Migration Stories: Windrush and the NHS

Migration Stories: Windrush and the NHS
13 Oct 05:45 PM
Until 13 Oct, 08:00 PM 2h 15m

Migration Stories: Windrush and the NHS

Monday 13 October 2025 | 17.45–20.00
Barts North Wing, West Smithfield, London EC1A 7BE
Free – Click here to book via Eventbrite 

 

In celebration of Black History Month, we’re partnering with Barts Health NHS Trust Archives, Barts Heritage, and Culture Mile BID to hear from expert speakers about the Windrush generation’s significant contributions to the establishment and development of the National Health Service.

On 22 June 1948, HMT Empire Windrush arrived in Essex carrying passengers from the Caribbean and former British colonies, answering calls from Great Britain to help fill post-war workforce shortages in the health service, transport and postal systems.

The National Health Service officially launched just two weeks later on 5 July, with many Windrush passengers filling vacant NHS positions. Often in the face of unconcealed racism and discrimination, these first NHS employees continued in their commitment to provide care for patients and formed a fundamental part of the health service.

 

Explore more

Discover stories of migration and the NHS in our digital exhibition, Heart of the Nation: Migration and the Making of the NHS, which shares personal experiences of people who have come to Britain to work in the NHS through photography, film and oral histories.

 

About Allyson Williams MBE

Allyson Williams MBE came to London in May 1969 from Trinidad and Tobago and pursued a career in nursing and midwifery, and after thirty-five years of service, retired from the NHS, her last role being Deputy Head of Midwifery. In 2002, Allyson became a Member of the British Empire for her services to the midwifery profession in London. She built a vibrant life around nursing and midwifery, music and Carnival — co-founding the Genesis Mas Band at Notting Hill Carnival and today serves as a Carnival Director. In recent years she has received multiple awards, including the Vita Nova Laureate Award (2025) from the Caribbean Global Awards for her extraordinary legacy of purpose and passion.

Photo: Migration Museum / Sopo Ramischwili, Allyson Williams speaking at the Heart of the Nation launch, Lewisham, 7 March 2024

Comments are closed.