Background

Originally established in 1962 as the relief arm of Amnesty International, we are a separate charity and the only agency in the UK making grants specifically to prisoners of conscience - individuals who have been persecuted for their conscientiously-held beliefs, provided that they have not used or advocated violence.  Our aim is to raise and distribute money to help them and/or their families rehabilitate themselves during and after their ordeal.  Financial grants cover general hardship relief, furniture, medicines, travel costs, family reunion costs, education, counselling, requalification costs, resettlement costs and protective accompaniment.

We have just taken on our second full-time member of staff, and currently have three other part-time members and a team of dedicated volunteers.

How do we raise money?

Funding for our grants comes principally from the following three sources;

(a) Donations:  We have a database of loyal and generous donors who give regular donations and in some cases leave legacies.

(b) Grants:  We are fortunate to receive generous assistance each year from the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture.

(c) Charitable Trusts:  We have support from nearly 100 Charitable Trusts each year who contribute to the relief budget as well as general running costs.

How do we distribute grants?

Applications for relief grants are are submitted by approved referral agencies.  Detailed application forms are completed by the referral agency on behalf of the applicant.  The application is then considered by a sub-committee of trustees of PoC, with advice from the office.  It takes three to four weeks from the moment that the application is received to the receipt of the cheque by the agency.