On 15 July, our Relationship Business Partners attended the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) Conference 2026 at the Luton Library Theatre. Organised by the Luton Irish Forum and supported by the Lloyds Bank Foundation, Luton Council and Next Generation Youth Theatre, the event brought together community members, local leaders, healthcare providers and statutory organisations to celebrate culture, share lived experiences and strengthen local partnerships.
We were proud to take part in the event’s Community Marketplace, where we hosted an NHS 111 information stand. The marketplace created valuable opportunities for attendees to connect with local services, community organisations and support networks, while giving us the chance to engage directly with members of the GRT community.
Throughout the day, we raised awareness of NHS 111 services, gathered feedback from people who had used the service and developed new relationships with partners working across public health, health inequalities and community engagement. These conversations provided important insight into the experiences of those accessing urgent care and highlighted opportunities to further improve our services.
The feedback we received about NHS 111 was largely positive. Attendees shared encouraging examples of how the service had supported them with urgent dental care needs and general healthcare enquiries, reinforcing the value NHS 111 provides to local communities.
Listening to people’s lived experiences is essential to delivering accessible and equitable healthcare. Events such as the GRT Conference remind us that meaningful improvements begin with understanding the needs of the communities we serve. We would like to thank the Luton Irish Forum for organising the event, as well as everyone who visited our stand and shared their experiences. We look forward to continuing these important conversations and strengthening our partnerships across the communities we support.