Today we are spotlighting Pearl Green, Personal Assistant and Team Manager. Pearl received not one, but two nominations. Pearl was first nominated by Leona Tasab who said:
“Pearl is an exceptional person. We have worked closely together for five years and during this whole time she has epitomised our Trust Values. She is extremely knowledgeable and hard working, super reliable and incredibly supportive. Whenever we have someone leave or retire from our service, she spends hours (much of it in her own time) to produce a leaving presentation, recognising the contribution that the leaver has made. She is an absolute credit to our Trust.”
Her second nomination came from Jacky Webb, Dementia and Frailty Services Matron at our Juniper Centre. Jacky said:
“Pearl is a hard-working professional team player who lives the Trust Values: she is caring and compassionate to all, inclusive – making sure all feel welcome and part of the team, and very committed to providing an excellent standard of work. She is a great role model to her team and extremely knowledgeable.
She is always willing to help when I need any techy support and is so patient with my lack of IT knowledge! Pearl often works in her own time to produce wonderful film presentations for colleagues who might be retiring or leaving to make their day memorable. I have been a lucky recipient of this. She has provided me with beautiful memories that I can cherish. We would all be lost without her support and friendship. We always say, everyone needs a Pearl!”
Pearl said:
“I’m pleased to be nominated for this year’s Black History Month. I was asked to share some favourite things about my heritage and thought I’d share a bit of what it was like growing up in a Caribbean household.
My parents were from Jamaica and came to England in early 1955. Growing up they told many a story about life when they arrived in England and the challenges they faced of not being accepted. My sisters and I were taught to be proud of who we are and proud of where we have come from. My mom was a great cook, and we grew up on Caribbean food. Family friends would come round and say, “Miss Green a suh yuh pot smell nice”, which means “whatever food my mom was cooking smells nice.” (There was always more than enough!) and who could forget the traditional Saturday afternoon soup and the rice and peas and chicken on Sunday! I often do the traditional Sunday dinner where we sit round the dinner table and I share stories, with my two children, of their grandparent’s life in Jamaica and the UK and also tell them about some of the old Jamaican sayings.
I love our culture, our music – I love reggae, R’n’B and Soca, the food – my favourites are rice and peas with curried goat or mutton, plantain, fried dumplings and salt fish fritters – yum.
Growing up, August bank holidays were so memorable as one of my dad’s cousins would arrange a day trip, somewhere in the UK, for family and friends – our annual outing, it’s where we met most of our relatives would ‘run’ (tell) jokes of growing up in Jamaica – lots of laughter. There was music and singing on the coach, enough food to go around, and the day trip would be followed by a dance into the early hours where you could “shake yuh foot to a likkle tune” which means ‘dancing to the music.’ Great times, great food, great music and great memories.
Black History Month is a testament of how far we have come from those days of the daily struggles and yes, there are still struggles, but if my parents were here today, they would be somewhat pleased to see the progress, and that Black History is being celebrated, celebrating our heritage and, at last, recognising Black pioneers for what they have accomplished.
I work as an Admin Lead/PA at the Juniper Centre and all the values my parents instilled in me growing up, I apply to my role when I’m with staff, colleagues and friends. I am PROUD TO BE BLACK.”
Published: 25 October 2023
