About Us

Hostage International exists to support the families of hostages, and former hostages around the world.

Kidnappings and arbitrary detentions are frightening and often lonely experiences, impacting not only the hostage but their family, friends, community, colleagues and employer. As an independent charity, we strive to make sure that people affected are supported throughout their ordeal – and beyond.

We do this through:

  • Delivering direct and tailored support, guidance and information, and access to specialist services to those affected by hostage-taking and arbitrary detention outside their home country.
  • Offering access to free professional services and bespoke advice, to include legal, media, trauma therapy, medical and dental care, and we aim to lessen the strain around administrative tasks, and financial or employment worries, for those affected.
  • Providing bespoke training to organisations, government departments and NGOs, around best practice in family support and hostage reintegration.
  • Working discreetly to encourage governments and employers to adopt policies and practices in family and post-release which take into account the family and former hostage perspectives.

We are not involved in the resolution of these incidents, but we fill a much-needed gap in helping people understand how these incidents are resolved and by whom, as well as helping to make sense of the challenges along the way.

Our History

Hostage International is the longest-established international charity offering independent and tailored support for families affected by a hostage incident regardless of their nationality or place of residence.

We were founded in 2004 – initially as Hostage UK – by former hostage Sir Terry Waite KCMG CBE, and Carlo Laurenzi OBE, in response to a gap they saw in support for families and former hostages.

Hostage International has helped more than 500 individuals including families and loved-ones who have had someone taken hostage or arbitrarily detained, and former hostages after their release.

Our work continues to grow and at any one time we are usually supporting around 100 people.

Our constitution.

Our impact

We constantly strive to do the best for those we support and thank you to everyone who helps make our work possible.

Please find our annual return and accounts on the Charity Commission website. 

Our executive team

Lara Symons

Chief Executive

[email protected]

Georgina Cooper

Communications & Engagement Manager

[email protected]

Jim Collins OBE

Case Manager

[email protected]

Our presidents, patrons and trustees

Sir Terry Waite KCMG CBE

Co-Founder & President

Carlo Laurenzi OBE

Vice-President and Co-Founder

Judith Tebbutt

Patron

John McCarthy CBE

Patron

Phil Bigley OBE

Trustee & Chair of the Board of Trustees

Libby Bassett

Trustee & Treasurer

Mike Millward

Trustee

Claire Browne

Trustee

Pulina Whitaker

Trustee

James Brandon

Trustee

Jantine van Herwijnen

Trustee

Don McGown

Trustee

Sarah Gleadall

Trustee

Niall MacGinnis

Trustee

Our advisory psychological and psychiatric panel

Dr Leslie Perman-Kerr

Psychologist and psychotherapist, England, UK.

Professor Neil Greenberg

Psychiatrist, England, UK.

Professor Gordon Turnbull

Psychiatrist, England, UK.

Dr. Anthony Feinstein

Psychiatrist, Canada.

Arlene Healey

Psychotherapist, Northern Ireland, UK.

Professor Lynne McCormack

Psychologist, Australia.

Dr Alastair M Hull

Psychiatrist, Scotland, UK.