KRAN: my pleasure and my pride
Jos (centre) with new Chair Rupert (left) and KRAN patron Gavin Esler
As he steps down as Chair, Jos Kerkvliet reflects on his time with KRAN.
His involvement goes back to 2016 when he joined as a mentor, becoming a trustee two years later. Since 2021, he has been heading the Board and although he is relocating, he will remain on the Board (for the time being at least). He says: ““It has been my pleasure and my pride to have played a small part in KRAN.”
He cites many changes since he first joined, including an increase in staff and a refocusing of operations. He adds: “The Board - all volunteers - has been strengthened by new people with astonishing skills. I thank them for their support and expertise: I have learnt a lot.”
Jos also pays tribute to KRAN’s many other volunteers: those who make it work operationally and also provide support through mentoring.
There have been other changes too. “The political landscape has dramatically altered. The introduction last year of the Illegal Migration Act is one example of that.
“It is changing the demands on KRAN. The focus on refugees in national and international politics has increased, the plight of refugees has been exploited for political purposes and the media has a big role to play in this ‘age of misinformation.’
“We are not a campaigning organisation - many others are - but we do have a unique perspective. That perspective is borne out of the services we provide - the education provision and casework - and the context of providing them in Kent, which is the first entry point into the UK for the vast majority of the young people we work with. We are some of the first to see what impact the changes have on them.”
Jos adds: “Our supporters and funders share our humanitarian values and our work plays an important role in the pushback against the undermining of the rule of law and the agitation against refugees.”
KRAN’s new Chair is Rupert Brown, who has been on the Board for three years. He was a mentor before joining the Board and will continue in this role.
We have vacancies for new Trustees and in particular, we’re looking for people with skills, experience or expertise in HR/systems management, education, and health and mental health services. We would also like to hear from those with lived or learnt experience of being a refugee or asylum seeker.
For all the details, including how to apply, please go here: