Floella, Julienne and Marina

Oral History Project

Capturing and sharing the incredible experiences of Black and dual heritage communities

The Barnardo’s Oral History project is about capturing and sharing the incredible experiences of Black and dual heritage communities, including the post-war African and Caribbean communities in Britain, often referred to as the Windrush Generation.

For Black History Month this year, we’re highlighting the journeys of these communities through conversations and interviews with some remarkable individuals. Join us as we discover the lives, perspectives and experiences that have shaped generations. 

As part of the Oral History Project you can listen to: 

  • The personal experience of our Vice President, Baroness Floella Benjamin who came to Britain from Trinidad and Tobago as a small child
  • Our six-part feature - Resilience: a life in Care, a series with Tony Simpson who retraces his steps in Barnardo's Care by visiting the places and institutions he was born and raised in
  • The intergenerational conversations between our British black and dual heritage care leavers about their experience of being supported by Barnardo’s  
  • Personal reflections of our staff as the direct descendants of the Windrush generation 

Listen to the first episode here:

You can also listen on Apple PodcastSpotify and Castbox. 
 

Explore their stories

Our history

If you'd like to know more about the history of Barnardo's, you can read about our beginnings, growth and our commitment to continue the work Dr Thomas Barnardo began in 1867.