Gypsies, Romanys, or simply Gypsies.* While there are links to other
Traveller communities in the UK, such as Irish Travellers, there are distinct differences. One is language.
Up to the end of the 19th century most Gypsies in the country would have spoken the Romani language.
This is closely related to the dialects spoken by Eastern European Roma communities now resident in
Salford. Today, very few, if any, Gypsies in the UK will speak Romany as a complete language, but many
words and phrases survive and are used in everyday speech. In fact the dialect spoken in this country is
often known as ‘Pogaddi Jib’ which translates as ‘broken language’ because of the mixture of English
and Romany words and phrases and for the same reason is called Anglo Romani. ‘Kushti and ‘pal’ are
just two examples of Romany words which have crossed over into mainstream society. This mixing is
emblematic of the wider process of intermarriage and integration that has occurred between Gypsy and
non Gypsy communities in Britain over the last 500 years.
The mechanisation of farming after World War II led to a dramatic decline in the labour needed in the
countryside and removed many of the previously available traditional forms of employment for Gypsies
as well as one of the main motives for travelling. This change pushed many towards a more urban and
settled existence.
* In ethnic monitoring systems Gypsies are regularly subsumed under the collective ‘Gypsy / Roma / Traveller’ category.
Romany Gypsy community
While that change transformed Gypsy lives, the traditional way of life was also significantly affected by
several Acts of Parliament introduced over the last 60 years. The first of these was the Highways and
Byways Act 1959, which outlawed the practice of stopping by the side of the road. The 1960 Caravan Sites
and Control of Development Act meant that only encampments which were licensed by the local authority
were legally permitted – all those temporary transient sites in fields and woods, many of which had been in
use for centuries, were now regarded as unsanctioned. Many sites which fell within the scope of the first two
acts were physically blocked off to prevent their re-use. Other Travelling communities, such as Irish
Travellers, were similarly affected by these statutes.
The 1968 Caravan Act did introduce a statutory obligation on local authorities to provide residential sites for
Gypsies and other Travellers, whether through granting permission to private landowners to develop sites, or
providing them directly. However, the obligation only applied if there was a proven need and many local
authorities resisted its implementation. The 1994 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act abolished all such
statutory obligations to provide accommodation, discontinued Government grants for sites and made it a
criminal offence to camp on land without the owner’s consent. This created even more pressure on
Travellers to leave the road while at the same time discouraging the provision of fixed sites.* The role of
ongoing discrimination, abuse and persecution should not be underestimated as an additional factor in
bringing widespread travelling to an end.
The combination of economic, social and political factors detailed above compelled many Gypsies reluctantly
to give up year round travelling and move to static caravan parks or into housing. Unfortunately, the
provision of sites across the country has not been sufficient to meet the growing demand. It continues to
prove extremely difficult for Gypsies and other Travellers in general to gain planning permission to develop
private sites, or for local authorities to build new locations (or extend existing ones). In large part this is due
to continuing negative public perceptions about what the presence of Travellers would mean for the settled
community. In an attempt to supply a solution, the 2004 Housing Act required Local Authorities to conduct an
assessment of the accommodation needs of Gypsies and other Travellers residing in or resorting to their
district. This assessment should then inform the local authorities housing strategies but also regional
planning and housing policies (in order to ensure Traveller accommodation needs were included).
*(footnote: there are a wide range of Planning acts and regulations which have direct and indirect impact on Travellers. These include the
Planning & Compulsory Purchases Act 2004, which introduced the requirement for both the Regional Spatial Strategy in the North West and
a Local Development Framework in Salford. Specific policy documents include DCLG guidance on Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation
Needs assessments (2007), OPDM Circular 01/2006 – Planning for Gypsy and Traveller Caravan sites, and OPDM Gypsy and Traveller Unit
– Local Authorities & Gypsy and Travellers guide to responsibilities and powers (2006).
GYPSY DRAFT PAGE 1.6.doc
Romany Gypsy community
Today, it is generally acknowledged that approximately one half to two thirds of Gypsies and Travellers
live in “bricks and mortar housing” and not caravans. This does not mean they have ceased to be
Gypsies, or have lost their ethnicity. A recent government definition of Travellers is:
“ …persons with a cultural tradition of nomadism or of living in caravans; and... all other persons of a
nomadic habit of life, whatever their race or origin, including... such persons who, on grounds only of
their own or their family’s or dependant’s educational or health needs or old age, have ceased to travel
temporarily or permanently; and... members of an organised group of travelling showpeople or circus
people (whether or not travelling together as such).” In fact, most would prefer to resume a travelling
lifestyle if possible. (Source: statutory definition taken from the Housing Act 2004)
As noted above, many of the traditional occupations of Gypsies were related to the farming industry, and
declined as its mechanisation progressed after 1945. This included such specialities as horse trading,
although vibrant festivals such as the annual Appleby Horse Fair continue to thrive. Gypsy women often
had their own areas of expertise making small items for sale such as pegs, producing herbal medicines
or fortune telling – in fact, women in Gypsy society were often expected to work to support the family
long before women in wider society were encouraged to seek employment.
