75 years since the HMT Empire Windrush docked in Tilbury, Essex, Barnet’s African and Caribbean Association Members are ready to tell their own stories of perseverance, hardship, and history. We are seeking your help to create a collectively-written book and exhibition that documents our community member’s connections to the Windrush legacy so that our local stories are cherished and honoured - not forgotten. HMT Empire Windrush set sail from Trinidad and brought 1027 passengers to the UK from a number of Caribbean islands, including Jamaica and Bermuda. These passengers were some of the first of this generation to arrive in Britain, answering the call to help rebuild Britain and work in infrastructure institutions like the NHS, transport systems, and armed services. It is important to acknowledge that in answering the call for help from what was seen as the ‘Mother Country’, many had to stand up to hostility and were denied access to housing, employment, and social groups.

What we'll deliver:

• Carry out interviews with 10 members and take 10 member portraits
• Create a storytelling template for other people and families to use
• Compile, design and print a pilot BACA book
• Complete a training courses for interview techniques
• Carry out an advice session and a portrait session (2)
• Create opportunities for people to take portraits
• Design, publish and print a book
• Curate an exhibition
• Develop an online archive

Why it's a great idea:

The participants will increase their confidence and sense of purpose. The project is a tribute to the lives and contributions of people from the Windrush generation. This project will create opportunities for communities to see themselves through the history of others. It will assist families to understand what it is at the centre of their values and how they are represented, be that through symbols, objects or traditions. We will explore how our collective past is represented by our present and future.

Steps to get it done:

• Complete 10 Interviews
• Create a template for project interviews
• Photograph people interviewed
• Design, publish and print the pilot book
• Complete training for community interviews
• Confirm venue for the Exhibition
• Create plan for the website
• Carry out three interview and portrait engagement activities
• Design and publish the book
• Carry out planning the project
• Exhibition Launch
• On-line exhibition

Barnet’s African and Caribbean Association Members are ready to share their experiences and achievements through a collectively written book for children and the local community. We would like to include the stories of those who have sadly passed away as well as those who are still blazing a trail. We think it is important and essential to document this history and stories of migration, hardship, and celebration. Our members are ready to tell their stories! Do you have a story you would like to be included? Would you like to tell us about the legacy your grandparent or parent left? Or tell us about a friend who changed your perspective? Would you like to help celebrate stories from community members that you are yet to have heard? Whoever it is, help us to document this legacy by liking and sharing this page, making a donation, or contacting us so that your stories can be honoured and recognised.