Testimonies

RJ4All Volunteer Testimonies

Giorgia Varvello, Italy

My name is Giorgia Varvello and I have a Masters Degree in International Law, track Human Rights Law. I applied in September for an internship at RJ4ALL due to my strong interest for Restorative Justice. So far, I am glad for this opportunity because I am growing both as a worker and as a person. I have different tasks which positively challenge myself. For instance, I wrote a brief blog post that allowed me to investigate topics I am interested in, strengthening my will to research. Moreover, I am responsible for the creation of the website, which is an interesting task. One of the best thing about this internship is the environment. Indeed, I have an open and sincere dialogue with Theo Gavrielides, who is always ready to support and push me.  I am more confident about what I can do and this is what an internship should teach you. I like the fact that this is an interactive experience, during which I can undertake various tasks and explore different themes. My relation with the other interns is friendly and we all aim to support each other and learn from the other. 

Elianna Lymperopoulou, Greece

My name is Elianna Lymperopoulou and I am currently living and working in Athens, Greece. I am 26 years old and my familiarisation with the RJ4all Institute began the final year of my undergraduate studies at the Department of Sociology in Panteion University. Having expressed my interest in Restorative Justice and the principles that advocates, my professor, Vasso Artinopoulou encouraged me to come in touch with Prof.Theo Gavrielides in order to get further involved in the actions of the RJ4all Institute. And that was only the beginning!

From day one, there was a clear description of my work plan as a remote-based volunteer and guidance by my mentor-supervisor. In the first year as a RJ4all volunteer, my role was to support the team by disseminating its activities, publications and news on the social media of the institute. As I was observing more and more the institute’s actions and my educational level was evolved from undergraduate to postgraduate student on Restorative Justice, opportunities for further involvement were offered to me. I started to write my own blog posts for the RJ4all website and also participated in the demanding preparations of the third Symposium on Restorative Justice. Having already the necessary experience, I proceeded with a role as a communication officer, responsible for the institute’s communication with academics, students and people interested in its programmes and activities.

Even though volunteering remotely may seem challenging, the benefits of working with RJ4all are plenty. Speaking of myself, I have developed my personality so much and gained a lot of confidence co-operating with specialists from a variety of scientific backgrounds. I have developed my professional skills and made aware of my strengths and flaws. But the most important of all was the fact that I have met in person or via social media, experts from all over the world, obtaining likewise valuable contacts in the field. Overall, I do believe that the whole experience equipped me with some major skills and knowledge for my future development as a Restorative Justice professional. 
To sum up, I think that everyone interested in restorative justice, youth policy and human rights can and should think about volunteering for RJ4all!

Sara Natividade, Portugal 

My name is Sara Natividade, I am 21 years old and I am from Portugal. I have a bachelors degree in Criminology and I am currently taking my masters in Sociology.
I have been working with RJ4All since July (2018) and it has been an amazing experience. I have learnt so much, I have a huge sense of fulfilment when I work on the institute tasks and it is making me get closer to my dream. 
I would recommend everyone looking to pursue a career in this field to give the institute a try, I am sure it will be a rewarding experience. 
Moreover, the RJ4All is also an escape to my everyday life and I would never trade it for anything else. 

Marianna Iosif, Cyprus

My name is Marianna Iosif. I am 18 years old from Cyprus and I am currently studying biosciences at the University of Sussex. I have always been interested in volunteering since I am passionate in giving my time for others who are less fortunate. I joined RJ4All two years ago and the experience has been great as I was able to work from Cyprus while also continuing with school. Someone could easily say that fighting for a fairer justice system runs in the family! I was inspired by my grandfather and mother who are both lawyers and now by my uncle Prof. Theo Gavrielides who is the Founder of RJ4All! I have always believed in a better justice system for both the victim and the offender and my aim is to follow their example. I am now studying but medicine because I believe that medical care is a basic human right that all humans should have access to despite their financial situation, race or religion. And that’s why I am thrilled to be able to continue being part of RJ4ALL since it allows all human beings from a very young age to express their minds in their own unique way.

