A woman who found her way to Stockton having made the journey to Britain from the Caribbean as part of the Windrush generation has spoken about her career since – dedicating more than 40 years to the NHS.
On the year when the NHS celebrates its 75-year anniversary, it is also the same time since the famous HMT Empire Windrush ship docked in Essex, in June 1948, carrying passengers from the Caribbean to fill labour shortages in the UK.
HMT Empire Windrush became a symbol of a wider mass-migration movement.
Its 492 passengers, and others who arrived to the UK from Caribbean countries between 1948 and 1971, became known as the Windrush generation.
One of these people was Pat Poinen, who made the trip from her homeland in Trinidad in July 1970 as a 19-year-old – first deciding to train to be a nurse at Harrogate District Hospital.
Pat then opted to re-train as a midwife in 1979 at the Greenbank Maternity Hospital in Darlington.
It was just two years later that she started working at the North Tees General Hospital – days she describes as “the best of my working life”.
Pat said: “I would say working as a midwife at North Tees were the best days of my working life.
“The standard of care was excellent and my colleagues were highly skilled and supportive.
“Due to a change in personal circumstances I left my post as a midwife – but I still keep in touch with some staff there and have such good memories.”
But this was not always the case – Pat describes her first few years in the UK as “difficult”.
She added: “Life in the UK was difficult and the work was tiring and hours were long. The matrons and nurses were strict and as a young 19 year old I was terribly homesick.
“I was desperate to return home to my parents and siblings. Racism was rife and that was a shock to me as growing up in Trinidad was wonderful. I however persevered with my training, aiming always to be successful.”
When Pat decided to change careers, she completed a degree in education, becoming a lecturer for five years in County Durham.
She has since been an activist in the region, serving on many community and cultural boards.
Her voluntary work has included honorary secretary of the Council for Voluntary Services and executive member of the Volunteer Bureau in Darlington.
She is also the former chair of the Durham and Darlington Racial Equality Council and prides herself in being actively involved in her life-long passion of promoting racial equality.
She has also served on the national boards of the United Reformed Church, London and currently is a racial justice advocate for Northern Synod in Newcastle.
Her career also brought her back into the health service.
Pat added: “I have also since been an equality and diversity trainer, delivering to management and staff in the NHS.
“I also trained as a health visitor in 2001 and was a practice teacher involved in the training of student health visitors.
“I was also one in four finalist for the Mary Seacole award in 2002, a moment which I value with great pride.”
Pat is also an award winning cook and has taught Caribbean cuisine at local colleges in the region.
Her most recent triumph last year was initiating the first regional Black Awards Ceremony at Show Racism the Red Card/Shaka Hyslop Honorary Freedom of Newcastle City Award, recognising the success and contributions of people of colour in the North East of England.
She said: “On the 75th Windrush anniversary of the arrival of the people from the Caribbean to the UK, I would like to acknowledge the contribution we have provided to the NHS and the United Kingdom as a whole. Our presence has shaped the landscape of the NHS and the wider society. Happy Birthday to the NHS and thank you to the Windrush generation.”