Watch Nadine White’s powerful documentary exploring the experiences of Caribbean children separated from their Windrush-generation parents, followed by a live conversation with the award-winning journalist and filmmaker.
Barrel Children: The Families Windrush Left Behind explores the experiences of Caribbean children who grew up apart from parents who had travelled to Britain to find work, rebuild their lives and contribute to the country’s post-war recovery.
For some of these children, their main connection to their parents came through letters, money and the barrels of clothing, food and other essential items sent home from Britain.
The documentary looks beyond the familiar Windrush story to examine the lasting emotional effects of separation, migration and eventual reunion. Through personal testimony, it shares stories of children attempting to reconnect with their parents while adapting to a new country, unfamiliar family relationships and a society often marked by racism and exclusion.
The film is the directorial debut of multi-award-winning journalist Nadine White, director and executive producer of Barrel Children and editor of Black Current News.
Following the screening, Nadine will take part in a live question-and-answer session exploring the making of the documentary and the family histories at its heart.
The conversation will be hosted by Charmaine Simpson of Black History Studies. Nadine will be joined by Subira Cameron-Goppy from the Claudia Jones Organisation and the Windrush Justice Clinic.
Together, they will discuss the experiences of the children Windrush migration left behind, the challenges of reconciliation and rediscovery, and the importance of ensuring that these stories form part of Britain’s wider understanding of Windrush.
All proceeds from the event will be donated to the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust, which supports patients living with blood cancer and other serious illnesses who need matched stem-cell, blood or organ donors.
This screening forms part of Camden Council’s Black History Season 2026 programme.
For enquiries, contact grace.moore@camden.gov.uk.
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