Natalia Filippon, UK & Brazil

I acted as a Research Assistant at the Restorative Justice for All (RJ4All) Institute in 2018. I am from Brazil and applied to RJ4All to work on the Violent Radicalization, Human Rights and Restorative Justice project supporting Dr. Theo Gavrielides in the research and writing of the project results. 

Natalia is a Social Policies research student at LSE. Her main areas of expertise and interest are: public policies and gender; security policies, gender and human rights and research methodologies for impact evaluation. She has carried out research in the fields of social security public policies; violent extremism, security policies and gender. Her involvement at RJ4All gave her direct experience in carrying out research, publishing and influencing policy internationally.

Anita Kwokori, UK

Anita was a Research Assistant at the Restorative Justice for All (RJ4All) Institute in 2018. She worked on the Violent Radicalization, Human Rights and Restorative Justice project supporting Dr. Theo Gavrielides in carrying out desk research. Anita is a Policing and Criminal Investigation first class graduate from Staffordshire University. She currently works at the UK’s Serious Fraud Office. Her expertise includes investigating the police response to domestic abuse based on gender.

Sumeet Jalgaonkar, India 

Since 2015, I have been working as a doctoral researcher in Law at the University of Dundee analysing the legislative treatment of Hate Speech crimes in Scotland. During the course of this year, I had participated in a seminar on ‘Combating Hate Crimes and Xenophobia through Restorative Justice’ organised by RJ4All. Here, for the first time, I met and interacted with Dr Theo Gavrielides. Since then I have been an ardent follower of his work and organisations working in the field of Restorative Justice and Hate crimes. 

Lately, I took over the role of a Research Assistant (Intern) in RJ4ALL. My expertise in the areas of international human rights law and criminal law has come in handy while working together as a team on various initiatives and projects for RJ4ALL. Some of these include co-authoring - a background paper titled ‘Human Rights & Preventing Violent Extremism’ for the 18th Informal Asia-Europe (ASEM) Seminar on Human Rights in Indonesia, 2018; European Commission Hate crime proposal to prevent and combat racism, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance, 2018. Along with this, I am also been assigned the role of a Moderator for its organisation's social media pages. I must say that my journey and association with RJ4ALL has been a great success. And I would highly recommend all like-minded people working in the area of restorative justice to get involved and enjoy the time with us. 

Jemima Hoffman, UK & Australia

Jemima applied for an RJ4All Internship while she was based in her home country Australia. She was successful and thus moved to London where she was based at RJ4All for four months supporting Professor Gavrielides on the Positive Psychology and Restorative Justice Project. She also acted as the Secretariat for the Internet Journal of Restorative Justice. She has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne. Following her placement, Jemima was successful in finding a new research position back in Australia where she now lives. She highly recommends office based internship at RJ4All.
Alice Christian

She was a Restorative Justice Intern, focussing on the new Restorative Justice 4 all website, wiki and journal. She was also engaged in a research project concerning the interface of psychology and restorative justice. 

Alice was a Durham University graduate, having read Psychology, Criminology and Archaeology as part of a BSc degree. Her dissertation concerned the place of offenders in the criminal justice system, and whether they are in fact the victims as opposed to those who are classically given that label.

Alice believes that her experience at RJ4All helped her to get confidence and critical skills which then allowed her to begin her training to become a barrister.

 Anna-Maria Vasileiou, Greece

My name is Anna-Maria Vasileiou and I have a BSc In Psychology and MSc in Forensic Psychology and Criminology. I was an intern and a volunteer at the RJFORALL for only few months but that short amount of time was enough to enrich my knowledge on the notion of alternative version of justice one that empowers the victims and treats offenders with dignity the notion of restorative justice. As an intern at RJFORALL, I was given the opportunity to communicate with stakeholders, create content for the website, write reviews and most importantly contribute to the vision of a better justice system that is led by Theo Gavriellides. Theo’s ethos and passion can only inspire people to thrive for a more fairer society. I recommend this internship to all aspiring researchers.

