BERTS

BRIGHTON EXILED/REFUGEE TRAUMA SERVICES (BERTS) has been entered onto the Register of Charities with the Registered Charity Number 1188586. BERTS was formerly known as the Sanctuary Project.

BERTS takes referrals from Social Services, local statutory services and volunteer and third sector organisations working with refugees and asylum seekers.

We often have a waiting list for treatment which can be up to 6 months. Whilst patients are waiting for trauma psychological treatment, BERTS can also offer a support worker befriending scheme, as this can be several months. Clients meet regularly with a befriender who can help with cultural issues, form filling, doctor’s appointments, literacy support, and offers more general support (but not psychotherapy).

About the project

BERTS is a dedicated trauma service hosted by Brighton & Hove CBT, for refugees, asylum seekers and destitute migrants in Sussex. BERTS is a no-cost service. It is a purely voluntary service run for the benefit of the community.

We offer free specialist trauma counselling and psychotherapy to local people to help them come to terms with their relocation in the UK, after what can be very difficult experiences for themselves and their families in their countries of origin. All of our staff are unpaid and volunteer their time for free.

Refugees, asylum seekers and destitute migrants are much more likely to suffer from mental health problems than the general population, as a result of traumatic experiences. Migration itself can also cause significant mental health problems, in cultural and social readjustment, and in facing the isolation and sometimes poverty that being alone in a new country can cause. Depression and anxiety, and serious illnesses like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, are very common with this group, and NHS provision of care is limited and local NHS services are overstretched.

Refugees, asylum seekers and destitute migrants often come to the UK after experiencing terrible life histories, and the asylum process itself can provoke further mental suffering, as conditions for asylum seekers and refugees in this country are very difficult, particularly if they have been kept in poor housing conditions or in a detention centre. Refugees also can experience last minute displacement to strange towns and local racism whilst in the UK, which makes things even more challenging. Many refugees have a real sense of fear about the possibility that their asylum claim might be refused and find themselves isolated and separated from loved ones and unable to cope.

Therapists offer to donate some of their clinical hours every week to the project, and local organisations have kindly donated premises. The clinical referrals and liaison is also done by volunteer practitioners. This means that we can provide mental health support for free to qualifying service users.

What kind of treatment can I access?

Most of our psychotherapists, psychologists and counsellors work with Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy and EMDR. They also have expertise in working with trauma and survivors of torture, sexual and political violence.

We normally expect treatment to last from 12-26 weekly sessions, based on your clinical assessment, although under certain circumstances our team may agree that this can be extended.

Do I Qualify?

You are eligible for free psychotherapy treatment if you are a refugee or asylum seeker. Normally, you need to be over 16 years of age, although we can provide support to those younger than this in exceptional cases and if there is clinical availability. You need to have lived in the UK for less than 10 years.

Interpreter Services

Unfortunately we do not yet have funding to provide an interpreter service so all sessions are conducted in English. Psychotherapy with an interpreter present can also be problematic in terms of clients feeling safe enough to disclose sensitive information. Occasionally, social services are able to provide an interpreter if the refugee/asylum seeker is a young person receiving support from them.

How do I get an appointment?

We are sorry that BERTS is not able to accept new referrals at present due to the length of our waiting list. We hope to reopen in January/February 2025.

Confidentiality

We do not discuss your referral or your mental health needs with anyone in your community, the Home Office or anyone else, and your information is safe. If there is a risk of harm to yourself, or to others, we would normally inform your doctor, or in case of children being at risk, the relevant social service or NSPCC. We would normally discuss first with you if we felt that their was a risk of harm. Our service is completely separate from the Home Office procedures and we do not send any information to them, unless you request it.

Safety

All our psychotherapists have an Enhanced DBS check (formerly the CRB check) for working with vulnerable persons. We work to the professional standards, policies and procedures of the BABCP, and uphold NHS standard criteria for careful governance and standards.

Sexual Violence

Many women and men have experienced sexual or gender-based violence as part of their refugee journey. We are sensitive to this, and experienced in understanding the trauma this can cause, and hope to provide a safe space for you to talk about it, if you would like to.

What happens next?

After you have got a referral, we will be in contact with you to arrange an assessment of your needs. Then you will be offered an appointment with one of our therapists, which will usually be at the same time each week. It is important that you keep us up to date with your mobile phone number and address so we can maintain contact. More information about mental health support for refugees can be found in the MIND report.