In this episode of 'Meet the Mancunian' hosted by Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe, Francis Duncan, Community Engagement Manager at Irish Community Care, shares insights into the work being done to support the Irish and Irish travelling communities in Manchester. Francis discusses his journey into community work, the challenges faced by the Irish travelling community, common misconceptions, and the impact of their initiatives. He highlights the importance of culturally appropriate communities, advocacy, and education in overcoming biases and fostering understanding. The episode underscores the vibrant community spirit and ongoing efforts to make Manchester a more inclusive city.
Did you know:
- 33% of the Manchester population are of Irish descent.
- Romani gypsies, Roma and Irish Traveller are distinct community groups
- An estimated 300,000 Irish Travellers live in UK
Key resource:
Irish Community Care
Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode and transcript:
(01:02) Introducing Francis Duncan
(02:14) Understanding Culturally Appropriate Communities
(04:32 Irish Community Care's Mission
(06:17) Challenges Faced by the Irish Traveling Community
(10:40) Overcoming Mistrust and Bias
(14:51) Impact and Future Goals
(22:06) Advice for Supporting Communities
(24:08) Upcoming Events and Community Engagement
(25:43) Signature Questions: Community Spirit and Hall of Fame
Listen to the episode and read the transcript here