Black History Month looks at the achievements, culture, contributions and experiences of Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people in our society.

An exhibition at UHB focuses on the stories of BAME staff is on display at the hospital throughout October.

For more stories like Barry’s below, you can view the exhibition on the Education Centre Balcony, Level 1, QEHB.

Barry Panton, Catering Team Leader and Staff Side Union Representative

Two days a week I help to manage 90 men and women who work in the regeneration kitchens across the hospital. The other three days a week I mainly look at policies and represent staff at disciplinary hearings.

For around 18 years I have worked for the NHS, but to begin with I went to the College of Food to learn how to be a chef and worked in a lot of hotels around the city. But the hours weren’t to my liking.

My mum wanted me to work in the NHS so I applied and started work in a hospital in 1999. I started as a cook, then a year later a job came up to be a supervisor in the kitchen, so I went for the job and got it.

Apart from my mum having an impact on where I should work, I liked the atmosphere, and I wanted to be a part of patient care. I’ve experienced cooking within mental health and now I also deal with any patient complaints, as well creating meal plans for patients. I enjoy the overall patient contact.

I’ve never experienced racism at work myself, although I have been aware of it happening. I can say my voice is heard and I can’t say I’ve ever been looked down upon or spoken to in any way. But if you look at lots of senior positions in the Trust, it does make me feel and question why there isn’t better representation of BAME staff. Some people would say it’s racism but I’d like to think if somebody studies hard to get where they’re going they’d be given those opportunities.

There are enough policies and procedures to tackle a lack of senior BAME representation; we just have to use what’s available. It doesn’t move me as much as to say we’re discriminated against, but there is more potential to be discriminated against if there is not wider more diverse representation. We have to use what’s available to us and I would hope that anyone who experiences racism or discrimination would excavate the root cause for the next person experiencing it to benefit from lessons learned.

We have had members of staff come to Staff Side and say they have experienced racism. I think that when you get to the bottom of it you find that sometimes you have to look within yourself; I always say if there is no explanation for discrimination, that racism has to be looked into - but it shouldn’t be said for the sake of saying it. It actually becomes harder for the person who genuinely experiences racist discrimination.

I think there has been a slight change in attitudes over time; and I think that people are aware that racism and prejudice is still happening. I think that what has helped is that there are a lot more laws and there’s a big Equality Act, and a belief we should just treat people the way we’d want to be treated.

My parents were from Portland, Jamaica. They came over in the early 60s. My dad was working in a factory and my mum was a nurse for over 30 years. I was the last of seven children.

Their intention was always to go back home but for a better life for their family, they stayed and, in deciding to stay they integrated. They made an effort to integrate - and I think that’s the ethos in many other countries. I believe if you move to a new country then you should integrate. My parents were called to Britain after the war in order to help with rebuilding the nation.

I think the Church was part of what helped those emigrating from the Caribbean to integrate, though they faced prejudice as they were seen as noisy as they worship differently, and maybe the Church of England at the time probably found that a bit too boisterous. But at the same time, Caribbean people shared the same Christian morals, and anybody that needed to would go to the church for advice. And a lot of people in the Caribbean community didn’t have a choice about going to church. It was almost a requirement in our families, that was how I was brought up.

The Caribbean community in Birmingham was all about the family: working hard and building a base, building a home. But back then we couldn’t even get a council house and we lived in rooms. If you had family you brought them over and they’d be enrolled as child minders. During some summers I would stay with my aunt; she was strong and you wouldn’t mess with her. In those days even coppers could give you a clip around the ear and nothing would be said if you played up.

Discipline was always strong in our community. It probably wouldn’t stop you getting into trouble sometimes but at the same time the discipline was there and you knew what you would get if the coppers brought you home, or if you were cheeky to any elders, or to your teachers.

Racism in school was something I experienced, I remember one particular lady, she was an elderly lady, I was in junior school and I was playing up. She looked at me and said, “Why don’t you go back to your own country!” I told the head teacher in disbelief but he told me that she wouldn’t have said that, though I heard it clear as day. I do remember that she looked disgusted with herself when she said it. I think that was my first experience of racism.

Apart from that, you just have to carry on. Some things affect you and some don’t. For me, it should be clear so that it’s resolved and dealt with rather just saying that you think something is racism. I think it’s just a matter of people looking within themselves because being racist doesn’t just happen overnight.

If I had experienced blatant racism in the NHS I would have no problem challenging that and saying so, but since there has been a big equality push there are real laws protecting people now.

Prejudice, inequality and racism don’t serve a purpose. If someone is qualified to do a job, they should get the job based on merit and what they’re able to do.

I’m glad to be a part of Black History Month, and to be honest I didn’t expect it. To see it here at UHB, for me, it’s a step in the right direction. Some will be cynical, but I think we need to embrace the fact that it is happening.

My message for Black History Month would be centred on equality. We’re all striving for the same thing. Be more culturally aware and give everyone a chance.