Windrush 75
Celebrating Windrush 75 at LYPFT - why Windrush Day matters
On 22 June 1948, the passenger ship HMT Empire Windrush arrived in the UK, carrying over 1,000 passengers from the West Indies.
Mainly former service personnel, this was the first wave of post war immigration with many of the passengers taking up roles in the NHS, which launched just two weeks later.
The 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Windrush in June this year is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the work of our black and ethnic minority colleagues and their significant contributions to the NHS, which is also marking its 75th year. It is very much an entwined history.
It has often been said that the NHS could not function without its black, Asian and minority ethnic staff, and this is undoubtedly true.
Today, ethnic minority colleagues at LYPFT account for over 25% of our workforce and nationally just under 25% of the NHS workforce and 42% of medical staff.
From the Windrush generation of 1948, the south Asian arrivals in the 1960s and 70s, to today’s workforce NHS workers are made up of over 200 nationalities.
Today, the NHS is the biggest employer of people from an ethnic minority background in Europe. Doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, domestic, catering and porters.
Our thanks and gratitude to all of you.
The Windrush generation really did help to build the National Health Service.
So, Windrush 75 is a chance to highlight and celebrate the diversity of our workforce.
Sara Munro, LYPFT Chief Executive and Exec Sponsor of the Trust’s Workforce Race Equality
Network (WREN), comments: “Windrush 75 is a powerful reminder of how much the NHS is founded on the dedication of our colleagues from diverse communities. Greater diversity leads directly to better experiences for all staff and patients. Migrants who came to the UK 75 years ago helped create the NHS we all love and cherish today.
“In LYPFT valuing the diverse contribution of colleagues from different communities is integral to our culture and, for Windrush Day and beyond, I want to say an extra special thank you to each and every one of you.”
Sara attended the Workforce Race Equality Network Windrush celebration this week and wanted to add: “Hearing the stories of colleagues’ personal family experiences and the generation that came to Britain, we are so grateful as the diversity makes us a better society and makes the NHS a much better organisation. People made sacrifices, and they had to overcome a lot to secure jobs and to bring their own families up. It was tough. So, we must never forget that aspect and in today’s world continue to do all we can to ensure we are embracing and valuing diversity and learn the lessons from the past.
“Thank you to my colleagues who shared their stories at the WREN on Monday.”
———————–
Sharing staff stories
As part of our Windrush 75 and NHS 75 celebrations and the Trust’s ‘Big Thank You Festival’, we are inviting colleagues to share personal stories from their family and friends network.
Maxine Brook, Co-Chair of WREN, shares a photo of some of her family who travelled to England on HMS Windrush in 1948, along with some of their Windrush story:
“This photo was taken on the day of arrival in 1948. It shows my nana Ruthina Sinclaire (known as
‘Sister Sinclaire’ or ‘Sister Ruth’ in Leeds), who found work as a nurse with the NHS. So, she would have been one of the first NHS workers in 1948. Also, my dad Eleazer McLean (known as ‘Mac’ in Leeds and Bradford), who joined her. He found work as a labourer. He worked on the construction of one of the Gatwick airport terminals and some of the older shopping centres in Leeds city centre.
“Another Windrush connection is our close family friend ‘nana’ Hazel James (we were not blood related, but our families have always been very close, even to this day, so out of respect we called her nana Hazel). She trained nurses and when new arrivals came to England, she and her husband would help them get settled by putting them up in their own house so they could start their new lives here in the UK with some support.
“Nana Hazel had the Windrush Flag placed on top of her casket at her funeral, in recognition of her contribution.
“I am so proud of all of them and of my Jamaican heritage.”
———————–
Why Windrush Day matters
The British Nationality Act of 1948 gave citizens of UK Colonies the right of settlement in the UK.
In the wake of post-World War 2 labour shortages, the British government campaigned for workers from abroad, which led to increased immigration from 1948 and 1970, particularly from Africa and the Caribbean. Working age adults and many children travelled to join parents or grandparents in the UK or travelled with their parents without their own passports. They helped to build the NHS, staffed the transport systems and transformed industry in the UK.
