Windrush Support and Resources
Explore Windrush Support and Resources to find out what is available for and about Windrush communities in Hackney.
Under Support you will find a list of Hackney based organisations that offer support to people living in Hackney with connections to the Windrush Generation. Under Resources you will find materials that have been created by our partners that supports learning and educational resources for the topic on Windrush.
For information on the Heritage Services and how to explore the Hackney Museum and Hackney Archives Collections, click here.
Support
£1.5 million fund to support Windrush compensation applicants
The Windrush Compensation Advocacy Support Fund (WCASF) is an injection of £1.5 million grant funding over 3 years, for organisations to help provide essential advocacy support for Windrush Compensation Scheme (WCS) claimants. The purpose of the WCASF in Year 1 is to offer funding to established organisations experienced in providing Windrush Compensation advocacy support with the WCS application process.
Closing date: 9 May 2025, 5:00pm
Hackney Council Support
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. Click the link above to watch the video or click here or the link below to find out more information on support for undocumented migrants.
Claudia Jones Organisation
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.
They also provide Compensation Scheme advice. You can call them on 020 7241 1646.
Metropolitan Thames Valley’s Migration Foundation
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, the MTVH Migration Foundation continues to recognise the particular challenges faced by the UK’s migrant population and offers practical solutions through supporting access to justice, housing support, and migrant entrepreneurship.
Our Community Partners
If you are a member of a community group, or organise a group with any Windrush seniors, please email culture@hackney.gov.uk and we’ll add you to our contact list for updates on future projects. Below are a couple that we work with:
Uprising Community Club
Uprising Community Club provides friendship and a varied range of activities designed to promote inclusion and community awareness for over 50's. They provide a safe place for our over 50's to socialise, have fun, get active, be loved and valued.
Find out more via their website or contact Uprising Community Club at Uprisingcommunityclub@gmail.com or call 07939 452 497/ 07984 887 808.
Hackney Caribbean Elderly Association
Hackney Caribbean Elderly Organisation is a community-driven service, dedicated to keeping older people in and around Hackney active, independent and loving life.
HCEO provide a range of services promoting good health and wellbeing for older people in and around the London Borough of Hackney, including lunch clubs, arts and cultural activities and advocacy.
Find out more about HCEO and join. You can also get in touch on 020 7923 3536 or by emailing info@hackneycaribbean.co.uk
Resources
What will you do for Windrush? - Activity Pack
In 2022, Hackney Council asked 'what will you do for Windrush'? It's a question we'll continue to ask 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.
Learning Resources from Hackney Museum
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 topic. Find these learning resources on their website.
Hackney's Diverse Curriculum: The Black Contribution
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 Project
‘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. A learning resource was also created which you can access here.
The Windrush Baking Project
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.
Stories of a Hackney generation
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.
Windrush Stories- Hackney Edition. Four special episodes.
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
The Windrush Suite: Live from the Vortex Jazz Club
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.