 Jurgis Kelecious

Hi. My name is Jurgis Kelecius and I am a volunteer at RJ4ALL. I have a special power - I experience the world in a very unique, peaceful way. Others might say that I am on the autistic spectrum, but what do they know. With this superpower comes huge responsibility: on daily basic I have to help my friends and family to be more optimistic, happy and loving. I know, it's a lot of pressure for one person but I don't mind, I like the challenge. I am very curious individual and I like to try new things, I will never say no to the adventure and I am the best travel companion to have! I don't want do brag, but I actually have another hidden superpower - I am the best hugger in the world (one would say)! If you're ever sad or feel alone you can always come to me. I will never judge and I will always find the best way to cheer you up (just being honest). 

I do have a degree in nursing and some volunteering experience in elderly people's home. I have some paid work experience with recycling and I do help my family a lot around the house and in the farming industry. Please do not hesitate to say "hallo", if you will ever meet me in person. New friends are always welcomed. 

Mark T. Tsagas, 
UK & Greece

In 2018, I officially started my doctoral research at the University of East London (UEL) on the subject of Cyberbullying, Restorative Justice and Legislative reform. This calculated step into academia was preceded by years of employment in various sectors of the Legal Profession.

Being an intern at the RJ4ALL institute, has allowed me to come into contact with the roots of Restorative Justice. Slowly but surely, I am attaining a deeper understanding of the ethos and its possible applications. Similarly, while fulfilling multiple roles and completing a multitude of tasks, I have been able to hone current skills while also attaining new ones.

My time with RJ4ALL has been greatly beneficial and not just to my research. The work we do promotes critical thinking and analysis, while constantly pushing you to refine your abilities and skills. Presently, I wholeheartedly recommend an internship at the institute, to all aspiring researchers, as well as to those that wish to learn more about and promote the cause.

Thandiwe Mncina,  
NL & South Africa 

My name is Thandiwe. I am a South African and am currently living in the Netherlands. After obtaining my bachelor's- and honor's degree in South Africa, I got my master's degree in criminology from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KULEUVEN) in Belgium in 2018. During my master's, I got interested in restorative justice during one of my courses. After this course, I chose RJ to be my main subject for my thesis, in which I looked into the possibilities of RJ for mass victimization. I am still very interested in RJ, and that is why I applied at RJ4ALL. At RJ4ALL I hope to contribute to research and literature so that RJ will increase in popularity as a viable alternative for the current judicial system. 
As for myself. In my free time, I like to read, hike, and travel. 
Laura De Nuzzo,  
Italy
My name is Laura, I come from Italy and I am currently studying at LSE in the MSc Human Rights. My main interest is migration with a particular focus on integration of refugees and asylum seekers. In general, however, I am really passionate about any topic which might relate to human rights. That’s why I decided to volunteer for Restorative Justice for all as a project assistant for the ‘Violent Radicalisation, Restorative Justice and Human Rights’ program. So far, it has been a great experience. I’m learning new skills, such as editing and managing a website as well as making videos; at the same time I’m also strengthening my research skills by writing articles and blogs, therefore, developing and deepening my interest in human rights. It’s a perfect and unique combination. To make it even better, I’m working with a really friendly and welcoming team of interns.

Aidan Chase-McCarthy, UK

Hello. My name is Aidan, and I was born and live in the UK. I have  gained a BSc (Hons) in Sociology, and have recently done a masters in Social research and Psychosocial Studies. Having studied social phenomena all of my academic life, I have come to appreciate how much work there is to be done in bringing justice and equality to society. This is what has brought me to RJ4All.

I will be volunteering as an intern as part of the 'Power, Race and Restoration' project.

Andrej Sagaidak, Ukraine & UK

 I am a master’s student in peace and conflict transformation in Tromso, Norway. I was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, but at the age of four, I moved to Italy’s Macerata. After finishing high school, I moved to England to pursue a higher education where I obtained a bachelor’s degree at the University of Brighton writing my dissertation on the applicability of Western disability standards to a post-Soviet context. 
I worked for several companies, including as an intern correspondent for a TV channel Ukraine Today, which adapted Ukrainian news for the global audience regarding the conflicts in Donbas. In addition, I am a freelance writer, seminar planner and for the past two years, I decided to progress my academic expertise and become a researcher. RJ4All was the perfect place to endorse my ambitions.

