In The Garden…. From ‘Freedom From Torture’…….
by Bernie Bell - 07:44 on 02 April 2025
In The Garden….
A Sparrowhawk dive-bombed the Jungle – scattering chattering sparrows.
A Wren hopped about in the bushes next to Mike as he prepared a mirrored arch to go on the front of the house.…
A Raven flew over the garden ‘kronking’, then landed in the field to have a feed.
The Dog’s-tooth Violet flowers in dappled shade….
And, in the pond, there are so many taddies wiggling, that they made the water foam!....
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From ‘Freedom From Torture’…….
“Every day, I work alongside torture survivors trying to access the essential support they’re entitled to.
For many of our clients this support is in the form of a Personal Independence Payment or PIP. It’s crucial in helping with extra day-to-day costs for people living with long-term physical or mental health conditions – like the harms inflicted by torture.
PIP is a lifeline for our clients. But now, with the government restricting the criteria, many clients may be unable to access this vital support.
Like so many other processes, PIP assessments are often gruelling and clients with clear needs are initially refused, only to be successful on appeal. In fact, PIP applications are one of the largest areas of work for our welfare team.
I’m concerned that the outcome will be dire for survivors of torture, especially if mental health criteria is tightened. Clients often experience flashbacks, panic attacks, and depression, because of the horrors they’ve endured.
This could plunge survivors, many of whom are struggling to make ends meet, into further hardship – making our welfare services more important than ever. Could you help with a gift today?
Together, we’ll keep fighting to help survivors get the support they deserve.
Thank you,
Salma Iqbal
National Welfare Manager
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