**unionromanivoice.org.uk** **2025** ANNUAL **REPORT** **We support Romanian and Roma communities with free services, advice, advocacy, inclusion and human rights.** **----- Start of picture text -----**
CONTENTS
3. A Brief Message from our Co-Chairs
4. Our Team
5. Chief Executive’s Report
6. This Year
7. Our Impact
8. In Numbers
11. Spotlight
12. Supporting Needs
14. Challenging Laws and Policies
16. Cultures and Histories
18. Projects
19. Reports
20. Finance
21. In The News
22. Our Partners
23. Our Favourite Moment
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## **A BRIEF MESSAGE FROM OUR CO-CHAIRS** On behalf of the Board, we are pleased to welcome you to the Annual Report of Union Romani Voice. This year’s report reflects not only the growth and impact of the organisation, but also a period of strong, values-led leadership and a clear strategic direction rooted in social justice, human rights, and community empowerment. Union Romani Voice has continued to operate as a trusted bridge between communities and institutions, ensuring that lived experience informs policy, safeguarding, and accountability. We are particularly proud of the organisation’s continued alignment with human rights standards, democracy, and the rule of law, values that underpin its work locally, nationally, and increasingly at European level. The Board recognises the importance of this direction and remains committed to supporting leadership that places respect, transparency, and accountability at the heart of the organisation. Over the past year, Union Romani Voice has continued to respond to increasing and complex needs within Roma and Romanian communities in Ipswich, Suffolk, and across the UK. Demand for frontline support, advocacy, and safeguarding interventions has grown significantly. In this context, the organisation has remained focused on delivering practical support while also addressing the systemic causes of inequality and exclusion. Throughout the year, Union Romani Voice has demonstrated strong governance, integrity, and resilience, despite operating in a challenging environment. The trust placed in the organisation by the communities it serves is a testament to the dedication of its staff, volunteers, and leadership. The Board of Trustees has worked closely with our Chief Executive Officer, Simona Lazăr, whose leadership, lived experience, and deep commitment to human rights continue to shape the organisation’s vision and direction. Under her leadership, Union Romani Voice has strengthened its rights-based approach, expanded its advocacy at national and European levels, and ensured that Roma voices remain central to decision-making processes that affect their lives. As Co-Chairs, and on behalf of the Board of Trustees, we would like to thank our Chief Executive Officer, the staff team, volunteers, partners, and most importantly the community members whose voices, courage, and trust continue to guide our work. Together, we look ahead with a shared commitment to a fairer, more inclusive society grounded in dignity, justice, and human rights. **VASILE MACOVEI NICOLAE LAZĂR** CO-CHAIR CO-CHAIR This year, the organisation has balanced immediate community needs with long-term strategic objectives, including strengthening civic participation, empowering young people and women, and promoting dignity, equality, and democratic participation. **VASILE MACOVEI** CO-CHAIR 3 ## **OUR TEAM** **Leadership** Simona Lazăr – Founder & Chief Executive Officer **Board of Trustees** Our Board provides governance, financial oversight and strategic direction. Vasile Macovei – Chair of Trustees Ciprin Avram – Treasurer Niculina Pompas – Trustee **Operational Team** Delivering frontline services and community programmes. Nicolae Facalet – Head of Operations Adrian Stanescu – Community Support Coordinator Marta Lazar – Education & Youth Engagement Lead **Policy, Advocacy & Rights** Ensuring Roma voices influence policy and decisionmaking. Florentina Parvu – Policy & Advocacy Officer Simona Lazăr – Legal & Access to Justice Lead **Community Ambassadors** Supporting community engagement and trusted outreach. Iubirea L – Youth Ambassador Nicoleta – Family Mentor **Volunteers & Partners** Supported by volunteers, interns and partners across public services, education, health, legal advice and the voluntary sector. - **CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S** REPORT ## Dear reader, I am proud to present the Annual Report of Union Romani Voice, reflecting a year of determined action rooted in social justice, human rights, dignity, and the empowerment of Roma communities. Our work is guided by the belief that equality, democracy, and the rule of law must apply to all, without exception, and that Roma communities must be supported not only to access services, but to meaningfully participate in and shape the decisions that affect their lives. We engage with local and national authorities, diplomatic missions, and European institutions to raise concerns, promote accountability, and uphold international human rights standards. A key focus of our work is empowering young people, children, and Roma women. We promote youth civic participation, leadership, and educational engagement, supporting young Roma to participate confidently in public and democratic life. We also invest in women’s leadership, recognising Roma women as essential agents of change within their communities and society. Union Romani Voice operates from a clear Roma-led strategy focused on inclusion, empowerment, and long-term systemic change. At its core, this