Helen Bamber Foundation 🧡
@helenbamber.bsky.social
We are a human rights charity.
We give survivors of trafficking and torture the strength to move on.
We give survivors of trafficking and torture the strength to move on.
Reposted by Helen Bamber Foundation 🧡
Shipping people off to military land in the middle of nowhere does nothing to solve the problems in our asylum system.
It's a completely failed experiment in expensive cruelty - it shouldn't be delayed, it should be cancelled completely.
It's a completely failed experiment in expensive cruelty - it shouldn't be delayed, it should be cancelled completely.
Shabana Mahmood's Asylum Seeker Military 'Warehousing' Plans Delayed Amid Opposition by Labour MPs
Home Office sources tell Byline Times that local Labour MPs are opposing plans by the Home Secretary to use barracks and army bases to house asylum seekers amid rising community tensions
bylinetimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Shipping people off to military land in the middle of nowhere does nothing to solve the problems in our asylum system.
It's a completely failed experiment in expensive cruelty - it shouldn't be delayed, it should be cancelled completely.
It's a completely failed experiment in expensive cruelty - it shouldn't be delayed, it should be cancelled completely.
Reposted by Helen Bamber Foundation 🧡
The young people we work with say it best.
🎥 Hear their voices.
🧡 Help us keep this community going.
This week, your support can help keep these spaces alive. Every donation is doubled through The Big Give. donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
🎥 Hear their voices.
🧡 Help us keep this community going.
This week, your support can help keep these spaces alive. Every donation is doubled through The Big Give. donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
December 3, 2025 at 1:01 PM
The young people we work with say it best.
🎥 Hear their voices.
🧡 Help us keep this community going.
This week, your support can help keep these spaces alive. Every donation is doubled through The Big Give. donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
🎥 Hear their voices.
🧡 Help us keep this community going.
This week, your support can help keep these spaces alive. Every donation is doubled through The Big Give. donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
Reposted by Helen Bamber Foundation 🧡
Finally reunited🧡
When Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, 10-year-old Arman* fled to the UK with his aunt and was separated from his parents & siblings.
He waited YEARS for the moment he could hug them again. It finally happened a few weeks ago.
No words can describe this.
When Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, 10-year-old Arman* fled to the UK with his aunt and was separated from his parents & siblings.
He waited YEARS for the moment he could hug them again. It finally happened a few weeks ago.
No words can describe this.
December 2, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Finally reunited🧡
When Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, 10-year-old Arman* fled to the UK with his aunt and was separated from his parents & siblings.
He waited YEARS for the moment he could hug them again. It finally happened a few weeks ago.
No words can describe this.
When Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, 10-year-old Arman* fled to the UK with his aunt and was separated from his parents & siblings.
He waited YEARS for the moment he could hug them again. It finally happened a few weeks ago.
No words can describe this.
Reposted by Helen Bamber Foundation 🧡
The day after Home Sec announced a raft of punitive policies that deny refugees the safety & stability they need to rebuild their lives, @freedomfromtorture.bsky.social joins @helenbamber.bsky.social in challenging Govt’s failure to consult experts ahead of harmful changes to asylum housing policy
🚨 Today we’re in court challenging changes to the Home Office’s 'Allocation of Asylum Accommodation' policy which force more trafficking & torture survivors to share rooms with strangers. These were introduced with no consultation or warning. 🧵
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Charities take Home Office to court over ‘prison-like’ overcrowded migrant hotels
Government accused of forcing trafficking and torture survivors to share rooms with strangers in case that comes as it faces growing criticism over sweeping plans to overhaul UK’s asylum system
www.independent.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 11:37 AM
The day after Home Sec announced a raft of punitive policies that deny refugees the safety & stability they need to rebuild their lives, @freedomfromtorture.bsky.social joins @helenbamber.bsky.social in challenging Govt’s failure to consult experts ahead of harmful changes to asylum housing policy
🚨 Today we’re in court challenging changes to the Home Office’s 'Allocation of Asylum Accommodation' policy which force more trafficking & torture survivors to share rooms with strangers. These were introduced with no consultation or warning. 🧵
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Charities take Home Office to court over ‘prison-like’ overcrowded migrant hotels
Government accused of forcing trafficking and torture survivors to share rooms with strangers in case that comes as it faces growing criticism over sweeping plans to overhaul UK’s asylum system
www.independent.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 9:28 AM
🚨 Today we’re in court challenging changes to the Home Office’s 'Allocation of Asylum Accommodation' policy which force more trafficking & torture survivors to share rooms with strangers. These were introduced with no consultation or warning. 🧵
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
New govt measures won’t deter people fleeing danger but they WILL cause significant harm. Forcing refugees into decades of limbo, tearing families apart & restricting support in the name of 'deterrence' will only worsen mental health and leave people at risk.
www.helenbamber.org/resources/la...
www.helenbamber.org/resources/la...
