Windrush grants fund events for 75th anniversary celebrations
A photo exhibition exploring and showcasing personal stories of Hackney’s first Windrush generation, a street party to showcase and celebrate the 75th anniversary of Windrush, and festivals to bring Hackney’s diverse communities together, are among the projects funded by this year’s Windrush microgrant scheme.
The scheme, launched for a fifth consecutive year, offers grants of up to £2000 to Hackney-based community groups, not-for-profit organisations and local venues, for projects that expand the narrative of Windrush or help preserve and share the history of Windrush for future generations.
To mark the 75th anniversary of Windrush, the budget of this year’s awards was increased to £20,000, to fund a host of additional events and activities from June to December 2023, which add diversity and depth to the Windrush story.
In 2023 we mark 75 years since the UK began to benefit from the Windrush generation’s arrival. The grants are part of a promise made by the Council to highlight the significant contribution of the Windrush generation to the nation, through art and culture.
This year we received a record number of applications, which shows the passion from the community to commemorate this monumental milestone and ensure that the Windrush generation is properly recognised. Congratulations to all the successful submissions. The standard of applications this year was higher than ever and I can’t wait to see how our residents mark this important occasion.
The ten successful applicants are:
St Paul's with St Michael's C of E Primary School - A day of installations, exhibitions, speakers, workshops and debates focusing on issues of social change and racial justice told through the lens of Windrush-relevant stories/narratives.
Chats Lunch Club - A series of lunch clubs for seniors in the borough, some of whom are first-generation Windrush, which will include poetry readings, storytelling, exercise with a Caribbean theme, sing-a-longs, bingo, raffles, board games and a Windrush 75 party.
The Amity Project London - Events organised for residents aged 60+ living at sheltered accommodations across Hackney to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Windrush, including sing-a-longs, dances and story sharing.
Hackney Caribbean Elderly Organisation - An open day to mark the 75th anniversary of Windrush and to raise awareness of health issues experienced by the African Caribbean community, featuring art, drama and exercise/healthy living workshops.
Hoxton Trust - A festival of music, dance, art, games and food, centred on bringing together the diverse communities of Hackney through a celebration of the 75th anniversary, featuring a live set by Grand Union Orchestra.
Tropical Isles - A photo exhibition exploring and showcasing personal stories of Hackney’s first-generation Windrush and their families plus a Q&A.
Manor House Development Trust - A community festival to bring together Hackney’s diverse communities through a celebration of the 75th Anniversary, including a free Caribbean-themed community meal, performances by local artists and young people, spoken word poetry, drama, history, art and photography workshops, storytelling sessions plus Windrush-themed activities and games for children.
SAINT - A 5 minute film and evening with Leroy Logan MBE, a former police superintendent in the UK who was a founding member and chairman of the Black Police Association and a member of St John at Hackney.
Uprising Community Club - A street party to showcase and celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Windrush, including music, poetry, dance, food, a puppet show and a fashion show.
Chats Palace Arts Centre - A play based on the life stories of older and younger members of the Windrush generations, developed by local artists, families, schools and elders.
Hackney Council is celebrating the 75th anniversary and the incredible contribution of the Windrush Generation in shaping the future of Britain, through a series of events, activities, exhibitions, workshops throughout the year. For more information, please visit: www.lovehackney.uk/windrush-generations-festival.