The historic preference for crafts meant that formal education has traditionally been valued less than
practical skills – or as the Equalities and Human Rights Commission have put it many studies highlight
“the questionable relevance of the curriculum to many Gypsies' and Travellers' cultural and employment
patterns, especially at secondary level”. Like Irish Travellers, attendance at secondary school is not
always considered significantly important, especially when young people may be considered adults at 14
or 15. There are several reasons behind this. Firstly, there is the view among some Gypsies that
mainstream education makes no concession to Gypsy culture and the critical importance of shared
family activity – for a child to be away from family and culture for 7/8 hours a day is contrary to this ethos.
There is also the legacy of regular mobility which meant it was practically difficult to be at any one school
for a lengthy period of time - in fact many Gypsies still travel at various points of the year. The persistent
bullying still experienced by Gypsy children and young people across the country (often motivated by
their ethnic background) further discourages lengthy attendance, as low levels of literacy and numeracy
mean a significant percentage fall behind their peer group. Lack of understanding of Gypsy culture and
low expectations by teachers and schools is recognised as contributing to reduced achievement and
disengagement from education. Bullying of children was the most common barrier to education listed by
parents in a 2007 study of Traveller communities in Salford. Indeed in 1999, OFSTED concluded in the
report “Raising the Attainment of Minority Ethnic Pupils” that “.. the level of hostility faced by Gypsy
Traveller children is probably greater than for any other minority ethnic group”.
GYPSY DRAFT PAGE 1.7.doc
Romany Gypsy Community
There is little evidence that things have changed in the last decade. Nevertheless, many Gypsy
children and young people do continue to attend school and value the importance of education.
Like most local authorities, Salford currently has a Traveller Education support service, which provides
support to access school places, develop home education packages, and additional learning capacity
for those young people in schools. A key objective is to promote awareness of Gypsy and Traveller
heritage, culture and lifestyle to all pupils and teachers. In Salford this initiative is called EMTAS (Ethnic
Minority and Traveller Achievement Service) and is based in Children’s Services.
In Gypsy home life, the customs of cleanliness are often strictly observed, a clear link to Roma
communities elsewhere is. These can involve many rules about the use, preparation and cleaning of
food and clothes, as well as personal hygiene and purity. Workers who visit Gypsy (or Irish Traveller
and East European Roma) caravans or homes will be familiar with their spotless condition, and often
young women in the family will spend hours cleaning the family home. There is even a specific term,
‘mochadi’ which describes the customs.
There are no definitive statistics on the numbers of Gypsies in caravans or houses but, as noted
earlier, different studies have suggested between a half and two thirds of Gypsies and Travellers in the
UK now live in settled housing (EHRC Research report No. 12, 2009), although a 2008 AGMA study of
Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation estimated that at least 90% of the Gypsy and Traveller population
in Greater Manchester live in ‘bricks and mortar’ accommodation. Service providers need to be aware
that these families will often continue to travel at times, which can lead to problems over tenancies, and
often have significant connections to sites. In a 2008 guidance document on working with housed
Travellers, Shelter concluded that the community often had difficulty maintaining tenancies, and that
housed Travellers had a clear preference for social housing over privately rented accommodation
(although a caravan pitch was ultimately preferred above both). Approximately 50% of respondents to
the AGMA study living in bricks and mortar stated they would prefer to live in a trailer, although this did
not separate Gypsies & Irish Travellers. Studies have also noted that in many locations, housed
Gypsies & Travellers live in close proximity among relatives and other Travellers, but individuals and
families isolated from such extended support networks often suffered from poorer health and social
outcomes. There was clear evidence that travelling could safeguard Gypsies and Travellers in terms of
physical and mental health. (EHRC 2009). The AGMA study also noted that the lack of play space was
a major worry for respondents living on sites.
