Hackney Archives Preserves Windrush Elders’ Stories for Future Generations

Hackney’s library has launched a permanent exhibition in its archives that houses oral histories, photographs and a book documenting the experiences of Windrush elders. The initiative, titled Stories of Windrush, was created and recorded entirely by local young volunteers, ensuring that the first-hand accounts of the Caribbean diaspora are accessible to researchers and the community alike.

The Guardian

The project grew out of the Hackney Caribbean Elderly Organisation, founded by Lessept Saunders, who arrived from Jamaica in 1944 and died earlier this year at age 107. Saunders, once the second-oldest known living man in London, was a key contributor to the archive. Young archivist Zainab Awonoki began working on the collection at age 15 and describes the process as eye-opening, noting that it revealed the hardships the elders endured and highlighted their role in securing the right to remain in the UK.

The Guardian

Elders featured include Claudette Barned, who came to England as a nine-year-old in the 1960s, and Yvonne Straughn, who arrived from Barbados in 1966 to work as a hospital nurse. Barned, now 74, emphasizes the importance of sharing her story so future generations can repeat the cycle of remembrance. Straughn, 85, recounts the hostility she faced as a Black nurse and stresses that the archive preserves a legacy that predates current debates over diversity policies.

The Guardian

Labour MP Diane Abbott, who wrote the foreword to the accompanying book, urges the nation not to forget the lives, struggles and achievements of the Windrush generation, especially in light of past governmental mistreatment. Research cited by the project indicates that involving young people with archival material can boost educational outcomes and foster greater awareness of local decision-making.

The Guardian

By embedding the collection permanently in the Hackney Archives, the community creates a lasting resource that both honors the contributions of Caribbean migrants and educates residents about the historical foundations of contemporary British society. The intergenerational collaboration exemplifies how local initiatives can preserve cultural memory while inspiring future civic engagement.

The Guardian