Priya Patel, UK

I am Priya Patel and I have an undergraduate degree in BSc Politics. I have joined RJ4All as a Research Assistant because I believe in using research to educate and influence. Restorative Justice is a concept that I have come across through this organisation, and I am excited to have  been a part of a team that is committed to bring justice and equality to society. RJ4All is an organisation which allowed me to thrive professionally and I feel like  I made an  impact through my work. 

I had the opportunity to assist on an interesting research project where I was able to build upon my research skills. I liaised with many academics and was given the responsibility to communicate with multiple stakeholders. I refined my communications skills in a professional manner whilst meeting interesting people involved in this field.

Yousef Al-Manasfi, UK

Hello, my name is Yousef Al-Manasfi, and I am excited to join the team at RJ4ALL. I have a BA in Politics and Global Studies from the University of Winchester, and an MA in International Relations from Brunel University. I am new to Restorative Justice work, but I am passionate about the work that this organization does, and I hope to bring my experiences gained both through academic study and personal experience to this position and look forward to the opportunities and experiences volunteering at RJ4ALL will offer me.

Ruth Lindley, UK

I have a BA (Hons) Modern Middle Eastern History from the University of Manchester and an MA in Holocaust and Genocide Studies from the University of Amsterdam. My interest in Restorative Justice stems from my MA where I studied a module on Transitional Justice. I worked on the Power, Race and Restorative Justice Project.

Evelyn Mantoiu, UK & Romania

I am an aspiring researcher interested in power politics, democracy and human rights, with experience in qualitative and quantitative research.
I graduated from the University of Sheffield with a BA in International Relations and Politics and UCL where I did a postgraduate degree in Democracy and Comparative Politics.
I am looking into developing my skills in the areas of research and communications. 
I am passionate about the importance of communicating research outputs and I joined RJ4All to pursue these interests.

Tessa Neal, UK

 I hold a Bachelors Degree in Journalism and Human Rights and I have  experience in journalism, publishing and the non-profit sector. I am particularly interested in human rights, race relations and feminist issues.

Gunjan Sharma, UK

I am a junior doctor & aspiring writer working in South London, with a plan to go into Forensic Psychiatry. I am currently writing a dissertation on Human Rights & Mental Health as part of a LLM in Mental Health Law alongside a fiction novel. I also have an interest in English Literature & Philosophy.

Thomas Sansom, UK

Tom is a recent international relations and politics graduate from Oxford Brookes University. During university, he served as the president of the Terrorism Research Society for a 2-year term, co-founded the GPES Student Initiative, served as an international relations rep, interned for 1 year at Corr Analytics, and was commissioned to research the positions of political parties for the E.U. Election Voter Advice Project. He is specifically interested in how analysis and information can be used as a force for good and believes that Restorative Justice 4 All aligns with that ethos.  

Throughout university, Tom made a difference to the Oxford community; this dedication inspired the decision to apply to Restorative Justice 4 All. He believes the position provides an excellent opportunity to transfer existing skills, learn new ones, and apply them to projects intended to make a difference to U.K. government policy and the wider European and international community. Tom hopes to build a career within a government department and eventually pose influence in a team as a board member consulting Cabinet on policy from a Realpolitik approach. The position provides a solid foundation in working to influence decision making; it is this aspect, alongside various other tasks, that he is very grateful to be introduced to by the programme at Restorative Justice 4 All.

Jessica Thomas, UK

Hello, my name is Jessica Thomas. I am a 20-year-old student, currently completing my Bachelor’s, a combined honours degree in History and English Literature at the University of Exeter.  For some time, I have been interested in reform; when I was younger, it was political and judicial reform. Currently, I have gained an interest in reform on a social level. I believe that laws may change. However, it is the ideology and morals of the people that genuinely reinforce and uphold these laws. This is possible through honest and sometimes painful discourses which can occur through the mediums of personal blog articles, peer-reviewed journal articles, magazines and community activities. Restorative Justice for All is the place for me to begin this journey. The organisation’s main focuses on empowerment, community cohesion and cutting-edge research, is the place for me to start and I cannot wait to learn and grow as a humanitarian and person, taking on perspectives and hearing voices I may not have heard before through the RJ4All’s main objectives. 

