Open Doors Education and Training (ODET) is a Community Interest Company born out of the 2020 pandemic.
Originally founded by The Traveller Movement to support Romani Gypsy, Roma, and Irish Traveller youth through digital learning, we have since expanded our reach to champion children and young people from all disadvantaged and marginalised backgrounds.
We deliver flexible, one-to-one digital education and tailored career guidance.
Our evidence-based programmes provide an alternative pathway for those whom the traditional system has underserved, ensuring no young person falls behind their peers.
Grounded in a human rights framework, we actively celebrate each student's heritage while empowering them to unlock their full potential.
We rewrite the rules of education for young people the system left behind. When mainstream schooling fails a child, ODET steps in with flexible, tailored programmes that bridge the gap. We don't just help minoritized and marginalised youth keep up with their peers — we empower them to excel. Our approach is entirely evidence-driven, built on proven models that deliver real, lasting transformation. See our projects page for more information.
We are constantly innovating and launching new, high-impact programmes to unlock the extraordinary potential within marginalised and ethnic minority communities. Let's create meaningful change together. If you want to commission a project or explore a collaboration, get in touch today.
Our vision is for a society where the human rights of people from ethnic minority and other marginalised communities is upheld and are social norms.
Our mission is to support children and young people to unlock their potential and provide and promote alternative or complementary streams of flexible education that work for them and accommodate their needs.
Our approach takes a human rights informed lens and each child’s heritage is actively embraced and celebrated through our work.
Article 12 – The Child’s Opinion
The voice of the child must be considered in any issues affecting them and they have a right to express those views freely. The views of the child will be given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child.
Article 28 – Education
Recognises the right of the child to education, and with a view to achieving this right progressively and on the basis of equal opportunity.
Encourage the development of different forms of secondary education, including general and vocational education, make them available and accessible to every child.
Article 29 – Aims of Education
The development of respect for the child’s parents, their own cultural identity, language and values, for the national values of the country in which the child is living, the country from which he or she may originate, and for civilizations different from their own.
Article 30 – Children of Minorites or indigenous peoples
A child belonging to a minority or who is indigenous shall not be denied the right to enjoy their own culture.
Shane has previously worked in the voluntary sector through development of local initiatives, such as projects aimed to eliminate social exclusion and the breakdown of social barriers between young Travellers and local people outside of schools - in the essence of building team bonding through the participation of team sports and other various activities. Shane holds a BCL in Civil Law. He plays a lot of football, also enjoys exploring unknown paths whilst hiking, and for his sins is a massive Arsenal fan.
Contact Shane on education@odet.org.uk
In 2020 Yvonne set up Open Doors Education and Training Community Interest Company which was born out of the Coronavirus pandemic. Yvonne is a well-seasoned practitioner within the field of community development and equality and has held a number of senior management roles. She currently sits on a number of advisory groups across government and within the wider sector. Yvonne joined the staff team of the Traveller Movement as CEO April 2008. She is responsible for overseeing and leading the charity and all of its teams.
Karen is the CEO of Safe Home Ireland, Karen was the CEO of Doras, a migrant support charity in Limerick and was also the former Director of an Irish Centre in London. Karen is passionate about human rights, inclusion and social justice.
Sabrina is the office manager at the Traveller Movement, a small but National Charity that leads in Policy and Campaigning for the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Community. Traveller Movement also carry out community development and partnership and research.
