about us
Since 2002
Working to create a society which is inclusive and compassionate towards migrants.
Our History
Samphire started life as the Dover Detainee Visitor Group back in 2002. It came into being as a result of concerns felt by a number of local residents about the plight of the people detained at the newly established Dover Immigration Removal Centre – a Prison Service operated facility for detaining up to 400 migrants on the site of a disused borstal on Dover’s Western Heights.
Our work started as a volunteer visiting scheme through which people detained could be visited by members of the local community with the purpose of which was to reduce the social isolation of detainees and to extend the hand of friendship. The group registered as a charity in 2004. In the years since then the charity expanded to include a Legal, Advocacy and Media, Kent Schools of Sanctuary, Inclusive Development Post Detention Support Projects. We also support people accommodated at Napier Barracks.
After the closure of Dover Immigration Removal Centre in October 2015, the work of the Detention Support Project and Legal Projects came to an end. The work of the Ex-Detainee Project continued and, following consultation with our volunteers, members and stakeholders, Samphire took the decision to expand the Awareness-Raising aspect of our work.
Samphire’s Community Engagement Project focuses on working with migrant and British communities to improve social cohesion, and better inclusion of migrants in Dover and surrounding areas of Kent, this is through Inclusive development, Media and Advocacy projects and our Schools of Sanctuary Kent programme.
The Post Detention and Migrant Support Project was awarded another 3 years of funding in April 2023 and has extended its service by creating the Steering Group, led by our project beneficiaries.
In February 2021 Samphire raised its OISC accreditation to provide immigration advice under OISC Level 2 framework. Our Immigration Legal Project was rolled out in April 2019 and following continued funding continues to support people on a full time basis.
some of our 2023 ACHIEVEMENTS
Individuals received free legal immigration advice
people assisted by the post detention support project
Napier residents received casework assistance via Napier drop in
Our Mission
to improve the lives of people released from immigration detention and experiencing destitution in the UK, and to support the development of well-informed, cohesive and diverse communities in the Dover area and beyond.
Our Charity
The charity has both a national remit and a local one. Nationally, our Ex-detainee Project provides support and advice to ex-detainees via a Freephone helpline, currently open five days a week. Any ex-detainee, whether a refused asylum seeker, EU migrant, or other, can access free advice about their rights and is enabled by our caseworkers to access services to afford them basic human needs such as better accommodation, food and healthcare.
The majority of ex-detainees, whilst waiting for a resolution to their immigration status, will not be permitted to work. With access to a network of community organisations, Samphire empowers ex-detainees to seek further support in their community, and encourages them to engage through volunteering. Samphire provides an emergency support service for the most vulnerable, to prevent prolonged destitution, with caseworkers giving much needed emotional support.
Samphire’s annual conference brings together active clients, with speakers from relevant organisations to encourage debate and report on developments in the sector. This forum is a key tool for influencing policy makers, and networking.
Locally, in Dover, Samphire runs a community engagement project working with migrant and British communities to improve social cohesion, and better inclusion of migrants into Dover and surrounding areas of Kent. Samphire coordinates a Community Hub- a weekly community group in the Priory Ward of Dover, The Schools of Sanctuary Kent- raising awareness amongst schools pupils on issues surrounding migration and the Dover Welcome’s All project- a local volunteer group who organises events, talks and activities such as the multicultural festival. The charity plays a pivotal role in Dover raising awareness around migration and making the town a more welcoming place.
Why did we choose the name Samphire for our organisation?
Because we are based in Dover where samphire grows on the chalk cliffs.
What is samphire?
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!”
Samphire
On wave-swept margins of the British Isles,
rooted in crevices and cracks
on Dover’s white cliffs,
unremarked by passers-by,
samphire survives
the hostile environment.
Fearless of danger it clings to life
on sky-scraper crags, buffeted by
Channel storms and salt-laced spray,
samphire survives
the hostile environment.
Where Calais ferries come and go,
cruise-liners and container ships,
where yachts blow past and
sea-gulled fish boats trawl,
while life-boats speed to rescue and
Border Force patrol the waves,
There, on its cliff-height, samphire sees
their voyages, even the tiny
rubber raft of orange life-jackets,
scared faces in the dark,
clinging to hope,
survivors of
the hostile environment.
Our Team
Charlotte Zosseder
Director
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.
Julie Lawrence
Finance and Office Manager
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.
Indre Lechtimiakyte - Abercrombie
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.
Kay Marsh
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.
Iveta Janova
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.
Harry Winstanley
Post Detention Support Coordinator
Alex Dean
Community engagement coordinator - Schools and Youth
I joined Samphire in August 2022 as Community Engagement Coordinator for Schools and Youth. Prior to joining, I trained and worked as a primary school teacher in Kent. I am passionate about educating children about migrants and refugees and encouraging a welcoming culture in Kent’s young people. The Schools of Sanctuary project is vital to challenge damaging and counter-productive narratives on migration and race.
Vanessa Kent
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.
Yvonne Sherwood
Napier Drop Ins Caseworker
I joined Samphire as a volunteer on the post-detention project, then as a volunteer at the Napier Barracks Drop-In Centre Folkestone, and am now Samphire’s caseworker at the Drop-In. I am also a university Professor with a strong interest in migration politics. Together with a fabulous team of volunteers, we run asylum law workshops, provide legal support, and help residents volunteer in the local community. We also run university visits and a peer consultancy on access to higher education, and host music, storytelling, English language, dance and drama workshops.
Josephine Lane
Immigration Caseworker
Josephine (Jophy) is a former teacher who undertook a Master’s in Law in 2023 followed by training to become an OISC advisor. She works part time for Samphire and also for the London based charity Praxis. She loves to see as much theatre and film as she can in her spare time as well as hiking coastal paths! She is thrilled to be part of the Samphire team and thoroughly enjoys working with clients and supporting them as they navigate the challenges of the immigration system.
Aram Rawf
Inclusive Development Officer
Our Trustees
Floortje Hoette
Chair
Jayne Strange
Treasurer
Dominic Howden
Caroline Howden
Dilshad Sharif
Miriam Wood