strategy recognises Roma people as rights-holders and active participants in democratic society, rather than as marginalised groups defined by deficit. We work to dismantle structural barriers while creating pathways for community leadership, civic participation, and self-advocacy. ## We actively promote cultural identity and community pride through public events, education, and advocacy. These initiatives challenge stereotypes, celebrate Roma heritage, and strengthen social cohesion based on mutual respect. Recent engagement with the Council of Europe’s Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights has strengthened our strategic direction and reinforced our commitment to democracy, equality, and the rule of law—values fully aligned with our mission. Throughout the reporting period, we delivered free, frontline support services in Ipswich, Suffolk, and at a cross-UK level, supporting thousands of individuals and families experiencing poverty, discrimination, safeguarding risks, insecure housing, and exclusion from public services. Our assistance spans immigration and settlement, housing and homelessness prevention, child protection, access to healthcare and mental health support, welfare benefits, education, employment, and crisis intervention. All services are delivered with cultural competence and are firmly grounded in respect, trust, and an understanding of the lived realities of Roma and Romanian communities. Despite limited resources, Union Romani Voice maintains strong governance, transparency, and accountability. Our staff and volunteers show exceptional dedication, ensuring effective safeguarding, advocacy, and crisis support while preserving our Roma-led, community-centred identity. Our work is made possible by the trust of the communities we serve, the commitment of our team, and the support of partners who share our vision of justice and inclusion. ## As Chief Executive Officer, I reaffirm my The powerful positive impact of this work is consistently reflected in the feedback and reviews shared on our Facebook page. Community members repeatedly describe Union Romani Voice as a trusted, compassionate, and effective organisation that restores hope and dignity during moments of crisis. Families highlight our persistence, clear communication, and commitment to standing alongside them when systems fail. This trust is the foundation upon which meaningful and lasting change is built. commitment to advancing social justice, human rights, and democratic participation for Roma communities. Union Romani Voice will continue to stand firmly for respect, dignity, equality, democracy, and the rule of law, ensuring that Roma voices are heard, valued, and empowered —today and for generations to come. Thank you to everyone who supports and believes in this work. Human rights and social justice are operational priorities for Union Romani Voice, not abstract values. Our work addresses discrimination, anti-Gypsyism, hate crime, and institutional failures affecting Roma communities. **SIMONA LAZĂR** CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 5 4 **OUR IMPACT** **THIS YEAR** **supported 884 individuals from Roma and Romanian communities across the UK who were facing** ## **- Marian Suru** I highly recommend this organisation. They supported me free of charge in recovering my residency status. Congratulations to Mrs. Simona for her professionalism and dedication. ## **- Valerică Tocila** Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me obtain my share code. May God bless you for the incredible support you provide to our community. ## **- Rebeca Valuca** Excellent work. This is a truly outstanding charity that genuinely supports our community when we need it most. They recently helped me recover my taxes, and the week before, they assisted me with my **EUSS application** . I wholeheartedly recommend them. The staff are exceptional, highly professional, and handle everything efficiently. **May God bless this** ❤ **organisation.** ## **- Mariana Ciobotaru** Thank you very much for helping me with my Settled Status application. May God grant you good health for the support you provide. **SUPPORTING PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES** 6 7 _**SERVICES**_ **IN NUMBERS EU SETTLEMENT 390** _**IMPACT**_ **WELFARE PEOPLE SUPPORTED BENEFITS 150 884 - FINAL RESULTS COUNCIL TAX100 500 - INITIAL TARGET 90 60 UTILITY HOUSING PEOPLE SUPPORT BILLS - SUPPORTED 15 20 DAILY** _CRISIS_ **RESPONSE** _**EMERGENCY AID**_ **DISPLACED IN + 300** BALLYMENA _**300**_ **SUPPORTED** _**PEOPLE REFERRED**_ **+** _**TO FOOD BANKS**_ **DIRECTLY 50** 8 9 ## **SPOTLIGHT** ## **HEALTH AND WELLBEING Open Event 21 March 2025** **Improving access, trust and wellbeing outcomes** **Union Romani Voice supports Roma and Romanian communities to access healthcare services and wellbeing support, addressing barriers such as language difficulties, lack of information, discrimination and fear of engaging with public institutions.** **Through culturally informed frontline support, the organisation assists individuals and families to navigate the health system and access the care they are entitled to.