Windrush Justice Programme
The Windrush scandal is one of the biggest social and political crisis to affect the people of Caribbean heritage living in the United Kingdom. Thousands of those who arrived in the UK between the 1940s and 1970s as British subjects, many as children, found their stay in the country threatened, access to services denied, and some even deported back to the West Indies. This caused enormous damage to families and an outcry at the injustices in the system which would allow this to happen.
Once the news broke, DWICA was at the forefront of providing its Derby community with vital information and advocating urgent action to address the scandal. The organisation played host to several national meetings on the topic and made efforts to give those affected the correct documentation to secure their status and to help with claims for compensation.
Once the news broke, DWICA was at the forefront of providing its Derby community with vital information and advocating urgent action to address the scandal. The organisation played host to several national meetings on the topic and made efforts to give those affected the correct documentation to secure their status and to help with claims for compensation.
The backlash from the scandal has forced the Home Office and the wider British society to reflect on the nation’s treatment of sections of the Caribbean community. Since then, the government has enacted several reparations for those effected. Two schemes are now in place aimed at helping those directly affected by the scandal:
· The Windrush Documentation Scheme – which aims to help people settled in the UK to access the documentation they need to confirm their status.
· The Windrush Compensation Scheme – for those who have suffered loss because they could not provide the documents to confirm their right to live in the UK.
The Windrush Documentation Scheme
It is free to apply to the Windrush Documentation Scheme.
You can apply for a document to prove you can live and work in the UK if one of the following is true:
· you are a Commonwealth citizen settled in the UK before 1973.
· your parents came to the UK from a Commonwealth country before 1973, and you have continued to live here.
· you came to the UK from any country before 31st December 1988 and are now settled.
You might also be entitled to apply for citizenship for free if you’re a Commonwealth citizen who settled in the UK before 1 January 1973, or you’re the child of someone who did.
The Windrush Compensation Scheme
You can apply if:
· you are a Commonwealth citizen settled in the UK before 1973.
· your parents or grandparents came to the UK from a Commonwealth country before 1973.
· you came to the UK from any country before 31st December 1988 and are now settled.
You can also apply if you are:
· the close family member of someone eligible to claim and you have had significant losses yourself.
· representing the estate of someone who would have been eligible.
Losses you can claim for
You might be able to get compensation for losses relating to:
· Employment | · Immigration fees |
· Health | · Housing |
· Education | · Loss of driving licences |
· Banking | · Detention or Deportation |
· Impact on life – for example, you missed major family events or could not travel. | |
If you apply, the information you share will not be used for immigration enforcement.
How can we help?
The Derby West Indian Community Association is providing FREE information sessions and support to anyone who may have been affected by the scandal. We can also walk you through the application process and point the way to additional support where needed.
For more Information Contact:
Kenton Black
Windrush Caseworker
Derby West Indian Community Association
Tel: 01332 371529
Email: info@dwica.co.uk or k.black@dwica.co.uk
Windrush Helpline
Alternatively, you can approach The Windrush Helpline directly. They can:
- help you make a claim.
- give extra support to those who need it – for example, elderly or vulnerable claimants.
- post a form to you.
If you are outside the UK, email the helpline and request a call back.
Windrush Help Team (Freephone)
Telephone: +44 (0)800 678 1925
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Email:
WindrushCompensationScheme@homeoffice.gov.uk
commonwealthtaskforce@homeoffice.gov.uk
Website: windrush.campaign.gov.uk/