Freedom from Torture Christmas Appeal: Give what you can to support their treatment centre in Glasgow

Survivors of torture are some of the most vulnerable members of society, and few people know that many survivors live right here in Glasgow.

Living on just £39.63 per week and unable to work while their asylum claims are processed, many struggle to cope and commonly experience mental and physical health problems linked to their torture. As a result, many survivors end up destitute – and the current cost of living crisis has only made things harder.

Of the approximately 195,000 refugees and asylum seekers in the UK, estimates suggest that more than one in four of them have experienced torture in their countries of origin. On a psychological level, survivors experience a range of symptoms such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress. The physical consequences of torture can also be extremely debilitating, including restricted movement and chronic pain.

The charity Freedom from Torture’s Glasgow centre is the only dedicated torture treatment centre in Scotland. This Christmas, they are seeking donations to help survivors in Scotland cope over the winter.

A donation of just £20 could pay for one month’s phone credit to enable a survivor to access remote therapy; £25 could pay for an interpreter for one therapy session; £30 could pay for a one hour pain self-management session; and £40 could help pay for essentials such as food and toiletries for a destitute survivor.

Who are Freedom from Torture?

Freedom from Torture was founded on December 24th, 1985, with the aim of supporting survivors of torture living in the UK and is the only national charity specifically dedicated to the care, protection and rehabilitation of torture survivors. On average, they directly support around 700 adults, children and young people – refugees and asylum seekers from countries affected by conflict – every year, across their five treatment centres in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow.

With over three decades of experience in working with torture survivors and a proven track-record of providing excellent, high-quality therapeutic support, Freedom from Torture help their clients to integrate into their new communities, build new lives and contribute to our society.

The work

Freedom from Torture’s holistic treatment programme helps survivors to rediscover purpose and direction in their lives, improve their mental health and wellbeing, and overcome their trauma. In contrast, NHS services do not provide specialist treatment for torture survivors and any treatment that is provided is often too limited in timeframe and scope to be effective. Some survivors even struggle to access this type of general support.

Freedom from Torture offer all survivors ground-breaking trauma-focused therapy, in one-to-one, group and family settings, to support them as they rehabilitate and rebuild their lives in our communities. As part of their holistic package of support, they also offer social group activities such as gardening, music therapy and baking; a pain management service to help them self-manage symptoms of physical pain; legal and welfare advice to help with their social needs; and a Medico-Legal Report service that provides evidence of torture for use before asylum decision-making bodies.

Supporting survivors

Freedom from Torture’s centre in Glasgow is the only dedicated torture treatment centre in Scotland. Your support could provide a lifeline for torture survivors struggling to cope with their mental and physical health, further exacerbated by the ever-increasing cost of living. Your donation could help them make it through the winter and look forward with hope to a brighter future

Donate now

To find out more or to make a donation please visit the website here.