Kent Refugee Action Network

What Kent Refugee Action Network does

Kent Refugee Action Network (KRAN) is a UK registered charity (charity number 1097886, company limited by guarantee 04738880) founded in 2003 and headquartered in Canterbury, England, with a secondary service hub in Folkestone. It supports unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) and separated young refugees aged 16-26 arriving in Kent, primarily those who are looked-after children or care leavers under 26, as well as migrant women seeking ESOL provision. Its service suite comprises the Learning for Life education programme (described as the only programme of its kind in the UK, providing English language and independent living skills to prepare students for college entry), one-to-one and peer Mentoring, Activities and Wellbeing (including football, drama with the Gulbenkian, women's groups, and the Bike Project with The Bike Shed Kent), Casework (housing, legal, health, education advocacy delivered with NLS Solicitors, RKB Law, and the Migrant Law Project), and Youth Engagement and Outreach (Youth Forum, Youth Ambassador, Media Ambassador, Peer Supporter programmes, and Young Man's Club). The Stories Without Limits podcast, hosted by a Media Ambassador, runs across Apple, Spotify, YouTube and web.

KRAN operates as a direct-service charity rather than a technology platform; its infrastructure consists of standard nonprofit tooling including a Squarespace website, online referral forms for social workers and local authorities, a CAF Online donation platform, and podcast distribution. It does not develop proprietary technology products and has no disclosed software, APIs, or data assets. Revenue is generated from a diversified funder base of 30+ UK trust and foundation grants (including Children in Need, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, People's Postcode Lottery, the National Lottery, and the Kent Community Foundation), individual donations and community fundraising via JustGiving, Crowdfunder, GoFundMe, and Benevity Causes, corporate partnerships such as Charity of the Year arrangements (Minno Kitchen in 2025, Cummins), and a tiered membership programme (£10 individual / £25 group / free for refugees, students, pensioners, low-income, volunteers, mentors). Volunteer contributions are a critical operational input across mentoring, classroom assistance, and tutoring, while beneficiaries access all services free of charge.

The organisation is governed by a board of trustees chaired by Rupert (Emeritus Professor of Social Psychology, University of Sussex) and led by CEO Razia (joined 2016, 25+ years' third-sector experience, non-executive director of Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust). High-profile patrons include Lord Dubs (the Dubs Amendment), Gavin Esler, Baroness Julia Neuberger, and Studio Lenca. KRAN's strategic direction for 2025-2028 is set out in the 'Thriving Futures' plan, which prioritises funding diversification, evidence collection, and service adaptation.

Name

Kent Refugee Action Network

Legal name

Kent Refugee Action Network

Website

https://kran.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kent Refugee Action Network is a Kent, UK charity supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young refugees aged 16-26 through education, mentoring, casework, youth engagement, and advocacy programmes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Refugee and Asylum Support Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (624110), Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Services (611), Human Rights Organizations (813311), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Refugee & Humanitarian Newcomer Orientation (Resettlement Support) (EDAAADAI), Newcomer & Refugee Student Support Programs (EDAJAGAH), Wraparound Student Support & Case Management Services (At-Risk K–12) (EDAJAEAJ), Refugee, Crisis & Humanitarian Education Partnerships (EiE) (EDADALAG)

Keywords

• Refugee support services
• Asylum seeker education
• Youth mentoring programmes
• ESOL language classes
• Advocacy casework

Headquarters

HQ city

Canterbury

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations and Fundraising: KRAN receives one-off and regular donations from individuals, community fundraising events, and online fundraising platforms (JustGiving, Crowdfunder, GoFundMe, Benevity Causes). The Destitution Fund provides emergency support to vulnerable young people.
2. Grants and Trust Funding: KRAN receives grants from trusts and foundations including AB Charitable Trust, Children in Need, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, People's Postcode Lottery, The National Lottery, Kent Community Foundation, and over 30 other grant-making organizations.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Businesses support KRAN through Charity of the Year partnerships, colleague fundraising, work experience opportunities, pro bono support, employment masterclasses, and workplace refugee reality workshops.
4. Membership Subscriptions: KRAN operates a membership organization with annual subscriptions: £10 for individuals, £25 for groups, free for refugees/asylum seekers, students, pensioners, low income, volunteers, and mentors. Membership lasts two years.
5. Volunteer Contributions: Volunteers provide mentoring, classroom assistance, English/maths tutoring, appointment accompaniment, practical hobbies/skills sharing, sports and activity support, work experience, and general hub support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Kent Refugee Action Network (KRAN) is a Kent-based charity that directly delivers education, mentoring, advocacy, casework, activities, and youth engagement services to separated young refugees and asylum seekers (UASC) aged 16–26, centred on the Learning for Life education programme. Services are delivered free of charge through hubs in Canterbury and Folkestone and via partner organisations, supported by grants, donations, and corporate partnerships.