Helen Bamber Foundation's response to government’s announcements on asylum reform | Helen Bamber
The government new measures will not deter people seeking safety from coming to the UK but will instead significantly harm the mental health and social integration of those recognised as needing prote...
www.helenbamber.org
November 17, 2025 at 11:24 AM
New govt measures won’t deter people fleeing danger but they WILL cause significant harm. Forcing refugees into decades of limbo, tearing families apart & restricting support in the name of 'deterrence' will only worsen mental health and leave people at risk.
www.helenbamber.org/resources/la...
www.helenbamber.org/resources/la...
25 years ago, the Palermo Protocol provided the ‘gold standard’ definition of human trafficking & mandated governments to protect & support victims.
But countries, including the UK, are falling behind in meeting those commitments.
Read more: www.helenbamber.org/resources/la...
But countries, including the UK, are falling behind in meeting those commitments.
Read more: www.helenbamber.org/resources/la...
November 15, 2025 at 9:32 AM
25 years ago, the Palermo Protocol provided the ‘gold standard’ definition of human trafficking & mandated governments to protect & support victims.
But countries, including the UK, are falling behind in meeting those commitments.
Read more: www.helenbamber.org/resources/la...
But countries, including the UK, are falling behind in meeting those commitments.
Read more: www.helenbamber.org/resources/la...
Every day, we support hundreds of survivors of trafficking & torture who could be impacted by the government's proposal to make volunteering as a condition of being allowed to settle in the UK.
This is both immoral and impractical. 1/2
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
This is both immoral and impractical. 1/2
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
UK charities condemn ‘immoral’ plans to force asylum seekers to volunteer
Making volunteering compulsory for refugees slammed as exploitative, bureaucratic and un-British
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Every day, we support hundreds of survivors of trafficking & torture who could be impacted by the government's proposal to make volunteering as a condition of being allowed to settle in the UK.
This is both immoral and impractical. 1/2
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
This is both immoral and impractical. 1/2
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
This vital new report sheds light on the horrific conditions in asylum hotels.
While families live in crowded, mouldy hotel rooms and are served substandard food, private companies pocket millions.
It’s time to end the use of asylum hotels and invest in communities.
While families live in crowded, mouldy hotel rooms and are served substandard food, private companies pocket millions.
It’s time to end the use of asylum hotels and invest in communities.
🚨🚨🚨
Our new report on hotel accommodation drops today.
These hotels are not 5*. Here's the proof.
Relying on testimony from clients, photos & medical evidence, you can now see the awful reality of hotel life.
More updates throughout the day so watch this space.
www.ramfel.org.uk/asylum-hotel...
Our new report on hotel accommodation drops today.
These hotels are not 5*. Here's the proof.
Relying on testimony from clients, photos & medical evidence, you can now see the awful reality of hotel life.
More updates throughout the day so watch this space.
www.ramfel.org.uk/asylum-hotel...
Asylum Hotels Report
Our new report, Profiting from People: Inside the UK’s Asylum Hotels , exposes the true horrors that refugees face whilst housed for years on end in asylum hotels. We’ve long known this, and now...
www.ramfel.org.uk
November 11, 2025 at 3:28 PM
This vital new report sheds light on the horrific conditions in asylum hotels.
While families live in crowded, mouldy hotel rooms and are served substandard food, private companies pocket millions.
It’s time to end the use of asylum hotels and invest in communities.
While families live in crowded, mouldy hotel rooms and are served substandard food, private companies pocket millions.
It’s time to end the use of asylum hotels and invest in communities.
"I was isolated and it was very re-traumatising..."
Our client speaks to @claudiahammond.bsky.social on BBC Radio 4's All in the Mind about his experience of being placed in an asylum hotel & the harmful impact it had on his mental health.
📻 Listen in!
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Our client speaks to @claudiahammond.bsky.social on BBC Radio 4's All in the Mind about his experience of being placed in an asylum hotel & the harmful impact it had on his mental health.
📻 Listen in!
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
All in the Mind - Asylum hotels and mental health - BBC Sounds
Claudia discusses the evidence for the mental health impact of living in an asylum hotel.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 2:05 PM
"I was isolated and it was very re-traumatising..."
