Patrick Vernon

Across generations, the UK Jamaican diaspora has played a powerful role in supporting Jamaica through both moments of crisis and long-term development. From providing humanitarian relief after natural disasters to contributing expertise, resources, and financial support, diaspora communities across the UK have consistently mobilised to support Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.

Following events such as Hurricane Melissa and other climate-related challenges affecting the region, UK-based individuals, churches, charities, community organisations, businesses, and professional networks have stepped forward to offer help. These efforts often include fundraising, sending supplies, sharing professional expertise, and supporting recovery initiatives on the ground. While these contributions have been significant, much of this work remains informal, undocumented, and under-recognised.

Despite the scale and impact of diaspora engagement, there is currently no coordinated system to measure or document these contributions. Without credible data and evidence, the full value of diaspora support risks being overlooked in national development planning, international advocacy, and funding discussions. This lack of documentation means that the diaspora’s role in Jamaica’s development story is often underestimated, even though its impact is deeply felt across communities.

To help address this gap, the UK representatives of the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council (GJDC) are launching a national survey over the next six weeks to better understand and document the contributions of the UK Jamaican diaspora. The survey aims to capture the wide range of ways in which diaspora communities support Jamaica, whether through financial support, humanitarian assistance, professional expertise, community partnerships, or other forms of engagement.

As part of this initiative, individuals, organisations, churches, charities, businesses, and professional networks across the UK are invited to register their interest in participating in the survey. Interested participants can complete a short online interest form that takes less than one minute to fill out.

This initiative is being undertaken with the support of Marcus Humphrey, UK North Representative; Abigail Brady Rhoden, UK South Youth Council Representative; and Nathaniel Peat, Co-Founder of Jamaicans Inspired. Together, they are working to strengthen diaspora engagement, build better evidence around diaspora contributions, and support stronger partnerships between diaspora communities and Jamaica’s national development efforts.

By participating in this survey, members of the diaspora will help ensure that their contributions are recognised, documented, and better integrated into Jamaica’s future development priorities. The data gathered will also help highlight the scale of diaspora impact and support stronger advocacy for diaspora-led initiatives.

Members of the community are encouraged to take part in the survey and share this invitation widely within their networks, helping ensure that as many voices and contributions as possible are represented.

If you would like to participate, you can register your interest using the link below:

Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XNKG63Q

For further information or enquiries, please contact: gjdc@patrickvernon.org.uk

This initiative is led by Professor Patrick Vernon OBE, UK South Representative of the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council (GJDC), and represents an important step toward recognising and strengthening the impact of the UK Jamaican diaspora.