passion, values and experience

That’s our volunteers! Artwork by a KRAN young person

By Anna, KRAN Trustee

I have been volunteering as a KRAN Trustee since September 2024.

Becoming a Trustee was a personal and purposeful decision that reflects my lifelong commitment to support vulnerable children and young people. Over the years, I have sought opportunities where I can make a meaningful contribution, and before taking on this role, I had been actively looking for a Trustee position where my experience could add real value.

I had been aware of KRAN for some time through my previous role in the asylum field and had always followed the charity's work with admiration via social media.

I was consistently impressed by KRAN’s dedication to supporting young asylum seekers and refugees and their commitment to advocacy, empowerment and long-term support resonated strongly with my own values.

My passion and commitment to the work with young people started more than 20 years ago when I worked with “street children” in Romania. Here I learned the importance of resilience, trust-building and long-term engagement.

In the UK, I have led services in child sexual exploitation and child trafficking, working to safeguard children exposed to some of the most complex and challenging circumstances. I also served as Head of Services for initial asylum accommodation across the south of England, overseeing the care and support of newly-arrived asylum seekers during their most vulnerable first steps in the country.

Currently, I serve as Director of a mental health charity, where I continue to witness the far-reaching impact of trauma and displacement on individuals. This has only reinforced my belief in the importance of early, culturally sensitive and trauma-informed interventions for refugee youth.

Joining KRAN as a volunteer has allowed me to bring together my passion, values and professional experience to support an organisation I have long respected and to contribute to the continued empowerment of young people seeking safety and a future.