NextGen Council reflection on MP Seema Malhotra visit to NWM

09/09/2024
by Rachel Glean-Dumbrell, NextGen Council & Board)

‘The Windrush community are a priority’ was the overwhelming sentiment of MP Seema Malhotra’s visit to the National Windrush Museum (NWM) in residence at Royal Museums Greenwich.

The visit was a signal from the newly elected Labour Government that the Windrush generation and their continued contribution and legacy deserve recognition. It was a privilege to welcome MP Malhotra, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Migration and Citizenship. During her visit, she learned about the vision and mission of the NWM and discussed the wider issue of how Parliament proposes to do better for the Windrush generation, and by doing so, right the wrongs of the previous Government.

It is thanks to the visionary leadership of the NWM that we are in a position to have such significant conversations. Dr Les Johnson, Founder & Chairman and Denize Ledeatte, Museum Director have worked tirelessly to get us to this point.

I joined the NWM’s NextGen Council precisely to be involved in conversations like these. My parents and Grandparents responded to Britain’s invitation to a new life, leaving their beloved homes in Grenada and St. Vincent & the Grenadines. So as a Windrush descendant, it is important for me to hear how respect will be shown to the Caribbean people who helped to re-build Britain and helped to pave the way for the wonderful diversity that we all benefit from in this country today.

Alongside MP Malhotra, Nigel Hills (Deputy Director, Home Office) participated in a meeting with Museum Board Members, NextGen Council and the Development Council. This included some of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs and businesspeople such as Mia Morris OBE, Levi Roots, Paulette Simpson CBE and Wade Lyn. Crucially, this Museum team are also members of the Windrush generation or descendants who contribute to British culture, commerce and industry in many ways. 

Consequently, we are all well-positioned to speak with our community and personal experiences front of mind.

We spoke first with Nigel Hills, who is involved with the Windrush Compensation scheme. It was heartening to hear that he feels his team is well-resourced, though he admits that he needs more capacity to work with the wider community on bigger initiatives. This is where I believe the NWM can collaborate with the Home Office and Windrush campaigners. Working on bigger community initiatives with the community is one way they can improve their relationship with the Windrush generation. This could help where some of the teams who deal with Windrush claimants may lack the diversity and lived experience that would facilitate smoother engagement. Mr Hills had a desire to improve the status quo and seek meaningful solutions to improve relations. So I hope that his team will take steps to create these solutions, alongside other Government departments, and in consultation with the NWM and relevant groups.

MP Malhotra then spoke about the Government wanting to do better by the Windrush Generation and have a ‘reset moment’ - a time to start listening and learning in order to create a culture shift in how they support and recognise the Windrush elders and their achievements. Hopefully this means we will see improvements in not only policy, but education reform to encourage the British public to give this generation their flowers.

Following the meeting, we enjoyed a ‘Community Conversation’ with the general public. Levi Roots led an engaging Q&A where MP Malhotra answered further questions around policy, government support for the NWM, how the Government will ensure that Windrush voice’s are central to decisions affecting them and how the Government can bring the nation on a journey to warmly embrace recognition of the Windrush community. The MP’s response centred around building trust, a need for various government departments to work together and an openness to engage the NWM in creating solutions. Dr Les Johnson suggested a collaboration with a conference in 2025 as a means of engagement, with further meetings before then to drive wider action plans and consultations.

Overall, all parties agreed that the recognition of the Windrush generation’s valuable impact is long overdue and so the need for the NWM is clear. The visit was encouraging and a reassuring stamp of approval from the Government. The desire to re-build trust was repeatedly mentioned, so I am open to giving the Labour Government that opportunity. I look forward to us working with the Government to ensure that Windrush elders finally feel seen, heard and appreciated. Not only by their descendants but by Britain as a whole. And the National Windrush Museum is just the place to execute and deliver that mission.

Rachel Glean-Dumbrell, NWM Board Member & NextGen Council member