Born in England, she is mixed white and Black Caribbean. Her maternal grandparents are Irish, while her paternal grandparents came from St Kitts.
As she has grown older, Mel says she has enjoyed learning more about her family’s heritage and embracing it through music, food and time together.
“It’s quite difficult being mixed heritage but also the most beautiful thing in the world,” Mel explains. “I love to learn new things about my culture and embrace my family background.”
She fondly remembers family gatherings as big occasions, with relatives coming together from across the community.
Her grandad was well known in Nottingham’s Caribbean community, where he ran a social club and was affectionately called ‘Sheriff Woody.’ Although he has since passed away, the club still holds a celebration for St Kitts and Nevis Independence Day each September in his memory.
Mel’s grandmother was another important influence. She remembers her as a strong woman who raised her family with love.
Mel also grew up hearing from her dad and his siblings about the bullying they experienced. Those conversations helped her understand challenges she might face herself and gave her the confidence to speak up.
She expresses her wish that more people better understood how varied Caribbean cultures and identities are.
“When I tell people about my background, they often assume my family is from Jamaica,” she says. “However, I hope people will feel comfortable being curious and asking, rather than making assumptions.”
That belief matters to Mel in her work at Partou Best Friends, where each day she meets children, families and team members with many different experiences.
“We need to be open to asking questions and learning so that we can support everyone in the best way possible,” she adds.
Growing up, Mel rarely saw Black teachers, tutors or managers. She has also experienced discrimination and remembers times when she wished she had someone to talk to who understood.
Now, as Nursery Manager at Partou Best Friends, she is keen to be someone children and team members feel able to turn to.
“I want to be a role model and to show others they can do anything they put their mind to,” Mel says. “It’s about hard work, not where you come from.”
Black History Month is held every October to celebrate the history, achievements, and contributions of Black people of African and Caribbean descent.
Laura Clay, Partou Regional Childcare Director, says the Partou family are proud of Mel for talking so freely about her experiences.
“Mel is inspirational to us all,” Laura comments. “For her, seeing people from different backgrounds in leadership matters. She wants children to see themselves reflected in the people around them and to feel that their ambitions are possible.”
Laura adds: “We are proud that Mel has chosen Black History Month to share her story and hope it will encourage more people to keep learning about others and celebrate differences throughout the year.”
Located in Parr Bridge Retail Park, Partou Best Friends is a purpose-built nursery in Tyldesley welcoming children from birth to five-years-old into bright, well-resourced spaces designed to support every stage of early years development.
