A new exhibition tells the stories of the Windrush generation who came to South Wales from areas of the Caribbean from 1948 to 1988
The Windrush Cymru exhibit, which showcases the lives of the Windrush generation migrants in Cardiff and South Wales, is live until 16 December 2021.
The Windrush generation is the collective name given to those who travelled from Caribbean countries in the Commonwealth to the UK between 1948 and 1988 to address various labour shortages and is named after the ship HMT Empire Windrush which brought the first groups across.
Inside, the accounts of 12 members of the generation adorn six-foot tall banners. Set beside the Senedd funnel, the exhibit contains cases full of old photographs and culminates with two-metre tall images of six group members.
In 2018, the Windrush scandal saw at least 83 members of the generation wrongfully deported.
Speaking on the Senedd blog, Roma Taylor, the founder of the Windrush Cymru Elders group, said that the Windrush is a very painful and emotional subject, but stressed how important it is for future generations that those stories get told.
Lisa Gardener, of the Race Council Cymru, told us that the best way for the general public to help the cause is to make donations to ensure the continued work of the Windrush Elders group.
She said, “We aren’t core funded, so if the general public could support us by giving an online donation, that will help us to keep going.”
While there are no direct ways for young people to connect with the cause, Lisa added that the Windrush Cymru Elders are always on the lookout for new members and would encourage anyone interested to get in touch.
“The group is open to anyone aged 50 or over, who lives in Wales and supports the aims of Windrush Cymru movement”, she added, noting that anyone interested can get in touch to apply and join the group.
Windrush Cymru was organised by the Race Council Cymru and funded by the National Lottery heritage fund.
More information and tickets can be found here.
