OUR WORK
The West India Committee (WIC) remains the only Royal Charter institution that is a UK registered charity specialising in the Caribbean and its people and is the oldest body representative of the Commonwealth. The charity has attained recognition as public diplomats, focusing on its central mission of improving the general welfare of the peoples of the Caribbean and the societies in which they live and work. WIC’s UNESCO Memory of the World archive and library collection on the Caribbean spans five centuries and includes books, manuscripts, maps, photographs and artefacts, making it one of the leading collections in the world. Using this unique material the charity has been able to share a comprehensive history of and new insights into the Caribbean with both the public and fellow charities, thereby enhancing the understanding and appreciation of the region and its people. WIC has completed multiple heritage projects to date, and in each instance education, training and employment have been generated in the UK. WIC has also completed extensive work for the British Overseas Territory of Anguilla, after the island was devastated by Hurricane Irma in 2017, which destroyed almost all of its key infrastructure and severely damaged 90% of homes. Furthermore, WIC represented Anguilla’s interests in relation to ‘Brexit,’ on which the charity remained politically neutral. The best way to remain up to date on our current work and activities is to view our dedicated Twitter page. Highlights of our work today can be found here.
Testimonials
“Whilst working at WIC I was entrusted with early responsibility, which gave me the confidence to tackle the tasks given to me, with enthusiasm and interest. I was given some of the most exciting work to date including drafting and presenting my comments on a UK government White Paper and considering how UK legislation could be adopted overseas. My time at WIC gave me exposure to the work of charities and the interaction between various institutions and organisations both in the UK and abroad. Due to the efforts of the Chief Executive, much needed training and guidance I have acquired a wealth of transferable knowledge, presentation skills and made meaningful contacts. I now work at a top international Law firm and I am about to start my training contract. My experience at WIC was life changing to say the least and as a proud member of WIC I continue to be involved with their work and I hope to have a lasting presence at the Charity.” Jamie Tavares, London, 2014.
“I’d like to begin this testimonial to The West India Committee by stating how much The West India Committee has assisted me in pushing me to be where I am today, which would otherwise be extremely difficult. Being of a black and minority ethnic group does not come without its challenges, even more so when joining The Metropolitan Police as a young and new police constable in what is one of the most challenging jobs in the world. The support and kindness that The West India Committee has shown towards me is truly heart-warming, and something that I will remember for the rest of my life. The West India Committee aided in funding the costs of my Certificate in Knowledge of Policing course, which has given me an incredible knowledge and confidence boost in myself as well as my skills in policing, prior to attending police training at Hendon Police College. I am extremely grateful and thank The West India Committee for the support, guidance and general friendliness that they have given to and shown me, and will be forever grateful to them for giving me the kick start I needed to join one of, if not the, best job in the world.” Ibrahim, London, 2016. Ibrahim is a graduate of WIC’s Metropolitan Police bursary scheme.
"In September 2013 I was awarded the West India Committee Scholarship and I am currently pursuing M.Sc. International Planning and Development at Cardiff University. Former President of the Student Union (Guild of Students) at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus in Jamaica and currently the Caribbean and Canada Regional Representative for the Commonwealth Students’ Association (CSA) the West India Committee supported me when I came to London. The West India Committee supported me with accommodation, helped me pursue my education endeavours and assisted me to secure gainful employment, without WIC I would not be where I am today.” Daniel Wilson, Cardiff/London, 2013
“A big thanks to West India Committee for the financial support. It was such a peace of mind knowing that there such a great support from the committee. It's not just financial but I feel like ethnic minorities like myself are not being overlooked. You guys are really doing great job.” Sunjiv, London, 2016. Sunjiv is a graduate of WIC’s Metropolitan Police bursary scheme.
"The library and archive held by the West India Committee was of monumental help to me whilst writing my Undergraduate dissertation at the University of Leeds. The breadth and depth of sources on Jamaica and Barbados in the nineteenth century aided me in constructing a thorough study into the lives of enslaved women in the British Colonies. I would like to thank David and Blondel for their help, and look forward to continuing to support the West India Committee through my membership." Alice Howey, Leeds, 2019. Alice was an undergraduate student at the University of Leeds when visiting WIC to conduct research for her dissertation. Alice achieved a mark of 80% for the dissertation and recently graduated with a First-Class Honours degree.
