What We Do
Union Romani Voice works to create a society in which Roma and Romanian communities can thrive, reach their full potential, and have an equal voice in the UK.
The need for Roma communities to be represented has never been greater. Despite decades of contribution to European societies, Roma people continue to face structural discrimination, exclusion, and barriers to justice, compounded by migration systems, language exclusion, and the legacy of mistrust toward public institutions.
In the UK context, Roma and Romanian communities often experience:
• insecure or misunderstood immigration status
• exclusion from education, housing and healthcare
• racism and hate crime
• lack of culturally informed services
• absence from decision-making spaces
At the same time, their experiences are under-researched, under-reported and frequently misrepresented.
From lived experience to systemic change
Union Romani Voice bridges the gap between community realities and decision-making systems.
We work directly with individuals and families to address immediate needs, while also documenting lived experience, identifying systemic failures, and translating them into evidence, advocacy and policy engagement.
As public and political attention on Roma and migration issues fluctuates, platforming Roma voices becomes essential — not only to expose injustice, but to change the public narrative, challenge stereotypes, and promote social justice.
Our work in practice
Our work ranges from frontline support to structural advocacy, including:
• organising and supporting Roma and Romanian communities
• informing people of their rights and entitlements
• advocating for access to justice and fair treatment
• supporting engagement with schools, health services and local authorities
• challenging discrimination and hate crime
• amplifying Roma voices in public and policy debates
• contributing to consultations, research and human rights monitoring
We do not speak about Roma communities. We work with them and are accountable to them.
Our impact to date
Union Romani Voice has:
• supported thousands of Roma and Romanian individuals and families
• built trusted relationships with communities who fear institutions
• supported children and young people to integrate into UK education
• strengthened parental engagement with schools
• become a recognised Roma-led voice locally and nationally
• established professional standards grounded in human rights and safeguarding
What guides our work
• Roma-led leadership matters
• Lived experience is expertise
• Equality requires systemic change, not temporary fixes
• Human rights must be applied in practice
Our primary activities
Informing about rights
• Immigration status and settlement rights
• Access to housing, welfare, education and healthcare
• Safeguarding and protection of children and vulnerable adults
Mobilising and empowering communities
• Community mentoring and leadership
• Youth and student ambassador initiatives
• Parent engagement and confidence building
Lived-experience-based evidence
• Documenting barriers and systemic exclusion
• Identifying patterns of discrimination
• Contributing community insight to policy and research
Advocacy, influencing and social justice
• Challenging discriminatory practices
• Supporting victims of racism and hate crime
• Engaging with local, national and European stakeholders
Promoting Roma voices
• Creating safe platforms for Roma narratives
• Countering negative and harmful stereotypes
• Supporting community representation
Access to justice
• Supporting referrals to specialist legal services
• Working in partnership with legal advice providers
• Promoting accountability and fair decision-making
Looking ahead
Union Romani Voice continues to grow as a rights-based organisation, committed to:
• deeper community empowerment
• stronger accountability mechanisms
• expanded advocacy at national and European level
• lasting change for Roma communities in the UK
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