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Nottinghamshire Healthcare will host an event to launch a new DVD aimed at the Gypsy and Traveller communities.

The short film ‘Looking after Mandi' is designed to provide information about three of the main health conditions affecting Gypsy and Traveller men; diabetes, heart attack and depression.

Research has found that the life expectancy of Gypsy and Traveller men is approximately ten years lower than that of men in the wider community. There are a variety of reasons for this; one of which has been identified as a lack of information within the Travelling communities of the signs and symptoms of major conditions, in addition to a reluctance to visit GPs or other medical practitioners, as a result of previous personal and community experiences.

The DVD was funded by NHS Nottingham City Clinical Commissioning Group and developed as a partnership between Nottinghamshire Healthcare and the charity NAVO, with the support of colleagues from the Nottinghamshire Gypsy and Traveller Health Partnership Group. The film was produced by two Traveller men, Richard and Bobby O'Neill, who also present the film.

The invited audience at the launch event which takes place on 29 January, will include members of the community, health, social care and community frontline workers and practitioners who are able to support the distribution of the DVD to the Gypsy and Traveller communities.

Catherine Conchar, Head of Equality and Diversity said: “This DVD is an example of Nottinghamshire's health communities reaching out to our Gypsy and Traveller communities, demonstrating that their health and wellbeing really does matter to us. The Trust is really proud to be part of this innovative work and it has been a privilege to work with members of the local Traveller community and partnership organisations on this project.”