A project in Hackney is documenting the experiences of Windrush elders, with their first-hand accounts collected by young people set to become a permanent part of the Hackney Archives. The initiative, named 'Stories of Windrush', includes an accompanying book, photographs, and digital materials.
Among the contributors was Lessept Saunders, founder of the Hackney Caribbean Elderly Organisation, who passed away in April at the age of 107. Saunders, who arrived in London from Jamaica in 1944, was the oldest contributor to the project and had been the second-oldest known living man in London.
Paul Anderson, CEO of Voyage Youth, the social justice charity leading the project, noted that many Windrush elders, including Saunders, initially planned to stay in the UK for only five years. However, the cost of returning home often became a barrier, leading many to remain.
Zainab Awonoki, who began working on the archive four years ago at age 15, stated that hearing these stories directly provided insights into the struggles faced by the elders. Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, wrote a foreword for the book, emphasising the importance of remembering the lives, struggles, achievements, and legacy of the Windrush generation.
Anderson hopes the archives will also help address youth unemployment in Hackney, offering young people a pathway into the heritage sector and encouraging higher education, particularly in a field where African and Caribbean communities are under-represented.