People profiles

Amanda Ashton - Training & Development Co-ordinator

I’m responsible for the management and co-ordination of all training and development activities across RMJ. I work closely with our legal experts and Management Team in identifying training needs to meet the demands of an ever-changing legal sector. RMJ prides itself in developing our staff to meet their full potential, whether they are new staff of experienced Caseworkers. I feel my role has some impact in the success of the organisation.

One of the main reasons why I find working at RMJ so rewarding is the selfless commitment of all our staff. We often work with considerable external constraints and represent clients with haunting pasts so our team need the skills to equip themselves to deal with a job that is tough both professionally and emotionally.

Our staff need to be clear about the objectives of the organisation, adept at drawing the right information out of clients who more often than not are exceptionally vulnerable and flexible enough to cope with life in a fast-moving, constantly changing environment. RMJ training plays a valuable part in dealing with these skills demands.

Alexandra Warren - Regional Manager

I was working as a Paralegal for a firm of solicitors in London, but didn’t find it at all fulfilling. So, preferring to channel my talents into a role that would actually help people rather than boost a massive corporate bank balance, I decided to join RMJ.

I haven’t regretted it for one moment, either. The work is every bit as mentally stimulating as it is worthwhile. Basically, I’m responsible for managing the activities of our Northern region from the Leeds office. Leading a team of managers, I make sure each of our Caseworkers meets their targets while controlling budgets and resolving all kinds of issues. And being on the organisation’s senior management board means I can influence its future strategic direction.

But while I have to say this is a very friendly and supportive place to be, life isn’t nice and fluffy all the time. There are strict deadlines to meet, and you have to be prepared to make some tough decisions and tell others what they can and can’t do. You quickly realise that not all problems are easily solved, too. But the benefits of working with like-minded people really do add up.

Emma Yeomans - Caseworker

I was temping for British Gas when I saw a TV documentary about the harsh treatment that asylum seekers had to put up with. It aroused my interest in the subject, and I wondered if there was anything I could do to help. So when I saw an ad for a receptionist at RMJ, I jumped at the opportunity.

After six months I moved into the role of a Casework Assistant, becoming a fully-fledged Caseworker just over a year later. My job now involves interviewing asylum seekers from a whole range of countries, and preparing statements and letters that are sent to the Home Office. Sometimes I also take on outreach work, which means visiting induction centres to meet clients.

The training has prepared me well for the many challenges I face every day and I’m hoping to take my accreditation exams quite soon, which will qualify me to represent clients in court. I’d like to become a Team Leader or Supervisor - and the organisation will definitely give me the opportunity to do so.

So what do you need to get on well here? I think it’s important to be open-minded and listen carefully to what your clients want. But you must also strike a balance between being sensitive to people’s needs and providing objective, professional advice.

Amy Warren - Casework Assistant

When I joined RMJ I was looking to do something really worthwhile where I could make a difference to people’s lives. In my role I provide support to the Caseworkers and can be involved in any kind of admin work as well as reception and telephone duties. You’ve got to be ready to do anything in this job. When people phone in you never know what situation you’re going to have to deal with - you need to be very sensitive to people’s needs. There are often different languages being used so you need to be very clear and understandable. Quite often people are very worried about what’s happening to them so you need to be very reassuring and try to see things from their point of view.

I find my colleagues really supportive. There is quite a lot of legal jargon to learn and the team always take the time to explain things clearly to me. It’s the variety I like most about the job and knowing that, in whatever I do, I am helping people in need.

André Minnaar - Team Leader

Having worked in immigration for a long time, I wanted to specialise more in asylum work. RMJ also happen to be part of an UKBA project whereby cases were "front loaded" with preparation in order to get better first instance decisions. RMJ has a reputation for relentlessly fighting for justice and protecting human rights. It was a combination of these factors, which made me grab the opportunity to join them.

The experience has been amazing. We’ve got a really dedicated team who leave no stone unturned to help vulnerable people. It’s what drives us. We all want justice for our clients. Every case we do is a mini-challenge and there’s a huge amount of satisfaction with every successful outcome. In some cases, we have literally helped to save people’s lives.

Our biggest current challenge is to continue to deliver a really good quality service with limited funding. We are also constantly trying to change people’s perceptions, so that our clients face less of a struggle to convince others that they are deserving of our country’s protection and so that we can celebrate justice for them.