The Big Caribbean Lunch, the Friends of Windrush Square, the Empathy Museum, the Black Cultural Archives, and Lambeth Council are collaborating on a special exhibition in Brixton’s iconic Windrush Square. The exhibition, titled Windrush Untold Stories, will feature 20 storyboards displayed in the square, each sharing the life and experiences of a member of the Windrush Generation.
Windrush Untold Stories
Windrush Untold Stories will also tour the borough, be made available online, and shared with schools across Lambeth, allowing the personal histories, insights, and reflections of the Windrush Generation to serve as an educational resource.
This year’s Windrush Day programme will also include the Big Caribbean Lunch for Windrush elders, along with a market, film screenings, and live music in Windrush Square on 22 June. The Brixton Immortals Dominoes Team will host matches for children in Brixton Library on the square the day before, on 21 June.
Word from the Cabinet
Cllr Donatus Anyanwu, Lambeth’s Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, who leads efforts to celebrate the borough’s diversity and support the Windrush Generation’s campaign for justice, said: “Lambeth is incredibly proud to be the first home of the Windrush Generation and is committed to celebrating their contribution to British life.
“Having been invited to this country to help rebuild after the Second World War, the Windrush Generation and their descendants have played a vital role in public life, particularly in our public services and culture. Despite their contributions, many faced discrimination.
“More recently, the Windrush Scandal brought to light the injustice faced by individuals wrongly denied their rights, detained, or deported because they lacked documentation, despite having the legal right to live and work in the UK.
“The events planned for Windrush Day this year in Lambeth recognise this history, tell that story, and celebrate the Windrush Generation’s lasting impact on our country.”
Partnership
The partnership work to commemorate Windrush Day includes a wide range of organisations and individuals, including Ros Griffiths — a member of the Windrush Generation, community activist, Chair of Friends of Windrush Square and founder of the Big Caribbean Lunch, which launched its 2025 programme at Parliament on 22 April.
Ros Griffiths, who grew up in Brixton and founded the Big Caribbean Lunch, said: “We’re proud to bring people together in the heart of Brixton to honour the Windrush Generation with food, music, and storytelling. This year’s events are about more than celebration — they’re about recognition, education, and ensuring that our stories continue to be heard by future generations.”
Long standing resident
Among those who will be joining the events are Dawn Hill CBE, was sent by her family from Jamaica to the UK in September 1956 at 17-years-old. She started her career as a nurse before going on to become a campaigner for social justice and helping found the Black Cultural Archives in Brixton.
Dawn said: “I lived in Brixton for more than 45 years and I’m very pleased to see the council is working with the community to mark Windrush Day, it’s really important to see that happen because it brings together people and celebrates the achievements of the Windrush Generation, despite the discrimination many people have faced.
“It brings together people from all backgrounds to the wonderful Windrush Square. It’s also important to say that I will continue to advocate on behalf of the Windrush Generation because some of them have been badly treated in regard of their status, and why they came to the UK in the first place. Many migrants have done well, but some have not because of the Windrush Scandal, and we really to address that as the problem continues.”
