Azeez Ramon
The Home Office has launched a grassroots initiative to urge victims of the Windrush Scandal who have not yet claimed compensation to come forward.
The Community Engagement Fund (CEF), established to increase awareness of the Windrush Compensation and Documentation Scheme, is receiving an additional £150,000 from the government.
According to The Voice, more than 50,000 people who could be eligible to make a claim were reached by grassroots organisations thanks to the successful first round of funding, which also identified obstacles that keep victims from coming forward.
Now, local organisations can apply for £5,000–£10,000 in funding to carry out projects that tackle these obstacles, especially the pervasive belief that Windrush programs are exclusive to Caribbean communities.
Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra, said: “Windrush victims have waited too long for recognition and redress—with many still not feeling able to come forward to access the compensation they are entitled to.
“We need to see this change. By funding trusted grassroots organisations to provide advocacy and support, we want to better reach those who have been wronged but remain unaware of the support available.
“This government is determined to deliver on its manifesto commitment that every victim of this scandal receives the justice they deserve.”
According to data from the first CEF financing round, Caribbean populations are more aware of compensation systems; individuals from other backgrounds have not applied because they are unsure of their eligibility or have misconceptions about them.
Many suffered job loss, denial of healthcare, threats of deportation, and, in some cases, real deportation from a nation they had every right to call home as a result of the Home Office Windrush affair.
Projects should concentrate on the following and must be completed by the fiscal year 2025–2026:
Correcting misinformation and increasing awareness in non-Caribbean populations
Getting information on the reasons why qualified people aren’t applying
Making connections with support services for prospective claimants
As part of the larger Plan for Change to bring justice to Windrush victims, the monies also seek to fulfill the government’s manifesto pledge to increase assistance and collaborate more closely with impacted communities.
Applications for CEF must be submitted on May 28, 2025.
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The initiative to support Windrush victims is a crucial step towards justice, but it feels like it’s coming too late for many. It’s encouraging to see additional funding being allocated, but I wonder if £150,000 is enough to truly address the scale of the issue. The focus on grassroots organisations is smart, as they’re often more trusted within communities, but how will the government ensure these funds are used effectively? It’s concerning that so many people still feel excluded or unsure about their eligibility—what more can be done to break down these barriers? The mention of misconceptions about the program being exclusive to Caribbean communities is particularly troubling; this needs urgent clarification. While the commitment to justice is commendable, I can’t help but feel that more proactive measures are needed to prevent such scandals in the future. What steps are being taken to ensure this never happens again?