Windrush support & resources

The new Windrush Commissioner is Reverend Clive Foster MBE. His appointment marks the beginning of a national listening tour which aims to rebuild trust with the Windrush generation and its descendants through meaningful dialogue and reconciliation.

In August 2018, Hackney was the first council in the UK to pass a comprehensive motion regarding the Windrush generation.

Hackney Council signposts to information and support on applying for the Home Office Windrush Compensation Scheme.

Claudia Jones Organisation was founded in 1982 to support African Caribbean women and their families in Hackney and surrounding boroughs. They provide a range of services to tackle poverty, improve mental health and wellbeing and to support victims of domestic abuse.

The Migration Foundation is dedicated to tackling migrant destitution in the UK. With a history of giving the Windrush communities in the UK affordable housing, supporting access to justice, housing support, and migrant entrepreneurship.

Bid provides free legal advice, information and representation to people held in detention across the UK.

They have an advice line that provides free legal advice if you are detained under the immigration powers in a prison or removal centre.

JCWI challenges policies that lead to discrimination, destitution and the denial of rights. They provide legal advice services on the immigration system, law and status, supporting those who face poverty or homelessness.

African Community School is a charity that helps those in need to build their confidence, learn new skills and empower them to gain employment. Thye offer a safe and welcoming space for people to access flexible, affordable, OCR and NCFE accredited educational and training sessions.

As we reinforce the message of Windrush Day being a day of annual reflection and celebration, using a specially created activity pack we provide ideas of how to mark the special day from baking, writing poems or visiting Hackney's Windrush sculptures.

Hackney Museum provides several resources that support educational learning on the Windrush Generation and their stories in Hackney, from accessing the Museum’s Windrush collections to resources on previous exhibitions that have explored the topi

In 2022, Hackney Education developed a set of teaching resources to mark Windrush Day. Using Veronica Ryan's sculptures and the work of Thomas J Price students will explore the role of statues and sculptures, and how to use art as a form of expression and cultural identity. Download them for free via Hackney Education below.

‘All in the same boat' explored the story of the 66 Polish refugees who boarded the Empire Windrush. Via a successful microgrant application, local historian Agnieszka Rolkiewicz curated a series of participatory events and a month-long exhibition at Clapton Commons.

In 2019, The BIG Windrush Baking Project saw Windrush members of all generations get together to share traditional Caribbean recipes. Dishes ranged from Plantain Tarts to Spiced Pumpkin Cake and were recorded in a special Windrush cookbook and sold in local bookshops.

During 2018, senior group Connect Hackney recorded stories from Hackney’s Windrush generation, which were produced as a commemorative booklet. Officially launched at the Council’s 2018 Caribbean Tea Party, the booklet and a series of podcasts are available for download.

As part of the Hackney Windrush Programme 2022, the Windrush Stories: Hackney Edition was produced by DJ Flight for Prison Radio Association. Over four insightful interviews, hear how Cleveland Watkiss MBE, Mr Gee, Michelle Dornelly and Dr Michael McMillen have made their mark on Hackney’s Windrush legacy. Curated by Create London in partnership with Hackney Council and supported by Freelands Foundation

Sit back and enjoy this moving piece of music by composer and arranger Renell Shaw presented by Vortex Jazz Club on National Windrush Day, 2020. The four suite pieces are inspired by the men, women and children, who later became known as the ‘Windrush Generation’. Hear how the rich diasporic musical traditions of the Caribbean finds a contemporary expression through Shaw’s visionary talent.