Description:My name is Esmena Patrick and I was born in the Parish of St Catherine in Jamaica. I came to England on 20th November 1960. When the plane landed at Heathrow Airport I looked outside the window and saw snow for the very first time. There were taxis waiting to take people to Birmingham and about five of us took one as that was our destination. We all kept in touch with each other for a long time afterwards. The next morning when I woke up it was still snowing and I saw smoke coming out from the chimney of the houses. I thought to myself that these houses in a row were factories!
I wanted to get a job quickly and my first job was in Summerfield Hospital. I was so surprised to see so many older people together in one place because in Jamaica we care for our elderly at home. My work was very hard as it was for 48 hours a week but the wage was only £5 a week! However I did enjoy my time working and taking care of older people. I lived in Winson Green near the Prison so that I could walk to work everyday. I worked at this hospital for a few years before my fiancée joined me and we got married and started a family.
I got a job at Joseph Lucas Motor’s and I worked in catering for 25 years until I took early retirement in December 1989. Afterwards, I joined the Worker’s Educational Association’s community adult education classes, and especially learnt about different ICT modules. My favourite was using the internet and getting connected with my family and friends.
Photograph courtesy of Esmena Patricks