Our client speaks to @claudiahammond.bsky.social on BBC Radio 4's All in the Mind about his experience of being placed in an asylum hotel & the harmful impact it had on his mental health.
📻 Listen in!
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Our client speaks to @claudiahammond.bsky.social on BBC Radio 4's All in the Mind about his experience of being placed in an asylum hotel & the harmful impact it had on his mental health.
📻 Listen in!
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by Helen Bamber Foundation 🧡
Human being belong in communities, not camps. And our Government knows it. They said they'd shut the camps and stop wasting millions making people seeking sanctuary suffer - so why are they bringing this failed plan back now?
Why housing asylum seekers in military camps is an expensive mistake
Julia Savage, campaigns manager at Asylum Matters, writes about why housing asylum seekers in military barracks is wrong.
www.bigissue.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Human being belong in communities, not camps. And our Government knows it. They said they'd shut the camps and stop wasting millions making people seeking sanctuary suffer - so why are they bringing this failed plan back now?
Reposted by Helen Bamber Foundation 🧡
Children don’t stop moving just because safe routes are closed. But they do take riskier journeys.
When the Government suspends vital safe routes, it leaves them with no choice but to turn to smugglers to reach their families in UK.
Take action: act.safepassage.org.uk/email-home-s...
When the Government suspends vital safe routes, it leaves them with no choice but to turn to smugglers to reach their families in UK.
Take action: act.safepassage.org.uk/email-home-s...
November 4, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Children don’t stop moving just because safe routes are closed. But they do take riskier journeys.
When the Government suspends vital safe routes, it leaves them with no choice but to turn to smugglers to reach their families in UK.
Take action: act.safepassage.org.uk/email-home-s...
When the Government suspends vital safe routes, it leaves them with no choice but to turn to smugglers to reach their families in UK.
Take action: act.safepassage.org.uk/email-home-s...
Legal advice is vital for survivors to navigate complex asylum systems. But many are unable to access it.
Ambassadors for Change, a group of campaigners with experience of the UK asylum system, write about the barriers in getting free, quality legal advice 👇
www.helenbamber.org/resources/re...
Ambassadors for Change, a group of campaigners with experience of the UK asylum system, write about the barriers in getting free, quality legal advice 👇
www.helenbamber.org/resources/re...
November 5, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Legal advice is vital for survivors to navigate complex asylum systems. But many are unable to access it.
Ambassadors for Change, a group of campaigners with experience of the UK asylum system, write about the barriers in getting free, quality legal advice 👇
www.helenbamber.org/resources/re...
Ambassadors for Change, a group of campaigners with experience of the UK asylum system, write about the barriers in getting free, quality legal advice 👇
www.helenbamber.org/resources/re...
Leaving the ECHR won't stop people risking their lives through Channel crossings but it WOULD harm the rights of both migrants in the UK & our wider communities.
On 75th Anniversary of ECHR, we call on politicians to stop scapegoating & defend human rights.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
On 75th Anniversary of ECHR, we call on politicians to stop scapegoating & defend human rights.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Leaving the ECHR won’t stop the boats, 300 organisations warn in rallying cry
Prime minister Keir Starmer urged to make positive case for ECHR after Kemi Badenoch pledged a Tory government would leave the treaty
www.independent.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Leaving the ECHR won't stop people risking their lives through Channel crossings but it WOULD harm the rights of both migrants in the UK & our wider communities.
On 75th Anniversary of ECHR, we call on politicians to stop scapegoating & defend human rights.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
On 75th Anniversary of ECHR, we call on politicians to stop scapegoating & defend human rights.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Reposted by Helen Bamber Foundation 🧡
This #StressAwarenessWeek we're highlighting what stress really looks like for young people facing displacement.
It’s living with constant uncertainty, about where you’ll stay, who you can trust, and what comes next.
@helenbamber.bsky.social
It’s living with constant uncertainty, about where you’ll stay, who you can trust, and what comes next.
@helenbamber.bsky.social
November 3, 2025 at 12:00 PM
This #StressAwarenessWeek we're highlighting what stress really looks like for young people facing displacement.
It’s living with constant uncertainty, about where you’ll stay, who you can trust, and what comes next.
@helenbamber.bsky.social
It’s living with constant uncertainty, about where you’ll stay, who you can trust, and what comes next.
@helenbamber.bsky.social
Reposted by Helen Bamber Foundation 🧡
This is not who we are as a country – we should not be forcing children to grow up without their parents.
Read this new British Red Cross report, which shows why refugee family reunion is such a crucial lifeline.
redcross.org.uk/about-us/wha...