GYPSY DRAFT PAGE 1.8.doc
Romany Gypsy community
There are differing national estimates of the numbers of Gypsies in the UK. Often this community is
subsumed under the general heading of “Gypsies and Travellers”. The former Commission for Racial
Equality estimated between 180,000 and 350,000 Gypsies and Travellers in England today, a
population the Travellers Times has pointed out is similar in size to the Bangladeshi community.
In Salford, there is one main recognised local authority Gypsy and Traveller site on Duchy Road in
Irwell Riverside, owned by Salford City Council, and leased via Urban Vision to the Gypsy Council.
This site is shared by Irish Travellers and Romany Gypsies. (There is an adjacent private site
occupied by Travelling Showpeople). The accommodation takes the form of static caravans. There
are currently 31 pitches, each pitch occupied by up to two caravans.
Romany Gypsies (like Irish Travellers) are recognised as a specific ethnic minority under the Race
Relations Act. This was as a direct result of a court case (Commission for Race Equality v. Dutton
1989).
Selected Sources
Here to Stay: The Gypsies and Travellers of Britain, Clark & Greenfields, University of Hertfordshire Press
(2006). Inequalities experienced by Gypsy and Traveller communities: a review, Cemlyn S. Greenfields
M. et al, EHRC Research report 12, (2009). AGMA Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation and Service
Needs Assessment in Greater Manchester 2007/08, final report, ARC4. A very good general guide to
Gypsy culture is “A Better Road – an information booklet for health care and other professionals”
produced by Derbyshire Gypsy Liaison Group and Derbyshire Traveller Issues Working Group. This describes
many practical tips for working with Travellers as well as an excellent overview of Gypsy culture. Gypsy health
issues are covered in depth in “The Health Status of Gypsies and Travellers in England”, by Parry, Van
Cleemput et al, published in 2004, which remains the best guide on the subject. One of the very few sources
which clearly separates Romany Gypsies from other Travellers is “I know when its raining” undertaken by the
Derbyshire Gypsy Liaison Group and the East Midlands Gypsy and Traveller Forum published in 2008.
GYPSY DRAFT PAGE 1.9.doc
Romany Gypsy community
Facts and Figures
 Community Size: There is no one source for the number of Gypsies in Salford. The
AGMA report “Gypsy and Traveller accommodation and service delivery needs in Greater
Manchester” estimated that there were 213 Gypsy and Traveller households in the city,
which was second only to Manchester in the sub region.*
In 2007 the North West Regional Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation and Related
Services Assessment reported that the average household size in the region was a 3.8
persons, larger than the average in the settled community.
 Main Languages: English incorporating Romany dialect terms and phrases.
 Age Profile: unknown in Salford but research published in 2008 on Romany Gypsies in
the East Midlands noted that nearly a third were under 25 and many of those aged 18 -25
had young children already.
 Geographical Location: a number of families are resident on the local authority
Travellers site, Duchy Road in Irwell Riverside ward. Limited evidence suggests many
Gypsies will live in settled housing.
 Faith status: Nationally those Romany Gypsies who practise a faith will follow the
Christian denominations in their locality, although an increasing number are attending
evangelical churches.
* This number covers both Gypsies and Irish Travellers and was based on the number of children known
to Traveller Education services. All of the Gypsy children recorded by Salford EMTAS in September 2008
were from the Duchy Rd caravan site. Because of the aggregation of Gypsies and Irish Travellers and the
fact that many families of Gypsy heritage living in houses may be unknown to Traveller Education the
estimate must be treated with a degree of caution.
GYPSY DRAFT PAGE 2.doc
Key Issues expressed by the Community
Health and Social Care – Recent research by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC 2009)
has shown that clear linkages exist between security of accommodation and life expectancy, in that those
Gypsies with long term residence on a site or in housing often do know how to access local health services
effectively and achieve better outcomes. In their discussion of Traveller health issues Greenfield and Clark
(2006) state that Travellers are over represented in preventable ill health, premature death and disability.
Responses to a 2007 study in the North West suggested that in roughly a quarter of all Gypsy and Traveller
households there was someone with either a disability and/or ill-health.
Specific research with Romany Gypsies in the East Midlands in 2008 noted that a third in housing said their
mental health was bad compared to 8% in trailers and that information on mental health services was very
limited. Nevertheless most were satisfied with the NHS, although again this was higher in trailers than
houses. Compared to this, the AGMA study “Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation and Service Delivery
Needs in Greater Manchester – 2007/8” noted that “Nearly a quarter of Gypsy and Traveller respondents
(23.8%) said that they experienced stress or got ‘down” and of those nearly 20% needed medication. This
worked out as twice the national average. The chief reasons for this high level of mental distress were family
problems, treatment by other people, and housing issues. Significantly, in the same study Gypsies, Travellers
and Showpeople as a whole stated that they had few wider service or support needs but one area where this
was required was the lack of access to doctors and dentists.
