How Oxford Churches can help detainees at Campsfield House

Below are some ways in which those at Campsfield can be helped throughout the year.

1. By visiting. Many young men have no friendly visitor. Asylum Welcome (01865-722082) can make the introductions and give advice.
Campsfield visiting times are 2.00-5.00 p.m. and 6.00-9.00 p.m. The chaplain can also give help in providing the name of a detainee who would like to receive a visit."

2. By staging an entertainment - band, choir, drama, whatever. Boredom is the detainee's number one enemy, closely followed by fear, frustration and depression. Call 01865-845700 and ask to speak to an Amenities Officer.

3. By correspondence. Letters are treasured. Don't worry about language problems - detainees with little English will find someone to translate. Use a church or business address, not your own.

4. By giving a phone card. Detainees have access to public phones - but often can't afford to phone family or friends in the UK or overseas. 'Alpha Africa' or 'Bananas' telephone cards are particularly valued by detainees as they give longer talking time than other cards.
5. By making donations to the 'Chaplain's Discretionary Fund'. This is used exclusively to provide phone cards for detainees who are destitute, or for emergency gifts to impoverished detainees who are released. Sometimes small sums are given to help the wives and families of detainees who have little or no means of support.

6. By making donations of shoes and clothes. They should be serviceable and in good condition and shoes should not have steel toe caps. They can be deposited at Visitor Control and marked 'for the Chaplain'. If transport is not available they can be collected by the Chaplain.

Gifts of any of the above are greatly appreciated. For further information or assistance on any of the above, contact

The Revd Fr Seraphim Vanttinen-Newton, The Chaplain, Campsfield House, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxon OX5 1RE
tel./fax/answerphone: 01865-845725; e-mail: frseraphim@lineone.net