Despite these achievements, 2018 ushered in the ‘Windrush Scandal’, where it emerged that for years this generation had faced deportation and evictions due to failures by the Home Office to keep records of their legal status. This was met with protests and public pushback which resulted in a commitment to support and compensate those who have been affected.
Still to this day we have charities and organisations to help fund people gaining legal status.
Celebrations of Black History Month, Diwali and Eid are now mainstream, marked in our schools and in our streets. Many public buildings across the country will also fly the Windrush flag to commemorate this important and historic day.
Windrush Day gives us the opportunity to celebrate all aspects of our migrant population and to appreciate the contribution of those who have made Britain their home.
Patrick Vernon OBE is convenor of the Windrush 75 network and founder of ‘100 Great Black Britons’ – read the full news article ‘Why Windrush Day matters’
———————–
Events to get involved in at LYPFT
- Workforce Race Equality Network (WREN) online meeting – Monday 19 June, 1-3pm
An opportunity to come together with other WREN members and share your stories to celebrate Windrush 75. The meeting will also provide updates about the Diversity Matters training sessions which are coming up in Leeds. - Maxine Brook, WREN Co-Chair, has some delicious recipe ideas for those wanting to try the authentic flavours of the Caribbean! Caribbean Recipes.docx
LYPFT colleagues can get involved with the Workforce Race Equality Network (WREN) as a member or ally:
WREN Email – wres-staffnetwork.lypft@nhs.net
Twitter – LYPFT_WREStaff
You can also contact the WREN Co-Chairs direct:
Mahesh Patel – mahesh.patel23@nhs.net
Maxine Brook – Maxine.Brook@nhs.net
———————–
Further information
Visit Windrush 75 network www.Windrush75.org
The Windrush 75 network aims to make 2023 a year of celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of the Windrush. Everybody is invited to take part. The network helps to broaden public recognition of the contribution of the original Windrush Pioneers, as well as increasing public understanding of the history of race and migration to Britain across the decades.
———————–
Events
- Windrush 75 Celebration (Leeds)
Friday 16 June, 6.45 – 9pm at Civic Hall, Calverley Street, Leeds LS1 1UR
Celebrate the Windrush Pioneers and their contributions to Britain – everyone welcome! Ticket only event.
Book on Eventbrite. - NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COLOUR AND THROUGH THE LOOKING BOX: 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF WINDRUSH CELEBRATION
Saturday 24 June, 12 – 19pm
BAME Health and Wellbeing Hub (previously known as Frederick Hurdle Centre) Leeds LS7 3EZ.
Book on Eventbrite. - Huddersfield Windrush 75th Anniversary – Name that Tune Event
Saturday 24 June, 7pm – late
Greenhead Masonic Hall 26 Greenhead Road Huddersfield HD1 4EN
£10 per ticket. Book on Eventbrite. - Windrush Generations – Carnival of Culture
Friday 16 June 4 – 10pm, Saturday 17 June 12 – 10pm
Centenary Square Bradford BD1 1HY
Free. Info online. - The Joy of Windrush: The Windrush Generation Celebration
Sunday 25 June, 5 – 7pm
Alhambra Theatre Bradford, BD7 1AJ
Free but requires ticket. Part of Bradford Literature Festival. Book online. - An Evening with Tony Fairweather
Thursday 10 August, from 6.30pm
Waterstones Leeds, Albion Street, Leeds LS1.
£5 per ticket. Book online. - Lunchtime Talk: Finding My Roots
Tuesday 20 June, 1 – 2pm
Weston Park Museum, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TP
Book online.
———————–
Online community
Follow Windrush Generations on Facebook – a Bradford organisation which celebrates and commemorates the contributions and challenges the conflicts of the Windrush generation.
You can also order commemorative Windrush 75 pin badges and flags via this site.
Profits from any sales are invested into supporting local community groups.
Visit Black History Month – Windrush 75