Research in Salford published in 2007 noted that when asked what service information they would be most
keen on, respondents were mostly interested in receiving health advice and signposting. It should be noted
that a review of health inequalities by the EHRC in 2009 found that life expectancy and health of Gypsies was
noticeably better than that of Irish Travellers, which alerts us again to the danger combining all Travellers
together into one meta-community and obscuring the clear differences between the groups.
Education, Children and Young People – According to DCSF figures in 2007, 27% of Gypsy / Roma
children achieved level 2 or above in reading at Key Stage 1 compared to 84 per cent of children in general.
This poor level of attainment persisted throughout schooling so that only 14% of Gypsy children achieved five
A*-C grades at GCSE, compared to 59% of children overall (Source: DCSF 2008, the Road Ahead). The most
recent PLASC School Census for Salford records only 12 Gypsy/Roma children all in primary schools.
EMTAS records for the school year 2008-09 shows 20 Gypsies recorded in Salford primary schools (notably
all Catholic schools) with all those of secondary age known to the service (8) educated outside school.
However, there is information for Key Stage 1 tests, which are taken in Year 2 (ages 6/7) and for general
literacy and numeracy teacher assessments. This shows that in general Gypsy children in Salford are
distinctly behind their peer group, especially in writing and reading. All Gypsy children of secondary school
age that are known to Salford services receive education at home, but there may well be Gypsy young people
in school who have chosen not to state their ethnic heritage.
A government review of research and evidence on Gypsy and Traveller educational experience and
outcomes took place in 2009. This reported that many young Travellers (and their parents) had positive
attitudes to education, but that experiences were less optimistic with widespread bullying and name calling
and dissatisfaction with the response of schools to persistent harassment such that young people often hid
their heritage. Nevertheless there was “increasing evidence of families encouraging school-based education
in order for their children to develop the skills they need to respond to changes in employment patterns”,
although vocational training remained a priority. There remained an over-representation in exclusions and
achievement at all national tests was among the lowest, with specific concern over low literacy levels.
Significantly, most Traveller sites lack safe play areas for children. (Outcomes for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller
pupils’ literature review, DCSF 2009).
GYPSY DRAFT PAGE 3.1 (without certain page references).doc
Key Issues expressed by the Community
Housing & Environment – The AGMA study “Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation and Service Delivery
Needs in Greater Manchester 2007-08” estimated that, based on Traveller education records, at least 90%
of the Gypsy and Traveller population in Greater Manchester live in ‘bricks and mortar’ accommodation. A
third of the respondents who were currently living in bricks and mortar housing expressed a preference for
living in trailers all year around but 60% wished to live in housing during the winter months. The highest
priorities of both groups were the need for more space on pitches, and for improvements in kitchen and
bathroom facilities.
The AGMA report also concluded that an extra 39 pitches would be needed in the city up to 2015. In July
2009 as part of the North West Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) Partial Review a new policy (L6), was
published which dealt with the accommodation issues of Gypsies and Travellers in the region. It used the
figures proposed in the AGMA study to propose that a minimum of 825 net new permanent residential
pitches should be developed in the NW between 2007-16 and that Salford should allocate a minimum of
30. On top of this 10 transit pitches should be provided in the city. However, both studies did not provide
any extensive assessment of just Romany Gypsies either in caravans or in “bricks and mortar”
accommodation. The size of the Gypsy population in Salford is therefore unknown. What is known is that
there is demand for pitches on the Duchy site. Overall a large majority of respondents from both sites and
housing in the 2007 Salford study did not think there was enough space in accommodation for Gypsies and
Travellers in the city.
Of the 100 Romany Gypsies interviewed for the “I know when it’s raining” study in the East Midlands, 36
had never lived in a house, while another 42 were not happy to live in one (whether they still were or not).
Of the 64 who had tried housing a third had come out again. Interestingly, those who were satisfied were
living among other members of their community, which bears similarity to Irish Travellers in Salford, but a
direct comparison to Gypsies in Salford is unavailable. It is also significant that those Gypsies stated that
some members of the community would only choose bricks and mortar if they were ill. All the Travellers
surveyed for research in Salford stated they intended to stay in the city for the long term and there was an
expectation that their children would still be residing here.
