Health and care organisations in BSW say thank you to the Windrush generation

Organisations in BSW have taken the time to acknowledge the remarkable contribution made by the Windrush generation to the development of health and care services across our area over the past 75 years.

Windrush Day took place on Thursday 22 June and this year marked 75 years since the ship HMT Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury Docks in Essex, carrying the first Caribbean migrants to help rebuild Britain after the Second World War.

Many of the Windrush’s passengers – as well as their descendants – played a vital role in supporting the establishment of the NHS and our public services in post-war England.

The RUH created a short film to mark the occasion including fascinating interviews with members of the Bath Ethnic Minority Senior Citizens Association (BEMSCA), who talk about the memories of arriving in England, as well as interviews with RUH staff.

Alfredo Thompson, RUH Director for People and Culture, said:

“I want to say to the Windrush generation that you matter; everyone at the RUH is thankful for all you have done to care for the people in our community and we are proud to work alongside you.”

At GWH, local people have been invited to share their stories and the stories of loved ones as part of a Human Library event on Tuesday 18 July in the Academy at the Great Western Hospital, from 1 pm until 4 pm.

A Human Library is a collection of people who act as the ‘Books’, sharing their stories with people who want to learn more about people with different life experiences based on ethnicity, disability, sexuality, age, or socio-economic background.

This intergenerational event will bring together stories from past and present, exploring how times have changed and highlighting our shared history and experiences of being someone from an ethnic minority background living in the UK and working for the NHS.

If you, or someone you know, made the legendary Windrush journey and might be interested in sharing their story or being part of this local event, please contact sharon.woma@nhs.net

Watch the film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FXq0SWyvZU