Moving on:

From Jamaica to the U.K.

In a 2001 Census, it revealed that there are 146,401 Jamaicans living in the U.K, this increased to 160,776 in the 2011 Census, and most of them are situated around Greater London, Birmingham, Liverpool and Sheffield. There are many reasons for this stemming from when Jamaicans first settled in the UK in 1948, due to the Windrush which invited Jamaicans over to work in the U.K to 2015 where most Jamaicans came in search of a better life.

There are many other reasons supporting the statistics revealed from the 2001 Census. However there is one reason in particular I will be discussing. Here is the story of Albertha Gayle:

Interviewer: So Albertha, when did you move to the U.K?

Albertha: 20th June 1978.

Interviewer: What age were you when you came?

Albertha: 21

Interviewer: And why did you come to the U.K?

Albertha: To get a good job and build a better life for my children

Interviewer: What did you find was the most difficult part of leaving Jamaica?

Albertha: Leaving my family and my children and leaving everything and everyone I know behind. It was scary as I didn’t know anybody in the U.K or where I was going. But the main reason why I still went was to make a better life for my children.

Interviewer: Do you enjoy living in the U.K?

Albertha: Yes, I love it here. The people were very supportive and helped me find a place to stay and a good job.

Interviewer: What’s your favourite part about living in the U.K?

Albertha: I love the fact that it’s very multicultural. I like meeting people of all nationalities and learning more about them and their culture.

Interviewer: How did you make a living here?

Albertha: I worked very hard so I can have my own place for me and my children to stay in. And I also received lots of support from the people around.

Interviewer: Is the cost of living more or less expensive than Jamaica and how has this impacted your life?

Albertha: I was a bit sad to see that things are more expensive here because some of the things I wanted to buy were more expensive than in Jamaica and as I started off on a low paying job, I couldn’t always get the things I wanted.

Interviewer: What habits do you find strange about this country?

Albertha: People don’t talk much nowadays. Public transport is often silent and it’s strange to see this as I came from a place where everyone talks to everyone.

Interviewer: How often do you communicate with home?

Albertha: Every day. There’s not a day that goes by where I don’t talk to my family.        

Interviewer: What advice would you give to other people moving to the U.K?

Albertha: Be yourself. Be brave and be strong and don’t worry. Everything will be okay.

This is one of the 160,776 Jamaicans living in the U.K who has successfully made a living for her and her family in the U.K since the Windrush in 1948. And this inspiring woman will soon be celebrating her 45th wedding anniversary later this year.