Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellow speaks out

Former OBV shadow councillor and British researcher, Janice Gittens, has recently returned from Antigua, Grenada, and Jamaica on a two month long Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship. This travelling fellowship allows British citizens to travel abroad to acquire knowledge for the benefit of community and country. Only 100 British citizens are awarded the Fellowship each year.

During her visit to the Caribbean, Janice met with a variety of individuals from all walks of life to learn what makes people passionate about politics and social reform. She concluded that access to education and information has fostered a desire for individuals to better themselves and their communities. Education, therefore, functions as a mechanism of change.

So what does this mean for BME communities in Britain? Janice said:

Access to a good education for BME communities in Britain will give individuals more options and increase their chances in the job market. The basic skills of reading, writing and reasoning will equip those failing within the present system to reclaim their rightful place in the educational, social and community fabric of modern British society.

Education that is relevant, informative and conducive to the acquisition of the skills and knowledge required to successfully negotiate the pitfalls found in British society will give people from BME communities more options, a better self-identity and the tools to take their place as citizens in a culturally diverse Britain and contribute to their community. Young people need to learn how to read, write and reason.

The problem of social exclusion within BME communities will not go away unless Britain establishes the importance of education and knowledge, and individuals take charge. Janice notes:

BME people need to be conversant with their heritage and history and share this with their children and others in the community. It is also important to mirror the behaviour you would like to see in others - and in this way lead by example. There are numerous ways to get involved in the community. The obvious starting point is in local government, schools, churches, neighbourhood forums and in the belief that your input is valued and contributes to the whole. There is nothing to be gained from criticising and deciding to opt out - children will see, learn and do the same.

Janice plans on using the knowledge gained from the Fellowship to get involved in local and national politics, and help mobilise peoples of Caribbean descent to positively take part in their communities. She plans on implementing change and developing policies in Britain that will benefit this group of underrepresented people.

Janice is a graduate of the OBV and GEO BAME Women Cllr Shadowing Scheme

Teasha Bayles