We’re a small volunteer-run organisation providing practical support and solidarity to women detained in Derwentside Immigration Removal Centre (IRC), many of whom are taken from friends and family and imprisoned at routine reporting. As a result, they often arrive with very little, and their detention can be the cause of significant distress.

We do our best to respond to the different needs of the women as they arrive, providing welcome packs with toiletries, clothing and other necessary items, as well as hardship grants and cash for telephones to enable contact with family, friends and solicitors.

We also offer a weekly drop-in and one-to-one visits on request (formerly Durham Visitors’ Group), so that women can talk confidentially to one of our volunteers.