@chelsmacdonn.bsky.social
Irish Traveller - Activist - Consultant - Researcher - Writer - Academic - Views are my own - She/Her https://linktr.ee/chelsea.mcdonagh
ICYMI: In our recent blog, Chelsea McDonagh explores the impossibility of “turning [your] gaze away” after sharing your lived experience, particularly in a system which so often fails to provide adequate support to those whose stories it demands.
www.nsun.org.uk/irish-travel...
Like loads of Travellers I’ve grown up in London, and you’d be surprised at how surprised people are by that fact. I think it just doesn’t occur to people that they’ll be interacting with us on a daily basis and won’t always know
17.10.2025 22:37 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0That’s pretty much correct - problematisation or silence, and when it comes to health the silence is loud. I’m writing an academic chapter about Travellers social class positioning and its connection to ethnocide which has made me think more deeply on this stuff atm
17.10.2025 22:35 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 2 📌 0Every child deserves to feel safe and valued.
Marija, a frontline worker, shares insight into the experiences of Roma pupils in education and how the #MishtoCampaign calls for education settings that are fair, inclusive and accessible for all.
tinyurl.com/rywjx37s
If you are a charity who wants to make a positive difference to Roma communities in the UK, the Mishto Campaign is the answer for you!
Join the campaign and help us spread the word about it!
Full details here: lnkd.in/eZxkva7r
This summer, our patient leaders gathered for a weekend of reflection, strategy and connection.
We looked back on the year, planned for what’s ahead, and shared games, music and community.
To learn more about our work, join our mailing list: justtreatment.org/join
💊✨ JOIN OUR BOARD ✊💊
We’re looking for new Board members to help guide the next chapter of Just Treatment’s fight for health justice.
Find out more and apply by 26 October ⬇️
justtreatment.org/news/2025/10...
I think in the case of Travellers (as well as Gypsies and Roma), policy action is hindered partially by a lack of data - NHS England has only just recommended that they include GRT communities in the data dictionary in May 2025. Sometimes feels like there is a lack of appetite to do anything
11.10.2025 21:26 — 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Musical tour to celebrate impact that Travellers have had on trad
A celebration of the enormous contribution Travellers make to traditional Irish music will take place in Ennis next month. Following last year’s two-week musical journey in traditional barrel-top wagons, this year The Long Grazing…
“No patient should have to fight for answers like my son did.”
Sue shares the heartbreaking story of her son's death - months of delays, and a diagnosis just six days before he died.
Early diagnosis needs funding, staff & urgency.
Read & share.
justtreatment.org/news/2025/8/...
As #ResidentDoctors begin a 5-day strike for pay restoration, #NHS patients are standing with them ⬇️
Doctors are asking for £22/hr - the same as they earned 2008 in real terms.
We know fair pay for doctors is in patients’ interests - share if you agree.
A year since Salvage was published. Thanks to every reader & the amazing @tippermuirbooks.bsky.social @rickhendry.bsky.social @romanistanpodcast.bsky.social @chelsmacdonn.bsky.social -
to think one bit of advice I got while writing it was: it wasn't a story anyone would want to read!
Tbh they are better than me because at their age I would have soaked you and cut
21.07.2025 22:41 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0I was cycling through London early this evening and a bunch of kids were lined up near a cycle lane with water guns. I fully expected to be drenched but it was the politest soaking I’ve ever got. They asked for permission and I decided to indulge but honestly, very wholesome
21.07.2025 22:39 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Don’t use Travellers as a prop to attack Diane Abbott. If you’re not fighting with us the rest of the time - against police powers, evictions, and discrimination - then keep us out of your mouth. Re-sharing this resource I made for Shado_mag. Start there. 🔗 Link in bio
18.07.2025 18:51 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
“Too complicated to treat.”
That’s what Mary was told by a private provider after being referred by the #NHS.
Privatisation is wrecking our health service.
Read Mary’s story 👇
justtreatment.org/news/2025/7/...
🚨 Wes Streeting - did you see our memorial bench outside Labour HQ?
A year ago, it stood outside Tory HQ. Despite a new govt, the #NHScrisis continues.
Hundreds of people a week suffer severe harm or death due to urgent care delays. Will you invest in the NHS to stop this?
MPs have taken over £2.3m from private healthcare, exposed by Every Doctor campaign.
Meanwhile at Epsom Hospital, porters & cleaners are told there’s no money for basic NHS pay.
Let's make sure we've got the basics covered and defend our NHS.
Split image showing two memorial actions by bereaved families affected by NHS delays. Top half (colour): Taken on 04/07/2025 outside Labour HQ. Mathew sits on a memorial bench holding a placard of his late mum, Jackie. Beside him are placards honouring Iqbal, Allyson, and Bernard—each sharing their tragic stories of preventable deaths due to NHS urgent care delays. A bouquet of lilies rests on the bench. Bottom half (black and white): Taken on 04/07/2024 outside Conservative HQ. Mathew and Samina sit on the same bench, each holding a floral wreath to honour loved ones lost to NHS failings.
🚨 BREAKING: Bereaved families unveil memorial bench outside Labour HQ to honour lives lost to NHS urgent care delays.
1 year ago, it stood outside Tory HQ. Despite a change in govt, the crisis continues.
The #NHS Long-Term Plan can't fix this without real investment.
"The government must end the cruel and harmful needs-based practice and replace it with a rights-based approach to Inclusive Education."
Read ALLFIE's response to the suggested government reforms to the SEND system and scrapping of EHCPs:
www.allfie.org.uk/news/briefin...
“We’re not willing to throw young disabled people under the bus.” - Eli on @novaramedia ⬇️
Even after concessions, Labour's welfare bill will push 150,000+ people into poverty & cost lives.
MPs must vote it down.
#DisabilityCuts #WelfareReformBill #TakingThePIP
🗓 Recent stories on Race, Migration & the Far-Right ⤵️
irr.org.uk/article/cale...
My success isn’t despite my culture, it’s because of it. So don’t ask what Traveller kids need to leave behind. Ask: What strengths do they already bring? #GRTHM
30.06.2025 16:29 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0We’ve lost services like the Traveller Education Service, but real change came, and still comes, from strong, trusting relationships between families and schools.
30.06.2025 16:29 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0In 1998, my Uncle JP was one of the first in our family to go to secondary school. I made it to university. The next generation can go further, with the right support and encouragement
30.06.2025 16:29 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Final post for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month.
Progress can feel slow. The challenges feel endless. But from small seeds, mighty oaks grow 🌱 #GRTHM
The British establishment really are trying to make criticising a military force engaged in genocide a hate crime
29.06.2025 12:10 — 👍 92 🔁 23 💬 3 📌 0🚨 No amount of 'concessions' on the disability cuts will make this Bill acceptable.
These cuts will harm future generations of disabled people, pushing them into poverty, hardship and worsening health.
Every MP must reject these sham concessions and vote the Bill down.
