Author, former locally elected politician and occupational therapist, Dr Blaine Robin, and our Chair, Odeth Richardson, have formed a collaboration with occupational therapists of Caribbean heritage throughout the UK. This is in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Windrush generation coming to Britain.
The initial aim is to co author a textbook that will assist the current and next generation of occupational therapists to learn about the occupational needs of people of Caribbean heritage.
If you’d like to assist with this project or join the Caribbean Network of Occupational Therapists, you are invited to contact Dr Blaine Robin via b.robin@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.
What is Windrush Day?
Thursday 22 June 2023 is Windrush Day, a day to celebrate and commemorate the outstanding and ongoing contribution of the Windrush generation and their descendants.
The term "Windrush generation" refers to the immigrants who were invited to the UK between 1948 and 1971 from Caribbean countries. The first ship, MV Empire Windrush, docked in Essex on 22 June 1948.
It is worth noting that the NHS was born just 13 days later, on 5 July 1948, with Caribbean nurses playing a vital role from the start.
As part of post war recovery, and with many Caribbean countries still under British rule, an advert went out inviting Caribbeans to Britain with the promise of post war recovery jobs. Some came for work, others for travel and some for the promise of something new.
Sadly, the welcome was not wholly positive and many people experienced racism and discrimination – oftentimes finding it very difficult to get proper homes, establish meaningful friendships and integrate into or establish communities.
Racist bullying, workplace discrimination and attacks would besiege the Windrush generation and their descendants right up to the present day – not to mention the Windrush scandal of 2018.
Windrush Day looks to mark and celebrate the impact this generation has had on all areas of Britain, the Caribbean diaspora and vital services.
Highlighting the narrative
Our profession fights marginalisation and supports individuals into accessing the activities they feel drawn towards.
Thanks to the Caribbean Network of Occupational Therapists, five stories across our profession have been drawn together to highlight why an understanding of Caribbean heritage is important to all OTs tackling marginalisation.
Dr Blaine Robin
Senior Lecturer at Leeds Beckett University, Advisory Group member of the RCOT Research Foundation, Fellow of the Royal Society of Statistics, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Dr Robin was born in Paddington, North London, in the 1960s as one of two children of Dominican parentage. His parents would be now regarded as part of the Windrush generation. His father’s ship – the Askania – docked in Southampton in 1957 and his mother arrived in 1959.
In 1991 he trained as an occupational therapist at the London School of Occupational Therapy, West London Institute of Higher Education (now Brunel University). He is currently a Senior Lecturer at Leeds Beckett University.
Dr Robin said:
‘The transmission of our Caribbean values is now blended with those of the initial host country (our home) thanks to the friendships and influences and meaningful occupations that form our occupational identity. Much of what our parents and grandparents went through (to help give us an opportunity) is at times heart breaking as it shows clearly how the occupational injustices (such as marginalisation) continue to be recycled, often at central government level.
‘When we think of the Windrush Scandal of 2018, greater awareness needs to be raised about the contribution that Caribbean people have made to society – particularly in the UK, USA, and Canada.’
Ms Odeth Richardson
Chair of BAOT/RCOT Council and Head Occupational Therapist at Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals
Ms Odeth Richardson is the first person of Caribbean heritage to be our Chair. Since being elected to the position, she has balanced this role with that of Head of Occupational Therapy at Newcastle NHS Trust.
Odeth, who was born in Jamaica, believes that migrating to what was called the "mother country" had a profound effect on her life and that of her community.
‘My mother opted to stay in Jamaica and look after the children of her siblings so they could travel to the UK on the Empire Windrush. I therefore grew up with a number of cousins whose parents had migrated.
‘We all looked forward to receiving the "barrel" at Christmas time which would be filled with new clothes, toys and other goodies that our aunts and uncles sent to support the children left behind. The Windrush story had a huge impact on my life and who I am.
‘People of Caribbean heritage have made significant contributions to the progress of places outside the Caribbean region, often understated outside the media's main stereotype of Caribbean people.’
Ms Kalimah Ibrahiim
Senior Lecturer, Occupational Therapy Course Leader at the University of East London, RCOT Council Member and Chair of the RCOT Board: England
Kalimah is of Vincentian and Trinidadian heritage. She is a founding member of the BAMEOTUK Network and holds a master’s degree in public health.
‘When we think about what it means to be a Caribbean within the global diaspora context, we think of many things: the importance of the extended family network with grandmothers as matriarchs taking charge of the home life. We think of good food and spare rooms for visitors and motivational words of encouragement and prayers for the young people.
'Occupational engagement in a range of meaningful occupations, from athletics to carnival, from prayers to playing dominoes, is embedded in the DNA of Caribbean people who do things with a unique 'style and fashion’.’
Mrs Leah Berry
Head of Occupational Therapy - mental health division at Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Mrs Berry describes her generation as being fortunate not to have experienced first-hand disruption due to migration, yet still trying to embed themselves in a culture that for some may seem far from their own.
Mrs Berry, whose grandparents hail from Jamaica, said:
‘Thanks to the pioneering Windrush generation, we can now see second, third and fourth generations in one space. This level of family support binds us in a society where there are often negative political messages reported in the media, including the term "hostile environment" towards migrants and people who look like migrants.’
Sherlyn Graham
Author and occupational therapist with Hertfordshire County Council
Sherlyn is one of the first occupational therapy authors of anti-racism within the United Kingdom. She is passionate about recording the narratives of her mother. Exploration of her mother’s occupational experiences has highlighted the importance of capturing what would be lost histories of the Windrush generations. She explores the huge part that spirituality has had to play in mastering resilience in post-war Britain, from which she has developed her desire for practicing occupational therapy in an older people's service. She recognises the strength of narratives and how it influences therapeutic goals and interventions.
Ms Graham said:
‘We can learn so much from our elders with regards to what was done then, with the view to progress to what should be done now.’
So … What’s next?
Establishing the Caribbean Network of Occupational Therapists, Dr Robin said:
'In the occupational therapy profession, the contribution of Guyanese born occupational therapist, Ms Elizabeth Yates, who delivered the 1996 Casson memorial lecture entitled Equalising Opportunities truly reflects what that pioneering generation were all about – making society a kinder place for all human beings.
We simply stand on their shoulders, aiming to support future generations of occupational therapists coming through the system.’
If you’d like to join the Caribbean Network of Occupational Therapists to assist with this project, please contact Dr Blaine Robin via b.robin@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.