A TOP award has been presented to the Dover Detainee Visitor Group.

The organisation, set up in 2002 to befriend immigration detainees held indefinitely at the Dover Immigration Removal Centre, has won the regional finals of the Mentoring and Befriending Recognition Awards.

Proud: Samantha Lake (left) accepts the award on behalf of the Dover Detainee Visitor Group from dancer Camilla Dallerup

The honours recognise individuals and organisations that have made a difference to people's lives through mentoring and befriending services.

The group has some 60 volunteers who go to the detention centre on a weekly basis to show a friendly face to immigrants who spend days, weeks and, sometimes, years in there. The aim of the group is to tackle isolation, increase motivation and contribute to reducing mental issues that could come as a consequence of detention.

The work is inspired by respect of human beings irrespectively of their immigration status and the group is a non-political and non- campaigning charity.

One detainee said to volunteers: "I really appreciate your immense assistance so far, I do not know how to thank your group. You guys have been wonderful. Keep the good work going."

The awards are part of a national campaign, called Supporting Life's Journeys, to celebrate and support individuals and organisations which help to address poverty and social exclusion through mentoring and befriending.

Mentors and befrienders are usually volunteers who are trained and supported by a range of charities and organisations to give one on one support to vulnerable or at risk people. Mentoring and befriending have long been recognised as powerful and cost effective approaches to helping avoid damaging or criminal behaviour.

The award was accepted by volunteer Samantha lake on behalf of the group.

Steve Matthews, Chief Executive of award organisers the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation, said: "Individuals, projects, funders and commissioner across the South East have demonstrated how mentoring and befriending can transform people's lives.

"They help the most vulnerable people in our society, from the very young to the very old, cope with real difficulties and challenges."