UCLH research nurse reflects on personal and professional journey on Windrush anniversary

This weekend, the UK celebrates the 77th anniversary of the Windrush generation’s immigration. Egla Aitkens, a senior research nurse whose parents were part of the Windrush generation, shares a poignant poem reflecting on her journey from Jamaica to the UK.

The Windrush generation is usually taken to refer to migrants who arrived in the UK between 1948 and 1971, mainly from the Caribbean. Egla Aitkens, senior research nurse, is the daughter of Windrush generation parents, who first came to the UK in the 1950s, before returning to Jamaica. 

Egla was born and raised in Jamaica and undertook nursing and midwifery training there, qualifying in 1986. “Initially, I worked as a ward sister in orthopaedics before moving into clinical research.” 

Egla initially used her midwifery credentials in her research career. “One of my first experiences in research involved studying HTLV-1, a virus similar to HIV. We collaborated with the University of Maryland on these studies, and I worked as a research midwife. My colleague and I recruited expectant mothers from the community and maternity hospitals. 

“Clinical research has always been my passion. Over the years, I’ve seen many changes, and it's fulfilling to look back and see the role I played in shaping this field.” 

Following in the footsteps of her parents, Egla arrived in the UK in April 2001, having landed a position at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Essex. Then, in 2003, she joined the Middlesex Hospital (subsequently UCLH) as a research nurse.

As alluded to in her powerful poem Celebration, Egla is particularly proud of pursuing a path not widely taken by Black women. “When I first started, I rarely saw people who looked like me in clinical research. I remember attending meetings across Europe and scanning the room, I’d rarely see another Black woman. 

“Diversity in clinical trials is crucial, not just in the workforce but in patient representation. Some people may never consider participating in research simply because they don’t see anyone who looks like them within the research team. There can be mistrust surrounding clinical trials, particularly among Black communities. 

“Being able to represent those communities professionally has helped break down those barriers. I’ve seen first-hand how increasing diversity improves patient recruitment in trials. At the Cancer Clinical Trials Unit (CCTU) at UCLH, we now have a rich mix of colleagues, which makes a huge difference. I’m incredibly proud to be part of that progress.” 

Egla's poem reflects on what it means to be the first – the first to dream, the first to step forward, and the first to make those dreams real. Her words were inspired both by her own personal work and the universal spirit of nursing; intended as a tribute to all nurses who dream, persevere, and open doors for those who follow.

Earlier this year, Egla performed the piece at the Fitzrovia Chapel, former chapel of the Middlesex Hospital and now deconsecrated arts and heritage space. It formed part of an event to celebrate UCLH’s international nursing community. “Stepping foot back inside that Chapel was nostalgic – it reminded me of the journey I had taken to get there.” 

She performed wearing a replica of the uniform she had worn as a student nurse back in Jamaica. “It’s almost identical to what I wore as a student nurse in Jamaica from 1983 to 1986. The nursing school is now part of the University of the West Indies, but the uniform remains unchanged.” 

As the UK commemorates the Windrush generation this weekend, Egla hopes sharing her journey can inspire others. “Even if it encourages one person, then it’s worth sharing.” 

You can read Celebration below:

Celebration

I was the first in my family to attend high school 

There was no real plan for a career  

I was scared to dream, but still I did 

I will see the world and I will be a nurse 

You can do it, was all they said 

So I went 

I thought I was alone until my tutor told me she became a nurse because of a dream 

One night as a little girl, a faceless elder appeared in her sleep and said 

Run on and be a nurse 

She woke up with the desire to do nothing else  

But to run on and be a nurse 

And she did 

Like my tutor, my dream became a reality 

I am a nurse, and I get to see the world 

The world from the womb to the tomb 

The world of sickness and health  

With and without wealth 

I thought that was it 

Until the faceless elder appeared in my sleep and said 

Now that you are a nurse  

Run on and be a tutor 

Celebrate with me 

Being the first of the last 

Getting here on a diet of dreams and possibilities 

Celebrate with me the fact that I am not defined by my past 

Celebrate with me as I celebrate how you have helped me 

To become the first of many 

For out of many, one people, I am 

I am a Jamaican nurse. 

Egla Aikens