Leicester's Windrush Tea Party under threat

The much-loved Leicester Windrush Tea Party appeals for urgent support.

The Windrush Tea Party needs funds for 2025's event to take place

One of Leicester’s key community events, the Windrush Tea Party, may not go ahead this year after expected funding failed to materialise. Organisers at Opal22 are now calling on members of the public, local businesses, and community groups to help keep the event alive through donations and support.

Held annually, the Windrush Tea Party brings together Caribbean elders for a Caribbean-style high tea, accompanied by live music, performances, and conversation.

It is a space for celebration and reflection honouring the legacy of the Windrush Generation while also creating a space for younger generations to learn about the resilience, culture, and contributions of their predecessors.

“This event has become a real point of connection for the community,” said Tara Munroe, Creative Director at Opal22, which organises the event. “It’s about showing our elders that they are valued and remembered – not just in history books, but here and now, in their own city.

"And it’s also about helping young people see themselves as part of a wider story. We didn’t get the funding we were counting on this year, but we’re determined not to let that be the end of it. We just need some help.”

Since its founding in 2016, Opal22 has worked to make arts, culture, and heritage more accessible for people of colour and working-class communities. Through events like the Windrush Tea Party, it seeks to make Black British history visible, relevant, and celebrated within everyday life.

To help make this year’s Windrush Tea Party possible, Opal22 has launched a GoFundMe campaign, inviting supporters to contribute whatever they can. The funds will go directly towards covering the essential costs of the event – including catering, transport for elders, entertainment, venue hire, and accessibility provisions.

Every donation, no matter the size, will help ensure the Windrush Generation is honoured in the way they deserve, with even modest contributions, Munroe says, can making a meaningful difference.

Donations can be made via the GoFundMe page. Supporters are also encouraged to share the campaign widely through social media and community networks to help reach as many people as possible.

“We know the appetite is there – from the people who attend year after year, and from those who bring their children to take part,” Tara added. “It’s one of those events where people leave feeling uplifted and connected. We just need a bit of help getting over the line this year."