Supporting the Windrush generation
To celebrate Windrush Day, we partnered with the Home Office to host an event at Benville House
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We recently partnered with the Home Office’s Stakeholder and Windrush team to host a dedicated outreach event for residents at Benville House, one of our Later Living schemes in Oval.
The session was designed to celebrate and support the Windrush generation. It provided information and one-on-one support for residents who may be entitled to compensation through the Home Office’s Windrush Compensation Scheme.
Celebrated on 22 June every year, Windrush Day honours the contributions made by the Windrush generation and their families. It commemorates the arrival of the HMT Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks in 1948, bringing passengers from the Caribbean to the UK.
The event was organised by Benville House’s dedicated Housing Scheme Officer, Marty Chingunji. It offered a familiar and comfortable space where residents had the opportunity to speak directly to representatives from the Home Office, learn more about the compensation scheme and get personalised advice.
I came to England from Jamaica as a young girl in the sixties. I think this is a really great initiative put on by Hyde and the Home Office.”
Jannette
Tony Morgan, our Head of Specialist Housing and Strategic Neighbourhoods, said: “We’re committed to supporting our residents in meaningful and practical ways. Events like these are about making services accessible and making sure residents feel informed and supported.
“This event is part of our wider commitment to making sure our older and more vulnerable residents get the support and access to the services they need to live their most independent lives.”
In true West Indian style, the event featured Caribbean food, music and a few rounds of dominoes.
Jannette, who’s been living in her Hyde home for 30 years, said: “I came to England from Jamaica as a young girl in the sixties. I think this is a really great initiative put on by Hyde and the Home Office. It’s good to know that the support is there. It’s so nice to have this Caribbean community and I’m so glad Marty put on this event.”
Helen, who was adopted by Jamaican parents, and Benville House DJ for the day, said: “Thanks to Marty for putting on this event. It’s always great when we get together, but today’s purpose is so important and I’m happy to support it.”
The Windrush Compensation Scheme, a Home Office initiative, offers financial compensation to individuals who arrived in the UK before 1973 and incurred losses because they may not have had the right documentation to prove their right to live and work.