Windrush Day: "“I believe that Windrush has shaped my identity as I’m now following in the footsteps of my ancestors who have in the past helped to build the workforce in the UK and today."

Tomorrow (Thursday 22 June) is national Windrush Day, marking 75 years since the ship MV Empire Windrush docked at the Port of Tilbury, near London.

We are proud to have a rich and diverse workforce at Nottinghamshire Healthcare and recognise the vital contributions and achievements that the Windrush generation and their descendants have made to the health and social care system, and in particular the NHS.  

One of our international nurses, Pearlina Robinson-Mayers, a staff nurse in Adult Mental Health Services, shares her reflections on the Windrush generation, why she left the Caribbean to work at Nottinghamshire Healthcare and what inspires her.

Pearlina decided to come to the UK to work in the NHS as she was looking for a change and wanted to do something new and exciting with her life. She believes her Caribbean background and culture have been a strong foundation to the care she provides to her patients and is looking forward to further developing her skills at the Trust.

“I’ve had several colleagues who have migrated to the UK and they expressed that the NHS was a good place to work. So, I decided to give it a try, as it’s a place that will allow me to develop my skills and grow professionally.

“In the Caribbean, there are certain traits that are engrained into an individual through socialisation regarding our culture and norms. These include things like being punctual, efficient, organised and dedicated to whatever task you may be assigned. I’ve learnt to harness these qualities and incorporate them into my work life to ensure optimal care is always rendered to all whom I am in contact with. 

“As a nurse trained in the Caribbean, I was taught to function in all spheres of the nursing profession, hence I have garnered a wealth of knowledge which I can now use to ensure the best care is given to all patients in my care in the UK. I am also able to impart my knowledge to my team so we can function at optimal levels.”

On Windrush… 

“I’m delighted to follow in the footsteps of the Windrush generation and to be able to utilise my skills in the UK’s healthcare sector to help ensure that best practice and care is available for all. 

“I believe that Windrush has shaped my identity as I’m now following in the footsteps of my ancestors who have in the past helped to build the workforce in the UK and today. I’m doing the very same moving into the role of Staff Nurse with the NHS. 

“If I’m honest, I hadn’t really given much thought to Windrush until I was invited to tell my story. However, as I reflected on Windrush, I believe that it depicts the resilience of Caribbean people who are willing to leave the shores of our birth countries to live in foreign lands and lend support in building workforces wherever our skills can be utilised.

“I am proud to be of the Windrush generation who can help make differences in the lives of others.” 

For more information about Windrush Day visit: https://windrushfoundation.com/