Stories of Windrush Generation in Warwickshire immortalised in new film - The Leamington Observer

Stories of Windrush Generation in Warwickshire immortalised in new film

Leamington Editorial 22nd Jun, 2022   0

THE STORIES and experiences of the Windrush Generation in Warwickshire have been documented in a new film to mark Windrush Day today (Wednesday June 22).

Over the last year, the Warwickshire-based Equality and Inclusion Partnership (EQuIP) charity has worked closely with Black and Caribbean communities across the county to explore the influences of their culture in society over the decades and the enormous contributions members have made to the region.

EQuIP collected stories, photos and materials and filmed their recollections and memories in a video that is now available on the charity’s YouTube platform.

The film was created to document the stories and experiences of this time and forms a lasting legacy and resource for training and education needs in the future.




EQuIP Chief Executive Junaid Hussain said: “We are delighted to have worked and continue to work on the Windrush in Warwickshire Project with Caribbean communities and key partners, and highlight stories from the Windrush Generation, as well as the second and third generations.

“The support and grant from the Ministry of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has made this project possible. Our heartfelt thanks go to all the participants and key community members who made this all possible.”


Marcia Watson, Chair of the African and Caribbean Community Association (ACCA) based in Leamington, added: “I think that the focus on Windrush via the project has raised awareness in many areas. First-hand accounts and reflection of the experiences of family and friends have made it very real.

“It is now important that we use this information to educate present and future generations. It needs to be in the public domain all year round, not just black history month. The need to keep life experiences of those who arrived via Windrush and other methods into Britain will help to provide a more accurate understanding migration into Britain.”

Sherril Donaldson, Managing Director of NuGen Care said: “The Windrush in Warwickshire project was a great way to extend our connections with the community in Warwickshire and capture their stories and memories of coming to this country.

“Lots of laughs and difficult times are captured on this video. This is the start of a journey to explore our shared history and we are looking forward to doing more work with EQuIP.”

Sharon Forman, Archivist at Warwickshire County Records Office, added: “Warwickshire County Record Office was honoured to be part of the Windrush in Warwickshire project. It is so important that we record and remember the diverse histories of all our communities, and we hope that this project helps us to understand much more about their experiences.”

Windrush Day (June 22) marks the 74th anniversary of when around 500 migrants from the Caribbean arrived at Tilbury Docks, Essex in 1948 on the HMT Empire Windrush. Over 500,000 Caribbeans living in the UK, who arrived between 1948-1971, are referred to as the ‘Windrush Generation’.

See above or visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7Qho_NZ5qI to watch the EQuIP video.

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