Read this new British Red Cross report, which shows why refugee family reunion is such a crucial lifeline.
redcross.org.uk/about-us/wha...
October 29, 2025 at 3:40 PM
This is not who we are as a country – we should not be forcing children to grow up without their parents.
Read this new British Red Cross report, which shows why refugee family reunion is such a crucial lifeline.
redcross.org.uk/about-us/wha...
Read this new British Red Cross report, which shows why refugee family reunion is such a crucial lifeline.
redcross.org.uk/about-us/wha...
Reposted by Helen Bamber Foundation 🧡
Latest post from us: Migrant Help to provide training to staff after admitting trafficking policy breach | Monika Glowacka
Migrant Help to provide training to staff after admitting trafficking policy breach - Free Movement
Migrant Help, one of the main subcontractors responsible for providing trafficking support to victims under the modern slavery victim care contract, has
freemovement.org.uk
October 28, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Latest post from us: Migrant Help to provide training to staff after admitting trafficking policy breach | Monika Glowacka
Reposted by Helen Bamber Foundation 🧡
Thousands of families, including more than 6,000 children, will be hit by the shutdown of a lifeline visa route that allows refugees to reunite in the UK, according to new analysis.
Data projections from the British Red Cross show the impact of the pause.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Data projections from the British Red Cross show the impact of the pause.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Thousands of families hit by refugee visa route pause as scale of crackdown revealed
Exclusive: More than 6,000 children will be hit by shutdown after Labour said route was being manipulated by people-smuggling gangs
www.independent.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Thousands of families, including more than 6,000 children, will be hit by the shutdown of a lifeline visa route that allows refugees to reunite in the UK, according to new analysis.
Data projections from the British Red Cross show the impact of the pause.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Data projections from the British Red Cross show the impact of the pause.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Yesterday, a parliamentary committee report warned that housing people seeking asylum in large sites is harmful.
The response?
Today, the government announced plans to accommodate hundreds in two ex-military sites.
This is cruel & inhumane.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
The response?
Today, the government announced plans to accommodate hundreds in two ex-military sites.
This is cruel & inhumane.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Hundreds of asylum seekers to be moved to two UK military sites
Barracks in Inverness and East Sussex will house about 900 men as government aims to end use of hotels
www.theguardian.com
October 28, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Yesterday, a parliamentary committee report warned that housing people seeking asylum in large sites is harmful.
The response?
Today, the government announced plans to accommodate hundreds in two ex-military sites.
This is cruel & inhumane.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
The response?
Today, the government announced plans to accommodate hundreds in two ex-military sites.
This is cruel & inhumane.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
"It is unacceptable that significant amounts of taxpayers’ money is being used to house often vulnerable people in sub-standard accommodation."
This is YET another warning that asylum accommodation is harmful & eye-wateringly expensive. Here's what the Home Affairs Committee report found🧵
This is YET another warning that asylum accommodation is harmful & eye-wateringly expensive. Here's what the Home Affairs Committee report found🧵
October 27, 2025 at 1:00 PM
"It is unacceptable that significant amounts of taxpayers’ money is being used to house often vulnerable people in sub-standard accommodation."
This is YET another warning that asylum accommodation is harmful & eye-wateringly expensive. Here's what the Home Affairs Committee report found🧵
This is YET another warning that asylum accommodation is harmful & eye-wateringly expensive. Here's what the Home Affairs Committee report found🧵
Reposted by Helen Bamber Foundation 🧡
⏰ One week before the deadline! ⏰
Applications are open for the next cohort of Compass: The Asylum Aid Advisor Development Programme. This free programme offers 5 IAA Level 2 trainees in-depth training, shadowing opportunities, supervision & a peer support network. 👇
Applications are open for the next cohort of Compass: The Asylum Aid Advisor Development Programme. This free programme offers 5 IAA Level 2 trainees in-depth training, shadowing opportunities, supervision & a peer support network. 👇
Applications are now open for the next cohort of Compass: The Asylum Aid Advisor Development Programme!
This free programme offers 5 IAA Level 2 trainees in-depth training, shadowing opportunities, supervision & a peer support network.
Find out how to apply here: asylumaid.org.uk/what-we-do/c...
This free programme offers 5 IAA Level 2 trainees in-depth training, shadowing opportunities, supervision & a peer support network.
Find out how to apply here: asylumaid.org.uk/what-we-do/c...