Desirée Noriega, UK

I have an undergraduate Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Political Psychology. I joined RJ4All as a Research Assistant because, as an aspiring researcher with a passion for human rights and for understanding human behaviour, I believe this is an excellent opportunity for me to grow my skill set and apply the knowledge I have acquired during both my professional and academic experience whilst creating a positive impact in society.


Elan Schwartz, UK

Elan Schwarz was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. She is currently pursuing a MSc in Human Rights at the London School of Economics. Her academic area of interest is focused on digital empowerment, and the intersection of technology and human rights. Prior to studying at LSE, she graduated with a Bachelor's degree from McGill University where she philosophy and anthropology. She has also completed the Foundation Year Programme at King’s University in Halifax.

Ekerette Ewang Sampson, UK

My name is Ekerette Ewang Sampson. I have an MA in International Politics and Security Studies, as well as a post-graduate Diploma in International Relations and Politics. Presently, I am awaiting my PhD Viva in Politics and International Studies from the University of Huddersfield. I choose to volunteer as a research assistant for RJ4ALL because I would be able to work on project’s that aim to empower the voiceless and marginalised in society to challenge existing socio-economic and political injustices, so as to impact the lives of citizens. The aim is to develop my research and analytical skills further while gaining the relevant experience needed to build a career and succeed as a researcher on radicalisation, counter-terrorism and the resolution of conflicts.

Tatiana Haidara, UK

My name is Tatiana and I am 22 years old, and I am from France. I have been living in London since I was 7 years old and I am currently studying a Master’s in Social Development at the University of Sussex. I also studied Economics and International Development between 2015-2018. I have always been passionate about promoting social justice for all members of the community, which is why I decided to study International Development for my Bachelor’s degree. I applied to RJ4All’s internship programme because I was eager to gain experience of working with a research institute. In the future, I would like to work for a Local Government or charity, as I want to be an advocate for social equality and justice for my community. 

Bee Veronica Moore, UK

Bee is an experienced freelance Art Director, Graphic Designer and illustrator, with a BA Honours Degree in Graphic Design and Art History. For many years she used to work in-house for design agencies heading up a creative team. Since going freelance she’s been working independently from her North London studio. Past clients include commercial and not for profit organisations such as Pearson, The Royal Academy of Arts, RSPCA, ZSL (London Zoo), NSPCC and CRUK. Working on direct marketing appeals, leaflets, brochures, posters, annual reports; corporate ID, logos and children’s illustration projects. It was while working for the international book publishers Pearson, that Bee joined the volunteer program to help children with dificulties learn to read and gain confidence.

She now also works as a specialist maker-craft and art & design practitioner, mentoring children and young adult with design training sessions, via her company Witty Ditty Designs. Her main focus is to offer young cohorts an introduction to Drawing, Graphic Design, Animation, Maker-Craft & Digital Design. Her aim, is to collaborate with other skilled 3D tech and art and design providers, on a variety of projects and community centres, 

Bee also provides workshops and training sessions for children and young adults via Witty Ditty Designs. Her main focus is to offer young cohorts an introduction to Graphic Design, Animation, Maker-Craft, Digital Design, Drawing and Live Painting. Her aim, is to collaborate with other skilled designers and 3D tech providers on a variety of projects through community centres, schools, libraries, colleges, local festivals and maker-craft events all over London. 

Esmee Khan, UK

Esmee Khan is a third year Public Policy student at the London School of Economics whose interests lie primarily in the potential for policy intervention in humanitarian and social issues across society 

Amanda Blackhurst, UK

Amanda is originally from Southern California. She recently finished her Master's degree in Human Rights at Goldsmiths. For the past three years, she has participated in assisting refugee and asylum-seeking communities in Greece, the U.S., and the UK. She is passionate about the empowerment of marginalized and underserved communities through capacity building and beneficiary-led approaches. She also holds a Bachelor's degree from Fordham University, where she majored in International Studies and minored in Humanitarian Studies. In the future, she hopes to continue working in the field of human rights through research, advocacy, and policy. 

