Miss Corkery’s Family Story

As part of our work towards the School of Sanctuary Award , we want to share some personal stories from our staff about migration. These stories, while not about asylum seekers or refugees, offer insight into what it’s like to start a new life in a different country.

My family’s journey to Birmingham is a story of hard work, resilience, and the pursuit of a better life. Like many families, we’ve experienced big moves and faced challenges along the way.

It all began in Ireland, where both of my parents were born. My dad was one of seven children raised by a Headteacher Grandad and Granny, while my mum was the eldest of three, raised by my Granny, a housewife, and my Grandad, a sales representative.
My dad graduated from Medical School in Cork 66 years ago, and my mum worked as a medical secretary at the General Hospital in Cork. They were married in 1964, and my brother was born soon after. In search of better career opportunities, my parents decided to leave Ireland and moved to London, where my oldest sister was born.

Life in London wasn’t easy. Dad worked long hours, and my mum, alone in a new city, faced hostility from some of their neighbours, as Irish immigrants weren’t always welcomed. Despite the difficulties, they persevered.

From London, they moved to Sheffield, where my next sister was born. But when a big opportunity came to move to Canada, my parents didn’t hesitate. They crossed the ocean, seeking a brighter future for their growing family. It was in Canada that my next eldest sister was born.

Eventually, my parents returned to the UK, settling in Birmingham, where my dad became one of only six Paediatric Surgeons in the country at the time. Today, there are often that many in a single hospital! Birmingham became home, and it’s where I was born—the youngest of five siblings.

My dad’s dedication to his work went beyond the hospital. He built connections with doctors from around the world, often welcoming them into our home, where my mum would cook for up to 15 people at a time! My mum was a tireless homemaker, caring for all of us and later working as a secretary at a multi-faith centre.

My parents instilled a strong work ethic in us, showing us the value of family, teamwork, and perseverance. Even in difficult times, they supported each other and ensured we had a loving home. At one point, all five siblings followed in their footsteps of dedication and service, becoming teachers in Birmingham—a testament to the values they passed on to us.
When my mum fell ill last year, we returned the care she had always given us, looking after her in her final days. Her passing taught me more about living than I ever imagined. Watching my dad grow older is bittersweet, but it reminds me daily of the importance of family and how blessed we are.

My family’s story is one of migration, determination, and love—a testament to how hard work and hope can create a brighter future.

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Mrs Canning’s Migration Story.

I was born and raised in Dundalk, Co. Louth, sharing a secondary school with the Corrs, interviewing Steve Staunton for my school magazine and even managing to achieve fifteen minutes of fame next to Dustin the Turkey on Den TV.

After completing my degree in University College Dublin, I was offered a place on a teacher training course in Ireland, specialising in English; I was also offered a teaching position in Dubai. But no, the bright lights of Birmingham were calling and in September 2008 I moved to Bartley Green. My plan was simple: train to be a teacher, finish the course in a year, and then head back home. Just one year, I told myself. Easy, right? Well, it turns out the universe had other plans. That one year turned into something much bigger, thanks to a city I never expected to fall for: Birmingham.

Let me start with my first impressions. I arrived ready to dive into my studies but completely unprepared for the Brummie accent. "Yow alright?" threw me off entirely. Was it a question? A statement? A secret code? As much as I tried to embrace this new adventure, there were things I deeply missed: my family and friends, of course, but if I’m honest my deeper yearning was for Tayto crisps, Club Orange, and, of course, a proper portion of curry chips. No amount of hunting could replace those little comforts of home so I resorted to smuggling Lyon’s tea back after every trip to Ireland. The curry chip in my pocket did not fare so well!
But as I settled in, something clicked. People from every corner of the world living, working, and celebrating together. It was like a living tapestry of cultures, and I was hooked.

What made it even more special was knowing that my family’s roots were intertwined with Birmingham’s story. My parents had moved here in the 1970s, looking for work and a better life. My two older sisters were born here, adding to the family legacy. After seven years, they returned to Ireland, but the connection to Birmingham never really faded. Even my brother came back here years later for work. So, in a way, I wasn’t just starting a new chapter—I was continuing a family tradition.
Training to be a teacher was no walk in the park. There were moments of self-doubt, cultural adjustments (little break, copybooks and principal, for instance), and the occasional day where I questioned if I’d made the right choice. Teaching phonics was particularly challenging. As an Irish person who struggled with ‘th’ words, it felt almost cruel to teach children how to pronounce “think” when I couldn’t get it right myself! I’d break out in a cold sweat every time a school trip to the Thinktank was mentioned—the irony wasn’t lost on me. Through it all, the resilience my family instilled in me kept me going. Hard work, commitment, and service to the community weren’t just words; they were a way of life.
Birmingham’s people made it easy to stay. I found friendships that felt like family and communities that welcomed me with open arms; the staff at St. Bernadette's became my extended family. The city’s heartbeat—its mix of history, progress, and endless cups of tea—became my own. By the time I finished my course, the idea of leaving felt unthinkable. Fast forward sixteen years and I’m married to a Blues fan (much to the horror of my Villa-loving family) and have a two-year-old child with a very pronounced Brummie accent.

Looking back, I came to Birmingham expecting a temporary stop. What I found was a home. It’s funny how life works like that. The city, with all its quirks and charms, became part of my story. So here I am, years later, still in Birmingham, still learning, still teaching, still missing Tayto crisps, and still trying to master the art of navigating Spaghetti Junction without panicking. And you know what? I wouldn’t have it any other way.