To mark the 75th anniversary of Windrush Day on June 22, Sandwell Council is creating a digital record of stories and photographs from residents and communities across Sandwell.
Sandwell Council would like to launch 'Stories of the Windrush Generation in Sandwell’ and wants to hear the voices of those who travelled to the UK from the Commonwealth and settled in Sandwell (before and after 1948).
Through these stories, Sandwell Council will celebrate the contributions and the invaluable legacy of the Windrush generation to all aspects of British life.
If you have Windrush generation connections – whether personal or are perhaps a relative, friend or neighbour of someone who would like to share their memories, stories and photographs of life in Sandwell - we want to hear from you!
We want to inspire others and celebrate our Windrush heroes and share their stories and experiences as widely as possible. The stories will feature in a digital display and in the Sandwell Herald.
If you would like to share stories and experiences please email Marketing_Publicity@sandwell.gov.uk by Monday 12 June
The project will also form a pivotal part of the 75 anniversary celebrations along with performances by Wolverhampton poet Gracey Bee at the Central Library at 1.30pm on June 22 and a music event with British/Jamaican musician, Basil Glendon Gabbidon, at 7pm on June 24 at the Central Library.
Windrush Day seeks to honour the men and women who migrated from Caribbean countries to the UK between the period of the anchoring of the HMT Empire Windrush, at Tilbury Docks, on 21 June 1948 and the Immigration Act 1971.
The Leader of Sandwell Council, Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, said: “I am proud of what a friendly, welcoming and diverse place Sandwell is. Together we have a rich, cultural history and I think it is important to recognise the positive contribution the Windrush generation has had in creating this. I would urge everyone with a story to tell, however positive or challenging, to get in touch to make sure their voice is heard not just now but also for posterity.”