Marta Sort Creus, UK

My name is Marta, I am a Philosophy graduate from Barcelona. I am currently studying a Master’s in Global Ethics and Human Values at King’s College London. I am particularly interested in Human Rights, Restorative Justice and fighting against inequality and discrimination. I am excited about leveraging my theoretical knowledge and applying it in the ‘Sailing the Mayflower to Equality and Justice’ project. I believe that raising awareness of migrants’ integration issues among young people is a very important task as societies are becoming increasingly cosmopolitan. I would encourage anyone that is thinking about volunteering. It is a great opportunity to improve your skills, get a feeling of what you would like to do with your career, build a professional network… and all of this while helping others in many ways.


Sam Underwood, UK

I am a recent graduate of the University of Bristol, where I studied English Literature at BA level and Philosophy at MA. My postgraduate research focused on the effects of microtargeted political advertising on the ability of Facebook users to make independent voting decisions. I studied this effect in order to better understand what rights we have where our decision-making abilities are concerned, and how these rights are violated by the corporations who misuse our data. I am passionate about information ethics and the threats posed by big data to our privacy and autonomy, as well as about promoting digital literacy. My work has motivated me to work in an environment where I will be able to help put policy into practice, and I am now excited about working with RJ4All to help promote their valuable work on restorative justice, both in my home city of London and abroad. Outside of my academic work, I hosted and presented university radio shows for a number of years, as well as training with the university judo club, where I attained the rank of first Dan black belt. 


Chiara Sesti, Italy

My name is Chiara and I am a 21-year-old student. I’m Italian and I’ve grown up in Bergamo, a village near Milan, where I have studied foreign languages and developed a curiosity for cultures and traditions different from my own. I’m studying at the University of Trento. The course in which I’m enrolled is called Comparative  European and International Legal Studies: it’s very peculiar and challenging, it offers a lot of stimulus and it provides a broad overview over contemporary issues all around the world that makes me more aware of the environment that surrounds me. My ambition for the future is to pursue my academic career in the field of International Law with a focus on Human Rights, Transitional Justice and Restorative Justice issues, with a special regard to present-day situations in African and Middle-East countries. I strongly believe that this experience with RJ4All will be an opportunity for me to grow and to learn more,  but most of all I hope I will be able to give my support and contribution to projects.
THIRZA CUMMINS, UK
My name is Thirza, I have been volunteering remotely with RJ4All since spring 2020. I have really been enjoying the opportunity and the work. The staff members that I have been working with are always extremely helpful and positive. I have provided assistance across a range of projects including Bring-In, Enhaga, Positive Futures, Chance4Change & “You are not Alone!”. I have a background of working for International Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO). I initially joined the internship due to my interest in Restorative Justice practices; RJ4All’s work and to refresh some of my research skills. What I did not expect was that the internship would equip me with so many new skills, knowledge and improved confidence! I have really enjoyed the mixture of providing help on projects where needed and also being able to choose my own additional work. I have gained new experiences using a variety of softwares and worked very creatively, which has been so wonderful. I have also learned so much from the projects that I have assisted with. I will go on to advocate for RJ4All causes and pass on what I have learned.
JOANA TROQUE 
I am Joana Troqe, originally from Albania and I am currently completing my Masters in International Public Policy at University College London. As part of my education, I have acquired a breadth of knowledge and skills in international management, the political economy of development, public administration, international public policy and development programs. Being born and raised in a relatively poor country has always made me sensitive toward inequality, poverty and justice issues. Previously, I have been interested in volunteering activities organised by my university or non-profit organisations, as a way to contribute in the society and help those in need.

