July 2011
HMIP report on Tinsley House finds improvements
HMIP released their latest report on Tinsley House, after an announced inspection which took place in February this year. The report follows a rather critical report from 2009, and this time round they found a number of improvements, most notably in staff-detainee relationships and a reduction in bullying. There were however some areas of concern, including late night transfers, detainees who don't speak English, and mental health provision. You can download the report here.
March 2011
GDWG celebrates 15 years of supporting detainees at Gatwick
GDWG were joined by our Patrons, Baroness Shirley Williams and Lord Dholakia, at an event to celebrate 15 years of our work supporting those held in detention at Gatwick.
The evening was hosted by Sheila Hancock, who did a fantastic job introducing all of the speakers, including a young Afghan man who flew in from Germany especially to be with us. Sheila told the audience that she was 'honoured and humbled' to be part of the evening, and how, since we first took her to visit someone in Brook House at the end of last year, she has become very passionate about what we do here. She also told us how she stood up Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber to come and spend the evening with us!
We were very pleased that a number of people who had previously been held in the Gatwick centres were able to join us, and to sample some of the delicious food provided by Brighton Voices in Exile. The evening also saw the launch of our publication Common Ground (see article below) and Lives in Limbo, an audio visual slideshow documenting our work.
February 2011
GDWG report on a survey of their volunteers
As part of our ongoing monitoring and evaluation, GDWG conducted a survey of their volunteers at the end of 2010. The results showed that the majority of volunteers felt that the experience of visiting was one that was beneficial to both visitor and detainee, and that the work of the group was seen as valuable and important. The report of the survey can be found here.
January 2011
Common Ground : Reflections on Fifteen Years of GDWG
A publication to celebrate fifteen years of GDWG will be launched on Tuesday 1st March at a birthday party hosted by Sheila Hancock CBE. Stories from the shared experience of the visits room convey the privilege of finding common ground with detainees who have come from different cultures, have frequently had extraordinary life experiences, and who display inspirational courage.
The publication includes memories from GDWG staff past and present, trustees, volunteers, and ex-detainees from the early days of visits to The Beehive in 1995, to today, and 8,000 contacts with the group later, with visits to Brook House and Tinsley House.
'He was weeping and tearful with a shaking body' writes one volunteer remembering his visits to a young man which have left him with years of nightmares. 'Talking to GDWG gave me a brotherly feeling' writes one ex-detainee.
With contributions from our Patrons, the Rt Hon. Baroness Williams of Crosby PC and Lord Dholakia OBE, DL. 'Common Ground' presents heartfelt testimonies which pay tribute to those we have reached out to and to our visitors who find common ground and much, much more.
July 2010
HMIP report criticises conditions in Brook House
HMIP have just publised a report off the back of their first inspection at Brook House, which took place earlier this year. The report highlighted a number of areas of concern, and described the centre as 'fundamentally unsafe.' Dame Ann Owers, the outgoing Chief Inspector of Prisons, was especially concerned with violence and bullying, the prison-like building, insufficient activities and inadequate mental health services. Since the inspectors were in Brook House, G4S and UKBA have brought in a number of new initiatives to try to improve the overall conditions, but Dame Owers was still concerned that the centre, which appears to have been designed to hold people for a few days only, was not suitable to hold detainees for extended periods of months and even years. The HMIP press release can be seen here, while the full report can be viewed here.
July 2010
Coalition of organisations push for detention reform
GDWG are working with a number of other detention-related organisations to try and urge the new government to look at the issue of detention and bring in necessary reforms. A total of 27 groups have now signed a joint letter, which was sent to the Home Secretary and Immigration Minister in late June, asking for an independent review and a moratorium on any plans to expand the detention estate. You can see a copy of the letter here.
We hope this will be the first step in a longer process whereby we can relay our concerns around detention, and argue that the system in its current form is inefficient, expensive and extremely damaging to the individual. If you would like further information, or would like to be involved, please contact us.