Product overview

Kent Refugee Action Network (KRAN) offers a unified suite of services for separated young refugees and asylum seekers aged 16–26 in Kent. The core offering centres on Learning for Life, an education programme (the only one of its kind in the UK) providing English language skills and college preparation, delivered from Canterbury and Folkestone hubs and at partner colleges. This is complemented by one-to-one Mentoring (including peer mentoring), Activities and Wellbeing (football, drama, women's groups, trips, and a Bike Project), Casework (legal, housing, health and education advocacy), and Youth Engagement and Outreach (Youth Forum, Youth Ambassador, Media Ambassador, Peer Supporter programmes, and Young Man's Club). KRAN also produces the Stories Without Limits podcast as a narrative and advocacy tool. Services are supported by a Destitution Fund for emergency financial assistance and a Membership programme. The organisation does not operate as a technology platform but as a direct-service charity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Stories Without Limits: KRAN's podcast that shines a light on life as a young refugee in Kent and what KRAN and community partners do to help. Hosted by Media Ambassador Rishan with special guests.

Products and services

• Learning for Life An education programme for young asylum seekers, stated to be the only one of its kind in the UK, providing English language skills, independent living skills, and preparation for entry to college and vocational pathways. Delivered in Canterbury and Folkestone hubs and at Canterbury College.
• Mentoring A one-to-one mentoring service matching volunteer mentors with young refugees and asylum seekers for weekly meetings to support integration, language skills, and goal achievement. Includes a peer mentoring strand pairing young people from refugee backgrounds with newly-arrived individuals.
• Activities and Wellbeing A range of wellbeing activities including football in Canterbury, a drama group run in partnership with the Gulbenkian Theatre, women's groups, summer trips and visits, and the Bike Project providing quality secondhand bikes, locks, lights, and helmets to young people.
• Casework Advocacy and casework services helping young refugees and asylum seekers with signposting to legal advice on asylum, immigration, family, civil and criminal matters, and assistance with housing, health, money problems, and education.
• Youth Engagement and Outreach Coordination services led by a Youth Engagement Coordinator supporting young people from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds to access youth services and vocational and educational opportunities, including the Youth Forum, Youth Ambassador Programmes, Media Ambassador Programme, Peer Supporter Programme, and Young Man's Club.
• Stories Without Limits Podcast KRAN's podcast series, hosted by a Media Ambassador, providing insight into life as a young refugee in Kent and the work of KRAN and community partners. Episodes feature guests including the CEO, patrons, youth ambassadors, and external organisations.
• ESOL Migrant Women's Class A weekly English for Speakers of Other Languages class for former unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and other migrant women, formalised in October 2022. Serves up to 32 women from more than 15 nationalities across different ability levels.
• Bike Project A project run with The Bike Shed Kent that provides young people with quality secondhand bikes, locks, lights, and helmets. In 2025, more than 130 bikes were distributed.
• Destitution Fund An emergency fund for young refugees and asylum seekers most in need, primarily used for short-term emergency purposes typically under £25, providing a lifeline to ensure support and a positive future during the immigration process.
• Membership A membership programme offering individual (£10/year), group (£25/year), and free membership tiers for refugees, asylum seekers, students, pensioners, low-income individuals, and volunteers, with membership lasting two years and granting access to events and activities plus AGM voting rights for 18+.

