Survivors of Torture Activity Fund (STAF) is an independent local charitable organisation dedicated to helping survivors find peace and a new life. All the money that is donated goes to help survivors. The people we help are referred to us by the therapists at "Freedom from Torture" Manchester. We provide Leisure Centre memberships, Child Care so that survivors can access free yoga sessions, equipment for college courses and other activities. We want to do more for them and their families.
Why the community needs usMany survivors are forced by poverty and disability to live very restricted lives. This does not help their psychological or physical rehabilitation. We want to see them able to regain their physical fitness as well as to begin to engage in life again. The activities we help survivors with contribute to their integration within the community they live in. Survivors say that our support has a very beneficial effect on their lives.
Our impact on the communityOur work is evidenced by the survivors and therapists. Our website has examples of what survivors and therapists have told us about the benefits of our support. Examples such as - "Joe was tortured for political activities. He has chronic pain and stays at home most of the time not able to move. However we have paid for him to go to his local pool to get him moving again and renew his past enjoyment of swimming" . See more on our website.