As part of the annual Volunteers’ Week (1 – 7 June), Bedford-based charity, Beyond Detention is celebrating the work that their own volunteers do.
The charity provides emotional and practical support to people detained in Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) and post-detention in the community.
Yarl’s Wood IRC is based just outside Bedford, near Milton Ernest and Thurleigh and the charity provides a ‘befriender’ service to the detainees to help them “keep in touch with the reality of life outside”.
Lorna, a volunteer coordinator at Beyond Detention, said: “We love what we do. Every day is different. We run drop-ins in the centre three times a week, where we meet the men and women who are being held in immigration detention, to play games, socialise, offer practical support like clothes and phone top-ups, and have a chat along with emotional support.
“Our volunteer befrienders offer an invaluable service, listening and visiting one-to-one once a week. And our support volunteers help with practical tasks, as well as assisting with casework. We’re a small and very friendly team.”
One of Beyond Detention’s service users, Robert, described his experience of befriending.
“I have a good talk with my befriender every week,” he said. “It’s really helpful to speak with someone from outside detention, to see a different face and talk about something different.
“Here, it’s the same, the same every day. It’s good to talk, to share our views, and be in touch with the reality of life outside.”
Beyond Detention recruit volunteers throughout the year so there are lots of opportunities to join one of the Information Sessions or Training Days. Whether you’ve got three hours to spare once a week to help with one of the charity’s drop-in sessions or would like to visit someone as a befriender once a week for an hour, the team would love to hear from you.
One of their new volunteer befrienders, Charlie, said: “It’s a privilege to sit with someone and listen. How often do you get to sit and listen to people’s stories, hear about their journey, their stories of survival, and their culture?
“It takes me out of my bubble, and I get to see life from a different perspective. The training by Beyond Detention is very thorough. I was nervous at first, but the training really helped me know what to expect.”
You can find out more about volunteering with Beyond Detention by visiting their website, emailing info@beyonddetention.org or calling 01234 272090.
