Introducing Linda - our new Community Health Development Coordinator!

Hi, I’m Linda, a new starter here at Leeds GATE as Community Health Development Coordinator. My new job has a big title but was does it mean?

Gypsies and Traveller have some of the worst health outcomes in the UK. Well, worldwide, if the truth is known. My role is to see how we as a community can change that for Gypsy and Traveller people and families in West Yorkshire.

Throughout my life, I’ve had lots of experiences that have led me here, wanting to work to overcome barriers that affect people’s quality of life.

I’m originally from Bradford, but moved to Leeds around 25 years ago. When we weren’t travelling, I grew up around the Leeds Road area. My Granddad had a second hand shop there and we used to camp behind it.

I have fond memories of us travelling, going to Wisbech to fruit pick and the sense of community.
I also have memories of the police moving us on and the racial abuse that came with being a Traveller.

One particular memory is of us going somewhere on the motorway and around 5 or 6 police cars stopping us from coming off the motorway into their county. I think I was around 5 or 6 at the time, and this experience left me with a distrust of officials that has taken me years to overcome.

We moved out of the caravan/trailer when I was 12 to move in to a house on Ravenscliffe, which was close to my mum’s family. Once we moved in to the house, my mum decided we needed schooling, as till then we had been home schooled. It wasn’t all good or all bad. Yes I was bullied, but I also made some lifelong friends and decided that I wanted to prove the school and the careers advisor wrong.

I was/am better than their lowly expectations.

My first job after leaving school was in a local chip shop on Church Bank that’s no longer there now, just opposite the Piece Hall. Over time I have worked in many Health and Social Care environments, from Nursing Homes, Specialist Schools, Independent Living (support disabled people to live independent lives), work with older people and families.

At the age of 43, I decided I was going to go to university. But first, I had to get my Maths and English Level 2, as I didn’t get these in school. While working full time in care, I went to night school. No university would accept me otherwise, even with other qualifications, such as an NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care.

I studied Health and Social Wellbeing at Bradford College. Due to depression and a family health scare, unfortunately I had to drop out 2 ½ years in. Still, I enjoyed going to university and the experience made me realise the life skills I had gained. I knew I wanted to work in promoting health and wellbeing, improving access for all by overcoming barriers.

Which brings us to now.

I will be asking questions, to health professionals and Gypsy and Traveller members at GATE, looking at why they face such barriers in accessing health care and support. With members’ help and support, we can come up with solutions that build on their skills and strengths.

Easy right…?

I need your support to start this process and create change for health and wellbeing in the community. Please if you see me say hello and have a chat with me about some of the issues I have mentioned above.

Let’s chat…. You will usually find me at Leeds GATE, although I will be coming out to sites and the roadside too. I’m looking forward to meeting you!