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What we do
1) Non-judgemental befriending of immigration detainees in
Haslar is the core service offered. Visits can be simply to
chat and offer a little warmth and friendship, and this is
considered perfectly valid by the group. However, with
detainees naturally very anxious about their legal situation,
and not very familiar with either the English language or UK
immigration procedures, some visitors do sometimes become
involved in helping to find solicitors and sureties (people
to put up bail).
2)
We run a “Drop-In” for asylum seekers in Portsmouth. This operates
twice a week and people can come and go at will and have access to
various professional services without charge or appointment. Tea
coffee fruit and sandwiches are available free of charge so people
can have a drink and meet their friends while they wait to see
someone. Some people come very single-mindedly to see one of the
professionals but others drop-in simply to have a coffee and meet
their friends. That’s fine by us.
3)We run a fund to help men released on bail from Haslar and destitute
asylum-seekers in the community. Asylum seekers receive at best
70% of the official British benefits and some don’t receive
anything at all. They are not allowed to work.
4)Consciousness-raising in the wider community is part of our remit.
Lectures are given at local colleges. Meetings are held in a large
number of local churches. Articles are published in the local
press and a number MPs are lobbied about specific cases.
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