We are a national network of visitor groups to people in immigration detention.

We exist to reduce the immediate suffering of people in immigration detention and work towards a future without detention.

Support for visitors

Start here to understand the basics of the important role of visitors in immigration detention.

Support for people in detention

Start here to understand how we can support you through your time in detention.

Knowledge Hub

Get specific information from our extensive knowledge base covering different aspects of detention.

About AVID

We want change for people in immigration detention. See what we are doing to make this happen here.

News

Read our blogposts and statements for the latest developments in detention.

What we do

We enable and support the vital role of visitors to people who are in immigration detention whilst providing a platform for collective action amongst UK visitor groups.

Supporting our Members

We provide tailored advice and support to frontline organisations who visit people who are detained under immigration powers in the UK.

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Advocacy & Policy

We confront the brutal injustice of immigration detention, exposing its inhumanity. Our advocacy fights for radical change. We demand justice for people currently and previously detained.

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Members Charter

Members of the AVID network are connected by shared values in the form of a Members Charter. These values guide the way that we work with people in detention and with one another.

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Explore our map

Find your local 
visitor group

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Projects

Find more about our current campaigns, projects and highlights.

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Advocacy

AVID at 30!

Thirty years ago AVID began with the aim of addressing the expansion of immigration detention across the UK. Over the course of this year, we will mark this journey in different ways. To begin, we reflect on what this milestone means to us.
Advocacy
Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group

Walk with Refugee Tales this July

This summer, 6th – 10th July, Refugee Tales are inviting people to join their walk between Edenbridge and Westminster alongside evening events of tales, music and dancing all connected by the theme of Human Rights. Sign up to join the whole walk, for a day or two or for one of the evening talks. Find out more and follow the link below to book your tickets (only a few remaining!)

News

Read our latest blogposts and updates on what we and our members are doing as well as our take on changes in immigration detention policy.

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July 5, 2024

Statement: Congratulations to the new government

Our take on the outcome of the General Election and what needs to happen NOW to overhaul the failing immigration detention system.
June 17, 2024

Welcome to AVID's new website!

Our new website is part of a wider programme of digital development which we are undertaking to improve access to information and guidance for visitors and people in detention.
April 24, 2024

Statement: Rwanda Safety Bill

On 25th April 2024, the “Safety of Rwanda Bill” became an act of law despite the highest court ruling that Rwanda is NOT a safe country for people seeking asylum. Our Prime Minister vowed to expand the detention estate, further entrenching a system that inflicts immeasurable harm on vulnerable individuals.
March 24, 2024

AVID’s AGM - Thirty Years of Bearing Witness

In January of this year, we were joined by the Chair of the Brook House Inquiry, Kate Eves, at our Annual General Meeting (AGM). In this blogpost we share what we learnt at our AGM and reflect on the importance of keeping the findings from the Brook House Inquiry in the spotlight.

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We need funds to continue our work of building communities of solidarity with people in detention across the UK and advocating for a more humane system in 2024.

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