Windrush Day

22 June 2022

We celebrate Windrush Day in the UK every year on 22 June.  The day marks the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush on 22 June 1948.  Records show that the majority of passengers gave their last country of residence as somewhere in the Caribbean. Other countries of residence documented were India, Pakistan, Kenya and South Africa.  We use the day to recognise those who arrived on Empire Windrush, known as the Windrush Generation, and people from over 60 Commonwealth Countries as well as their descendants for the contributions that they made to helping Britain recover from World War 2 and the contribution that they continue to make to British society, culture, and economy.

History of Windrush Day

We usually think of the Windrush generation as those who emigrated to Britain between 1948 and 1973.  It started with the Empire Windrush ship that arrived in Tilbury Docks, Essex on 22 June 22 in 1948 with over a thousand passengers on board.  

Following significant losses after the Second World War, the British Government looked to recruit Afro-Caribbean migrants to work in the steel, coal, iron and food industries, and to run public transport.  Some also joined the armed forces and NHS.  It was not an easy or smooth process and many immigrants faced violence, intolerance, and exclusion from the social and economic life around them.

As well as recognising the contribution of the Windrush Generation to Britain’s essential industries, Windrush Day also celebrates the impact and influence of the contribution of the Windrush Generation on culture, arts and music in Britain.

In more recent years, the so-called Windrush Scandal has seen immigration rules tighten and many descendants of the Windrush generation fight for their right to remain in Britain, whilst others have been wrongly deported, lost their homes, denied access to medical care, or had their passports confiscated.  Patrick Vernon successfully campaigned in 2018 for a day to recognise the importance of the Windrush migrants in helping to shape the cultural diversity of Britain.  The result, Windrush Day, allows us to pay our respects to the Windrush Generation and to stand against racist behaviours and attitudes.

Windrush in Wales

The Windrush Cymru Project – Our Voices, Our Stories, Our History, was a project funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund based on the people and experiences of the Windrush Generation who forged new lives in Wales working in a variety of industries such as docks, steelworks, coal mines, and NHS hospitals.  The project is archived at the National Museum of Wales in St Fagans National Museum of History.

Mrs Roma Taylor established The Windrush Cymru Elders in 2017 as part of Race Council Cymru. It is a proactive group of 50+ elders who promote understanding of ethnic minority elders’ concerns and needs whilst celebrating key milestones and marking the contributions of people of African descent. Members of the group meet weekly in Cardiff to enjoy each other’s company and take part in creative activities in and around Wales.  Race Council Cymru staff and the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama provide support and meeting facilities.

The aims of Windrush Cymru Elders are:

• To bring together and foster understanding amongst old people form the diverse communities in Wales
• To promote recreational social activities, mutual support and joint aid among our members
• To establish community engagement with the Older Peoples Commission and other Welsh public, private and third sectors as relevant for the benefit of members
• To use art, dance, drama and music to share culture and experience

Visit their website Windrush Generation Wales | Race Council Cymru (RCC)  for more information.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council will mark Windrush Day by raising the Windrush Day flag outside the Civic Offices and lighting up Hood Road tunnel in the Windrush colours.

You can help to develop a more inclusive workplace culture by joining the Diverse Staff Network.  The Diverse Staff Network (formerly the Ethnic Minority Network) promotes an inclusive workplace that actively celebrates its diverse community and workforce. 

All staff are welcome to join the network and support its mission in helping the Council become an employer of choice for people from diverse communities.

As part of this mission, the group aims to:

• Have a positive impact for colleagues from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities in the workplace.
• Raise overall awareness and visibility of its work.
• Provide a social and supportive environment.

Establishing the network is a stride toward starting the conversation about race equality in the Council in a constructive and open way and demonstrating that uncomfortable conversations can lead to real change.

To join, please complete the online membership form.

You will also find courses on diversity on iDev.