May 2010
End to child detention announced in Queens Speech
GDWG welcomes the announcement from the coalition so early in the new government that they will end the detention of children for immigration purposes. The Immigration Minister, Damian Green, has set up a review of alternatives to child detention. We hope this will result in the early release of children currently being detained and the formation of a solution that meets the needs of the different circumstances of each family. There are concerns that the ending of child detention could lead to the separation of families, with parents in detention and children being placed in care, so we are keeping a close eye on the situation.
May 2010
Election candidate quizzed over asylum issues
A small group from GDWG were lucky enough to gain tickets to attend the Citizens UK Assembly on May 3rd where an audience of 2,500 people asked the three party leaders to back the Sanctuary Pledge. In what was subsequently called 'The Fourth Debate' and in an electric atmosphere, the leaders were challenged to safeguard the long-term future of sanctuary and to support policies that would end the detention of children and families for immigration purposes. Encouragingly, all three leaders agreed to work to end child detention and new local MP, Henry Smith, also replied to our enquiries before the election that he agreed with the principles of of the pledge.
April 2010
GDWG host Detained Lives Event in Brighton
GDWG will be hosting the London Detainee Support Group when they bring their Detained Lives campaign roadshow to Brighton on Monday 19th November, at Community Base, 113 Queens Road, BN1 3XG. As part of the evening's proceedings, LDSG will be screening their short film, '1000 Voices', followed by a talk by an ex-detainee. There will also be presentations by GDWG and Brighton Voices In Exile. All are welcome. More details can be found here (PDF).
January 2010
New time limits for women and children detained at Tinsley House
In response to HM Chief Inspector of Prisons' report that brought to light the unacceptable conditions for children and single women held in Tinsley House, the following two changes have been implemented. Firstly, Children can no longer be held for more than 24 hours. If they are to remain in detention they will be transferred to Yarl's wood. Secondly, the stay for single women has been limited to 72 hours, and officers will check up on the women throughout the day, to ensure all of their welfare needs have been met. Additionally, women will have access to activities in isolation including the opportunity to eat their meals separately from the men. This presumably will have an affect on the work of the group, in terms of reducing the likelihood of us coming into contact with women and families in Tinsley.
December 2009
HMIP report heavily critical of Tinsley House
HMIP have just released their latest report from an unannounced inspection they did at Tinsley House back in July. The report highlights the poor and deteriorating conditions for women and children in particular, calling them 'wholly unacceptable.' Dame Ann Owers and her team also described how the centre had suffered since the opening of Brook House, as most of G4S' attention was focused on the problems they were having at the new centre. The Inspectors recommended that GDWG be allowed to run a drop-in clinic at the centre, but this request is being resisted strongly by UKBA.
The report has been widely reported across many mainstream media, and a copy can be found on our page here.
October 2009
Gatwick hotel applies to become detention centre
On 18th September 2009, hotel group Arora International applied to change the purpose of Mercure London Gatwick from a hotel (class C1) to become a removals centre (class C2A). The application states that it could house up to 500 detainees, including families. The Home Office, however, deny that UKBA has been involved in talks with Arora International for another centre at Gatwick, although we are awaiting the result of a freedom of information request to corroborate this. Follow this link to read the application (CR/2009/0421/COU) and to comment to Crawley Borough Council by 15th October.
See tinyurl.com/yezg2uf
July 2009
GDWG trustee and founder member awarded MBE
Congratulations to Felicity Dick, GDWG founder member, former chair and current trustee, whose tireless efforts over the years have just been recognised with an MBE. Felicity's vision, inspiration and commitment to the work of the GDWG have contributed immensley to its growth and strength, and over the years she has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the group.
Felicity says, "I am very proud to have received this honour. It is recognition of the importance and quality of support given to detainees by GDWG's dedicated staff and volunteers over the last 14 years. Sadly, detainees still desperately need that support." It is no exaggeration to say that without her the group would look nothing like it does today, and the thousands of detainees we have assisted over this period would not have benefited from our services.
Thank you, Felicity.
