From Traveller community to dementia nurse specialist
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From Traveller community to dementia nurse specialist

Lynne Pearce Health journalist

How an Admiral Nurse from a Traveller background addresses engagement and discrimination

Although she is part of the Traveller community, for many years dementia nurse specialist Cheryl Scarrott chose not to share this information publicly.

Nursing Older People. 34, 4, 8-9. doi: 10.7748/nop.34.4.8.s4

Published: 02 August 2022

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Picture credit: iStock

‘It’s only been in recent years that I’ve discussed it openly,’ she says, adding that now she feels much more able to be transparent. ‘As you get older, you become more confident in your own skin,’ says Ms Scarrott, who has worked as an Admiral Nurse at Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust since 2019.

‘I spent time with my family on caravan sites when I was growing up and there was a lot of abuse from local people. I don’t wear my ethnicity on my skin – it’s not evident unless I tell you. When I have shared it [in the past], I experienced prejudice and discrimination.

‘There’s an obvious discrimination against people from my culture. It’s almost like we’re the last form of acceptable racism – but it’s not acceptable and it is racist.

‘Now I’m in a privileged position with an amazing job where I can bridge that gap and make a difference, improving outcomes for people. If being open myself helps others to access care, then I want to do that. I’m proud of my background and identity.’

There are reportedly around 300,000 members of the Traveller community in the UK, including Irish Travellers and Romany Gypsies. While most see travelling as part of their identity, some may choose to live in different ways.

This includes: living permanently in caravans and mobile homes on sites that are provided by local authorities or privately owned; living in settled accommodation during winter and school terms, and travelling during the summer months; and living in built housing but still retaining a strong commitment to culture and traditions.

Personal motivation

Born into the Traveller community, with her first home a lay-by, Ms Scarrott moved into social housing with her family when she was about five years old.

‘They wanted a better standard of living,’ she says. ‘From then on, I was able to go to school and pursue education.’

Ms Scarrott initially considered becoming a solicitor, studying law and history, but her grandmother’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease had a big impact on her future career.

‘My grandfather had no support at all [in caring for his wife]. It was heart-breaking,’ she recalls. ‘It was this that prompted me to go into mental health, in particular dementia care.’

Qualifying in 2015, her first role was in an independent nursing home before she joined the memory service, where she worked in assessment and diagnosis. She then worked in a community mental health team before achieving her aim of becoming an Admiral Nurse.

‘I always wanted to do it, it was my goal,’ she says. ‘My inspiration was the lack of support for my grandad.’

As an Admiral Nurse, she supports families and carers of people living with dementia. She visits those on her caseload every four to six weeks to provide practical and emotional support, education about dementia, advocacy, and advice on managing any challenges.

‘I was open with the family about my own background and I could see that it helped to break down barriers and open communication. I knew what they were talking about and I wasn’t judgemental’

‘Our model is continuity of care and we continue to support the family, from initial assessment to when they decide they don’t need us anymore, the person passes away or they go into full-time care,’ she says.

As part of her role, she has been able to support a family in the Travelling community whose relative was at a late stage of their dementia diagnosis. They were referred to the service by their hospice.

‘Traveller families may be reluctant to come forward in case their cultural needs aren’t considered. But if they’re aware we’re representative of the local area, they may feel more confident’

As the person was approaching end of life, the family wanted their loved one to be cared for at home, in keeping with their cultural traditions around death and dying.

‘They had gone through their journey with no input from health services, which is common for our community,’ says Ms Scarrott.

‘We want to look after our own, but at this point the family needed some emotional and practical support.

‘I was open with them about my own background and I could see that it helped, breaking down the barriers and opening communication. I knew what they were talking about and I wasn’t judgemental. I could make sure that what they wanted was all in place for them.’

Respecting cultural traditions

The charity Friends, Families and Travellers says 20% of those from Gypsy and Traveller communities who took part in a survey said they would not see a doctor if they or a family member had one or more of the symptoms of dementia.

More than 35% said they would not make use of services for people with dementia, such as gardening, cooking and singing activities or groups, and more than 55% said that if an individual was diagnosed with dementia, they would not let someone from outside the community care for them.

‘It seemed that those surveyed had a real fear they might not be understood by health professionals and the wider community,’ say the researchers.

‘Many participants felt that there was no guarantee that professionals would consider their interests and preferences around their care, and in particular that there was a lack of understanding around culture.’

Ms Scarrott would like to be able to help more families from the Traveller community access support. ‘I’d like them to have equal access to care,’ she says.

‘While they can refer themselves to us for help, we tend to find they’re referred by other services.

‘They may be reluctant to come forward in case their cultural needs aren’t considered. But if they’re aware there is understanding within our team and we’re representative of the local area, it might make them feel more confident.’

Working with the Traveller community

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Admiral Nurse Cheryl Scarrott (pictured) offers advice for nurses working with people from the Traveller community:

  • » Remember that your word is your bond If you say you’re going to do something, you must do it. Your word is as if you had signed a form. Of course, we should be doing this already, but it is a big issue in this community

  • » Leave judgement at the door We all make judgements, but try not to let them affect your care

  • » Find out more about the culture of the communit End of life care is especially important. There are lots of resources to help you improve your knowledge, such as from the website Friends, Families and Travellers

Inspiring others

Ms Scarrott believes being exposed to difficult experiences has made her a better nurse.

‘Nothing fazes me,’ she says. ‘I also don’t tend to take things personally – I’m thick-skinned.

‘I’ve been told I’m approachable, caring and easy to talk to, which are also part of my values.

‘I love working with people from all walks of life and I take them as I find them. My life has taught me that you don’t judge a book by its cover.’

She would love to see more people from her community joining healthcare and hopes her own career path will inspire others to follow in her footsteps.

‘Communities are evolving and we’re going to be coming across more Traveller families over time. The more experience and knowledge we have, the better.

‘If they can see me as a role model, overcoming barriers and doing something they love, that would be a life goal achieved. I’d be happy with that.’

Find out more

The Traveller Movement. travellermovement.org.uk

Friends, Families and Travellers. www.gypsy-traveller.org

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