Black History Month

Supported by their organisation, these nurses presented a variety of performances, including dance and poetry. We were also treated to culturally specific food, some of which I’ve never seen or eaten before. Such was the energy that you couldn’t have thought for a moment that you were in a hospital environment. These were nurses and nursing staff who three years ago were living in other countries and who have now made the UK their new home.

The event was a huge success with positive feedback from everyone including the IENs who said they felt welcomed in their new home.

Recruitment from outside of the UK continues to be, as it has for many years, an important part of the workforce supply strategy of the NHS. In more recent times, there has been an influx of nursing staff coming from other countries to support not only the NHS, but social care as well. This much needed workforce is crucial at a time when nurse vacancies are soaring – 40,000 in NHS England alone.

It is vital that health and social care employers recruiting IENs understand the cultures they are recruiting from so that they, and the community around them, can make their new staff feel valued, welcomed and to help them settle into their new homes.

In the region and across the RCN, we’ll again be celebrating Black History Month (BHM) in October. While the contributions of the black community should be celebrated every day, during the month of October we pay special attention to how black people have shaped society and celebrate all things black. There will be activities and events across the nations of the world promoting this celebration which was born in America in the early 1900s as a move to recognise and celebrate the invaluable contributions of black people.

Here in the UK, people from the global majority have started putting plans together to commemorate Black History Month. The celebrations will include showcasing food, traditional dress, books and achievements of the global majority, as well as provide an opportunity to promote knowledge and understanding of black history and culture.

Black History Month events will give everyone an opportunity to be involved. Whether you are from the global majority or not, there is something for you. 

We are working with a selection of NHS employers in the region to hold a programme of events in the month of October to celebrate Black History Month. This year our focus is on anti-racism.

There will be an opportunity to hear experiences of NHS colleagues from the global majority and to explore how we can help create an anti-racist organisation.

We’ll be promoting several resources as well as responding to any queries from our nursing community.

Our aim for these events is to enable all colleagues to celebrate the contribution of the black community, create a space for allies to learn more, stand with the black community and show support for the promotion of anti-racism in all settings.