Our Core Services
Specialised Training for professionals
Who Is This Training For?
This training is suitable for:
• Social workers and social care teams
• Local authority services
• Education professionals
• Health and wellbeing services
• Housing providers
• Community organisations
• Safeguarding partnerships
• Universities and training providers
• Organisations committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
What Will Participants Learn?
Participants will explore:
• The history, culture and experiences of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities
• The impact of discrimination and barriers to services
• How trust can be built through culturally informed practice
• How assumptions and stereotypes can affect professional relationships
• Approaches to improving engagement with children, young people and families
• Practical strategies to support more inclusive services
Why This Matters
Improving cultural understanding helps organisations:
✓ Build stronger relationships with communities
✓ Improve engagement with services
✓ Reduce inequalities
✓ Challenge discrimination
✓ Support better outcomes for children, families and individuals
What Your Organisation Will Gain
Participants will develop:
✓ Increased understanding of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller histories, cultures and experiences
✓ Greater confidence in engaging with families and communities
✓ Awareness of barriers, discrimination and mistrust experienced by communities
✓ Practical approaches to improving relationships and participation
✓ Reflection on how professional systems and processes can impact communities
✓ Strategies to strengthen inclusive practice
Meet The Trainer
The BRIDGE Model™ was developed by Selina Hodgson, a qualified social worker from the settled Irish Travelling community with a commitment to improving outcomes for Gypsy and Traveller communities through culturally informed practice.
Selina has combined social work experience, academic study and community insight to develop a practical framework that supports organisations to build trust, strengthen relationships and improve inclusion.
Selina achieved a First Class BA (Hons) Degree in Social Work and was recognised with a Student of the Year award. Her academic work explored issues affecting Gypsy and Traveller communities and contributed to the development of the BRIDGE Model™.
During her professional practice as a children's social worker, Selina’s work with Gypsy and Traveller families was reviewed through quality assurance processes and recognised as demonstrating a high standard of practice. Elements of her work were identified as examples of best practice within a Local Authorty childrens's Services department, demonstrating the value of culturally informed approaches when working with Gypsy and Traveller families.
The BRIDGE Model™ that Selina created retrospectively from her work, has also gained academic recognition and has been selected for inclusion within an upcoming publication exploring practice in health and social work with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, due for publication in 2027.
Through The Stopping Place Trust, Selina aims to also support local authorities, professionals and organisations to develop more culturally responsive practice, challenge inequalities and create meaningful change for Gypsy and Traveller communities.
Specialisms:
• Gypsy, Roma and Traveller cultural awareness
• Community advocacy and empowerment
• Culturally informed practice
• Social work and safeguarding
• Equality, diversity and inclusion
• Community engagement and relationship building
• Workforce development and professional training
• Challenging inequalities and improving access to services
Selina Hodgson
Trainer
Registered Social Worker
Training Options
Available formats include:
Awareness Session
A short introduction to Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities and culturally informed practice.
Half-Day Training
An introduction to the BRIDGE Model™ and practical application.
Full-Day Workshop
A deeper exploration of culture, barriers, relationships and practice approaches.
Bespoke Organisational Training
Tailored sessions developed around your organisation’s needs.
Delivery
Training can be delivered:
• Online
• In person
• To individual teams
• Across whole services
• As part of workforce development programmes
Prices are based on organisational bookings and can be adapted depending on group size, requirements and location.
Brochures with pricing available upon request.
Community Engagement
By fostering active involvement and collaboration, we ensure our initiatives reflect the community’s needs and aspirations. Our inclusive approach values every voice and builds strong, connected communities.
Income generated from training will go towards establishing a Community café and kitchen as well as:
- Coffee mornings.
- Soft play facilities.
- Community meeting spaces.
- Function rooms.
- Training rooms.
- Family support spaces.
- Community drop-in services.
- Youth spaces.
- Advice sessions with partner organisations.
- Health outreach sessions.
- Mental health support.
- Wellbeing groups.
- Women's groups.
- Men's groups.
- Healthy lifestyle initiatives.
- Health awareness events.
- Partnership clinics with healthcare providers.
- Youth clubs.
- Holiday programmes.
- Family support.
- Parenting support.
- Educational advocacy.
- Mentoring opportunities.
- Early years activities.
- Recreational programmes.
- Cultural enrichment opportunities.
- Food banks.
- food vouchers.
- Toy appeals.
- School uniform support.
- Seasonal support initiatives.
- Emergency grants.
- Household essentials support.
- Cultural festivals.
- Heritage projects.
- Community storytelling.
- Arts and crafts programmes.
- Educational campaigns.
- Positive media representation.
- Community celebrations.
- Recognition awards
Discover How You Can Benefit from Our Services
Learn more about our educational offerings and social services and how to participate as a community member or partner.
Contact us to learn more
Telephone:
E-mail: enquires@thestoppingplacetrust.com
Address: Suite 8, 2nd Floor, Cragside House , 52 Heaton Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE6 1SE