Detention Outreach

Supporting asylum seekers detained
Our outreach programme provides different services to detainees depending on their individual needs. We visit individuals at Harmondsworth and Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centres.

Services provided on site include:
Visiting
We co-ordinate weekly pastoral visits by trained volunteers to provide emotional support and regular contact for individuals.
Resources
We enable detainees to keep their contacts and life on track, by providing monthly mobile phone top-ups to enable communication with family, friends and support workers involved in their case.
Materials
We offer journals and magazines relevant to personal and professional interests, toiletry packs, and modest financial assistance in case of removal or release from detention.
Letter writing
Our pen-befrienders offer individuals a chance to improve their written English, talk about their interests and keep in touch with news from the outside world.
Referrals
We also provide informal advice, plus referrals to legal and medical agencies, including for those released. 

Sister Margaret Baxter and Sister Anne-Elizabeth de Vuyst can explain more about supporting detainees and how to get involved as a volunteer visitor or pen-befriender.