I have been recently involved in the work of the Restorative Justice team as an intern and I have enjoyed engaging in the delivery of the on-going project activities that the organisation has implemented so far. I do believe that the activities promoting the participation of marginalised groups of society help in the future long term change for building effective justice systems. As my very first experience in the UK, the RJ4All team has been very supportive by assisting me and teaching new skills, on areas I had never explored before. I would really recommend to everyone interested in restorative justice or volunteer work to be involved in the institute’s work.
Rebecca Mutsatsa
 
My name is Rebecca and I am an intern at RJ4All. I am a recent graduate with a degree in International Politics and Security studies. So far, I have enjoyed my time at RJ4All and have felt welcomed into the team and feel as though my work and contributions have been recognised as I won an award for National Volunteers week. I have been working on the Covid-19 helpline project and have also been assisting with desk research for the ENHAGA project. Both have been enjoyable, and I think that being available for people young people who may be struggling during the Covid-19 lockdown is extremely important. I have been particularly enjoying the ENHAGA project as it has allowed me to use the skills I have learnt in my degree and to develop my research skills. Its focuses around gender, sexual harassment and technology are interesting to me and therefore I am finding the research very interesting. Overall, I have really been enjoying my time at RJ4All as it has been very rewarding and has helped me strengthen my skills.
Anoushka Kakooza 
My name is Anoushka Kakooza and I live in London. I joined RJ4All through a colleague who I had worked with in a previous job. During the Covid Pandemic, RJ4all started a Covid19 helpline project to support people through quarantine. When the project had just started my former colleague thought of me because of the work that I was already doing on a similar helpline and introduced me. I have a Masters degree in Criminology and a BA in social work. Most of my working life has revolved around the criminal justice system and supporting others. I am excited about working with RJ4All because it will help me continue advancing my passion about supporting young people. So far I am really positive about this opportunity although the project is still in its infancy. It's exciting watching a project grow and seeing the benefits the service users get from it. I hope to bring some of my experience to the project and see how it can be grown to support those in need of the service. 
Shauna Dacres 
Shauna is an award-winning Volunteering Champion at the University of East London where, she is about to embark upon her final year of studies in September 2020. She is studying an undergraduate degree in Bachelor of Art Honours in Sociology with Criminology based within the School of Social Science and the School of Business and Law. 
Shauna’s arrival at RJ4ALL as an intern came about through her quest for degree work placement to gain practical and relevant knowledge and skills as a researcher in the field. Her quest and passion for championing the voice of disadvantage service-user through Restorative Justice fit with RJ4All as Shauna advocates of the disempowered within society and is a firm believer in rendering social inequalities through user-focused navigation in order to make a change effectively.
 Shauna’s role at RJ4All is a researcher as part of the Bring-In project, which involves conducting background research on the current state of affairs and legislation and assisting in the qualitative fieldwork. Her roles also involve working on the Positive Future project, which aids in supporting young people to bounce-back in times of adversities. Additionally, she is responsible for communications and administrative tasks.
Shauna aspires to become a Researcher to inform social policies in creating a more fair and dignified society for all to have an environment which they belong without the threat of being stereotyped.
Shauna’s most notable and relevant achievement, Co-Founder and Trustee of Youth-Ink at the heart of the community a registered charity. Operating in the heart of communities and led by people with experience of the criminal justice system. Youth Ink uses the power of peer networks to rehabilitate and to create safer communities for the future. In 2019 Youth-Ink the recipient of the Butler Trust Award, for best practice in the criminal justice system.  
Secondly, Shauna has broken down all adversities she has combated through her own lived experience of the criminal justice system, and that of the immigration system in battling deportation as a direct result with her lived experience of the criminal justice system. Finally, Shauna has taken part in three consecutive full joint inspection conducted in 2015 with Her Majesty Inspectorates of Probation and Prison. Her role was User Engagement Inspectorate of the Youth Offending Services in England.
In her spare time Shauna is an avid cyclist who enjoys long-distance rides also a keen gardener who believes in eco-living and therefore recycle scrap fruits and vegetable.

