African and Caribbean Health Network (CAHN) Awards

I was invited to attend and take part in the first Award Ceremony for CAHN (The Caribbean and African Health Network) a CIC founded in 2017 by Dr Faye Ruddock. The ceremony, the first of its kind, celebrated the contribution made to the health system by African and Caribbean and/ or those of African and Caribbean heritage. The awards spanned a wide range of disciplines and celebrated the contributions made both nationally and internationally. It was an overdue and joyous celebration with acrobatic, dance and singing performances over a meal. 

The poem “You called and we came” was recited. It was written by Professor Laura Serrant who says she wrote it to reflect, recognise and celebrate the contribution made by black nurses to the health system of England after World War 2. She has said that It shines a light on the hardships, prejudice and challenges faced by the brave men and women who responded to the call from England to leave their island nation and rebuild “the motherland” – a sense of duty, pride and responsibility, which not only served the NHS but changed the shape of Britain, themselves and their families forever.

YOU CALLED ………..AND WE CAME. 

You called…and we came. 
In ships bigger than anything we had seen, 
dwarfing our islands and covering them 
in the shadows of smoke and noise. 
Crowded, excited voices filled the air, 
traveling to the ‘motherland’ 
– over weeks, over oceans that threatened to engulf us. 
Driven by a wish, a call to save, to rebuild 
and support efforts to establish ‘health for all’ 
in the aftermath of war. 

You called….and we came. 
Women and men of position in our homelands; 
nurses with a pride in the excellence of our care. 
With experience of management, organisation 
and a sense of duty. 
We appeared. 
Smiling and eager to work on the wards, communities and clinics 
of this England. 

You called….and we came. 
Our big hearts, skilfull hands and quick minds 
encased in our skins – of a darker hue. 
Which had shimmered and glowed 
in our sunnier climes.. 
But now signified our difference 
– our un-belonging. 
Matrons became assistants 
Nurses became like chambermaids. 
All the while striving to fulfil our promise 
– to succour, to serve, to care. 

You called….and we came. 
The blue of the sister’s uniform 
– seemed as far away from us as the moon. 
Unreachable by our dark hands in this cold land. 
But we were made of sterner stuff. 
The hot sun, which once beat down on our ancestors, 
when they too left their lands, 
Shone within us. 
Forging our hearts and minds 
with the resistance of Ebony. 

You called….and we came. 
Rising like the Phoenix , 
from the heat of rejection. 
We cared, we worked and we organised. 
Until the quickness of our brains 
and the excellence of our care 
made it hard for you to contain us. 
And slowly, so slowly, 
the blue uniforms had dark and lighter bodies beneath them. 
The professional care in our touch 
was valued despite the strangeness of our speech 
and the kinks in our hair. 

You called….and we came. 
A new millennium – new hopes spread across this land. 
New populations, engaging and reflecting 
the varied, diverse and vibrant nature of these shores. 
Challenging and reflecting on leadership for health. 
Moves to melt the ‘snow’ at the peaks of our profession. 
Recognising the richness of our kaleidoscope nation. 
Where compassion, courage and diversity are reflected 
In our presence and our contribution: 
Not only the hopes and dreams of our ancestors. 
– Human values needed to truly lead change…and add value. 
Remember… you called. 
Remember… you called 
YOU. Called. 
Remember, it was us, who came.