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Post-Detention
Beyond Detention provides an arc of care. We continue our work beyond the walls of Yarl’s Wood IRC, supporting people for up to one year after their release.
Life after detention
For many people the release from immigration detention means a move to a new town into shared accommodation with strangers. This can be very stressful and isolating, and we work with people as they navigate this challenging period of their lives. We provide one-to-one phone befriending, an online friendship group, online skill-based courses, mobile data and phone credit, information and referrals to specialist organisations.
Our key services
Friendship group
The Friendship Group is open to anyone in the UK who has experienced immigration detention. It is run and managed by a steering group of people, all with lived experience of detention. It is a safe space to talk, share ideas, make new friends and have fun. Contact Blandine on Blandine@beyonddetention.org for more information and to see if there are spaces. Priority is given to those who have been detained in Yarl’s Wood.
Online courses
To empower participants and provide peer-to-peer friendship and support, we offer the following courses via Zoom to people with lived experience of detention across the UK:
- men’s and ladies’ fitness (separate classes)
- art therapy
- creative writing
- IT Skills
- English (ESOL) for beginners / improvers
If you would like more information about how to join a course or to make a referral, please contact Blandine on Blandine@beyonddetention.org
Resources
We work in partnership with a number of different organisations across the UK that can help with housing, food and healthcare, and that support survivors of trafficking and torture.
Find out more
Digital Devices
Life after detention can be very challenging. With only a basic mobile phone and no access to the internet, people find it difficult to contact loved ones, solicitors and other sources of help. This adds to their isolation and loneliness.
We are gathering and repurposing second-hand smartphones, tablets and laptops. Contact the team on how to donate.
We are gathering and repurposing second-hand smartphones, tablets and laptops. Contact the team on how to donate.
Future projects
We are continually looking for ways to improve our offering by listening to and working closely with those who have experienced detention and our partners in the sector.
