‘THE SECRET IS TO DO EVERYTHING FOR THE RIGHT REASONS’

Floella Benjamin on being an advocate for young people

For those of a certain age, there are few things more evocative of childhood than: ‘Let’s take a look through the round window...’ These words were made famous by the children’s programme Play School, which ran from 1964 until 1988. As one of its longest-serving presenters, Floella Benjamin became one of the most recognisable faces on TV.

Floella, now 71, grew up in Trinidad as one of six children before moving to London with her family at the age of 10. After working in the theatre in her 20s, including roles in Hair (she was one of two cast members not to take their clothes off!) and Jesus Christ Superstar, she moved into children’s TV.

After 12 years on Play School, Floella founded her own production company with her husband, Keith Taylor. She also threw her seemingly boundless energy into campaigning vocally on child welfare. Ten years ago, Floella was made a Liberal Democrats life peer, introduced to the House of Lords as Baroness Benjamin of Beckenham, and earlier this year was awarded a damehood for her contributions to charity. She’s written more than 20 books for children, including a memoir, Coming To England, which is now out in a picture-book edition. She and Keith have been married for 40 years, live in south London and have two children, Aston and Alvina, both in their 30s.

I had a truly idyllic childhood growing up in Trinidad. My father was a bit of an adventurer and lots of fun. He used to take us to the outdoor cinema to see the Hollywood stars on the big screen. Watching Harry Belafonte in things like Island In The Sun undoubtedly influenced me – if he was up there, that meant I could be up there, too. My mum, Marmie, poured love into me and my five brothers and sisters.

Then, when I was eight, my dad decided to come to England and broke up the family. A year later, my

mum followed him. That was a trauma. We were apart for 15 months, and the only thing that got me through it was hearing my mum’s voice in my head telling me she loved me. When you know you have love in your life, you can get through anything.

When I came to England, I was happy to be with my family again, but I realised I was in a hostile environment. It was such a culture shock. Back in Trinidad, we were told we were part of a motherland, that we were wanted. But when we came to England, we realised it wasn’t like that. People used to say to us: ‘What are you doing here? Go back to where you came from.’ We were attacked verbally and physically. It was tough. I wrote my memoir, Coming To England, because my two children would ask me what my childhood was like. I used to tell them stories, and I realised I couldn’t find another book that described the experience of children like me. My book is not just about colour; it’s about being different and trying to find your place in the world. I must admit when I was writing it, I cried. Some of the memories came back, quite awful ones. My memoir is now a picture book, too.

It’s there to teach children about modern history and the Windrush generation. My publisher felt that very young children need to hear this story, too, so they grow up understanding diversity. When I was on Play School, all the imagery on screen was of white kids.

The production team hadn’t noticed until I pointed it out. When that changed, it made a huge difference. There were children out there who’d never seen another child like them on screen before. When I’m writing, Keith locks me in a room and I’m not allowed out until I’ve got to a certain stage! I wrote Coming To England in six weeks, working from 11pm to 4am. Once I’m in the zone, I can do anything; I free fall, I pour out all my feelings and emotions. I write in pencil on paper, then give it to

Showing love and affection to a child is the most important thing you can do

Keith to make sense of! He knows my mind well enough. ‘I’m here today because I love you and I want you to love yourself, too.’

That’s how I start the talks I give in schools. Children often cry when I tell them that, because some haven’t been told that they’re loved. No matter what your background, no matter how much money you have, how many holidays you  go on, if you don’t feel loved, you are starved. Showing love and affection to a child is the most important thing you can do. I really feel blessed that I can do that.

When I got that letter in the brown envelope to say they wanted to honour me with a damehood, I was over the moon. The day itself was absolutely wonderful. Prince Charles was so charming and lovely. I couldn’t stop smiling. I just wished my mum could have been there, but I took my big sister Sandra and we both wore things that belonged to Marmie. I dedicated it to my parents – they were part of the Windrush generation, they worked so hard, and it was tough. But we’ve broken down so many barriers. Keith sometimes tells me off for doing too much. Every day somebody wants a piece of me! Keith regulates me and reminds me to enjoy life. We’re together 24 hours a day, so he knows when I’m feeling down and he comforts me; we do it for each other. I meditate regularly – everything around me disappears, it’s like being in a cocoon – and I talk to myself in the bathroom mirror. Nothing is left inside me, I get it all out. I sleep well at night because I know I’ve tried to be a decent human being.

If someone has misunderstood me, I try to find a way to get back to them to explain. There’s nothing I feel weighs heavy in my heart. The secret is to do everything for the right reasons.

Coming To England (Macmillan Children’s

Books) by Floella

Benjamin and Diane Ewen (illustrator) is out now