UK marks 75 years of the Windrush Generation

22 June marks 75 years since the MV Empire Windrush arrived in the UK.

Educational, arts and sporting projects and activities are being held across the UK to promote community cohesion and understanding of the Windrush story.

45 community projects across the UK are being funded by the £750,000 Windrush Day Grant Scheme. This includes cricket matches held at the Sheffield Caribbean Sports Club and a procession celebrating the Windrush generation from Clapham Common to Brixton’s Windrush Square.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) have teamed up with leading social mobility charity Speakers for Schools to deliver a series of in-person and virtual talks with well-known figures connected to the Windrush generation. Speakers include musician and celebrity chef Levi Roots, leading mathematician Professor Nira Chamberlain OBE, and actor and author Paterson Joseph.

DLUHC has also launched a new educational resource for schools on the National Windrush Monument Website.

Minister for Communities at DLUHC, Lee Rowley, said:

“Today is a celebration of the Windrush generation and the wider Caribbean community’s contribution to British society.

“The events taking place today and all this week are a chance to reflect upon and recognise those who have done so much to strengthen the life of our nation.”