Friday February 27th 2026
Advice service team members (image by Lisa Craig Photography)
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Sarah Hilley
A Roma advice service helping families living in Glasgow streets experiencing among the worst child poverty in the city faces closure.
The shut down of the award-winning Community Renewal Rom Romeha service would be “disastrous” for the Roma community living in Govanhill, according to its senior adviser. However, it looks set to close from April 1 as it was not awarded a grant from the council Glasgow Communities Fund as in previous years.
With staff who speak the language, the team aid people dealing with employment issues, EU settlement advice, benefits and housing among other challenges. It has helped double the incomes of Roma families on average and some of the “poorest” households in the city assisting 800 people annually.
Describing being “shocked” at the funding knock back, Roma policy and development manager at Community Renewal Trust Ann Hyde said: “The streets with the highest levels of child poverty in Glasgow are where Roma families live. They are living in pretty poor living conditions. Some have had to declare themselves as homeless.
“The community themselves are very angry and incensed. They feel their rights will be infringed. It is a human right to have access to advice and information. This is a community who struggle to get their voices heard.”
She continued: “We have brought over £1 million into Govanhill,” adding that there are fears those who are “most vulnerable will suffer” as the service ends.
Ioana Dimambro senior advisor Rom Romeha said: ““The closure of the advice service at Community Renewal – Rom Romeha would be not only unfortunate, but it would also be disastrous for the Roma community in Govanhill. While the team members may move on and pursue new employment opportunities, the Roma community will be left more vulnerable than ever. Every working day we support people with complex and varied issues.”
Southside central councillor Soryia Siddique, Labour, said the advice service “protects people’s rights, dignity and wellbeing”.
She added: “Its closure is predicted to have a detrimental impact on an already marginalised community. I have raised this with Glasgow City Council. These services must be adequately resourced.”
Local councillor Mhairi Hunter, SNP, said: “This service is vital and I am lobbying colleagues in Glasgow City Council to find a way to ensure that it can be continued.”
It is estimated there are between 3,000 to 5,000 Roma people living in Govanhill.
A total of £43 million is being handed out as part of the Glasgow Communities Fund offering 193 awards to organisations across the city.
When the grants were announced, Councillor Anne McTaggart, city convener for communities and equalities said: “A total of 463 applications were received totalling almost £150 million – applying for over 70 per cent more money than the value of the grant funding available.
She added: “A comprehensive process of assessment of the applications was undertaken, involving input from strategic officer leads across the council family – including Glasgow Life, HSCP, Education, NRS, Financial Inclusion and Economic Development.
“All applications were also reviewed to ensure a local perspective contributed to the decisions being made.
“We know that organisations who have not been recommended for grant funding will be disappointed, and officers will be offering feedback and meaningful support around capacity building and assistance to identify other funding sources.”
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