Sir Trevor McDonald surprises Windrush nurse 'who changed so many lives'

15 October 2023 , 19:13

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A courageous midwife who dedicated 40 years of her life to the NHS was surprised by Sir Trevor McDonald who called her a “great example of how just one human being can make such a change in the lives of so many others”.

Vernesta Cyril, 82, who came from St Lucia to the UK aged just 20 in March 1962 to study nursing, was one of the recipients of the special recognition award for the Windrush Generation at this year’s Daily Mirror Pride of Britain, sponsored by TSB. The trailblazing nurse will be featured in Pride of Britain: A Windrush Special on ITV on Thursday.

Settling in Wales with her husband, Vernesta became a midwife and delivered thousands of babies while also caring for their mothers. Speaking to Sir Trevor on the programme Vernesta said: “I left St Lucia in March 1962, I remember I was wearing a cotton dress and it was so cold at the bus stop. The last thing my mother said to me before I came here was ‘girl you’re going to the UK - don’t make a fool of yourself just carry on and educate yourself.’”

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Vernesta was one of the Windrush Generation honoured at the Pride of Britain awards (Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)

Vernesta chose to become a midwife after hearing stories of school friends back home whose mums had died in childbirth. Meanwhile, her cousin’s postnatal depression also convinced her she wanted to improve the health and wellbeing of mothers.

“I wanted to be a midwife because growing up in St Lucia some people I went to school with would say ‘my mother died in childbirth,’ she said. “It was very sad - you feel for the women and their families. So I thought I’ll get into midwifery because this is what happens to people.”

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Sir Trevor McDonald surprises Windrush nurse 'who changed so many lives'

Vernesta travelled to the UK from St Lucia in 1962 (Western Mail/Echo)

But it wasn’t an easy time for black people in Britain and Vernesta recalls how she would often be the only black nurse on the ward and some of the patients would call her names and refuse to be treated by her.

“It was quite hard at the beginning,” she said. “Although we were asked to come here and people were recruited from the Caribbean, when we came here it was something different. People would just pass you by and call you names. On the bus, even if it was packed and there was a seat by me, people wouldn’t sit by you. Patients were not very nice at times.”

Vernesta gave 40 years of service to the NHS (Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)

One stroke patient told Vernesta, “don’t you dare put your black hand on me”, which was, she says, “very, very painful” to hear. But, she believes, overcoming the challenges made her a better person.

When she wasn’t bringing new lives into the world, Vernesta helped pave the way for future generations. In 1976 Vernesta co-founded the South East Wales Race Equality Council - a social justice charity to challenge discrimination and bring communities together. She educated and enlightened people, taking asylum seekers into her home and helping young people turn their lives around. Instead of sitting back and accepting her fate she chose to stand up and try and make a difference. “I wanted to see changes, to see that people are treated fairly, to see people meeting other communities and not sticking to their community,” she added.

There is a Pride of Britain Windrush special on ITV this week

During her 40-year career, Vernesta cared for thousands of women and babies and in 1999, she was awarded the OBE for her services to the community. She was also named Midwife of the Year in 2006. “I’m very proud of what I’ve given - the best part of my life I’ve given to work in the NHS,” she said. “I’m so very proud to represent all the Caribbean nurses who came here. I look back and I’ve done something good.”

Vernesta’s achievements are summed up beautifully by Sir Trevor who says: “Vernesta is a great example of how one human being can make a change in the lives of others - she’s wonderful.”