May 2009
Strangers into Citizens rally
Despite the drizzle and encouraged by African singing from the crowd, a small group of GDWG visitors carried the green and white GDWG banner which usually adorns our office from Westminster Cathedral to Trafalgar Square on the Strangers into Citizens rally on 4 May. Many thanks to Brenda, Ann, Esther, Lauren, Roger, Gemma, Dorothy and Kate (sorry Barry and Don that we missed you in the crowd!)...The message of the march was that immigrants across the UK who have been in the country for four or more years should be admitted to a two-year pathway to full legal rights to remain during which they should be given the opportunity to work legally and demonstrate their contribution to UK economy and society. The message was well supported with 15,000 people coming together after services in churches across central London. The march was good humoured and we spread the word of GDWG with an interview on Camden Radio!
April 2009
New GDWG website launched
We are happy to announce that our new website is now live! The site, funded by Awards for All, has been re-designed and fully updated, with a new section with information on Brook House. There are also a password protected volunteers page, containing documents and information specifically for our visitors. Thanks go to 2 Heads Together - www.2headstogether.com - (Tracey Dowling, Kingfisher Design & Print and Graham Street, Streets Ahead) - for the design and building of the site.
August 2008
GDWG Treasurer wins award
GDWG's Treasurer, Adrian Radford, has won one of four 'Everybody Counts' awards from the Institute of Chartered Accountants, with a prize of £2,000 for GDWG. The awards were given to Chartered Accountants who use their professional skills to help charities, based on their commitment, level of involvement, and the difference their work had made. Adrian was one of GDWG's first five volunteers in 1995 and became Treasurer when we gained charitable status in 1996.
November 2006
Fundraising at the House of Lords
In November 2006 the group's patrons, the Rt Hon the Baroness Williams of Crosby and Lord Dholakia, hosted a fundraising event in the River Room at the House of Lords. The 60 guests were addressed by the group's patrons, Consultant Clinical Psychologist Maeve Crowley and two former detainees, Yasser El Hamad and Abdoulaye Diomande, who described their experiences and the help they had received from GDWG.
June 2006
GDWG recommended by New Philanthropy Capital (NPC)
New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) advises donors and funders on how to give more effectively. Their recent report 'Home Truths - adult refugees and asylum seekers; a guide for donors and funders' cites GDWG as one of their recommended charities.
Click here to view the full report
March 2006
New Detention Centre Planned for Gatwick
The Home Office have officially announced plans to open a new purpose built Immigration Removal Centre at Gatwick Airport. The centre will hold 426 male detainees and is projected to open in 2008.
Click here for the Home Office Press Release
June 2005
Ten years of Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group
In June 2005 current visitors, former volunteers and detainees came together to mark the tenth anniversary of GDWG. The writer and actor John Bird compered the event, and our patrons the Baroness Williams of Crosby and Lord Dholakia gave keynote speeches. A big thank you to all our supporters and volunteers who made the event possible, and to our special guest, Ivorian musician Nicaise N'ikko. For a copy of our special anniversary publication 'Where do I Turn', please send a donation of £3.50 to cover costs and p&p to GDWG, 225 Three Bridges Rd, Crawley, W Sussex, RH10 1LG. (Please make cheque or postal order payable to 'Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group').
June 2005
Queen's Golden Jubilee Award for Voluntary Service 2005
GDWG have been awarded the Queen's award in recognition of the support and friendship offered by volunteers to detainees at Tinsley House.
June 2005
Seeking Asylum is not a Crime! New Amnesty report
Amnesty International suspects that over 25,000 people who have sought asylum in the UK, including women and children, were detained solely under Immigration Act powers in 2004. At present no annual figure is provided by the Government. Their report shows that detention is in many cases protracted, inappropriate, disproportionate and unlawful, and the organisation called on the Government to justify the lawfulness of detention in each and every case.
Click here to view the report
October 2004
2004 Guardian Charity Awards
GDWG is one of the five winners of the 2004 Guardian Charity awards, recognising the work of small charities with an income of less than £1m who try to meet welfare needs in the community.
Click here to view the report
