Our Team - Gypsies and Travellers Wales

Our trusted team

We currently have eleven staff members based at Trowbridge Community Centre but you will likely see them throughout the week visiting the Rover Way and Shirenewton sites or in one of the local hubs. Our team cover the areas of Cardiff & Vale, Newport, Torfaen, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Powys. The staff at Gypsies and Travellers Wales are non-judgmental, approachable and have a shared passion about improving the lives and outcomes for the Gypsy and Traveller community.

Louisa

Charity Director

Louisa

Louisa started working for Gypsies and Travellers Wales in 2015, prior to that her background was in Youth and Community work. She has worked for Cardiff Youth Service, Careers Wales and the Youth Offending Service on projects aimed at engaging those who are hardest reach back in to Education, Employment and Training.

Louisa has undertaken a number of roles within GT Wales, including Advice and Liaison Officer and Advice Services Manager and therefore has a sound understanding of all aspects of Social Welfare Law and experience delivering related services. Before taking up the post of Director, Louisa was seconded to Welsh Government for 15 months working in the Tackling Poverty team.

Louisa has a BA Hons in Youth and Community Work a MA in Social Welfare Law and is currently studying at Cardiff University undertaking a Professional Doctorate in Social and Public Policy.

Donna

Advice and Liaison Service Co-ordinator

Donna

I joined Gypsies and Travellers Wales in 2022 as a Tenancy Support Worker, where I had the privilege of supporting families and individuals facing challenges such as homelessness, benefits, anti-social behaviour, debt, and accessing grants. My goal has always been to make a positive difference in people’s lives, helping them build resilience, confidence, and new opportunities.

I am now the Advice and Liaison Service Coordinator, where I bring my previous experience to support and strengthen our team. I am committed to ensuring we provide the best possible service, empowering both our staff and the communities we serve.

Deborah

Senior Advice and Support Worker, Gwent

Debs

In June 2021 the Gwent project was taken over by G&T Wales, but my role and the project has not changed. I have been working in housing since 1996 and have worked with the G&T community specifically for six years covering Gwent. I offer support with benefits, health, housing and work closely with education. My role is very varied and I will offer support with anything people need. If I can’t help, I normally know who can and will signpost someone to a relevant agency.

In 2017, working with a former colleague, we won two housing awards. The Diverse Cymru’s Promoting Equality and Diversity award and then an excellent commissioning award from the Chartered Institute of Housing. I felt proud to receive the award for our work with the Gypsy and Traveller communities. It was also a proud day, to have the community recognised in housing.

Jason

Senior Engagement Officer (Skills, Well-being, Employment and Learning Project)

Jason

Hi, I’m Jason (Jase) I am the senior engagement officer I’ve worked within Health and Social Care for 22 years. Within that time, I have gained knowledge and experience of working within and developing Mental Health Services using music as a medium to support positive mental health, process emotions, trauma, and grief.

I have experience of working within and developing Substance Misuse Services and have experience of working within Tenancy Support/Homelessness, Training and Education. I love watching people grow by achieving their goals and reaching their full potential.

I’m so pleased to be a part of the Gypsy & Travellers Wales Team!

Emma

Communication, Engagement and Policy Officer

Emma

I have about 12 years experience providing support to people from lots of different communities. My first role was as a residential carer and from there I have worked for a range of organisations, supporting people with mental health issues, substance use, homelessness, victims of crime, housing and benefits and individuals with physical and sensory impairments.

I have been with GTWales for just over two years. I have loved working with the community within my role as a support worker. I have just started a new role as Communication, Engagement and Policy Officer. I am looking forward to the challenge this new role will bring and hope to implement change that will positively impact the community.

Lauren

Engagement Officer (Skills, Well-being, Employment and Learning Project)

Lauren

Hi I’m Lauren, I am an engagement officer for the WEST Project.

I have around 15 years experience of working and supporting people. I have worked with several organisations supporting people through homelessness, mental health issues, substance use, benefits and housing.

I hope to continue my journey with GT Wales supporting the community.

Claire

Advice and Support Worker

Claire

I joined the Gwent Team in January this year as Support Worker. I have worked within the mental health sector for over ten years and have a lot of experience regarding benefits/debts/tenancy support and all other related support. My role as Support Worker is extremely varied and I enjoy the different challenges that each day brings. I am really looking forward to building positive relationships within the community so that I can provide the best possible support.

Raquel

Advice and Support Worker

Raquel

My name is Raquel and I have been working in the support industry for 12 years, gaining lots of experience in all kinds of support needs. I have a passion for supporting those who need our help and enjoy meeting new clients learning from them and helping them achieve their life goals. In the short amount of time I have been Working for GT Wales I have gained further knowledge and understanding of the Gypsy and Traveller communities, and have had the chance to build good rapport with our wonderful clients. I only hope to further my knowledge each day and keep proving meaningful and helpful support to all our clients present and future.

Georgia

Advice and Support Worker

Georgia

I joined the Team in October 2024 as advice line worker and have been fortunate enough to change roles to a support worker which I absolutely love.

I have worked as a support worker for over four years and have a lot of experience with mental health, housing, benefits and other related support. I have a passion as working as a support worker and helping those who need it to reach their goals and am always willing to learn something new every day as the role can be very varied.

I extremely enjoy meeting all the new people within the gypsy traveller community and building healthy and positive working relationships with them and look forward to what the future holds for me at GT Wales working with all of our amazing clients.

Nik

Advice and Support Worker, West Wales

Nik

I have over 20 years’ experience working in health and social care, working for Social Services, the NHS and the third sector.

I have experience working in hospitals on wards and A&E including resettlement and activity coordination/integration. Additionally, I have worked within supported accommodation for mental health services, learning disabilities and young offenders in their own communities. I have spent some time working with adults and young people within the community at mental health drop-ins around Carmarthenshire both in groups and on a one-to-one basis.

Many of the projects I have been involved in have been related to working within the community providing help, guidance and support.

I studied Health and Social Care in Cardiff and now work and live in West Wales.

Tara

Advice and Support Worker, Mid Wales

Tara

I have a varied background of Welsh Assembly Communities First work, which was helping a deprived area that I grew up in to gain support and access local services.

I have enjoyed working for social services and the NHS, which was both hands-on palliative care and care administration. My most recent role, Modern Slavery & Exploitation, involved assessing cases and enabling victims to gain services to help rebuild their lives.

Helping others is always my passion, I have enthusiasm and can empathise well with people from all walks of life.