Engagement with Children Living in Group Housing Schemes, Halting Sites, and Standard Housing
For the TAP consultation, the TLO led six creative workshops with Traveller children in Farranree and Knocknaheeny, complemented by site and home visits. This report presents a thematic analysis based on the lived experiences of seven Traveller children (3 girls and 4 boys) residing in Cork City. Participants were from St. Anthony’s Park, Meelagh Group Housing Scheme, Corkerans Quay Halting Site, and local authority homes in Farranree and Mahon. The analysis explores how different housing environments shape their preferences, needs, and well-being, focusing on key themes such as community ties, personal space, comfort, cultural identity, safety, and future aspirations.
Overview The Traveller Accommodation Unit (TAU) has been gathering the views of Travellers as part of the Traveller Accommodation Programme (TAP). Young Travellers, aged 18-24, participated in surveys, while children aged 12-17 engaged in semi-structured interviews. Additionally, children under 10 years old took part in child-led creative arts activities. Over the last 12 months, the Traveller Liaison Officer (TLO) has implemented community-based approaches to support Traveller children, including the "Schools Programme – Working with Traveller Children," which focused on the Spring Lane Development. This programme promotes self-empowerment through collaborative and creative learning. Using an ethnographic approach, it allows participants to set their own frameworks for understanding and exploring themes, drawing from disciplines such as sociology, cultural studies, and healthcare. The programme creates opportunities for marginalised children to define their developmental goals through creative self-expression. Traveller children across the city have participated in creative arts activities that explored themes of identity and culture, examining how they perceive their cultural identity within their communities. Locations such as St. Aide n’s Community College in Dublin Hill, Cork City Partnership in Knocknaheeny, and the Living Commons in Shandon Street hosted these engagements. Themes covered included home,
family, community, and culture, with creative methods aiding children in expressing their experiences and perspectives.
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