** 10 11 ## **SUPPORTING NEEDS** ## **Legal, Immigration and Status Support** - 390 individuals supported with EU Settlement Scheme applications - 50 immigration and deportation cases assisted Ongoing liaison with authorities to prevent loss of legal status ## **Crisis Response: Ballymena** 300+ Roma individuals displaced 50+ individuals supported directly Emergency relief, institutional advocacy and media engagement delivered ## **Why This Support Matters** **Beneficiaries consistently highlight the importance of:** Free and accessible support Cultural understanding and trust Non-judgemental advocacy 13 ## **CHALLENGING LAWS AND POLICIES** **Union Romani Voice works to challenge discrimination and inequality not only at community level, but also within policies, institutions and decision-making systems that affect Roma and Romanian communities across the UK.** **By combining frontline evidence with Roma-led advocacy, the organisation ensures that lived experience informs public debate, policy development and institutional accountability.** **Policy Advocacy and Institutional Engagement Engagement with local authorities, police, NHS and government departments Contributions to national policy discussions on safeguarding, education, housing and equality Participation as a Research Peer with the Office for National Statistics (ONS), ensuring Roma voices are represented in national data and methodology** **National and International Advocacy Formal engagement with: UK Parliament Home Office Department for Education Council of Europe EU Delegation to the UK** **Contribution to the development of the Council of Europe Strategy on Roma and Traveller Inclusion (2026–2030)** **Challenging Discrimination and Hate During the anti-Roma violence in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, Union Romani Voice led coordinated advocacy to challenge institutional silence and demand protection:** **Formal submissions to the Council of Europe, ECRI and the Commissioner for Human Rights Media engagement to challenge harmful narratives and collective blame Advocacy for safeguarding, accountability and protection of displaced families** **Media and Public Voice** **Union Romani Voice actively uses media to influence public understanding and policy response, with coverage including:** **BBC The Telegraph Yahoo News Romea.cz** **This visibility ensured Roma voices were heard during moments of crisis and policy debate.** 14 15 ## **CULTURES AND HISTORIES** **Union Romani Voice places Roma culture, history and lived experience at the centre of its work, recognising that cultural visibility and understanding are essential to achieving equality and social inclusion.** **Through community-led cultural and educational activities, the organisation works to challenge stereotypes, counter misinformation and promote a more accurate and respectful understanding of Roma communities within wider society. These initiatives provide spaces for Roma voices to be heard, valued and represented on their own terms.** 16 17 **REPORTS** ## **PROJECTS** **Union Romani Voice delivers a comprehensive portfolio of community-led, rights-based projects designed to support Roma and Romanian communities to access services, build confidence, and participate fully in UK society.** **Our projects combine frontline support, community empowerment, and systemic advocacy, grounded in lived experience, safeguarding, and human rights standards.** **Roma Support – Free Community Services (Core Project) The Roma Support Project is the foundation of our work.** **We provide FREE, confidential Information, Advice, Guidance and Advocacy through drop-in sessions, five days per week, in a safe and culturally informed environment. Drop-in sessions (5 days per week)** ## **ESOL – English for Speakers of Other Languages** **Language is a critical barrier to inclusion. Our ESOL programme supports adults and young people to:** - develop practical English skills - build confidence in everyday communication **We produce and contribute to reports, briefings and written submissions based on our frontline casework, lived experience and community evidence. Our reporting work helps inform partners, funders and decision-makers about the realities faced by Roma and Romanian communities across the UK.** **Our reports focus on access to services, safeguarding, discrimination and systemic barriers, ensuring that Roma voices are accurately represented in research, policy discussions and institutional decision-making.** **RESEARCH AND DATA CONTRIBUTION** We contributed to national research and data initiatives, including participation as a Research Peer with the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Through this role, we supported the inclusion of Roma perspectives in data collection methodologies and policy-relevant analysis. **INSTITUTIONAL SUBMISSIONS AND BRIEFINGS** We prepared written submissions, evidence and briefing materials for national and international institutions, human rights bodies and policy forums. These contributions were informed directly by our frontline experience and the issues raised by the communities we support. - engage with services, schools and employers - reduce isolation and dependency ## **Women’s Wellbeing – Pilates & Empowerment Project** **The Women’s Pilates & Wellbeing Project supports Roma and Romanian women to improve physical health, mental wellbeing and confidence. The project promotes dignity, prevention and empowerment.** ## **PURPOSE AND IMPACT** By producing and contributing to reports, we strengthen evidence-based advocacy, support informed decision-making and contribute to the development of more inclusive and effective policies affecting Roma communities. ## **CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE OF OUR PROJECTS** 18 19 ## **FINANCE** **We manage our financial resources responsibly to ensure the effective delivery of frontline services, advocacy and safeguarding support for Roma and Romanian communities across the UK.