Floella Benjamin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable The Baroness Benjamin OM DBE DL
Official portrait, 2023
Member of the House of Lords
Lord Temporal
Assumed office 26 June 2010 as a life peer
Personal details
Born	Floella Karen Yunies Benjamin (1949-09-23) 23 September 1949 (age 76) Pointe-à-Pierre, Trinidad and Tobago
Political party	Liberal Democrats
Spouse	Keith Taylor ​ (m. 1980)​
Children	2

Floella Karen Yunies Benjamin, Baroness Benjamin (born 23 September 1949), is a famous Trinidadian-British actress, singer, presenter, author, and politician. Many people know her from popular children's TV shows like Play School and Play Away. She has dedicated her life to helping children and making a positive difference. In 2010, she became a member of the House of Lords, which is part of the UK Parliament. In 2024, she received the BAFTA Fellowship award for her amazing work in television.

Who is Floella Benjamin?

Floella Benjamin was born in Pointe-à-Pierre, Trinidad and Tobago, on 23 September 1949. She grew up with five siblings. When her parents moved to Britain, Floella and her older sister stayed behind for a while with family friends. In 1960, she joined her father in Beckenham, Kent, in the UK. Moving to a new country brought some challenges, and Floella has shared her experiences of adapting to life in Britain.

After leaving school, she worked in a bank and studied for her A-Levels in the evenings. She then became a stage actress in famous West End musicals. In 1976, she started presenting children's television programmes, becoming a well-loved face on shows like Play School for the BBC.

A Star on Screen and Stage

Floella Benjamin has had a long and successful career in entertainment. She performed in many popular musicals, including Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar. She also appeared in several pantomimes, which are fun, musical plays often performed around Christmas.

Acting in Films and TV Series

On screen, Floella acted in the 1977 film Black Joy. She also appeared in many television shows, such as Angels and Dixon of Dock Green. From 2007 to 2011, she guest-starred in The Sarah Jane Adventures, a spin-off from Doctor Who, playing Professor Rivers. She also narrated documentaries about Doctor Who. In 2007, she had a small role in the British comedy Run Fatboy Run.

Floella also loves to sing. She says that singing makes her feel truly happy. In 2023, she was part of the New Year's Eve fireworks display in London, where she recited a poem to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Empire Windrush arrival.

Author and Storyteller

Floella Benjamin is also a talented author. Her 20th book, a memoir called Coming to England, was published in 1997. This book tells the story of her journey from Trinidad to England. It is now used in schools to teach young people about modern history. In 2005, the book was even made into a television film by CBBC.

She has written many other books, including Floella's Fun Book, Why the Agouti Has No Tail, and Snotty and the Rod of Power. Many of her books are written especially for children and focus on their development and learning.

Awards, Honours, and Public Service

Floella Benjamin has received many awards and important roles for her contributions to society.

A statue of Floella Benjamin outside the University of Exeter's students' guild.

In 2001, she was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her work in broadcasting. At that time, she was the chairperson of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). She also won a special Lifetime Achievement award from BAFTA.

She served as the Chancellor of the University of Exeter for ten years, from 2006 to 2016. During graduation ceremonies, she was known for giving graduates hugs instead of just shaking their hands! A statue of Floella Benjamin stands outside the University's student guild. This was the first public statue in the UK of a named living black woman. The plaque on the statue shares her important messages:

• Consideration: Put yourself in others' shoes and show empathy and respect. Never judge.
• Contentment: Don't be jealous, but be happy with what you have. This helps you be open to good things.
• Confidence: Be a good person, feel worthy, and like who you are. Give and love freely, and more will come back to you.

Becoming a Baroness

In 2010, Floella Benjamin was made a life peer and became Baroness Benjamin. This means she became a member of the House of Lords, which is part of the UK Parliament. She was the first actress to become a peer in the House of Lords. In her first speech there, she spoke about the importance of childhood and protecting children. She mentioned her support for charities like NSPCC, Childline, and Barnardo's, which help vulnerable children.

In 2020, she was named a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her charity work. She received this honour from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace. In 2022, she became a member of the Order of Merit, a very special honour given by the monarch.

Championing Children's Causes

She was chosen to carry the Sceptre with Dove at the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla in 2023. In 2024, she received the BAFTA Fellowship award. BAFTA praised her for her "tireless support of children and young people, her impact on television broadcasting, and for her unwavering championing of diversity." They called her "an unstoppable force for good" and a "national treasure."

Floella Benjamin's Work in Education and Charity

Floella Benjamin is deeply committed to education and helping others.

Floella Benjamin in 2007.

She has been involved in commissions looking into primary education in the UK.

Supporting Important Charities

Floella is a vice-president for charities like NCH Action for Children and Barnardo's. She is also in the NSPCC's Hall of Fame. She often runs the London Marathon to raise money for Barnardo's and the Sickle Cell Society, which helps people with sickle cell disease. She was a cultural ambassador for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. She also features as the voice of Mama Mirabelle in the CBeebies animation Mama Mirabelle's Home Movies.

Advocating for Children's Safety Online

Floella has spoken out about the importance of good quality children's television. She has also warned about the dangers of harmful content online and how important it is to protect children from it. She believes in creating a safe online world for young people.

She is a patron for the charity Beating Bowel Cancer, supporting their work in memory of her mother.

In June 2022, as the chair of the Windrush Commemoration Committee, she unveiled the National Windrush Monument at Waterloo Station. This statue celebrates the contributions of the Windrush generation to the UK.

Floella Benjamin's Film and TV Roles

Here are some of the films and television shows Floella Benjamin has appeared in.

Film Appearances

Television Appearances

See also

In Spanish: Floella Benjamin para niños