JUSTICE TOGETHER - Key Persons
Alex has worked and volunteered in a range of places addressing migration issues, from the British Red Cross Refugee Services in Nottinghamshire, to the Azerbaijan Migration Centre in Baku, as well as spending several years as a caseworker for a busy immigration and asylum practice in North London. He also has experience of project design, fundraising and coordinating a network of lawyers from across Europe.
He has a law degree (although this feels like a long time ago now for him) and a Masters in International Relations. When not working, you might find him swimming or at the cinema.
Job Titles:
- Community Manager
- Partner
- Writer
Annie is a writer, poet and has worked in the charity sector for 9 years. She has an MA in Human Rights and a degree in Law and International Studies . Annie has over 5 years experience in co-production and is passionate about building networks to bring about social change.
She set up a working group led by minoritised communities in 2019 alongside the local Community Development Agency. The aim of the group was to transform the provision of mental health services for minoritised communities in the borough of Hammersmith & Fulham. This influenced provision of mental health services in the borough.
She additionally led multi sector networks consisting of youth services, young people and other agencies such as businesses and local authorities to inspire cross- sector collaboration and create opportunities for young people.
Dami is an activist, a campaigner, a public speaker, and a community organiser. Her passion for activism began when she, and many other young migrants like herself were faced with an injustice that prevented them from achieving their potential and contributing fully to the British society they call home. In 2017, Dami was seconded to the London Mayor's office and began a forum to build a bridge between the Mayor and all London migrants. In the same year, she became an Eisenhower Youth Leader, and has spoken out against the UK's hostile environment worldwide. In 2019, Dami co-founded an organisation called We Belong, which tackles systemic barriers that young migrants are facing and prevents them from living a fulfilled life.
Job Titles:
- Founder and Director of Refugees for Justice
Dylan is founder and director of Refugees for Justice. He has previously worked as a Programme Manager at Migration Exchange funder network, Service Manager and Development Officer at Scottish Refugee Council, and as a Senior Community Development Officer at Freedom from Torture. Dylan has a degree in Community Development and a Master's degree in Global Migration and Social Justice from the University of Glasgow. He is a member of Young Academy of Scotland - Royal Society of Edinburgh. Dylan is originally Kurdish. He was born in Mahabad, a beautiful town in Eastern Kurdistan - Iran. He has been living in the UK since 2013 and is now based in Glasgow, Scotland. He is fascinated by nature, obsessed with pistachio, Turkish coffee, and chess.
Farah has international work experience in the Third sector across research, education and programme delivery, with a focus on refugees and asylum seekers. Her previous role at Resourcing Racial Justice has sparked her interest in grant making. She was awarded multiple scholarships, culminating in obtaining a MSc from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) specialising in Women, Peace and Security Studies. Her dissertation focused on men and masculinities among Syrian refugees. Farah is also a member of an all-women's dance company called ‘Hawiyya' [identity].
Prior to starting at Justice Together Initiative, Fidelia worked as a Grants Officer for the Research Project Grant scheme at the Leverhulme Trust. Her other experience has been varied and ranges from teaching in a state school in Bucaramanga, Colombia, to administrative and teaching assistant work at a number of London schools. She has also volunteered and fundraised for a number of small London based charities.
She has a degree in Psychology (with a dissertation on the emotional response to music), is based in South London and when time permits is usually found hiking or experimenting with yet another recipe for pistachio and lemon cake.
Hazel has worked and volunteered in the refugee and humanitarian sector for 17 years, in various roles in the UK, Europe and Sudan. Most recently she was the National Director at NACCOM, a national network of organisations working to end destitution amongst migrants. Prior to this she was the Director at the Asylum Support Appeals Project, a charity providing access to justice for people seeking asylum. She is currently the Chair of the Metropolitan Migration Foundation and a consultant Elder with Doulas Without Borders.
She has a degree in Law, and is based in Whitley Bay on the beautiful North East coast, so when she isn't working she's on the beach - or sometimes trying to do both!
Job Titles:
- Member of the Grants Committee
- Trustee
- Director of the Global Exchange on Migration and Diversity at the University of Oxford
Jacqui is the Director of the Global Exchange on Migration and Diversity at the University of Oxford where she manages a wide portfolio of knowledge exchange and research projects on migration. Jacqui's own work focusses on local government and migration, integration and inclusion. Prior to this, Jacqui managed the Refugee and Migrant Team at Islington Council, providing social services support to families and vulnerable adults with No Recourse to Public Funds. In 2016, she received a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship to travel to cities in the United States and Italy to understand how cities can better integrate migrants. It is this experience, alongside her role in delivering the council's contribution to the Syrian Vulnerable Person's Resettlement Scheme that have informed her commitment to the vision of Justice Together Initiative.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Grants Committee
- Trustee
- Co - Founding Director of JustRight Scotland
- Jen Ang Chair
Jen is a co-Founding Director of JustRight Scotland, a human rights legal charity, responsible for its development as well as overseeing our policy, research and strategic comms and campaigning work. She is an experienced human rights lawyer, qualified to practice in Scotland, England and Wales, and New York State. She is a legal expert on asylum, human rights and children's rights, and on the rights of survivors of torture. Jen is also a lecturer in law with the Open University in Scotland, and an enthusiastic advocate of widening access to education for all. She enjoys walking in remote parts of Scotland, in the mountains or along the coasts.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Grants Committee
- Trustee
Matthew joined TLEF in October 2013 as its first chief executive.
He has had longstanding involvement in the role of law as a tool for social justice, both through grantmaking and work in delivery charities. Matthew has worked in the foundation sector since 2004 when he joined the Baring Foundation as deputy director.
Previously, he was director of community work at Community Links in east London, where he continued as an advisor from 2004-2012; and, from 2007-2009, was seconded to the Prime Minister's Council on Social Action. He is the author of publications on legal advice, social action, public services, the voluntary sector and grant-making.
In September 2013, Matthew was appointed to the Civil Justice Council. He is the vice-chair of governors at a primary school local to his home in Hackney.
During her career Paddy Sloan has worked as a funder in the independent sector, with government and with a local council, supporting anti-poverty work, urban regeneration and community development. She also spent 8 years as Chief Executive with the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, following its establishment in 1999.
Previously National Head of BBC Children in Need in Northern Ireland and interim Director of Grants and Policy across the UK, Paddy is currently Project Director with A Million & Me, a proactive impact theme focusing on children's mental health. Formerly Deputy Chief Commissioner of the Charity Commission NI she has also served as a co-opted member of the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust Ireland Committee, as an external member of the Wellcome Trust Public Engagement Large Awards Committee and is a member of the Northern Ireland Advisory Group of the St. Stephens Green Trust pilot programme on community-based peacebuilding in Northern Ireland.
Zain has a decade of first-hand experience of the asylum and immigration system. This evoked a deep passion in Zain to campaign for reform throughout. Zain has given several public speeches on issues related to the asylum journey, mental health, access to higher education and more. Delivered talks at universities and produced an award-winning podcast series: We Are Voices.
Zain obtained a full-paid scholarship to go to university and graduated with a First-Class Honours in Philosophy and Global Studies. Zain is currently a Community Organiser with Citizens UK, a Funding Manager at the Civic Power Fund and a Board of Trustee at IMIX.
Zain looks forward to contributing to JTI by combining his organising skills with his understanding of the challenges grassroots groups striving for justice face. In his spare time, Zain loves to read and study Philosophy.