25 June 2025
Summary: Residents at the Moorlands Estate in Brixton took part in a lunch as part of Windrush Day celebrations
Around 40 residents at the Moorlands Estate in Brixton took part in a lunch on Thursday 19th June organised by MTVH as part of our week of celebrations in the lead up to Windrush Day.
The event brought together residents of all ages – including members of the original Windrush generation and their descendants – to share memories, conversation and food at the Moorlands Community Centre.
The Windrush Generation is highly significant to MTVH, with the history of the Windrush story being woven into our history. In the 1950s, MTVH’s founder, Lady Molly Huggins, was deeply troubled by the poor state of housing faced by those who came to Britain after World War II to help rebuild the country – many of whom were met with racial discrimination and forced to live in substandard housing provided by unscrupulous landlords. In response, she established a charitable organisation to provide safe, affordable homes and a sense of dignity and belonging.
The Moorlands Community Centre is also home to Michelle’s Kitchen, which serves low-cost meals for the community every Thursday, and the centre’s pantry offers low-cost, dignified access to healthy food, allowing residents to pay £5 a week for a choice of 10 fresh fruit and vegetable items or up to 10 donated goods from supermarkets and food suppliers.
Emildah Chabata, MTVH Regional Manager, Community Impact, said:
“It was a real joy to see so many residents and members of the community come together to celebrate the Windrush generation, which holds deep significance to both Brixton and MTVH.
“The residents shared powerful stories of arriving in Britain in the 1950s and 60s and reflected on the challenges they faced and the resilience they showed. It’s vital to ensure that these stories are preserved and passed on to ensure that future generations understand the barriers they faced and the lasting contributions the Windrush generation made.”
The lunch was one of a series of events held by MTVH as part of its Windrush 2025 programme, including all-colleague webinars and resident lunches.
Below (Staff and volunteers at the Moorlands Community Centre pantry)
Below: Volunteers at Michelle’s Kitchen, Moorlands Community Centre. From left to right: ‘Miss P’, Beryl, Michelle.
Below: The Windrush lunch at Moorlands Community Hall, Brixton.
