The Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture (MF), a registered charity established in 1985, is the only organisation in the UK dedicated solely to the treatment of torture survivors.
Since its inception, more than 45,000 people have been referred for help. In 2007, the four centres received nearly 2,000 new requests for help. Clients came from almost 100 countries, with significant numbers from Sri Lanka, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and Iran.
The main treatment centre is in London, with branches in Manchester covering the North West, Newcastle covering the North East and Glasgow covering the whole of Scotland. Two more centres are planned for the West Midlands and Yorkshire & Humberside.
The MF offers medical consultation, examination and forensic documentation of injuries, psychological treatment and support, and practical help. Central to the MF's vision are its efforts to educate the public and decision makers about torture and its consequences, while advocacy work strives to ensure that the UK honours its international obligations towards survivors of torture, asylum seekers and refugees.
The four centres employ some 200 paid and voluntary staff, comprising full and part time members including doctors, caseworkers, counsellors, legal advisors, physiotherapists, psychotherapists, psychologists, interpreters, child and family therapists and group workers.
Impartiality is paramount in enabling the MF to advocate for the rights of torture survivors and our clients. We therefore remain independent of the Government by not accepting funding from them for our work. The only exception is funding we receive from the Department of Health which is put solely towards the production of guidelines for assessing torture survivors and to train health professionals.
Donations from individuals continue to provide the core income for our work. In 2007, they contributed £5,719,897 towards a total income of £8,189,435.