Employment & Training – Very little national research considers employment and vocational training even
where comprehensive studies of Traveller life are undertaken. One common factor amongst Gypsies and
Irish Travellers is the preference for self employment (among men). Often this involves activities such as
landscaping, construction and market trading and frequently employment is a family business with sons
working with fathers, for example.
There has been no separate research on Gypsy training needs or employment in Salford, although limited
consultation in 2007 with a mixed cohort of Gypsies and Irish Travellers from sites and in housing noted
that for three quarters of respondents, lack of preferred work had led them to seek alternative forms of
employment, with “a significant minority reporting that it was either difficult or very difficult (42%) to find
work”. Research among Gypsies in 2005 in the East of England found that work varied depending on the
time of year and was mainly practical trades such as roofing and external decorating. This represented a
move away from traditional jobs. As the EHRC have stated “Inevitably, the possession or absence of
formal qualifications, coupled with the surrounding culture of employment (for example, community
preferences for family based self-employment or waged, 'individualistic' labour) has an impact on
individuals' economic activity.”
GYPSY DRAFT PAGE 3.2.doc
Partner Support for the Gypsy community
For Further Information & Support*
Greater Manchester & North West
Greater Manchester Police – cultural awareness
sessions on Traveller communities have been
organised for Police Officers and PCSOs in the
Salford Division by GMP.
Salford Children’s Services – Children’s
Service’s provide EMTAS (Ethnic Minority
Traveller Achievement Service), which delivers
intensive educational support at primary and
secondary school level to young people of Irish
Travellers, Gypsy, Roma and Show people
heritage. EMTAS has also commissioned the
Duchy Pod youth facility to re-engage Traveller
children of school age not in formal education with
learning opportunities. EMTAS has also delivered
awareness sessions on Travellers communities
with Greater Manchester Police.
Salford Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople
Steering Group – this multi agency forum exists to
discuss the key issues for all Traveller groups in the city,
and seek practical solutions. Membership includes
community representatives.
Contact: Hasan Badat, Sustainable Regeneration
Directorate, Salford City Council
Email: [email protected]
Cheshire Gypsy and Travellers Voice – a Traveller led
group based in Winsford, providing support to the
community on a wide range of issues, including
accommodation, education health and planning.
www.travellersvoice.org
email: [email protected]
National
Salford City Council Sustainable Regeneration
Directorate – directorate officers convene the
multi-agency Salford Gypsy, Traveller and
Travelling Showpeople Steering Group. The forum
exists to discuss the key issues for all Traveller
groups in the city, and seek practical solutions.
Membership includes representatives from the
Showpeople community as well as workers from
Greater Manchester Police, Salford Primary Care
Trust, EMTAS, Salix Homes and voluntary sector
agencies such as English Churches Housing
Group and Child Action North West. Elected
Councillors also attend. To get in touch with the
Forum for more information on its work see the
contact details opposite.
The directorate’s Supporting People programme
has also funded the Traveller Support service
operated by English Churches Housing Group in
the city.
Salford Primary Care Trust – Community
Nursery Nurses (Health Visiting Team, Provider
Services) visit the Duchy Road site on a regular
basis to offer play & development information,
general
health
promotion
advice
and
developmental assessments for young children.
Derbyshire Gypsy Liaison Group – acknowledged as
a leading voice for Gypsies in England, the DGLG have
developed outstanding resources on health, education
and Romany culture.
www.dglg.org
email: [email protected]
The Gypsy Council – based in Essex, the Council
represents Travellers on a nationwide basis
campaigning on accommodation and site provision as
well as welfare and rights.
email: [email protected]
Gypsy Roma Traveller Achievement Service (Leeds)
– a nationally recognised independent agency which
provides support, advice and guidance to young people
from Travelling communities on early years & education,
health and training. They work in partnership with major
public service providers. Their website holds a wealth on
information on key issues for the communities.
www.grtleeds.co.uk/Culture/irishTravellers.html
Gypsy, Roma, Traveller History Month – a celebration
of the culture and activities of nomadic communities in
the UK. GRT history month falls every June.
www.grthm.co.uk
*(not intended as a full list of all voluntary and community sector
groups operating for and within the Irish Traveller community)
GYPSY DRAFT PAGE 4.doc
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Equalities and Cohesion Team
2nd Floor, Unity House,
Salford Civic Centre,
Swinton,
M27 5FJ
Tel: 0161 793 3619
email: [email protected]
www.partnersinsalford.org
To request this document in large print, audio, electronic and braille
format please contact the Equalities and Cohesion Team via the above
address
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0161 793 3619
0161 793 3619
0161 793 3619
0161 793 3619
0161 793 3619