Calling all Gypsy, Roma and Traveller writers, storytellers & artists — WE NEED YOU!

Do you want to be part of Surrey’s biggest Gypsy, Roma & Traveller writing and art project?

Your work could be exhibited and archived as part of our celebration of History & Heritage at Surrey History Centre in Woking.

Are you over 18? 

Do you live or work in Surrey?

 Have memories of stopping in Surrey?

Visited the Downs on Derby Day or travelled through Surrey’s beautiful countryside?

We want to hear your stories all about your Surrey adventures! 

If you are not from Surrey, you can still join in by sending in your pieces on what keeps you well. In any art form.

Our focus: What keeps us well? 

What Keeps Us Well? is an arts and heritage partnership project from It’s Not Your Birthday But… (INYBB) and Surrey History Centre, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project will see three community partners, Surrey Gypsy Traveller Communities Forum, Halow and Woking Youth Clubs, exploring the archives to see how people kept themselves well in the past and reflecting on how we keep ourselves well today.

Tell us in your own words, drawings or memories about your experiences of Surrey.

These could include:

· The great outdoors

· A special place you visit or have visited

· Meeting up with family

· The excitement of Epsom Derby

· Or something else that keeps you well in Surrey

You can share a story from years gone by, write down the date of a visit, or tell us about being a regular visitor. Maybe Surrey is even your home!

Heritage is Home: Roots to Wellbeing

 What does heritage mean to you?

 We want your stories, poems, artwork and memories — from family gatherings to atchin tans, from past to present.

 Be part of this unique community exhibition, which will see your memories preserved, shared and taken care of for future generations in the Surrey History Centre archives.

How to Enter

 Write your stories, share your memories, draw, doodle, paint, craft, share a photograph or send any other creative response on:

· A4 or A5 paper

· OR a plain white postcard

** On the back of your piece, please add:

· Your name

· An email address so we can keep you informed about the project. To be safely held by INYBB to send about the exhibition.

· The area you are currently in (in BLOCK CAPITALS)

** Then send your piece to the address lower down in this article.

If your work is selected for exhibition or archive:

· A full list of names will appear in Travellers’ Times

· Featured on the website and social media of It’s Not Your Birthday But…

· Included in exhibition videos celebrating the project and the final exhibition at Surrey History Centre as well as in the project book and wellness guide.

 Your submissions will be carefully reviewed by our team, with support from:

It’s Not Your Birthday But…

Surrey History Centre

Write into culture 

The GRT women’s health group

The Hive

Together we’ll be creating fantastic art and craft events, building towards a beautiful display of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller arts, culture and heritage as part of the What Keeps Us Well programme.

Send us your best stories, memories and pictures to the address below — don’t delay!

Heritage is Home

C/O INYBB

Hornbeam House

81 Bridge Road

East Molesey

Surrey

KT8 9HH

 Submissions open: From now until the 10th of December 2025

Our team can’t wait to see them! 

We regret - no pieces can be returned- so please only send stories, drawings etc you’re happy for us to keep.

It’s Not Your Birthday But… 

We centre the power of inclusion through the arts to support wellbeing, health, belonging and connection. Our work happens wherever people are, in healthcare, education, secure and community settings. We work alongside people to improve the places and spaces they live in, work in, or visit. Our work is built around the Creative Health Quality Framework. We support people to express themselves through the arts and through heritage in ways that are helpful to them as experts in their own lives and to showcase and celebrate their creativity. Find out more at www.inybb.com

Surrey History Centre

Surrey History Centre in Woking, part of Surrey County Council, collects and preserves the records of Surrey’s past and present, documenting the story of the county and its people from the 12th century to the 21st century. It’s free to visit and use the collections and there are always a busy programme of exhibitions, talks and events. Find out more at www.surreycc.gov.uk/culture-and-leisure/history-centre and www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk where you can explore Surrey’s rich and fascinating past through themed pages ranging from disability and mental health through to archaeological finds and maps.

INYBB press release/Travellers Times News

(Top photograph: Gypsies Camp Chobham Common dated 1890s (c) Surrey History Centre collection number 6791/1/3)