Shirell Johnson

Gypsy/Traveller Women’s Voices Development Worker

I am the Women’s Voices Development Worker for MECOPP’s Gypsy/Traveller Service based in Edinburgh.  However, my post as the Gypsy/Traveller women’s engagement & development worker sees me far travelled around Scotland, visiting community members both in their houses and on public sites and private yards. I absolutely love my job and meeting more Gypsies/Travellers everywhere I go.

I joined MECOPP in October 2020 after gaining an Honours degree in Community Education. I was a carer for my mum for twenty years and my dad for three of those too.

My previous employment history covers a range of supporting people experiencing many difficult issues including mental ill-health, homelessness and domestic abuse. I have also worked in developing training & raising awareness of alcohol & drug misuse, peer education, and developing bespoke youth and restorative justice programmes.

I am from two different travelling communities, Romany Gypsies and travelling Show-people and have definitely inherited the travelling bug… I am very lucky to have holidayed across four continents so far.  I am also fascinated in genealogy and developing my extensive family tree. And finally, I also enjoy reading, listening to music and watching medical and mystical type programmes and films and of course… FOOD!