Community Spotlight featuring Roma Communities in Newham
Roma people are one of Europe’s largest ethnic minority groups, with a shared history that traces back to northern India around 900 years ago. Today, there are an estimated 12 million Roma people worldwide, with at least six million living across Europe. Over the past 30–40 years, Roma communities from countries including Slovakia, Poland, Romania and Spain have settled in the UK. Newham is now home to thousands of Roma residents from across Europe, making it one of the London boroughs with the largest Roma populations.
The Roma Support Group (RSG) was founded in 1998 by Roma people, for Roma people. For much of its history, RSG has been based in Newham, where it has played a vital role in providing culturally appropriate advice, advocacy and support services to Roma individuals and families. Alongside frontline support, RSG has led important community development, cultural and educational initiatives, helping to build confidence, skills and opportunities within Roma communities.
One of RSG’s flagship projects is the Roma Bridging Sounds Orchestra, launched in 2014 in partnership with Newham Music Hub. At its peak, the orchestra brought together around 50 children from Roma and non‑Roma backgrounds to learn, perform and celebrate Roma music. The project recorded two albums and performed on prestigious stages, including the Royal Albert Hall, creating powerful opportunities for cultural exchange and positive representation.
Beyond cultural work, RSG supports thousands of professionals across the UK to improve understanding and engagement with Roma communities. The organisation is also a national leader in Roma‑specific policy and campaigning, advocating for inclusion, equality and fair access to services.
RSG has worked with thousands of Roma individuals over the years, preserving lived experiences through initiatives such as the Roma Oral History Project. Community champions include Mr Josef Sadowski, the only known Roma Holocaust survivor living in the UK, who has spent his life advocating for justice and recognition for Roma victims, as well as Mrs Baronita Adam, a descendant of a survivor, and Marija Enver, a Newham‑based Roma scholar and recent recipient of a European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture Academic Fellowship.
April marks International Roma Day (8 April), and June is Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month in the UK. These moments provide important opportunities to celebrate Roma history, culture and contributions, while challenging stigma and misconceptions. Residents, schools and organisations across Newham are encouraged to deepen their understanding, engage positively with Roma neighbours, and take part in events and activities. Schools and partners are also invited to participate in the 2026 Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month Art Competition, with resources available from the Roma Support Group.
Read more about the Roma Support Group and their work at:
www.romasupportgroup.org.uk
