Windrush Day
Lewisham is home to many residents from, and descendants of, the Windrush generation. Following last year's lively celebrations, we're gearing up to mark Windrush Day again. It's time to celebrate their vast contributions to our culture and reflect on the enduring legacy of Windrush.
Windrush Day 2026
The HMT Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury Docks on 21 June 1948. The ship carried passengers from the Caribbean who disembarked the following day. It is a moment that helped define modern Britain and became known as Windrush Day. On 22 June 2026 we mark its 78th anniversary.
Lewisham is home to many residents from, and descendants of, the Windrush generation. Following last year's lively celebrations, we're gearing up to mark Windrush Day again. It's time to celebrate their vast contributions to our culture and reflect on the enduring legacy of Windrush.
We are offering small grants of up to £700 support people, living or working in Lewisham, to develop their own activities and events in their local community to that engage with and celebrate the Windrush story.
Take inspiration from last year’s events or some of the ideas below:
- a community event such as a meal with a cultural activity
- intergenerational event bringing older and younger people from the community together
- storytelling event
- exhibition with photographs or oral history contributions Cultural activity - music, arts or crafts
- gardening activity
- podcast, social media event or campaign
- organise a street party and encourage people to come together as a community
We welcome any new ideas too. If you have an idea for an event or activity that celebrates the contributions, story or legacy of the Windrush generation and you meet the application criteria below, please apply.
Applications close 11.59pm on Sunday 19 April.
Application criteria
Please read the following application criteria before submitting your application:
- applicants must demonstrate lived experience of being part of the Windrush generation or descendants of the Windrush generation
- activities should promote or celebrate the experience and contributions of the Windrush generation and their descendants to Lewisham
- Windrush generation communities must be involved in the planning and / or delivery of activities
Please note: we can fund organisations as well as individuals, however if you are making an application as an individual you must be endorsed by a constituted organisation. This could be a housing association, residents association, cultural organisation, voluntary sector organisation, faith organisation, food bank or local school. All we require is you provide the details of your endorsing organisation. We will follow up with this organisation to confirm your relationship and organise payment of funds.
Applications close 11.59pm on Sunday, 19 April. We will not be able to consider late applications:
Application timeline
- programme launch: Friday 13 March
- deadline for applications: 11.59pm on Sunday 19 April
- assessment panel meets: week commencing Monday 20 April
- successful applicants informed by: Thursday 30 April
- events take place: Monday 15-Monday 22 June 2026
- monitoring forms due: Friday 31 July