The charity has both a national remit and a local one. Nationally, our Post – Detention Support Project provides support and advice to people released from immigration detention via a Freephone helpline, currently open five days a week. Our caseworkers can assist people to access free advice about their rights, and to access services to afford them basic human needs such as better accommodation, food and healthcare.
The majority of Post Detention support clients, whilst waiting for a resolution to their immigration status, will not be permitted to work. With access to a network of community organisations, Samphire empowers people to seek further support in their community, and encourages them to engage through volunteering. Samphire provides an emergency support service for the most vulnerable, to prevent prolonged destitution, with caseworkers giving much needed emotional support.
Samphire’s annual conference brings together active clients, with speakers from relevant organisations to encourage debate and report on developments in the sector. This forum is a key tool for influencing policy makers, and networking.
Locally, in Dover, Samphire runs a community engagement project working with migrant and British communities to improve social cohesion, and better inclusion of newcomers into Dover and surrounding areas of Kent. We organise the Dover Multicultural Festival, now in its 8th year, and run a relaxed, weekly drop in group in the town centre where people from all communities can come to socialise while receiving help and information from local services. Through these activities and more, the charity plays a pivotal role in Dover raising awareness around migration and making the town a more welcoming place.
