Our Story
Since 2018, TortureID (TID) has grown from a small volunteer-led initiative into an internationally recognised charity supporting survivors of torture and human rights abuses.
2018 | TID Founded
TID was founded by a small group of lawyers and clinicians committed to improving access to healthcare for people seeking asylum who have survived torture and/or other human rights abuses. The aim was to ensure survivors could have their experiences identified and documented to support both their rehabilitation and their asylum claims.
2019 – 2021 | Concise Medico-Legal Reports Project
TID piloted an innovative approach to assessing survivors of torture and/or human rights abuses. Specialist clinicians provided timely, confidential health assessments in private rooms at clients' solicitors' offices, with referrals made by lawyers. Concise medico-legal reports were produced promptly and shared with clients' lawyers, GPs, and, where appropriate, the Home Office and Immigration Tribunal to support decision-making.
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2021 – 2023 | Social Services Project for Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children
TID's Clinical Lead piloted trauma screening and specialist health assessments for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young people in the care of Children's Services. Referrals were made by social workers. Medical reports informed health and social care planning and, where appropriate, were shared with lawyers, the Home Office and Immigration Tribunal to support asylum claims and appeals.
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July 2023 |Â Charitable Status Achieved
TID became a registered charity, enabling the organisation to expand its reach, strengthen partnerships and secure long-term sustainability.
TID's Clinical Lead and Deputy Clinical Lead began delivering in-person and online training to NHS clinicians and other services on recognising and responding appropriately to people seeking asylum who have survived torture and/or human rights abuses. Alongside this, TID developed practical tools and guidance to support clinicians and campaigned for the safer use of GP records in asylum decision-making as Home Office reliance on primary care records increased.
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2024 – Present | Training, Clinical Resources and Campaigning
TID piloted a routine enquiry system in a primary care practice in Huddersfield. All newly registered patients seeking asylum were routinely asked whether they had experienced torture and/or other human rights abuses. Patients who disclosed abuse were offered a specialist GP health assessment, with findings documented in their GP records to support their ongoing healthcare.
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Read the evaluation of our Routine Enquiry and Health Assessment Project here.
2024 – Present | Routine Enquiry and Health Assessments in General Practice
2024 – Present | Expansion of Health Assessments
TID recruited three additional clinicians to establish new health assessment services in Liverpool, Leeds and Manchester, alongside the established service in Huddersfield. Two services were based within primary care, while two operated through refugee organisations. Together, these projects provided more than 100 free specialist health assessments for survivors of torture and/or human rights abuses. Assessment reports were entered into GP records and, where appropriate, shared with lawyers, social services, the Home Office and Immigration Tribunal to support individuals' health and legal needs.
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July 2025 | International Recognition
TID became a member of the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT), joining one of only four member organisations in the UK and becoming part of a global network of 176 rehabilitation centres across more than 80 countries working to support survivors of torture.
October 2025 | Director Appointed
TID appointed its first Director, marking an important milestone in the organisation's development and strengthening its capacity for future growth and impact.
2026 |Â Award Recognition
TortureID was named a finalist for the 2026 Stephen Lloyd Awards and shortlisted in the Innovation category at West Yorkshire’s Adversity, Trauma and Resilience Awards, recognising the significance and promise of our model.