GDWG has been supporting people held in indefinite immigration detention near Gatwick for 30 years. Last year we supported double the number of people we supported in 2019. We need your help to meet rising demand and to continue providing essential support to people in detention and post-release.
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People in detention often have intersectional identities, with many from minoritised communities, speaking English as a second language, or identifying as LGBTQI+. The UK is the only country in Europe without a time-limit on detention. This can leave people feeling hopeless, suffering with poor mental health and incidents of self-harm are not uncommon. After detention, around 60% of people are released back into the community, with many being released to homelessness and extreme poverty.
The GDWG team works tirelessly to support people from their very first day in detention, providing essentials like phone credit, clothing, and access to solicitors, medical aid and interpreters. Our 70 trained volunteers offer weekly visits, providing friendship and emotional support. After detention, GDWG continues to support by providing supermarket vouchers and emergency accommodation. People are welcomed into a diverse and supportive community to support their long-term recovery.