Compass: The Asylum Aid Advisor Development Programme | Asylum Aid
Image In England and Wales, 65% of the population lacks access to a legal aid provider for immigrat
asylumaid.org.uk
October 24, 2025 at 9:10 AM
⏰ One week before the deadline! ⏰
Applications are open for the next cohort of Compass: The Asylum Aid Advisor Development Programme. This free programme offers 5 IAA Level 2 trainees in-depth training, shadowing opportunities, supervision & a peer support network. 👇
Applications are open for the next cohort of Compass: The Asylum Aid Advisor Development Programme. This free programme offers 5 IAA Level 2 trainees in-depth training, shadowing opportunities, supervision & a peer support network. 👇
Reposted by Helen Bamber Foundation 🧡
Really worrying findings from @helenbamber.bsky.social on the suspension of the refugee family reunion route:
➡️ Families pushed towards smugglers
➡️ Children + partners left in danger
➡️ One of the few safe routes to the UK is closing
#FamiliesBelongTogether
🔗 www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
➡️ Families pushed towards smugglers
➡️ Children + partners left in danger
➡️ One of the few safe routes to the UK is closing
#FamiliesBelongTogether
🔗 www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Ban on family reunion has left refugees in grave danger, home secretary warned
Refugees will struggle to integrate in the UK if they are barred from being reunited with partners and children, report warns
www.independent.co.uk
October 23, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Really worrying findings from @helenbamber.bsky.social on the suspension of the refugee family reunion route:
➡️ Families pushed towards smugglers
➡️ Children + partners left in danger
➡️ One of the few safe routes to the UK is closing
#FamiliesBelongTogether
🔗 www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
➡️ Families pushed towards smugglers
➡️ Children + partners left in danger
➡️ One of the few safe routes to the UK is closing
#FamiliesBelongTogether
🔗 www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Refugee family reunion saves lives. Last year, over half of those reunited were children fleeing dangerous situations & joining their parents.
But the suspension of family reunion until next spring & plans to tighten rules afterwards could turn temporary separation into permanent loss for many. 1/3
But the suspension of family reunion until next spring & plans to tighten rules afterwards could turn temporary separation into permanent loss for many. 1/3
October 22, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Refugee family reunion saves lives. Last year, over half of those reunited were children fleeing dangerous situations & joining their parents.
But the suspension of family reunion until next spring & plans to tighten rules afterwards could turn temporary separation into permanent loss for many. 1/3
But the suspension of family reunion until next spring & plans to tighten rules afterwards could turn temporary separation into permanent loss for many. 1/3
"You are not the same person after you experience torture."
Ambassadors for Change, a group of survivors of torture, trafficking & persecution, share their experiences & recommendations for better systems with the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture 👇
helenbamber.org/resources/re...
Ambassadors for Change, a group of survivors of torture, trafficking & persecution, share their experiences & recommendations for better systems with the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture 👇
helenbamber.org/resources/re...
Experiences and perspectives of victims and survivors of torture - evidence from the Ambassadors for Change to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture | Helen Bamber
The Ambassadors for Change, are survivors of torture, trafficking and persecution who have come to the UK in search of safety. Each of us carries scars — physical, emotional and psychological — from t...
helenbamber.org
October 20, 2025 at 8:44 AM
"You are not the same person after you experience torture."
Ambassadors for Change, a group of survivors of torture, trafficking & persecution, share their experiences & recommendations for better systems with the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture 👇
helenbamber.org/resources/re...
Ambassadors for Change, a group of survivors of torture, trafficking & persecution, share their experiences & recommendations for better systems with the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture 👇
helenbamber.org/resources/re...
On #AntiSlaveryDay, let's remember that thousands of confirmed trafficking victims are still being left at risk.
In 2024, only 4% were granted permission to stay in the UK, leaving 96% facing poverty & possible re-exploitation.
Read our latest blog for more ⬇️
www.helenbamber.org/resources/la...
In 2024, only 4% were granted permission to stay in the UK, leaving 96% facing poverty & possible re-exploitation.
Read our latest blog for more ⬇️
www.helenbamber.org/resources/la...
October 18, 2025 at 9:36 AM
On #AntiSlaveryDay, let's remember that thousands of confirmed trafficking victims are still being left at risk.
In 2024, only 4% were granted permission to stay in the UK, leaving 96% facing poverty & possible re-exploitation.
Read our latest blog for more ⬇️
www.helenbamber.org/resources/la...
In 2024, only 4% were granted permission to stay in the UK, leaving 96% facing poverty & possible re-exploitation.
Read our latest blog for more ⬇️
www.helenbamber.org/resources/la...