Black History Month: celebrating Black Britons now and in the past

Photo: Mary Seacole, who helped the sick and wounded during the Crimean War, and arguably the first nurse practitioner.

October is Black History Month, a time when we focus on and celebrate the current and past achievements of Black Britons. It is also a time when we look forwards, towards achieving a more equal and inclusive future for all.

Many great Black Britons, who made an indelible mark on the history of Britain, have only relatively recently come to wider public attention. Figures such as Mary Seacole, who helped the sick and wounded during the Crimean War, and arguably the first nurse practitioner, was almost forgotten for a century after her death in 1881. Her achievements have now been rediscovered and in 2016 a statue was erected in her honour outside of St Thomas’s Hospital in London.

Her compassion and determination to help the needy, is on a par with our own founder, Andrew Provan, who set up the Ragged School in Victorian London. His legacy lives on in our work today. Field Lane’s mission is to enable our clients – adults with learning disabilities and vulnerable families – to lead fulfilling lives within their communities. We firmly believe in equal opportunities for all. No matter the colour of skin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, country of origin, ethnicity, age or social background. Every person should have the opportunity to belong, contribute and thrive within our communities without fear or discrimination.