13 BME Voluntary and Community Sector organisations across the UK will receive funding
through the Home Office Windrush Community Fund Phase 2, a fund that is managed by
V4CE. The Windrush Community Fund Phase 1 offered similar funds to 14 groups in 2021.The successful Phase 2 applicants are:
The African Caribbean Community Development Forum
The African Health Policy Network
The African Caribbean Leadership Company
Citizens’ Rights Project
COPEF Training Skills
Croydon BME Forum
MV Balmoral Trust Fund
The Refugee and Migrant Centre
Rising Stars North
Stockwell Good Neighbours
SVGA Reading
University of Wolverhampton
Wellington Road Seniors Community Project
The names listed here are the lead organisations. Many of the projects will run by consortia
bringing in benefits for more BME organisations and increasing reach.
The £500,000 fund gives these organisations grants up to £25,000 to deliver projects to help
people affected by what was termed the “Windrush Scandal”.
The “Windrush Scandal” was that certain BME people, through no fault of their own,
suddenly faced difficulties in demonstrating their lawful status in the UK, because of
changes in immigration systems after their arrival. They may have suffered losses or
deportation as a result of these difficulties. The work of the Phase 2 organisations will raise
awareness of the Windrush Scheme (Documentation) to secure their right to residence and
the Windrush Compensation Scheme for compensation for losses or damage. Groups will
also help people with the application process.
We are pleased to have a role in a fund that enhances the development of community
organisations to help BME people who have suffered from these issues. This role works well
with our strategic purpose as an advocate, supporter and provider of resources for the
Sector.
What some of the funded organisations will do
Croydon BME Forum have secured funding to create a Windrush Digital Hub, which will
include a website and community app, bringing together a host of different materials
including videos, images and maps, with information on the Windrush schemes. They will
also hold a series of events to increase distribution of the information and materials.
Rising Stars North West, based in Manchester, will use their funding to raise awareness of
the Schemes amongst children and grandchildren of the Windrush generation, equipping
them with accurate information to give to their family members.
Citizens’ Rights Project in Edinburgh will be raising awareness of the Windrush Schemes with
organisations working with migrants and vulnerable adults in Scotland. It will aim to reach
20,000 people through regional publicity and will also be hosting a series of seminars about
Windrush and inviting around 200 potentially affected people to attend.
Dorota Peszkowska, a director of the Citizens’ Rights Project, said:
“We are delighted to have secured funding from the Windrush Community Fund.
We are keen to play our part to help those in our communities in Scotland to get the
help they need. It’s so important that everyone eligible for compensation is able to
get it, as it could make a big difference to their lives.
We will be delivering this project across Scotland, with the help of our dedicated
staff and 56 multilingual volunteers. Online and offline, we will aim to reach all those
who may benefit from the Windrush documentation and compensation schemes, in
order to restore justice and a sense of belonging to the community. Citizens’ Rights
Project will work with local migrant-led organisations and volunteers for six months
to raise awareness about the schemes and communities involved."
The first round of funding was allocated in April 2021 and 14 organisations received funding.
One of the organisations, Collage Arts in Haringey, received over £23,000 to produce
animations and videos which have been promoted on radio and social channels. It was
specifically looking to engage a younger audience, empowering them to support older
members of the community.
Steve Medlin, Artistic Director from Collage Arts said:
“With the Community Fund we have been able to reach and empower Windrush applicants to come forward and apply to the schemes. Minister Foster recently came to visit and we were able to show him how the money has been used to benefit our community. We will keep working to make sure we reach as many people affected by the Windrush scandal as possible.”
Phase 1 project delivery continues with some unique and innovative projects including links
with local museums, infomercials and community events to both engage communities and
raise awareness of the Windrush Schemes. Further information on Phase 1 projects can be
found at: Windrush Community Fund Phase 1: projects - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Further Windrush Compensation Statistics can be found at: Windrush Compensation
Scheme data: December 2021 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
If you have any case studies or queries that you would like to share with us regarding the
Windrush compensation or community fund, please get in touch at info@voice4change-
england.co.uk
