Background

There are different ways in which people help and support us. Some people give their time and become visitors. Others are not be able to commit to this, but help us financially or by donating clothing or toiletries. As a charity with limited means, we are grateful for any help we receive.

Becoming a visitor

Visiting is challenging and often stressful. For this reason, qualities such as emotional maturity, empathy and impartiality are more valuable to us than any previous experience. To cope with the demands of visiting, volunteers must have clearly defined boundaries and a realistic understanding of their own limitations. GDWG visitors come from many walks of life, are of every age and from different cultural and professional backgrounds. There are five steps in becoming a visitor:

1. Introductory session: We hold regular sessions throughout the year, which enable you to meet with us and find out if visiting is for you. Please contact the office if you are interested in attending our next session.
2. Interview: We interview all potential volunteers.
3. References: We ask for two character references and check all new volunteers with the Criminal Records Bureau.
4. Induction: Our staff will provide a full induction, which includes an accompanied first visit to Tinsley House.
5. Training: Our training officer Anna organises volunteer training. We ask new visitors to complete three sessions within the first year of joining. One of these sessions is a mandatory session for all new volunteers. They cover the legal aspects of detention, the psychological effects for detainees, cultural awareness and listening skills.

Our volunteers come from the following catchment areas - Brighton, Crawley, Redhill, Horsham, Oxted and East Grinstead. Local support groups are held every four to six weeks in each of these areas, to enable visitors to share their experiences with each other. Each area group has a co-ordinator, who is an experienced volunteer. In addition, our three members of staff are on hand during office hours to help with any worries visitors may have concerning the detainee they are visiting.

If you live in another part of the country and would like to become a visitor, please contact AVID, who can advise you further.

"I volunteer for GDWG because I am appalled at the way refugees and asylum seekers are being treated by the government, and I want to do whatever I can to help them."
GDWG volunteer


"I would like to say thank you for your loving care. Your group are doing something very great by giving people hope to live again. I really gave up at a time when I was so depressed, but my visitor would always come around, talk to me, care about my welfare."
Ex-detainee