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In 2008, we assisted 50 children held in Tinsley House.
NEWSRECENT NEWSOLDER NEWS
March 2013
In the words of HMIP, GDWG 'very good support to detainees' in Tinsley House

HMIP congratulated Tinsley House ‘one of the best centres we have inspected’ and wrote that ‘detainee feedback on staff was exceptional’. ‘The Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group provided very good support to detainees’.

Of interest to visitors,…‘rules in the visits hall should be less restrictive and should be applied more consistently’ (item 4.10). Some concerns reported by detainees to GDWG were addressed including ‘routine handcuffing for external appointments’. The Report noted ‘referrals and assessments in relation to whether detainees’ mental health or physical health could be adversely affected by detention should be consistent and multidisciplinary’ (2.90), and that there are ‘significant shortcomings in mental health provision’.

This was the follow-up inspection of Tinsley House IRC (8 – 11 October 2012) by HMIP published on 27 February 2013. Report is available here.



December 2012
Christmas Cards on Sale

Following a Christmas card design competition held in association with the art class in Tinsley House, we have two designs of Christmas cards on sale from the office in packs of ten.

The ‘ChristmasTree’ design pictured here contains the words ‘Wishing you a Merry Christmas’ and the second design features the word ‘Peace’ and a dove on a blue background with the words ‘Wishing you Peace at Christmas’ inside the card.

These packs of cards cost just £3.50. Email anna@gdwg.org.uk if you would like to reserve some for collection. We send Christmas wishes to all our supporters and volunteers.



December 2012
Young supporter takes our message to the House of Lords

Following on from Parliament Week 19-25 November which encouraged young people to take an interest in the parliamentary process, we thank Lord and Lady Dholakia for hosting one of our young supporters. He took a copy of our report ‘A Prison in the Mind’ to share in the House of Lords.

Our young ambassador was able to sit in the Chamber during Questions and enjoyed a tour learning about the history and traditions of the House of Lords. He left a copy of ‘A Prison in the Mind’ with Lord Dholakia and took away fascinating insights to share at his school through the school magazine. Thanks to our Patron for the welcome and interest.



November 2012
Mayor of Crawley visits GDWG

The Mayor and Mayoress of Crawley, Councillor Keith Blake and Councillor Sally Blake, came to ‘The Orchard’ yesterday for lunch with GDWG volunteers and an ex-detainee who described life in Brook House from his own experience. This was followed by their first visit to a detainee in Brook House where they learned first-hand about A’s journey from Eritrea and his forthcoming removal directions to Italy this week. The Mayor and Mayoress expressed interest in the work GDWG is doing and asked us to pass on congratulations to our volunteers on all their visits which we are delighted to do! Thanks to the volunteers who prepared the lunch and hosted our guests.



November 2012
GDWG release report looking at the mental health implications of long-term detention

‘A prison in the mind’ looks at the effects that long-term detention has had on a small sample of detainees held at Brook House IRC. Through interviews with both detainees and GDWG visitors, the study comes to the conclusion that while detention has a negative effect on detainees’ mental state, it may be inappropriate to label these symptoms as mental health problems, and instead could be seen as a normal reaction to the circumstances that long-term detainees find themselves in. The report makes a series of recommendations on the subject, primarily that those with diagnosed mental illnesses should never be detained. You can read the full report here.



October 2012
GDWG helps celebrate Black History Month

GDWG congratulates Crawley Black History Foundation on a successful celebration of Black History at the Hawth Theatre on Saturday 13 October. Thanks to Black History for the invitation to join the celebration. GDWG along with Crawley Campaign Against Racism, Mary’s Meals and the Barbados Tourist Office presented their stall to the Mayor of Crawley in the foyer of the theatre. Artwork by Pound Hill Junior School on the GDWG stall on the theme of ‘Showing the Red Card’ to racism brought us new supporters and thanks to everyone in the audience who came to find out about the work that we do. It was a great show in The Hawth theatre with special mention to Ifield Community College Choir and the Chagossian Drummers. Thank you Marilyn!



July 2012
GDWG celebrates Refugee in style with The Longest Day


The Longest Day began with a surprise... Baroness Williams of Crosby congratulating GDWG for their support to those in detention at Gatwick.

Sheila Hancock shared her personal experience visiting someone in detention at Brook House and setting the tone of a powerful evening of hope and joy and a celebration of Refugee Week.

Emmanuel Jal described his journey from child soldier in Sudan at the age of seven to international music star with a 'We Want Peace' campaign.

Impossible to follow? Try Attila the Stockbroker: 'the Clash meets Hilaire Belloc', comedians Amy Hoggart and Steve Punt, music by Joni Fuller, poetry by Inua Ellams and dance music and song by Reigate Sixth Form College.

Second surprise of the evening was Bridges Arts Group's performance devised from creative drama workshop experiences inside Brook House IRC. Fifteen year old Alex Parry brought the evening to a close performing a piano solo that he had written to express the feelings of a detainee he met in Tinsley House.

And the third surprise? The man who inspired the music came on stage... 'this music conveys how I have travelled on this hard road over these past few years' and 'I have not been destroyed by my situation. I will carry on step by step to the end because I am strongly convinced that the one who endures to the end will be saved. I still have hope. Thank you to Alex and to everyone for helping me on my journey'.

This was a community event funded by The Big Lottery Awards for All with foyer art by Pound Hill Junior School and Thomas Bennett Community College and interval drumming by Samba X Project mixed ability drumming group.


Emmanuel Jal
May 2012
Sheila Hancock added to The Longest Day cast


Tickets are on sale now for 'The Longest Day' celebrating Refugee Week in Crawley on Thursday 21st June. Come and see Sheila Hancock at the Hawth Theatre in an evening of drama, dance, comedy, music, poetry and art. Buy tickets online www.hawth.co.uk.

Many of the artists appearing have now visited detainees in Brook House or Tinsley House. School workshops and talks are underway raising awareness of the invisible world of detention and highlighting the rich contribution that refugees make to our community. Pound Hill Junior School and Thomas Bennett Community College will be contributing to a foyer art exhibition on the night. Laugh with Amy Hoggart, with Steve Punt of the Radio 4 'Now Show'; be moved by Inua Ellams, Michael Rosen and Attila the Stockbroker, by the drama of Bridges Arts Group and Reigate Sixth Form College; hear musicians Alex Parry and Joni Fuller.

The nearest station is Three Bridges and The Hawth theatre has much free parking. Book in person, online, or by telephone: 01293 553636. Tickets are £15 or £10 concessions. There's something for everyone at The Hawth Theatre at 7.30pm on 21st June. Come and join Sheila Hancock celebrating Refugee Week in Crawley. If your community group or organisation would like a talk in connection with this event, please call the office.


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