WHENEVER Penny Dane is asked what she does for a living the reaction is usually always the same – hostility. For almost 14 years Penny has worked alongside Gypsies and Travellers, acting as an advocate for them.

She knows all too well that just the mention of the words Gypsies and Travellers is enough to immediately provoke a negative reaction. Part of her job as a Gypsy and Traveller community development worker is to educate people about who they really are and where they come from.

It is the same aim of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month, which is taking place throughout June. It celebrates their culture and history by tackling the negative stereotyping, prejudices and ignorance that often leads to hatred and conflict in communities.

Devon is home to about 5,000 Gypsies and Travellers, and despite common belief, most of them are settled in the county most of the time.

Penny, who works for the Plymouth and Devon Racial Equality Council – the only voluntary agency with a dedicated Gypsy and Traveller service in Devon – said: "The main groups in Devon under the Gypsy and Traveller umbrella is Romany Gypsies, the biggest group, and New Travellers, the second biggest group. There are also some Irish Travellers and Occupational Travellers which includes showmen or fairground and circus people.

"It's an umbrella group with very diverse groups within that. There is a huge lack of knowledge and awareness about who the different groups are and why they live the way they do.

"I suppose it's because when there are stories in the media about Gypsies and Travellers they are always negative ones so people assume that's the whole story.

"Obviously in every community there are different types of people, but I have worked very happily with Gypsies and Travellers for a very long time.

"What I come across is people are afraid of Gypsies and Travellers, yet they are working in all sorts of jobs. You could be working with someone from a Romany Gypsy background but they have just not told you.

"They are part of our community. In fact, Romany Gypsies have lived in Devon for several hundred years."

Penny, who is based in Exeter, took on her current role nearly seven years ago having previously worked with Gypsies and Travellers in Surrey where she grew up and had her first experiences of the Gypsy and Traveller way of life.

She recalled: "When I was young there were Gypsies living on the roadside near where I lived. I got to know about them and the problems and challenges they had because people didn't accept them, so I did have an interest in their situation.

"In Surrey they were the biggest ethnic group and there is strength in numbers. In Devon, Gypsies and Travellers are more isolated so it's a bit harder I think for them down here.

"National statistics have shown that in Devon, 20 per cent of Gypsies and Travellers have no where legal to park their living accommodation.

"A housing needs assessment in 2005 said 250 pitches were needed in Devon by 2011. A few have been provided since, but no where near that number.

"That's why you usually see them living by the side of roads and you get overcrowding on official sites because of a lack of alternatives.

"Under the last government very positive steps in solving some of the accommodation and health issues for travellers were made, but unfortunately that is changing as the new government has new policies and it's not clear what's going to happen, but it may not be as favourable.

"Quite a few Gypsies and Travellers apply for permission if they can afford land, but often they have an uphill struggle, usually because of local opposition."

Penny reflected: "When permission is approved, very rarely are there any problems with the people who opposed them. They even become good friends afterwards as their fears are not realised.

"When people get to know people within the Gyspy and Traveller community they often don't have an issue with them. Perhaps it's fear of the unknown."

One of the most common misconceptions about Gypsies and Travellers Penny hears over and over again is they don't pay taxes. She says the reality is that they are not exempt.

"The law is you pay council tax for your main residence and it does not matter if you are on the side of the road or where ever you are," explained Penny.

"If a Gypsy site is built by the council they would pay rent and council tax just like you would in a housing association property.

"Another criticism I hear associated with them is debris. Some do leave an awful mess, but if they don't it's not a story so you don't get to hear about it.

"There are always ways round it. Some council's arrange a rubbish collection and portable toilets and travellers pay for them. It keeps the site clean and it makes Travellers feel they can stay. In Devon there is only one council that does that sometimes."

In Penny's job she has three main functions; Gypsy and Traveller awareness sessions throughout Devon, community development projects with Gypsies and Travellers, and casework.

She explained: "The awareness sessions I do is for voluntary and statutory organisations such as the police, health, education and social services. Gypsies and Travellers often don't access services they are entitled to because they often face discrimination when they do try to.

"The training sessions help create an understanding between Gypsies and Travellers and the wider community and help their needs to be understood.

"I also work on about 100 cases a year, working with individuals and families to resolve what ever the issue is. A lot of the cases I deal with relate to accommodation."

Penny's hope for the future is that jobs like hers won't exist because Gypsies and Travellers will finally be accepted as part of the community.

She said: "Once you get to know Gypsies and Travellers you find out they are just like anybody else. If you do see Gypsies by the side of the road it's because there's no accommodation for them.

"If we could make provisions for accommodation it would resolve that issue which does cause some communities tension.

"Devon is diverse. It's 2011 and we should be working towards good harmonious relationships with all groups.

"I should not really have to have a job. If there was not racism and discrimination my job would not exist as Gypsies and Travellers would be accepted as part of the community.

"I think the work we are doing is making small steps towards that. With the training and work we do in schools, I think it does have an impact and makes people think for themselves rather than just accepting what they have been told.

"If the next generation of children grow up to be more understanding about why Gypsies and Travellers live the life they do then it can only be helpful."

See Monday's paper for an interview with local Romany gypsy Lizzie Isaacs who is sharing her story in the hope of changing negative public perceptions of Gypsies and Travellers.