Fearless Youth Collective

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An exploration of thoughts, feelings and energy through the creative power of written prose and rhythmic beats.

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Unit 8, Howitt Wing Building, Lenton Blvd NG7 2BY

By Tristan Best

2023 marks 75 years since the first arrival of the Windrush Generation.

The whole topic and the people get their name from the boat called the HMT Empire Windrush. It was originally called MV Monte Rosa, and a passenger liner and cruise ship launched in 1930 in Germany and owned by the shipping line Hamburg Sud. The first journey from the Caribbean was said to have successfully carried over 1,027 men, women and children, looking to start a new life.

The massive vessel arrived in Tilbury Docks, East London on 22nd June, 1948. This marked the beginning of the Windrush Generation, as it was the first of many ships to come and go with new people and new beginnings. Due to the large number of people migrating to Britain, the British government enforced the 1948 British Nationality act, which gave everyone who lived in the UK or any British colony around the world the exact same rights to live and work in Britain. This helped a lot of people make the leap for a fresh start.

Back in those days, the voyage by boat was a mighty journey, usually taking 21-22 days from Jamaica to the UK. Between 1947 and 1970, almost half a million people took the journey from the Caribbean to Britain by boat and plane.

It’s very important that we remember what the Windrush generation did for us, when they came here all those years ago. The many people who started a fresh life helped to rebuild Britain. They worked in many different occupations and without them the Country would have been in drastic turmoil.

The many men and women working everyday ensured that we had an efficient railway system, construction business and health system, with the doctors, nurses and practitioners and much more taking care of us when they were needed. Not to forget this was in aid after the Second World War, so we really needed help.

This year, 2023 marks the great 75th anniversary of the Windrush Generation’s first voyage, so you can expect great festivities all over the United Kingdom. Embrace the culture they have brought to the UK and remember to treat people with the same respect that you would expect them to treat you. Equality is the key to a happy and efficient society.

Artwork by Amal Hudson (colour) and Samantha Hudson (monochrome)

We speak to Open Doors Forum co-founder Bev Stewart about how the charity has been supporting young and old alike since 2003…

Derby is a city filled with great opportunities – but people’s access to them isn’t always equal, with many facing unfair disadvantages as a result of their race or class. The task of bridging these gaps often falls to those in the voluntary sector, who give up their own time and energy for the betterment of their communities.

Among these grassroots heroes is the hardworking team behind the Open Doors Forum: a voluntary organisation aimed at improving the lives of all generations of Afro-Caribbean people in Derby.

“Too often, people are not connected,” says Bev Stewart, who established the organisation alongside co-founder Sonia Richards in May 2003. “So we decided to try and join up the dots.”

Among ODF’s main recurring projects is its threeweek summer scheme, which facilitates sports, education and free food for children during the school holidays. Past activities have included baking, first aid practice and paintballing, with large cohorts of children taking part in the fun year after year.

“I can say in all honesty that we’ve had over a thousand children go through our organisation,” Bev says. “In fact, many of the kids that used to come here for the summer scheme are now bringing their own children here.”

In addition, ODF works with institutions such as the City Council to boost educational and employment outcomes for young Black people throughout the city, and on one occasion even made contact with the fire service to successfully help one of their

By Jamie Morris

young service users start a career as a firewoman.

Honouring the past by caring for their elders is just as important to the ODF crew as supporting the youth, however, and much of their work is based around highlighting the under-discussed health issues that can tragically cut Black people’s lives short.

“We try to raise awareness of issues like organ donations, sickle cell and prostate cancer – things that affect us directly as Afro-Caribbean,” Bev says. “The hardest thing I do is attend a lot of funerals, because it’s part of our community to show honour to people who have passed and to give support to the family.”

On the last Wednesday of each month, ODF also invites the elderly to socialise over tea, coffee and cake at their base at the ANFC Church in Normanton, which doubles as a warm space for people struggling to pay for heating. Furthermore, ODF will be commemorating the 75th annual Windrush Day with a series of events aimed at members of the Windrush Generation this summer, including a day at the Royal Ascot races on 22nd June and a dinner dance at a later date.

Twenty years in, ODF shows no signs of slowing down – but Bev says that there’s always a need for further volunteers in order for the organisation to keep running. “People don’t always give back, so my advice for everybody is to give a minimum of two hours a week – or even two hours a month – just to help grow your community. I don’t think it’s a lot,” she says.

“We want to say thank you to all the supporters and all the people that have volunteered for us over the years, because without them, we couldn’t function.” Find