Celebrating Windrush 75

Today we celebrate the Windrush generation. On 22 June 1948, HMT Empire Windrush arrived in the UK, carrying more than 1,000 passengers from the Caribbean. 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.

In recognition of the huge contribution the Windrush generation has made to the NHS, we caught up with members of staff at the Trust who shared with us their own ties to Windrush and what working for the NHS means to them:

Taherah Grant

Patient Administrator for Radiology

“My great aunt and uncle were a part of the Windrush. My mother told me our aunt and uncle came via the boat. They lived a good long life, however they struggled at the start, then adjusted to the system. Sadly my aunty passed a few weeks ago at age 94.”

Taherah goes on to share: “Working with the NHS has given me the opportunity to develop, finding a path that I truly love and enjoy.” She followed up by sharing her moto: “Having a pure heart and willingness to help one another.”

Romel Williams

Head Chef for Catering Team

Romel has been the head chef at Chelsea and Westminster hospital for more than 12 years.

For him, working for the NHS means “having the opportunity to grow and meet new people. It allows us to improve our skills and continuously move forward in our life.”

Ceila Powell

Nursing Supervisor for Treatment Centre

“Windrush reminds me of a time when the employment need of humanity to rebuild the UK was of great demand. This, I believe, must have been a moment of pride as history was being created.”

Ceila’s great uncles came to the UK from Jamaica during the Windrush movement for work opportunities. They brought their families over from Jamaica and settled in the UK permanently, contributing to the country’s vast, diverse and enriching population.