JOIN ADVISORY PANEL

We welcome applications from individuals at different stages of the asylum process.

Refugees and people seeking asylum are at the heart of WERS. We believe it's important to listen to your opinions, experiences, and involve you in our work. The Advisory Panel is a group that allows refugees and asylum seekers to share their input and impact what we do at WERS.

Our goals:

  • We will help create a roadmap for our WERS’ future actions over the next three years

  • We will make sure that people with lived experience of the asylum system in the UK are central to everything we do in the future

  • We will work closely with our board of trustees and staff at WERS to make sure our plans are put into action successfully

There is no deadline initially as we will keep the recruitment process open until we find twelve individuals with personal experience of the UK asylum system.

ADVISORY PANEL MEMBER

This is an unpaid role*

We are looking for individuals with lived experiences of the asylum system in the UK, regardless of whether you are currently in the system or have navigated through it in the past.

Your unique perspectives, shaped by your own journey, will play a crucial role in shaping our work at an operational level.

As an Advisory Panel member, you will have the opportunity to actively contribute to WERS’ initiatives and operations. We understand that English may not be your first language, and we want to assure you that we value and welcome your participation and provide you with help and assistance as required.

Monthly meetings will be held both in person and remotely as needed, providing a flexible way for you to share your valuable insights. You may also have the option to participate in other planning or thematic groups, based on your interest and availability.

* The Advisory Panel role at WERS is voluntary, meaning it is not paid. However, WERS will take care of the expenses related to attending meetings. This includes covering travel costs, providing subsistence expenses and offering assistance with mobile data and child care if needed.

As a member of WERS’ Advisory panel you will:

  • Take a genuine interest in the work by sharing your ideas and guiding our future goals by your lived experience

  • Contribute to planning documents and actively participate in meetings and email communications

  • Support open discussion and encourage fellow members to voice their insights

  • Notify the Chair with reasonable notice if unable to attend meetings

  • Adhere to respectful and constructive communication

  • Respect the roles of the Chair, staff, and other members

  • Challenge, discuss, or support decisions made by WERS

  • Maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethical standards

  • Uphold the values of inclusivity, diversity, and non-discrimination

We will ask you to: 

  • Attend monthly meetings at WERS office or on Zoom

  • You’ll be expected to spend additional time to prepare for the meetings and following up afterwards

  • Keep information we discuss confidential

  • Answer emails and contribute to discussions in between meetings where necessary

  • Be part of the panel for the period of 12 months

If you would like an informal discussion prior to applying, please contact recruitment@WERS.org.uk to arrange a call with our Recruitment Team

Inclusion statement

We welcome applications from individuals at different stages of the asylum process.

We encourage applications from all sections of our diverse community, irrespective of age, disability, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, maternity, race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), sexual orientation, religion or belief, or because someone is married or in a civil partnership.

We are keen for WERS to become an organisation that reflects our community and where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work.

We believe that WERS will be a better, more creative and innovative place to work if we can harness the benefit of different perspectives.