Windrush Families
Access, for everyone
June
2026
Reggae on the Bay is a community-led cultural gathering delivered by Afro*disiac Live Radio CIC, in partnership with the National Trust, the Home Office Windrush Customer Support and Engagement Team, Dorset Police, Turtle Bay and RNLI.
This free, open-access event brings families and communities together at Shell Bay, using the natural coastal landscape as a space for reflection, learning, and celebration. Rooted in African-Caribbean heritage, the programme blends live reggae music, storytelling, cultural workshops, and nature-based activity.
Reggae on the Bay honours Windrush as a living legacy — creating intergenerational dialogue, shared memory, and a deeper relationship with the natural world of the Dorset coastline.
attendees
Families travelling in
run by afro*disiac live Radio CIC – a Community-led organisation
Years of Windrush arrival honoured at Shell Bay
Rooted in the commitments made to our partners — from National Trust to the Home Office Windrush team — and including direct access to the Windrush Compensation Scheme.
Fostering a deeper appreciation of African-Caribbean culture and its historical contribution to the UK, with specific focus on the Windrush legacy — making it visible, respected, and understood.
Strengthening relationships between participants from diverse backgrounds through shared cultural experience and intergenerational engagement — strangers becoming community.
Increasing awareness of Afro*disiac Live Radio CIC and its mission to amplify African-Caribbean voices, stories, and lived experiences across the South Coast and beyond.
Guided nature walks with the National Trust link African-Caribbean storytelling to the Dorset coastline — helping participants engage with the natural environment through a cultural and historical lens.
Unlike standard commercial events, Reggae on the Bay is co-created with the community — ensuring the experience reflects shared history, joy, and inclusion rather than top-down programming.
Reframing Windrush from a historical moment to a living legacy that continues to shape contemporary Britain — honoured with visibility, respect, and care in both content and delivery.
In partnership with the Home Office Windrush Customer Support and Engagement Team, Reggae on the Bay provides attendees with direct access to information about the Windrush Compensation Scheme. Many members of the Windrush generation and their families may be entitled to compensation and have not yet come forward. Our event creates a trusted, community-led space where people can learn about their eligibility, ask questions, and connect with the support team face to face — in an environment that feels safe and familiar, not institutional. If you or someone you know was affected by the Windrush scandal, this could be life-changing information.
Doors open 11am. Every activity is free and open to all — no bookings needed on the day.
All day
Running throughout the day, our Deck Chair Conversations are intimate, unhurried moments where members of the Windrush generation share their personal stories — the journey, the arrival, the life built here. Short conversations, captured and preserved. If you or someone you know has a story to tell, come and sit down with us.
Capturing living history
All day
A proper Dominos mini competition running across the day — old school, community style. Sign up on arrival, bring your game, and represent. One of the most beloved traditions of Caribbean community life, right there on the beach.
Open to all · Sign up on the day
1 hour
Hands-on interactive drumming rooted in African-Caribbean musical tradition. Open to all ages — no experience needed. Join in, feel the rhythm, connect with the heritage.
1 hour
Spoken word and poetry exploring the history and human stories of the Windrush generation — followed by beach games for families and younger attendees. Culture, laughter, and community all in one hour.
1 hour
A facilitated coastal walk linking African-Caribbean storytelling with the Shell Bay landscape. Alongside water safety session — culture, movement, and place connected.
In partnership with National Trust and RNLI
All day
The main event. Celebrated reggae artists bring Shell Bay to life — honouring the Windrush legacy through uplifting music by the sea. The soundtrack of a generation, live on the beach.
Your host for the day
Cultural workshops throughout
This is where our community lives year-round — not just on event day. Get early announcements, priority coach booking access, members-only updates from Afro*Disiac Radio, and direct connection with people who share your love of this event.
Community members
Not just event day
Always open to join
The WhatsApp group is where I found out about the coaches, met people before the day, and felt part of something before I even arrived at the beach.
Community members
Your support helps make possible
This is where our community lives year-round — not just on event day. Get early announcements, priority coach booking access, members-only updates from Afro*Disiac Radio, and direct connection with people who share your love of this event
Live music programming on the beach — celebrating the sounds, stories, and cultural legacy of Windrush through uplifting performances by the sea
Drumming workshops & cultural activities — hands-on experiences that connect generations through rhythm, creativity, heritage, and shared learning
Deck Chair Conversations — creating space for reflection, storytelling, and conversations that preserve and honour Windrush experiences and African-Caribbean history
Community event infrastructure — stages, sound, marquees, seating, accessibility measures, signage, stewarding, and everything needed to safely deliver the event
Health, safety & welfare provision — professional first aid, safeguarding, security, crowd management, and event control systems that keep the community safe throughout the day
Environmental protection measures — responsible delivery within the natural coastal setting of Shell Bay, protecting the surrounding environment and public space
Keeping the event free and accessible — ensuring families, elders, young people, and communities of all backgrounds can attend without financial barriers
Become a founding supporter
Bay Supporter
per year · or £2.50/month
Most popular
Bay Family
per year · or £4/month
Cultural Patron · £100/yr | Business Ally · £250/yr
For deeper supporters and local businesses. Includes name credit, radio mentions, sponsor listing, and priority access to all Afro*disiac events.
Organisations who believe in the power of culture, heritage and community.
Sunday 21st June 2026
11:00am — 6:00pm
Shell Bay Beach, Studland
Swanage, Dorset BH19
National Trust managed coastline
Ferry crossing or No.50 More Buses service. Coaches organised from London and surrounding areas by Our Family Affair. Members get priority booking across all coach routes.
Free. Register via Humanitix. Coloured wristband system on the day — children's wristbands include parent contact number.
Register free. Support the cause.
