Programme Overview

St Catherine’s Traveller Programme works with the Traveller Community across County Carlow to promote health, wellbeing, family support, and community development. The programme supports access to health and mental health services, cultural advocacy, and social inclusion.

Our dedicated team includes a Primary Health Team, Men’s Health Worker, Wellbeing Awareness Worker, TUSLA/HSE Family Support Worker, CUAN-funded Traveller Women’s DSGBV Awareness Worker, and a Traveller Forum Development Worker.

Funders & Partner Organisations

The Traveller Programme at St Catherine’s is proudly supported by a range of funders and partners:

• Traveller Health Unit – HSE: Supports the Traveller Community Health Project, and funds the Men’s Health Worker, Wellbeing Awareness Worker, and Family Support/Community Development Worker (in partnership with TUSLA).
• TUSLA: Co-funds the Family Support/Community Development Worker.
• CUAN (via Pavee Point): Funds the Traveller Women’s Awareness Worker for DSGBV awareness, healthy relationships education, and access to supports.
• Carlow County Council: Supports the Traveller Forum Development Worker who coordinates the Carlow Traveller Forum.

What We Do – Key Activities and Services

• Health Outreach & Promotion: Cancer screening, immunisation awareness, chronic disease education, substance misuse support.
• Parenting and Family Support: Practical advocacy and social welfare guidance, literacy support, housing and court advocacy.
• Mental Health and Wellbeing Work: One-to-one wellbeing support, access to mental health services, emotional regulation tools.
• DSGBV Awareness and Referral Support: Education on healthy relationships, support accessing legal aid, refuge services, and CUAN resources.
• Men’s and Women’s Health Activities: Targeted groups for over 18s focused on Traveller men’s and women’s physical and mental health.
• Community Development and Traveller Representation: Coordination of the Carlow Traveller Forum, leadership development, community voice.
• Traveller Pride and Cultural Events: Annual Traveller Pride celebrations, Traveller-led art and cultural events.
• Community Education Tasters: Introductory workshops in digital literacy, cooking, creative expression, and wellness.

Who Can Access the Programme

Our services are for members of the Traveller community living in County Carlow. While most health and wellbeing services are for adults (18+), we also support children’s health (e.g. immunisations) and offer family-friendly events.

We Welcome:

• Self-referrals.
• Referrals from TUSLA, schools, GPs, and other agencies.

Where and When – Accessing Our Services

Our main location is St Catherine’s Community Services Centre, Carlow. We also offer outreach across the county to promote access to services.

• One-to-one support, groups, and literacy support are arranged by referral and based on availability.
• All services are free of charge.
• We aim to meet people where they are and reduce barriers to support.

What You Can Expect – Programme Benefits

Our work aims to:

• Improve health literacy and long-term health outcomes.
• Promote Traveller-led programmes that centre cultural identity and community voice.
• Support wellbeing through peer-led and preventative mental health work.
• Help people access their rights, services, and entitlements.
• Provide practical support with forms, referrals, and signposting to services like Community Law & Mediation.
  Note: We support with housing/social forms but are not a housing service and cannot resolve all issues directly.

How to Access Support – Referrals and Contact

• Contact by phone or by email.
• Walk-ins and calls are welcome.
• We cannot guarantee immediate access to a support worker, but we will follow up to arrange support.
• We are not a crisis response or housing service – please contact emergency services or local housing offices for urgent needs.
• We require written consent to speak on your behalf.
• For most practical supports, service users should have an email and phone number in their own name.

Acknowledgements

This programme is funded and supported by:

• Traveller Health Unit – HSE
• TUSLA
• CUAN (via Pavee Point)
• Carlow County Council