![]() ![]() I think it’s important to highlight the amazing bravery of the Windrush generation. That’s why I think it’s so important to celebrate Windrush Day and see the amazing work TSB are doing to commemorate the 75th anniversary. But back then, you just had to jump on a boat with nothing but a few letters and a promise of work. Nowadays, moving anywhere in the world has become so easy because technology allows you to speak directly to people and know everything about the place you’re moving to. ![]() When I think about my family’s journey, I think about how brave my grandparents must have been to move here with so little information, and how scared my mum must have felt getting on a plane with only her younger brothers at just 12 years old - hoping that her parents were waiting on the other side. They must have done something right, because my mum and uncles had no trouble getting into uni and securing good jobs when the time came. This wasn’t uncommon and lots of the Windrush generation ended up working in roles they were overqualified for once they arrived in the UK.Īlthough this must have been upsetting, both my grandparents worked really hard to save up enough money to move their kids over here and give them a good life. In Jamaica, my grandmother was a fully qualified teacher, but her formal qualifications were not recognised when she came to the UK, so she ended up working in a factory. My grandparents came to the UK, leaving their children (my mum and uncles) behind with relatives. I always knew my family were originally from Jamaica, but I never realised that Windrush is a part of my family’s legacy. I had never thought about it previously, but once I found out what Windrush was, I wanted to learn more about it. Everyone around me looked like me and had similar backgrounds, so it wasn’t until I got older that I began to realise what some of the racist phrases meant. Home was in south London where a lot of the Windrush generation lived, so I was in a sort of bubble. “Growing up, I always felt I didn’t really have a place I belonged, because people told me I was ‘not Jamaican enough to be Jamaican’ but ‘not English enough to be English’. I shouldn’t be in the minority when I say that I have always been accepted for being me.” - Thomas, Relationship Manager, TSB. Pride Month not only gives people a chance to celebrate themselves but it’s a good example of how things should be. I recognise that it’s unfortunately still quite uncommon to find people in the LGBTQ+ community who have never had to hide their true selves. That’s why I think Pride Month is an important celebration because although I have always been able to be myself, I recognise that privilege. My family and friends have always been very supportive and I’ve never had to go through some of the difficulties that I know other people, including some of my colleagues, have faced. I’m very lucky as I’ve had a privileged upbringing in the sense that it was never really a struggle for me to be myself. ![]() Often, we’re still underrepresented in certain areas or professions, and I think Pride Month helps shine a light on that. I think the Inclusion Network is really good for taking subjects that some people see as taboo and starting those important conversations.įor me, celebrating Pride Month is so important because LGBTQ+ people are a minority in the workplace. They’ve also organised events to raise awareness for LGBTQ+ charities around Scotland. For example, the network hosted a session about domestic abuse in same-sex-orientated relationships a few weeks ago. I think what’s good about the TSB Inclusion Network and their work supporting the LGBTQ+ community, is that they not only help make people feel safe and heard, but the events also help raise awareness. It’s always been a place where I feel safe and happy to work, and I’ve always known I can be open about my sexuality without being worried about discrimination. “I have always felt like I belong at TSB. ![]()
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