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NEC Black History Month Webinar- Surviving the Windrush Scandal (Presented by Glenda Caesar)
Glenda Ceasor is a survivor of the Windrush Scandal and the ‘hostile environment’ that was created by the government to target undocumented illegal immigrants, but which lead to grave injustices against children of those that came here legally, as part of the Windrush generation.
Glenda gave a moving account about how her life was destroyed when she found out that she had no documents to prove a right to remain in this country, even though she was brought to the UK by her parents, when she was 6 years old and has worked here and paid taxes, all her adult life.
Glenda also spoke about her long fight for compensation for her and others.
To view the video please email the circuit administrator admin@northeasterncircuit.co.uk for the password.
Biography of Glenda Caesar
Glenda Caesar is a Windrush Survivor/Campaigner/activist. She was born in the Caribbean Island of Dominica and came to the UK age three months with her mother and aunt to meet her father, whom had travelled earlier to seek work and acquire accommodations for his wife and family. Glenda is a single mother of four adult children, all born in the UK, her youngest being born in 1988 whom was also refused his rights as a UK citizen. She has worked in NHS Administration for over 20 years when her career was abruptly ended by the Windrush scandal in November 2009. Her immigration problems first started in 1998 when Glenda was unable to obtain a British passport when her mother fell sick whilst on holiday in Dominica.
Unfortunately, she was unable to see her mother as she passed away so Glenda did not pursue her application as she was still in employment without any restrictions.
In 2009 she took on a part time position as a GP Practice Administrator and was faced with restrictions and questions regarding her legal right to work and live in the UK, she was put under immense pressure from the new manager who was not happy that she did not have a UK passport that he decided to terminate her on the grounds of ‘Gross misconduct’ of not having legal rights to work or live in the country.
She became a victim of the British government’s ‘hostile environment’. Unable to work or claim benefits for the following 10 years, she was forced to rely on her children for support.
Her story came to light in 2017 when Amelia Gentleman had broken the news in the Guardian. She has since been compensated but continues to fight relentlessly for changes within the scheme to ensure other victims are compensated in the correct manner and fairly.
She is a prominent member of the Windrush community doing advocacy work, and speaks regularly both in the media and at community events. She has been successful in assisting claimants with completing compensation forms, regulating their status and reviews. She was able to challenge the scheme for ‘Close Family Members’ and played a part in the change in policy of ’Living Cost’ which ensured that family member who assisted ‘primary claimants’ financially were able to be financially reimbursed via the scheme. This was partly by having regular bi monthly meetings with senior members of the compensation team as a stakeholder to discuss issues and complex cases.
Glenda has said that she will continue campaigning, scrutinising the scheme and helping others by being the voice of the victims who feel unable to come forward.