City Hall Liberal Democrats have marked Windrush Day today by calling for a greater recognition of the Barrel Children.
The term ‘Barrel Children’ is used to describe the many children left behind in the Caribbean states as their parents answered the call to work in the UK following the Second World War. These children used to receive barrels of material resources such as clothes and toys sent by their parents from the UK.
Many of these children were separated from their parents for many months and years until they themselves could come to the UK and be reunited with their parents.
Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member Hina Bokhari is now calling for a greater awareness and recognition of the Barrel Children, stating that their story has often gone overlooked.
Commenting Hina Bokhari AM said:
“All Londoners and all British people should be extremely proud of the outstanding contribution the Windrush Generation have made to the United Kingdom.
“From helping rebuild a London devastated by the Blitz, to being a crucial part in the formative years of the NHS, the Windrush generation were and remain at the forefront of our society.
“It is great to see with Windrush Day, awareness of this contribution is now increasing, and wrongs highlighted in the Windrush Scandal are beginning to be addressed.
“However, some stories remain untold and that of the Barrel Children is one which has received comparatively little attention.
“These children experienced often experienced hardship and isolation while their parents were helping to rebuild the UK.
“When many of these children themselves made it to Britain months and years after their parents, they also contributed immensely to the economic and cultural life of our country.
“It is fantastic to see that the Black Cultural Archives’ latest exhibition will be delving into the story of the Barrel Children, something which will hopefully start a bigger conversation on their journey and contribution to London and the UK as a whole.”
