Our Story
Our Community. Our Voice. Our Future
Montserrat Connection CIC was inspired by the lasting impact of the 1995 volcanic activity in Montserrat, which displaced families and reshaped generations of our community. Many people relocated to the United Kingdom for refuge. We want to reconnect people across London and the South East, particularly older people and young people, by creating spaces for wellbeing, shared experiences, cultural connection and leadership development. Our aim is to ensure that the experiences and knowledge of older generations are valued while empowering young people to shape the future.
About the Founder: KEIMA ALLEN
Born in Montserrat. Rooted in resilience. Building for the diaspora. 🇲🇸
I was born on the beautiful island of Montserrat. In 1995, my life changed forever when the Soufrière Hills volcano erupted.
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I still remember standing on the road near Fairfield, where I lived on the southern side of the island. My grandfather came driving down in his 1075 truck, shaking and frightened. It was the first time I had ever seen him like that. He kept shouting:
“There’s something in the mountains! There’s something in the mountains!”
My grandfather was the one who alerted the authorities. He ran to his pub (rum shop) and called Radio Montserrat. Members of the authorities came to speak with him and tried to make their way up to his farmland in the mountains, but they had to turn back as the rumbling grew louder.
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That night, we were told we had to evacuate.
We were allowed one small bag each — just toiletries, medication and a few clothes. We left everything else behind. We never got the chance to go back.
We moved into a shelter. It was sudden, traumatic and uncertain.
About a year later, my grandfather made the decision to bring us to the UK. He went to the bank, withdrew what he had, and put me, my sister, my mum and my brother on a flight to London.
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We settled in the London Borough of Haringey. The home we moved into was damp, leaking and in poor condition. My mum was heartbroken.
It was my mum who contacted the BBC and the Evening Standard to tell our story. Our situation was heard, and eventually, the local authorities began to support the Montserrat community with proper housing.
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That was 30 years ago.
And to this day, there has never been a proper needs assessment for our community — until now.
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The Montserrat Diaspora Needs Assessment Survey
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That’s why I founded Montserrat Connection CIC.
Our mission is to identify the needs of the Montserrat diaspora and work together to find solutions. We connect people to funding, practical support and opportunities so that we can rebuild, preserve our culture and move forward — together.
This work is personal. It comes from lived experience, from community, and from a deep belief that our people deserve to be heard and supported.
Preserving our culture. Preserving our heritage. Involving our children.
Our Community. Our Voice. Our Future.🇲🇸
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