Given the continuing concerns among the UK Caribbean Diaspora about the innumerable contributions made by the Windrush Generation and inequitable rewards, this article previously published in the UK Voice Newspaper is repurposed with the permission of the author Tony Kelly.
Many have made contributions to the development of the world-renowned NHS. What is not generally known is the degree to which Caribbean nurses, particularly from the Windrush Generation, have sacrificed to help the NHS become the world-beating success that it is.
FAMILY: Tony Kelly’s late mother Millicent Kelly on the right and his late aunt Aldyth Richards on the left
A very touching letter from our very own Tony Kelly to his late mother Millicent Kelly who arrived in Britain from Jamaica in 1953, not only recognises her many achievements in nursing but begs the question of how she would view where the NHS is today.
London born Tony Kelly of Jamaican parents grew up in Jamaica and returned to live in Birmingham in 1979.
He is a graduate of Mico Teachers’ College and taught in Kingston high schools prior to working for 30+ years as a middle manager in central and local government with an emphasis on equity, equality, diversity and inclusion. He has a masters’ degree in socio-legal studies from the university of Birmingham.
For over a decade Tony has volunteered as a diabetes ambassador firstly for Diabetes UK and now for the National Health Service – Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group. A multi-award winner doing a yearly average of 150 health and well-being events, locally, nationally and internationally focusing on type 2 diabetes. He was diagnosed with this medical condition 18 years ago. However with a combination of physical activity and diet he has never taken medication thus proving with the right mindset and discipline it can be achieved.
As a diabetes advocate/activist Tony will continue delivering the message of healthy options to readers of CaribDirect.com .
2 comments
An important letter, that so gracefully reminds us all that nurses from the Windrush generation devoted themselves to building our NHS and as Tony points out, did so whilst experiencing racism and maltreatment from those whom they care for. Their sacrifices and contributions should always be remembered .
Thanks for sharing cuz. It’s important that our stories be told, from our perspective. We are more than faceless ID numbers to be used, brushed aside and forgotten.
Let us not forget.