Photo credit: Jo Beattie for Sheffield Hallam University, June 2025
"When I first started my placement, I lacked confidence and was reluctant to get involved. Over time, I became comfortable speaking to clients, taking witness statements, and was even given the opportunity to visit the House of Lords. The placement gave me practical experience and confidence that I don't think I could have gained through classroom learning alone."
"Refugee Rights Hub's dedication to navigating complex immigration and refugee cases is matched by their deep compassion for their clients. It is a privilege to learn from a team that works so tirelessly to make a tangible difference in people's lives."
"RRH has been one of the first places that has truly given me the opportunity to apply the academic and professional skills I've spent so many years developing at university. Their staff are so kind, and they strike the balance between leading their students as newcomers to the world of immigration law and casework and putting their trust in us to work with clients as employees of the Hub in our own right."
"The opportunity to work at the Refugee Rights Hub has been a blessing. To be able to work alongside the smartest and hardworking team has allowed for me to not only find my passion through theirs, but it also has encased this dedication to helping others and serving justice that is unmatched. RRH allows their students to get a once in a lifetime hands on experience with such a balanced environment. "
"Throughout the year, I had witnessed a substantive transformation in myself – both personally and professionally. Working closely with clients who are not only vulnerable and seeking advice and guidance with immigration and refugee issues, has been both difficult and highly fulfilling. Every case conveyed heart-felt raw stories, trauma, often marked by resilience, hope and ambiguity. By being part of every this process, even in a small way, enforced the significance of empathy, perseverance, and critical legal thinking. One of the most substantive aspects of this rewarding experience has come from the guidance and support I received from my supervisor, Dalal. This was due to the fact that she established a warm and safe environment where she pushed students to feel encouraged, valued and guided. Dalal’s teaching and mentorship played a significant role in finding my footing and developing my professional presence of client-centred practice..."
"What I found particularly impactful was the client interaction. Hearing individuals’ stories firsthand made the work feel real and deepened my understanding of the challenges migrants face in the UK. One client’s situation especially stayed with me...it opened my eyes into why I want to go into immigration, as I want to make a change in this world..."
"My time at the Refugee Rights Hub has been one of the most valuable aspects of my studies. It’s rare to gain this level of hands-on experience. Sitting in on hearings and contributing to real applications made everything feel real in a way that textbooks cannot. It was challenging at times, but in a good way. It pushed me to think more carefully, ask better questions, and truly engage with the work. What made the experience even better was Dalal. She brings a tremendous amount of energy and commitment to everything she does. Her passion showed in how much we learned from her. She was always generous with her time and knowledge and created an environment where we felt comfortable getting involved and building confidence. You can see how much she cares about her clients and the people she teaches, which greatly improved the overall experience. I’ve left my placement with a much clearer understanding of how this area of law works in practice, along with a deep appreciation for its impact on people’s lives. I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in refugee or human rights work. It’s a genuinely worthwhile experience, and learning from someone like Dalal makes it even better."
"From my first client interview at the clinic, the changes I have made in respect of my confidence and knowledge surrounding Refugee Family Reunion has been incredible. I cannot thank Clare and the team enough for being so encouraging, especially in difficult times, to enable us students to gain valuable experience which will allow us to develop further in our graduate careers."
"I had the opportunity to work a case from beginning to end and it was an amazing experience. Thanks to the skills I learned and the experience I gained, I subsequently received three invites to interview from three different charitable organizations who were excited about the work I had done...Had it not been for my placement, I wouldn’t have had the skill set required to get the interviews or be in a position to propel my newest professional project in a trauma-informed, person-centred way, which is exactly what Refugee Rights taught me. I would recommend a placement here to anyone, not only for the learning opportunities but the ability to make a genuine difference in other people’s lives. I would gladly do so again."