On 22 June 1948, HMT Empire Windrush arrived in the UK, carrying over 1,000 passengers from the West Indies. National Windrush Day 2023, marked 75 years this year since the MV Empire Wind-rush arrived in the UK, marking a seminal moment in shared history.
Mainly former service personnel, this was the first wave of post war immigration with many of the passengers taking up roles in the NHS, which launched just two weeks later.
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The journey of the early Black and minority ethnic colleagues in the NHS, and in British society, was not an easy one. Faced with overt racism, discrimination and public outcry, they were not always welcome. The same experiences were faced by those who followed over the next few decades.
Today, ethnic minority colleagues make up almost a quarter of the NHS workforce and 42% of medical staff.
As part of our plans to mark the NHS’s 75th birthday, we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of Windrush and diversity of the NHS workforce. From the Windrush generation of 1948, the south Asian arrivals in the 1960s and 70s, to today’s workforce which currently represents over 200 nationalities.
Celebrations took place at projects and events throughout the country to promote community cohesion and understanding of the Windrush story.
The Windrush generation – those original pioneers who came from across the Caribbean – helped to rebuild the nation following the Second World War, and they and their descendants continue to contribute to all aspects of British life.
A cross-government celebration of their contribution is marking Windrush 75, including:
45 community projects across the UK are being funded by the £750,000 Windrush Day Grant Scheme including 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) and leading social mobility charity Speakers for Schools have teamed up to organise a series of in-person and virtual talks with a host of inspirational and well-known figures connected to the Windrush generation. This includes Levi Roots – musician and celebrity chef; Professor Nira Chamberlain OBE – leading mathematician; and Paterson Joseph – actor and author.
DLUHC has also launched a new educational resource for schools on the National Windrush Monument website
The Department for Health and Social Care will be marking the NHS’s 75th birthday by celebrating the diversity of the NHS workforce, which currently represents over 200 nationalities. 100 NHS staff will take a river cruise from Waterloo to Tilbury Docks.
Ministry of Defence flag-raising ceremony for Windrush veterans on Armed Forces Day on 24 June in Birmingham.
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.”
Activities and events that took place for Windrush 75 included:
A major programme of events will take place at Tilbury Docks in Essex.
The Victoria and Albert Museum is hosting a season of displays, talks, workshops and events.
National Archives has a web portal of Windrush migration stories, online events, exhibitions and learning resources.
‘Windrush: Portraits of a Generation’ – project commissioned by HRH King Charles III. The 75-minute programme of art is being released on National Windrush Day.
The National Lottery Community Fund, sponsored by DCMS, is offering Windrush 75 grants of up to £10,000 throughout the year for community-led events and activities.
The Royal Mail has released a set of special commemorative stamps, and the Royal Mint to release a new coin commemorating the Windrush generation.
An evening of music at Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre as part of their Windrush season.
The Southport Caribbean Carnival on 24 June.
Celebrating the 75th anniversary of both Windrush and the NHS, Windrush Day was first announced by the government in June 2018 to take place on 22 June each year to encourage communities across England to celebrate the contribution of the Windrush generation and their descendants.
To date, the government has dedicated £3.75 million in funding toward honouring the Windrush legacy, including £2.75 million across 5 years of the Windrush Day Grant Scheme, and £1 million allocated to the National Windrush Monument.
