Romani author Richard O’Neill awarded MBE in New Years Honours list

Romani author, storyteller and activist Richard O’Neill has been awarded an MBE after being named in the 2025 New Year’s Honours list.

"Being awarded an MBE wasn't something I ever imagined, but to have people think so highly of you and your work that they nominate you is incredibly humbling," Richard O’Neill told the Travellers Times.

“I’ve been working in education for over 20 years now starting with community education through to higher and being recognised for all the work I have done hopefully might give some inspiration to other people to show that their hard work will get recognised.”

Richard O’Neill MBE was born into a traditional nomadic Romani family and brought up in various locations across the North. This has deeply influenced his work, inspiring him to leverage the power of storytelling in various formats to promote inclusion and acceptance and to promote community cohesion and health awareness. He is the creator and former volunteer director of National Men’s Health Week.

He has achieved success as a storyteller, educator, author, playwright, animation scriptwriter, lecturer and workshop leader. He conducts storytelling skills and social enterprise for inclusion training sessions across Europe, engaging with various institutions such as schools, universities, leading museums and cultural spaces.

Well done Richard O’Neill MBE from all at the Travellers Times!

TT News

(Photograph courtesy of Richard O’Neill)