Warwick Law in the Community (LinC) is pleased to collaborate with the Central England Law Centre (CELC) to offer students a new volunteering opportunity with the Strategic Public Law Clinic (SPLC) on the Rights in Food Justice project.

Background to the Project 

Birmingham Food Justice Network (FJN) is a partnership of over 200 members from various organisations coordinated by the Active Wellbeing Society (AWS) with the aim of ensuring that people in Birmingham have access to sufficient and nutritious food. It was set up during the pandemic and responded to food needs across the city.  

But the pandemic only exacerbated food poverty in the city. As the overall impact of Covid lessens, FJN wants to explore how to take a more rights-informed approach, helping those who have to continue to use the network to access not only emergency food, but also rights which may tackle the cause of their food crises.  

The aim of the Rights and Food Justice Project is to assist FJN by developing effective and accessible public legal education and information about relevant rights that FJN members can use in their work.  

We are looking to recruit about 8 students to work on the Project throughout the Summer term. Students participating on this project can expect to:  

• Contribute to developing an effective, targeted public legal education strategy in conjunction with small liaison group from the FJN.
• Explore the concept of food justice and the importance of a rights-informed approach to food justice work.
• Explore the nature of relevant rights including the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights, and domestic rights in fields such as welfare benefits and social care.
• Learn about best practice and develop skills in public legal education by drafting and designing information resources that are useable by FJN staff and volunteers and which contributes to getting rights into the hands of those to whom they belong.

Eligibility  

The project will take place remotely with some meetings in person. Students would be expected to commit 3 – 5 hours per week with at least one weekly meeting determined by students’ availability. There may be weeks when there are two meetings, one in a smaller group and another as a whole team.  

This opportunity is open to first, second, third and fourth year students as well as postgraduate law students.  

Please note that students who are currently participating in the SPLC or the I&A clinic, or who have previously volunteered with the SPLC, are not eligible to apply. 

How to Apply 

Students should submit their CV along with a cover letter (no more than 300 words) in one document to WarwickLinC@warwick.ac.uk.

The deadline for applications is Wednesday 16th March at 1pm.  

If you missed the information session to learn more about the project (11/03/22), you can view the recording here.Link opens in a new window

To find out more about the Strategic Public Law Clinic see hereLink opens in a new window.

Key Dates  

• The application deadline is Wednesday 16th March at 1pm.
• Applicants will be shortlisted for interviews on the Thursday 17th March.
• Group interviews will take place on online on Friday 18th March.
• Successful applicants will be informed on Monday, March 21st and the induction for the project will be held in Week 1, Term 3.

The project work is due to start at the beginning of Term 3. 

We look forward to reading your applications.