The vast contributions of Manchester’s Windrush generation has been celebrated during a jubilant event.
Today marks 75 years since HMT Empire Windrush arrived in the UK carrying Caribbean-born UK residents who had been encouraged to move to the UK. Those who arrived in the post-war years made huge contributions to the country through the NHS, music, sports and politics.
Over the weekend, scores of people turned out to honour and celebrate the Windrush community with music, poetry and dance.
Leonie Brown is part of the Windrush Defenders advocacy group - which organises the Windrush One Love Fest at Moss Side’s Millennium Centre.
“Concentrating on the words ‘commemorate, celebrate and educate’ we wanted to focus on the huge contribution of this generation,” she says. “It was a beautiful day.
“There is a rich history of people from this generation who have contributed to Manchester with music, sports, politics and the NHS, food and culture.”
Leonie points to people like former Trafford councillor and mayor Whit Stennett, who received an MBE in 1998 for his services to the Afro-Caribbean community as well as his youth and community work.
“With the 75th anniversary we wanted to really celebrate because there is so much we can celebrate,” she says.
A replica HMT Windrush was the centrepiece of the day with visitors able to take pictures in front of it with the flags of the Caribbean islands. There was also a stage show featuring a range of artists performing music from rap to reggae.
The Windrush Defenders also produced a book about the Windrush generation and their contributions from language and literature to food and music.
Windrush Day is marked annually on June 22 as a celebration of the contributions of the Windrush Generation and their descendants to the UK. They were then and remain now a vital part of Britain’s makeup.
But in 2017, it was revealed that many of those who had migrated between 1948 and 1971 had been threatened with deportation if they could not prove their right to remain in the UK.
An investigation by The Guardian’s Amelia Gentleman found that people had been classified as illegal immigrants, meaning they could not remain employed or access housing and public services. Shocking stories emerged of those who were deported to countries they had not lived in since they were children.
The scandal, eventually resulted in an apology from then Prime Minister Theresa May and the resignation of Home Secretary Amber Rudd. A public inquiry was carried out and found the Home Office had shown ‘ignorance and thoughtlessness’ with ‘irrational’ demands made for multiple documents to establish residency rights.
A compensation scheme was launched but many struggled to access it and campaigners in Manchester said people were 'in hiding', terrified that they may be ‘snatched’ by the Home Office.
One man - who ran a barbershop in Hulme - was refused re-entry to the UK after a holiday in Jamaica. He was stranded on the island for 13 years, during which time he slept rough and developed a clot in his leg. By the time he was able to return to Manchester in 2019, he had grandchildren he had never met and found that his beloved barbershop had been demolished.
Since the scandal was revealed, scores of people have come forward to the Windrush Defenders - a community interest group run by volunteers. They have been advocating for clients and working to help them with documentation and compensation claims. But it’s a long and arduous process for many.
The group recently received a grant from the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust to design a model for African and Caribbean people that will aid the Home Office in assisting them. The Defenders are now working to make sure it is rolled out.
With trust in the government eroded for so many, Leonie says it is important to have local intermediaries supporting and advocating for those affected by the scandal. “We feel there has been a real failure to this community and we’re trying to tackle the disparities,” she says.
Manchester Council has worked with the community to arrange a number of Windrush events this year. And Leonie is positive about the work she has been doing with the Home Office. But she says there is still a long way to go.
Many of the compensation claims are yet to be processed and this week it was reported that the Home Office unit set up to reform the department in the wake of the scandal is to be disbanded.
“It’s mixed feelings really,” Leonie says. “When Wendy Williams [who assessed the causes of the scandal] made her recommendations the then Home Secretary pledged to take them on. But there have been a few Home Secretaries since then. But we will continue to try and change policy and provide a voice for the Windrush Generation and work to build trust.
“I think the light is now shining brightly on the compensation scheme. They have made changes to it, which is a good thing, but you have to ask what happened to the people who tired to claim before those changes?”
An event to celebrate the 75th anniversary will take place in Alexandra Park this weekend (June 24). From 12-6pm the Windrush 75 Celebration will include food, stalls, and performances in the park. The event has been organised by the Caribbean and African Health Network. For more details click here.
