Sydna, a woman of quiet resilience, was born in the countryside of Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica, in 1957. Her early years were spent in Kingston, where, like many children, she spent her days playing in the streets and attending school. But her education was cut short at the age of fifteen, when she left school to help support her family. Though she didn’t pursue formal studies, she found work as a skilled artisan, creating intricate items from raffia, a form of embroidery using straw. It was a humble living, yet it provided her with a sense of purpose and connection to her cultural heritage.

In 1960, in her early twenties, Sydna’s life took an unexpected turn. A meeting with a man she had known for years led her to England. “I didn’t really have a plan to come here,” she recalls. “But my younger brother convinced me.” Her brother’s cautionary words about the man’s intentions led Sydna to follow a path that was uncertain yet full of promise. She married soon after arriving in Britain, settling into a new life far from her Jamaican roots.

Her journey in the UK was one of transformation. Sydna adapted to a world that was both foreign and exciting. Her early years here were marked by social outings and a vibrant social life. “My husband was a party goer,” she says with a knowing smile. “We went partying most of the time.” Weekends would see the couple travelling to Gloucester or Bristol, where they danced and celebrated with friends. But these carefree days didn’t last long. The arrival of their five children, three girls and two boys ushered in a new chapter, one that required her full attention and care.

The absence of family support in those early years made motherhood a challenging but rewarding task. “There were no grandparents, no babysitters,” Sydna remembers. “You had to look after your children yourself.” In contrast to today, where extended family can often lend a helping hand, Sydna had to navigate the complexities of raising children without the familiar support networks she had known in Jamaica.