ABOUT ME

I am a Czech Roma professional living in the UK since 2007, driven by a passion to share my heritage and expertise on Roma culture and contemporary issues. My formal journey in delivering Roma awareness sessions began in 2021, following the completion of my BA in Politics and Sociology at the University of Sheffield. For the past four years, I have worked as a Research Associate at the University of Sheffield, collaborating across the departments of Sociology, Politics, and Public Health. My academic background and extensive experience in community development have provided me with a deep understanding of policymaking processes and their direct impact on the Roma community and other minority groups. Over the last decade, I have partnered with numerous government and non-governmental organisations—including the ONS, Roma Support Group, Clifton Learning Partnership, Migration Yorkshire, and Law for Life—to tackle systemic inequalities and amplify Roma voices in spaces of influence and decision-making. I am confident that my training will equip you to improve your Roma engagement skills, break down barriers, and foster more inclusive outcomes.

My publications:

• View of Assessing the Impact of Community Centre's on Roma Integration: A Study of Eastwood: https://hipatiapress.com/hpjournals/index.php/ijrs/article/view/9141/3506
• Researching the health and social inequalities experienced by European Roma populations: Complicity, oppression and resistance - Orton - 2022 - Sociology of Health & Illness - Wiley Online Library: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1467-9566.13411
• Roma EU citizens and the United Kingdom's EU settlement scheme: Another 'Windrush scandal' in the making?: https://doi.org/10.1093/migration/mnaf011
• Upcoming paper : The role of faith and religion on Roma Health

MY TRAINING INCLUDES:

• Basic facts on Roma history, origins, languages spoken, culture and more

• Understanding the barriers in accessing services and reasons behind them.

• Practical tools on Roma engagement and recommendations

My expertise and the majority of the content of this training is focused Eastern European Roma, specifically Czech and Slovak. 

I can tailor the training to client's subject preference (health, education, social care etc.) and we can also agree on a format of the session. Just get in touch. I am quite flexible and passionate to share my expertise. 

Ann from Children services said: " All the professionals working with Roma need this training!"

Joanne the Family solicitor: " I was heartbroken to hear about the tragic Roma history, we just don't understand what this community went through. We need to educate ourselves before we can help."

Jeff from NHS: " Well done Olga, your presentation was eye-opening. I just wish we have had more time to discuss the issues. All the best!"     

Anonym from Sheffield community Centre: " I found the history of Roma people the most interesting and the way they continue to be treated today. It explains a lot. Btw, I was surprised to learn about the number of Roma in the world" …