Freedom from Torture is a UK-based charity that provides treatment and help for people who have been tortured and have fled to seek safety and sanctuary in the UK. Our services to help survivors of torture include: psychological therapy, activity-based therapy groups such as art therapy, creative writing and bread-making, specialist therapy for children, young people and families who have been affected by torture and pain management. We also provide legal and welfare help and advice to help survivors with some of the issues they face living in the UK.
We are very grateful for the support of the Pixel Fund for our work with children and young people up to the ages of 25. Children and young people are particularly vulnerable to the effects of torture, as they are still developing emotionally and psychologically. Consequently, the impact of torture on their mental and emotional health can be more persistent than it would be for an adult survivor. The young survivors of torture we help commonly show symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including: anxiety, nightmares, bed-wetting, insomnia, panic attacks and disturbing flashbacks.
The Pixel Fund’s grant will help us to provide individual therapy, family therapy and social work help for over 100 children and young people at our London treatment centre. This grant will help us to support young survivors of torture to:
Improve their emotional skills, resilience and mental wellbeing
Develop techniques to self-manage their trauma symptoms
Strengthen their relationships, both within their family and with others
Engage in education and achieve their potential
Reduce social isolation and become more connected to their communities
On behalf of Medical Foundation For The Care Of Victims Of Torture