Action for Refugees in Lewisham (AFRIL) are recruiting for an Expert by Experience Coordinator to join our supportive and growing team. The Expert by Experience Coordinator is a new role in our small dynamic charity . The postholder will work to ensure the voices and perspectives of individuals with lived experience of asylum and forced migration are integrated into the design and delivery of AFRIL services and policy work. This role involves facilitating communication , promoting co-production , and empowering individuals to share their expertise to improve services and guide policy priorities. The post involves coordinating our monthly Members Forum, and working with the core team to feed this into policy and service development, alongside thematic and sometimes practical support to our Allotment Steering Group, Rainbow Club Youth Council and Asylum Hotel Residents Forum. The postholder will develop the AFRIL ambassadors scheme, creating opportunities for former clients to continue to be involved in shaping AFRIL, and work with the Director to develop a governance level co-production structure as agreed with the Board of Trustees. We are looking for a good people person, able to engage and inspire others, who demonstrates a collaborative approach to working with a range of stakeholders and in particular AFRIL clients who come from a variety of backgrounds. The postholder will be highly organised, have good project planning and execution skills, and a good working knowledge of the issues affecting refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. Community language skills are an asset. About AFRIL Action for Refugees in Lewisham (AFRIL) is a registered charity that supports asylum seekers, refugees, and vulnerable migrants in South East London. We support people to lift themselves out of poverty, assert their rights and rebuild their lives in the heart of our community. We provide both crisis support to meet immediate need, and longer-term, flexible programmes to tackle the underlying problems that lead people to be in crisis, supporting people to integrate, contribute and thrive. Our work is grounded in the values of professionalism, inclusivity, and solidarity. Our clients are at the heart of what we do and our approach is one of co-production and empowerment. AFRIL delivers the following core services in the London Boroughs of Lewisham, Greenwich, Southwark, Bexley and Bromley: Rainbow Club Supplementary School - providing weekly supplementary education in English and Maths, arts, music and sports activities to children from refugee, migrant  and asylum seeking backgrounds from 4-11 years old, plus youth volunteering programme and Youth Council (NRCSE and Sanctuary Status).

Casework and Advocacy Service: providing AQS accredited advice, casework and legal interventions in asylum support, community care, housing, welfare benefits and related matters. Pre-Action Protocol letters to challenge unlawful public law decisions. The service currently provides Level 1 immigration advice under the Immigration Advice Agency.

Destitution Support - a fortnightly Food Bank in partnership with St Peter’s Church providing food, food vouchers, toiletries, and other essentials, alongside a warm hub with free cafe, information and support. Small grants for essential items and cash payments for food in emergencies. Securing and distributing gifts in kind, e.g. winter coats, laptops and data.

Allotment of Refuge - a welcoming community of food growers that supports improved health, wellbeing and integration of members, whilst protecting the local environment.

Immigration Project in partnership with Southwark Law Centre, providing free legal advice and representation to support people to regularise their immigration status.

We also use our frontline experience, together with our clients, to engage in Policy and influencing work to improve the services and policies that impact our client group. This includes advising the GLA on 3 asylum related working groups, and as a member of the London Housing Panel. AFRIL is an equal opportunities employer . We are a diverse staff team and particularly encourage applications from BAME candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and those with lived experience of asylum/irregular migration. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support our staff to flourish. We are proud to be a member of the Experts by Experience Employment Network  which aims to increase representation of people with lived experience in the charitable sector. Please feel free to use their information and resources which may help in preparing your job application. Please read full Job Description and Person Specification.  Applications will only be accepted through CharityJob - please submit a CV and cover letter (no more than one side of A4) detailing how you meet the person specification.