Quantifiable outcome

• 130+ bikes distributed to young people in 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• University of KentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegular Canterbury partner providing educational support and collaboration, including hosting KRAN activities and supporting sanctuary student initiatives.
• Canterbury Christ Church UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegular partner supporting KRAN's educational mission and student engagement activities.
• Kent PolicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegular partner engaged in trips, talks, and community engagement activities.
• The GulbenkiancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActivity partner running drama groups with KRAN young people.
• People UnitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActivity partner collaborating on arts projects including The Waiting Gym.
• Right to RemainflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of Kent Solidarity Regional Conference 2026 with theme of Courage, Solidarity and Action, bringing together 70+ delegates.
• Refugee CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner in casework provision and My View initiative supporting refugee voices.
• British Red CrosscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCasework partner providing support for young refugees and asylum seekers.
• KCC Social ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey statutory partner for casework and supporting looked-after children and care leavers.
• The Bike Shed KentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing quality secondhand bikes, locks, lights and helmets to young people. Over 130 bikes distributed in 2025.
• Arts Education ExchangecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner connecting KRAN with Studio Lenca for arts education activities.
• NHScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrips and talks partner providing health-related education and engagement opportunities.
• Kent Fire ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrips and talks partner for community safety education.
• Diocese of CanterburycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner supporting KRAN's work in the Canterbury community.
• CumminscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKey partner providing corporate support and engagement opportunities.
• UK Trauma CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner providing expertise in trauma-informed approaches for young refugees.
• Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner collaborating on mental health provision for young refugees and asylum seekers.
• Kent Wildlife TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing nature engagement activities for young people.
• Minno KitchencoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCharity of the Year 2025 partner, donating 50p per plate at events and providing volunteer support at Young Men's Club.
• NLS SolicitorscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCasework partner providing legal advice and representation.
• RKB LawcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCasework partner providing immigration and legal support.
• Migrant Law ProjectcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCasework partner providing migrant legal support.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Refugee Council: One of the UK's largest refugee support charities, already a KRAN partner. Provides casework, advice, and advocacy for asylum seekers including unaccompanied children — closely overlapping KRAN's core service model.
• Asylum Welcome: Oxford-based charity providing practical support, advocacy and education for asylum seekers, refugees and detainees. Closely comparable small-charity model with similar service mix including casework, education, and activities.
• Hibiscus Initiatives: UK charity supporting migrant women, including victims of trafficking and those in the asylum system. Overlaps with KRAN's ESOL Migrant Women's Class and migrant women segment with comparable grassroots service delivery.
• City of Sanctuary: UK-wide movement of local groups supporting people seeking sanctuary. Comparable mission of community-based refugee welcome and integration, with overlapping volunteer-driven and education-focused programmes.
• Refugee Action: Major UK charity providing direct support, advocacy and policy work for refugees and asylum seekers. Directly comparable to KRAN as a frontline refugee support organisation operating in the same beneficiary space, though at significantly larger national scale.
• Right to Remain: UK charity supporting asylum seekers through legal resources, campaigning and community organising. Already a KRAN partner (co-hosted the 2026 Kent Solidarity Regional Conference). Comparable mission around empowerment and advocacy for refugees.

Broad incumbents

• Migrant Help: UK-wide charity delivering frontline support to asylum seekers including advice, accommodation support, and trafficking victim care. Comparable casework-heavy service model though operating at national scale and statutory-contract level.
• British Red Cross (Refugee Services): National humanitarian organisation already partnering with KRAN on casework. Operates broader refugee support, family reunion, and emergency assistance programmes that overlap with KRAN's services but at vastly greater scale.
• Catch22: Large UK social business delivering services including youth work with asylum-seeking young people (e.g., one of KRAN's Youth Ambassadors also works sessional for Catch22). Comparable frontline delivery with young refugees at scale.

Emerging players

• The Children's Society (Looked After Children and Care Leavers): National charity supporting disadvantaged children including looked-after children and care leavers, a key KRAN beneficiary segment. Comparable around advocacy and support for young people transitioning to independence, though at broader scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PL91y9rP5TCF36m827Xqm7VaOr55a016AK
• Facebookfacebook.com/kentrefugeeactionnetwork
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kent-refugee-action-network

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles26 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kent Refugee Action Network