Patrick Vernon: A Star in the Activist World

Written By Georgia Cunnison

Wolverhampton-born Patrick Vernon is a well-known figure in the world of activism. Alongside the range of aspects he partook in and started, he is mostly well known for being the first to call “Windrush Day” as a national celebration. In honour of Windrush, we could not let the time pass without looking at the trail-blazing achievements of the one that first started its commemoration.

Origin Story into Activism

In the early 1980s, Patrick left Wolverhampton to study law at Manchester Metropolitan University. This is when his journey into the activist world truly began.

He lived in a very multicultural area during university, in a large estate of council flats. His first taste of activism and campaigning was during this time, when he was student representative for a committee, representing other students on crucial issues. The times was thought of as a “hotbed of activism”, as there was a large mass of rallies and student sit-ins in Manchester.

Patrick’s first campaign was inspired by his support for Viraj Mendis, a Sri Lankan activist who came under threat of deportation. He and three others came to Manchester Arndale, a popular shopping centre in the city, with placards saying “stop the deportation laws. This event is thought of as where his work truly began.

windrush day

Patrick has been a campaign leader for Windrush since 2010, launching a petition in 2013. In 2018, the year that the Windrush Scandal was heightened, his series of campaigns led to calling “Windrush Day” as a yearly, national commemoration. 

"The Windrush is black history and it is British History, the story of how our society came to look as it does today and why we all have a stake in it. It is something that all of our children should learn about at school and something that all of us can celebrate."

This was given official backing by the government - with the additional support of a grant - shortly after, announcing that 22nd June would be the day each year that we would acknowledge the contributions of the Windrush generation towards British Society.

100 Great black britons

In 2002, BBC launched a search for 100 Greatest Britons for a television series. However, Patrick found that there were no Black Britons in the published listing. In response to this absence, Patrick created a campaign in collaboration with Every Generation named 100 Great Black Britons. 

"Black history hasn't been recognised. We didn't come here at Windrush in 1948 – we've been here for a thousand years. We've influenced and shaped Britain."

Following the launch of the poll, the outcome was announced that Mary Seacole was voted the Greatest Black Briton. The original poll was relaunched in 2020, in an updated version based on a public vote, combined with a book of the same title. The list was not ranked, but featured stars such as Akala, Diane Abbott, Malorie Blackman OBE & Idris Elba.

Despite being self-funded and ran by 3 people, 100 Great Black Britons was reported as a landmark moment, being one of the most successful movements that prioritises the marks that African and Caribbean- descent individuals have made in British history, making sure that it is eternally recognised.

work in healthcare

Patrick has over 20 years of senior experience in the health sector, and is recognised as a highly commended health activist as he continually puts in work to advocate for the healthcare - both mental and physical - of ethnic minority communities.

He is a member or former member of a variety of health organisations, taking on roles such as:

  • Manager - Citizens Advice Bureau

  • Civil servant - Department of Health and Local Government Association.

  • Director - Brent Health Action Zone (Brent Primary Care Trust)

  • Regional Director - MIND: a mental health charity that provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem

  • Patron - ACCI: a long established black mental health charity

  • Patron - Sante: a social enterprise in Camden which supports and befriends refugees and asylum seekers across London

  • Associate Member - Department of History of Medicine at Warwick University

  • Advisory Board Member - Tim to Change: Mental Health Campaign

In 2012, Patrick received an OBE for his work in the tackling of health inequalities and ethnic minority communities.

a charmed life

Patrick is also a filmmaker, mostly known for his director and producer work on A Charmed Life. Premiered in 2009, it is a documentary about the contributions that the Caribbean made in the UK during World War 2. It mainly surrounds Eddie Martin Noble, A Jamaican-born ex- RAF, and explores his experiences during the war and the harsh realities that he faced as a black man living in Britain during the 1950s. 

"One of the key messages I hope the film can get across is that people such as Noble are our true role models, rather than footballers, hip-hop stars, politicians or minor celebrities."

The film was thought to be a real catalyst for the Windrush Day Campaign.

From filmmaking to healthcare to campaigning, Patrick Vernon has truly done it all to make sure that Black British citizens are always appreciated in today’s society, and that their history will be in the forefront. He is an activist that will surely go down in history.

Patrick featured on BRITISH VOGUE: The 20 Remarkable Activists

Georgia Cunnison
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