SAMPHIRE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Inclusive Development Officer
I joined Samphire in October 2022. I have lived in Dover for nearly 15 years and am firmly embedded within the community. I have served as a Councilor on both Town and District councils and have done extensive community work. I have also been involved with Samphire, volunteering on projects on and off since 2016. I am passionate about community inclusion and working with migrant communities to promote a more open and welcoming community in which my young son can grow up.
Job Titles:
- Post Detention Support Coordinator ( Maternity Cover )
Job Titles:
- Legal and Migrant Support Manager
Prior to joining Samphire in 2016, I have worked on the return migration project at IOM Vilnius, human rights education and awareness raising projects in Bulgaria and in a private law practice in Lithuania. I hold a bachelors degree in Law and Management and LL.M in International Law and Law of International Organisations. At Samphire I lead Immigration Legal Advice and Post Detention Support projects. I am passionate about my job and find it extremely rewarding.
Job Titles:
- Inclusive Development Officer
I have joined Samphire in the beginning of 2021, however I have been involved in Samphre's activities as a volunteer in 2017. Prior to joining Samphire, I was a part of Roma in the Lead project as it's Development Officer for Dover. My roles in the last 3 years have focused on breaking barriers between various service providers and local Roma communities. In my job I strive ensure that Roma communities are seen as an integral part of our society.
I joined Samphire in January 2021 and my role is Finance and Office Manager. An important part of my role is to provide financial and statistical reports for the Treasurer, Board of Trustees and Charlie Zosseder, our Director. I will look after the general running of the office and support our Director with the financial figures to back up funding applications. I am looking forward to being part of this caring and dynamic team.
Job Titles:
- Community Engagement Coordinator, Media and Advocacy Lead
I joined Samphire in September 2019 as Community Engagement Coordinator. Since returning to the UK and my home town of Dover in 2014, I have been working in the community to improve the town and the lives of its residents, I am a human rights campaigner in my personal life and I hope to bring together my passion in these areas to further the amazing work Samphire does, and make Dover a more welcoming place for all.
Rock Samphire is a rare edible plant which grows on the chalk cliffs of Dover. The name is a corruption of Saint Pierre, who was the patron saint of fishermen. In olden times Samphire was a prized food delicacy, and even today expensive restaurants often serve samphire as a
vegetable with fish. In his drama King Lear, Shakespeare mentions how people used to risk their lives to gather it from the cliffs to eat. "… halfway down hangs one who gathers samphire; dreadful trade!"
Job Titles:
- Legal Project Administrative Assistant
I started off at Samphire during the summer of 2023 as a volunteer on the legal project, and now work at the charity part-time as a legal administrative assistant. I am currently doing my LL.M in International Law at Kent Law School with a focus on Human Rights and Immigration Law. Having volunteered due to an interest in Human Rights and wanting to work in an environment that values such an ideal, Samphire has been a great organisation in facilitating this and I look forward to continuing to work here.
Job Titles:
- Post Detention Support Caseworker
I started working for Samphire in August 2023 as a Post Detention Caseworker. I have a long-standing commitment to, and involvement in, supporting the rights of our migrant communities. I have spent over twenty years working with and for refugees and asylum seekers in varied settings. These have ranged from work in a refugee camp to Further Education colleges, community organisations and the work place. I am now very pleased to be working for an organisation that is contributing to creating a fairer and more equal society.
Job Titles:
- Napier Drop Ins Caseworker