Virginia Francis

(Community Health Worker) Team Leader

Virginia’s post was in response to the Scottish Government’s National Action Plan to help improve the lives of Gypsy/Travellers in Scotland.

Virginia is passionate about improving health and raising awareness of the inequalities and barriers faced when accessing health and social care within her community.

She is excited about launching a new women’s health group to raise awareness of preventable illness and disease within the Traveller community in her local area.

Prior to joining MECOPP, Virginia was involved in shaping the Scottish Government’s National Action Plan to improve the lives of Gypsy/Travellers in Scotland. She was an active member of the West of Scotland Gypsy Traveller Forum ensuring the voices of her community were heard at local and national level. She also ran her own small business creating and crafting bespoke childrenswear for many years before deciding to commit to making a difference within the community.

Virginia enjoys walking and is a the proud owner of 3 Cockapoos. She loves climbing with her husband and she has reached the summit of several Monroes in Scotland, Cairngorms and Ben Lomond are just a few of her accomplished climbs.

She is also the proud mother of 3 and granny of 3.