Kabir Dave

In uncertain times, volunteering at RJ4All through a helpline and various aspects of research is particularly invigorating for me as it has been a chance to develop professional and personal skills, in the knowledge that these skills are positively impacting communities that need support and representation. Youth voices are needed to create change in the future and volunteering at RJ4All has helped amplify my voice.

Sandra Jøgensen
My name is Sandra, I’m from Denmark and I have recently started my internship at RJ4All which I am doing as part of my Master’s in Development and International Relations at Aalborg University in Denmark. As the name of my degree implies, my studies are related to the economic, political and social development of society both on a national as well as an international level, as it also focuses on the relations between states, including regional and international politics and conventions. With only little knowledge of restorative justice in relation to peace building, I am really excited to join the RJ4All, as I want to know more about how restorative justice can also be used in other fields to help and promote the rights of marginalized and vulnerable groups and how this can contribute to the development and equality of society.
I hope to learn a lot from being an intern at RJ4All, specifically how to apply my theoretical knowledge into practice and hopefully contribute to the different projects so as to gain new skills and get a more clear prospect of how my studies can be applied to the real world and which opportunities I have in the future.

Christy Shaji

My name is Christy and I have a bachelors degree in accounting and finance from Durham University. I have a genuine interest in social justice and tackling inequalities in society. So when I saw an opportunity to become an RJ4ALL volunteer, I knew this was something I wanted to contribute to. Hopefully, by serving on the Youth Management Board, I will be able to use my skills and experiences to promote the importance of restorative justice and advocate for youth-related issues.

Elizabeth Lancaster

My name is ElizabethLancaster,and I am currently a post-graduate student studying politicsand contemporary history at King’s College London.I also have a BA in History from CardiffUniversity, where my studies focused a lot on the history of socialism, marginalised groupsand ethnic history.I’m particularly interested inhuman rights,Restorative Justice,andfighting for the rights ofthedisadvantagedand disempowered. I have a strong socialconscience and believe that challenging public perceptions through the use of restorativedialogue is a relatively untapped opportunity with the ability to provide provisions for betterstandards of society for all.For this reason, I’m really excited to work with RJ4All as avolunteer, to hopefully help produce valuable outcomes and to nurture my skills forpursuing a future career in policy and research.

Meera Brennan





Meera is a project intern for the RADEX project and is deeply interested in juvenile intervention programs. As a junior at NYU's Gallatin School of Individualized Study, she has combined her interests in public policy (and specifically drug policy), mental health, legal studies, and sociology into a major entitled 'Law & Society.

Mx Tara Sheppard-Luangkhot, MMFT

My name is Tara Sheppard-Luangkhot. I have a Master of Marriage and Family therapy degree and in my second year of a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies program at University of Manitoba. Interning at RJ4ALL has been a great experience, there are so many kind people committed to restorative justice, peace, equity and inclusion. I’ve been able to be published by RJ4ALL, assisted with a book review, organized a blog post and online vigil to honour victims of terrorism, and helped with the RDaVR project. I felt well supported by my mentor Gunjan Sharma, and by Theo Gavrielides. I have enjoyed meeting other interns and staff. I have finished my internship and honoured to be invited to contract as RDaVR Project Officer and continue to support research, education and restorative justice dialogue in Europe.

Dr Patrick Bashizi Bashige Murhula

My name is Dr Patrick Bashizi Bashige Murhula. I have a PhD in Criminology and Forensic Studies from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, in South Africa. Currently, I am a research fellow at Walter Sisulu University in South Africa focusing on Restorative Justice, Gender-Based Violence, and Offenders’ Rehabilitation. Being part of RJ4ALL has been a great experience for me. The reason why I joined RJ4ALL as a volunteer is that I share similar values in addressing community cohesion, human rights, power abuse and relieving poverty through the use of restorative justice programmes. Being part of RJ4ALL, I saw this opportunity as a way to contribute to the values and practices of Restorative Justice in promoting dialogue to resolve different issues that we face in our communities. So far, I have been involved in the SIAC Project and, I have been able to assist in reviewing manuscripts for the Internet Journal of Restorative Justice which is an international peer-reviewed journal on restorative justice published under RJ4ALL.

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