Caribbean Nurses in Britain

Caribbean Nurses in Britain | Windrush Generation | NHS History | Black History Month | KS4 History

History | Social History | Citizenship | Black History Month | KS4 | Ages 14–16

Explore the inspiring story of the Windrush Generation through the real-life experiences of a Caribbean nurse who helped shape the NHS during the 1950s and 1960s.

This 4-page PDF and editable Word resource is based on the oral history of Mrs Mary Lawrence, who arrived in Britain from the Caribbean in 1962 and began her nursing career in 1964. Her first-hand account provides students with a unique insight into the lives, challenges and achievements of Caribbean nurses working in Britain’s National Health Service.

Students will discover:

The important contribution of Caribbean nurses to the NHS.
Why nursing was regarded as a prestigious profession in the 1960s.
Nurse training, ward routines and the demanding 48-hour working week.
Nursing roles, ranks and responsibilities in the 1960s.
Standards of patient care, professionalism, etiquette and presentation.
Workplace hierarchy and the challenges of questioning senior staff.
The experiences of the Windrush Generation and post-war migration to Britain.

The resource also includes two historical archive photographs of Caribbean nurses in Nottingham during the 1960s, taken by photographer Esmel Woma, helping students connect with the historical context through authentic visual sources.

Ideal for:

Black History Month
KS4 History
Social History
Citizenship
PSHE
Diversity and Inclusion
Home Learning
Research Projects
Cover Lessons
Homework

Teachers can use this resource to support discussions on migration, identity, equality, the history of the NHS, and the invaluable contribution of Caribbean communities to British society. It also provides an excellent starting point for classroom debate, source analysis and independent research.

This resource is an extract from Moving Out by Lorna Holder and offers an engaging primary source that brings history to life through oral testimony.

Resource Includes:

4-page research document
PDF version
Editable Word version
Oral history source
Archive photographs
Suitable for ages 14–16 (KS4)