** **For the financial period 5 April 2024 – 5 April 2025, our total income amounted to £183,163, derived entirely from grant funding. This included £132,200 in unrestricted funding and £50,963 in restricted funding, enabling us to respond both to core operational needs and specific project requirements.** ## **EXPENDITURE AND USE OF FUNDS** **During the reporting period, our total expenditure was £165,763, all of which related directly to charitable activities and service delivery. Key areas of expenditure included:** **Staffing costs (£122,327) – covering the CEO and four staff members, including frontline workers, a safety officer and a Roma advocate Premises (£24,000) – rent for three offices and delivery of ESOL classes Events and activities (£17,436) – community engagement, outreach and project-related activities** **Office and operational costs (£7,000) Travel expenses (£5,000) We did not incur any expenditure on fundraising or trading activities during the year.** ## **FINANCIAL POSITION AND RESERVES** **At the end of the financial period, we recorded a surplus of £17,400, which is held as unrestricted reserves. These reserves provide a modest but important financial buffer to support operational continuity and organisational stability. As at 5 April 2025, we held:** **Current assets: £17,400 Net assets / funds: £17,400 No fixed assets or liabilities** ## **GOVERNANCE AND FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT** **We prepare our accounts on a receipts and payments basis, in line with the Charities Act 2011 and FRS 102 (Charities SORP). The trustees have confirmed that the charity is a going concern and has adequate resources to continue operating for the foreseeable future.** **All income and expenditure are overseen by the trustees to ensure transparency, accountability and alignment with our charitable objectives.** ## **IN THE NEWS** **Raising visibility and public accountability We actively engage with national and international media to raise awareness of issues affecting Roma communities, challenge harmful narratives and promote informed public debate.** **During the reporting period, our work and advocacy received significant media coverage, particularly in response to incidents of anti-Roma violence, safeguarding concerns and community displacement. Media engagement played a key role in amplifying Roma voices, increasing public understanding and prompting institutional attention.** ## **Media Coverage Highlights** **Our work was featured by a range of respected media outlets, including: BBC – live radio interviews and news coverage addressing safeguarding and anti-Roma violence** **The Telegraph – in-depth interview highlighting displacement and fear experienced by Roma families Yahoo News – reporting on the aftermath and impact of the Ballymena unrest** **Newsletter.co.uk – coverage of political and institutional responses following violence** **Romea.cz – publication of our official statements challenging collective blame and discrimination** **This coverage ensured that Roma perspectives were represented accurately and responsibly during moments of heightened public attention.** ## **Why Media Engagement Matters** **By engaging with the media, we:** **challenge misinformation and stereotypes draw attention to safeguarding and human rights concerns support accountability and policy response** **ensure Roma voices are heard in public discourse** ## **BEYOND THE NUMBERS** **While volunteer contributions are not financially quantified in our accounts, volunteer support plays a vital role in extending our reach and impact. Our financial resources are complemented by strong partnerships, in-kind collaboration and the commitment of Roma-led staff and volunteers delivering services at community level.** 20 21 ## **WITH GRATEFUL THANKS TO OUR FUNDERS AND PARTNERS** ## **OUR FAVOURITE MOMENT** ## **Local and Regional Partners** **We collaborate closely with local authorities, public services and community institutions, including: Ipswich Borough Council Suffolk Police NHS teams Local schools and education providers, including Westbourne Academy, Northgate High School, Copleston High School and Chantry Academy These partnerships support safeguarding, education access, community safety and improved service engagement.** **Funders and Foundations Our work is supported by trusted funding partners, including:** **National Lottery Community Fund Suffolk Community Foundation Lloyds Bank Foundation Their support enables the delivery of free frontline services, advocacy and long-term community projects.** **National and International Partners** **We engage with a range of national and international bodies, including: UK Home Office UK Parliament Office for National Statistics (ONS) Council of Europe EU Delegation to the UK** **We also collaborate with Roma-led organisations and human rights networks to amplify Roma voices and strengthen collective advocacy.** **Diplomatic and Institutional Engagement We maintain constructive relationships with: The Embassy of Romania in London Romanian Consulates in Manchester and Edinburgh** **These partnerships support civic engagement, inclusion and cross-border cooperation.** 22 23 **CONTACT DETAILS** **Adress Brightspace, 160 Hadleigh Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP2 0HH** **Telephone +44 7789 712 684 Email admin@unionromanivoice.org.uk** **Like Us on Facebook /UnionRomaniVoice Follow us on Instagram /union_romani_voice View us on Tiktok /union.romani.voice** **unionromanivoice.org.uk** _Charity Number: 119 3506_