"The West India Committee (WIC) represents a continued tradition of regional stewardship and philanthropy, currently manifested in it's heritage and development projects. It was a pleasure to have been involved with WIC from the beginning of the charity's commission for the Government of Anguilla, and to have served as part of the London based response to Hurricane Irma. With a broad remit, the organisation provides its members with consistent opportunities for professional enrichment, and under Mrs Cluff's dynamic leadership, ensures that WIC remains relevant to the cultural development of the Caribbean and it's varied UK Diasporas." Barnabas Kinge, Bedfordshire, 2018.
"From the very first day at WIC I was given a creative freedom and access to opportunities that is extremely rare in the majority of organisations. This allowed me to greatly accelerate the growth in my abilities and confidence; especially when briefing and discussing project design and implementation with Senior Officials and Heads of Government. Whether it was meetings at the Foreign Office, Houses of Parliament or Google HQ (to name a few) Mrs Cluff encouraged us to attend and participate fully. Whilst employed at WIC, Mrs Cluff also arranged employment experience for me at Dods (information providers and trainers of the UK Parliament since 1832) and worked hard to prise the very best out of myself. Working tirelessly for the benefit of WIC and the growth of her employees. Mrs Cluff is someone I greatly admire and if it were not for her belief and confidence in my abilities to provide such significant opportunities for me so relatively early in my career then I would not have the experience or portfolio I have to date. I owe much to WIC and as a lifetime Fellow of WIC I will continue to assist the organisation whenever I can. In September I will be undertaking my Masters at Leiden University in Crisis and Security Management, supported by a bursary from WIC." Jason Williams-Quarry, London, 2014
“The support of the West India Committee allowed me to write my Masters on the water security of an Overseas Territory. Through the auspices of the charity my work is now in the hands of the Government of the Overseas Territory. I was also presented with the 1st WIC graduate prize at my King’s College London graduation ceremony.” Sabina Bridge, London, 2012
“Following my time at university and a posthumous year off I was presented the unique opportunity of working as an Economic Advisor to the Government of Anguilla London Office and as an Envoy for the West India Committee. The opportunities that I was presented with were highly engaging and widespread including working with various stakeholders including Charitable Foundations, Select Committees, Downing Street, Embassies and the European Commission. In this short testimony I cannot do full justice to the number and breadth of opportunities that were presented to me at WIC, however two particularly stand out. Submitting evidence to the International Development Select Committee on alternative definitions for aid eligibility for Small Island Developing States. Certain sections of this evidence were referenced by the committee members themselves and it remains one of my proudest achievements to date, cementing a lifelong passion for international development. Another truly unique and brilliant opportunity that was presented to me was to speak about the Race Disparity Audit at Number Ten Downing Street to the Prime Minister’s Special Advisors.Inspired by this work on race disparity at WIC I have now gone on to become the Operations Manager at the Conservative Drug Policy Reform Group. This group is dedicated to a comprehensive evidence-based review of UK Drug Laws, an area which remains particularly pertinent and de facto discriminatory towards the Afro Caribbean community in the UK. With responsibility over many areas of the organization from its founding, this is a job I would not have been able to successfully undertake without a pragmatic understanding of how an organization dedicated to change operates and is another skillset I acquired through my experience with WIC. I cannot thank Blondel, Charlie and the team enough for the mentorship, training and opportunities that were presented to me at WIC and I hope to see WIC continue to punch far above its weight in the good it delivers its employees, society at large and the people of Anguilla.” Frederick Blunt, London, 2019.
"My role at the West India Committee as a graduate provided me with invaluable diplomatic experience and exposure to important pertinent matters at home and across the globe. From hurricane response briefings to charity sports partnerships and Select Committee hearings to Brussels Brexit negotiations; the hands-on, fast-moving and varied nature of the work is hugely rewarding. Mrs Cluff's "deep-end" approach prepares the young members of the WIC team with the confidence and skills to excel in whichever career they go on to pursue. Like many other former trainees, I was supported to return to University in order to study a postgraduate law conversion and I am currently en route to becoming an English solicitor." Nicholas Opfermann, London, 2019.
"WIC, with its values of promoting agriculture, manufacturing industries and trade allowed me to actively experience solving a real life problem. The work I produced is now being looked over by the government of the Overseas Territory in question where my recommendations are being considered. As an engineering undergraduate this experience was invaluable and improved my employability prospects." Derek Weltevrenden, London, 2012