COMMUNITY stalwart Dorrell Campbell arrived in England as a Jamaican immigrant more than 55 years ago.

Since then, the 72-year-old has worked tirelessly to support those around her by volunteering, fundraising and befriending some of society’s most vulnerable people.

She is sharing her inspiring story in a bid to encourage kindness and acceptance for all – regardless of background.

The famed1948 Windrush voyage brought to Britain the first wave of Caribbean migrants and with it thousands of people who would go on to change the face of Britain.

Just 11 years later, 17-year-old Dorrell Campbell arrived from Kingston, Jamaica to find a country divided and hostilities brewing.

“There was a lot of racism then and it was hard to even find anywhere to rent if you were a black person.

“Because you were black, they didn’t want you to live in their house or in their street – at my age I didn’t notice it as much but the grown-ups really got it and in those early days, there was a lot of negativity.

“There were a lot of people who came from Jamaica and had been treated well out there but when they got to the UK, it wasn’t so nice for them.”

In their hunt for a better life, Dorrell’s parents – a carpenter and a dressmaker - had arrived in the UK in 1954.

They left Dorrell and her six siblings in the care of their grandmother while they hunted for work in England.

Dorrell was the first of her siblings to join their parents, arriving in the UK as an excited teenager and going on to work tirelessly in a factory for £3.50 a week to raise enough money to bring over her siblings.

“Because I was 17, it seemed like an adventure but I did miss some things about Kingston – I used to love mangos and you couldn’t get them in England at the time.

“I remember the sunshine, having a lot of fun growing up and going to church three times every Sunday”, she reminisced.

Dorrell eventually settled in Darlington where she found a community – much like many others – struggling to accept the changing face of Britain.

The racism she encountered has improved over the years, she says, but still remains an issue.

“There were a few black people growing up here and I made friends as I went along but some people didn’t like black people being in the town.

“There was racism in the town but it was different then because we were being recruited and encouraged to come over and take jobs – now people think it’s too easy to come here.

“They say immigrants are coming to steal jobs and they used to say that years ago but these are the jobs nobody here wants.”

Communities should rally around their newest members and support them, rather than isolate them, according to Dorrell.

“There should be more support for them – we live in the North and we have a reputation for being friendly and loving.

“We should make people feel welcome as you never know what kind of lives they’ve lived.

“I’ve always tried to look after my neighbours and I believe it’s important we all look out for each other, be caring and show a little love and affection.”

Dorrell moved to Darlington in 1966 and has made it her home ever since, playing a valuable role in the local community and acting as a foster carer for numerous children over the years while bringing up a son and two daughters.

Despite being 72 herself, the spritely pensioner still volunteers in the kitchen at Age UK Darlington, where she’s worked for more than 11 years.

She has raised thousands for charity by taking part in the Race for Life every year and does her best to befriend and help those less fortunate than her.

She says: “Darlington is where my heart is – it’s changed over the years and people keep themselves to themselves more but I try to get to know everybody because that’s what makes a happy world and nobody should feel lonely.

“There’s fighting and war all over and we should do what we can to make a better world – no matter how small, people will appreciate what you do.”