About us
We stay closely connected to refugee communities, and our partners on the ground, ensuring every grant supports effective, impactful projects.
Our vision
A world where all refugees are met with the dignity, support and opportunities they deserve – no matter where they are or how they arrived.
Our mission
ForRefugees transforms lives by connecting donations to where help is most needed. We rely on public donations to award grants supporting critical projects delivered by our network of trusted on the ground partners. Together, we ensure refugee men, women and children across Europe have access to the vital humanitarian aid, shelter, legal support, education and community activities they need, and the chance for a brighter future.
Our values
ForRefugees stands apart because of our deep commitment to grassroots action, collaboration and transparency. We don’t impose solutions from afar, we listen to refugee communities, and our frontline partners, and respond to the needs on the ground. By working closely with those delivering aid we ensure every donation makes a meaningful difference.
Transparency
We openly share where donations go and the impact they make. With minimal overheads, more than 95% of funds go directly to those in need.
Accountability
We stay closely connected to refugee communities, and our partners supporting them, ensuring every grant delivers effective, impactful projects.
Community-Led Action
Our partners lead the way because they understand the most urgent needs. We provide flexible funding that enables them to act fast.
Impact
We cut through bureaucracy to get help where it’s needed – whether food, shelter, legal aid, transport, or more – so refugees receive support without delay.
"Project Play wouldn't exist without forRefugees. We are so thankful and know that without them 1000's of hours of joyous, impactful play wouldn't have been brought to displaced children in northern France."
Rachel, Project Play
Meet our amazing team
Every one of us has a personal connection to the cause and brings something unique to forRefugees – skills, experience and plenty of heart. Most importantly, we share one passion: standing alongside refugees and helping them not just survive, but truly thrive.
Frankie Bartram
Advocacy & Campaigns Adviser
Goldie Aboutorabi
Partnership Development Officer
Mane Sevilla
Policy & Campaigns Officer (Intern)
Paddy Smith-Bramley
Partner Liaison
Catherine Moss
Briefing and Research Officer
Mary Golden
Briefing and Research Officer
Takudzwa Nduku
Newsletter Editor
Shravya Marakini
Newsletter Editor
Fatima Naqvi
Newsletter Editor
Meet our Trustees
Amber Bauer
CEO / Founder
Rachel Strudwick
Chair of Trustees
Nima Moradi
Trustee
Nobel Awasom
Trustee
Laura Darwish
Treasurer
Ingrid van Loo
Hana Meer
Trustee
Chris McQuillan
Trustee
Merel Graeve
Trustee
Alex Broniewski
Trustee
Amber Bauer
CEO / Founder
Amber had a successful 20-year career in procurement and business transformation before transitioning to humanitarian work. Inspired by her experiences volunteering with refugees in Greece and Northern France in 2016, she founded forRefugees later that year. Amber and her husband have also been long-time hosts of refugees in their home, further deepening her commitment to supporting those in need.
Laura Darwish
Treasurer
Laura is an experienced ACCA-qualified Accountant currently working as a Finance Business Partner in the NHS. Moved by the 2015 refugee crisis, Laura began volunteering in Calais, Greece, and London. In 2023, she joined forRefugees as Treasurer where her financial expertise helps drive the charity’s mission forward.
Nima Moradi
Trustee
Nima is training to be a nurse and works part-time in dementia care. He has lived experience as a refugee who fled political persecution in Iran. After many years in Greece, he continued his journey and settled in the UK. His connection to forRefugees began through volunteering on Samos, and he became a trustee in 2022, bringing his personal insights to support others on their journeys.
Ingrid van Loo
Trustee
Ingrid is a retired General Practitioner. Originally from the Netherlands, Ingrid has lived in the UK for 30 years. Her commitment to helping refugees started in 2015, when she began hosting in her home. She joined forRefugees as a trustee in 2021 and frequently joins their self-funded trips to support grassroots partners across Europe.
Merel Graeve
Trustee
Merel now works in the film and TV industry, splitting her time between London and the Netherlands. She began volunteering with refugees in 2015 in Moria Camp, Lesvos, and later ran a community center for refugees in Greece. Merel joined forRefugees as a trustee in 2023 and continues to advocate for refugee solidarity, especially through her story-telling work.
Chris McQuillan
Trustee
Chris is a contracts and procurement manager with a history working with non-profit organisations. His family’s personal history of displacement during WWII inspired his commitment to humanitarian causes. Chris joined forRefugees as a trustee in 2024 after getting involved with the charity during his journey walking the British coastline with his dog, Moose.
Alex Broniewski
Trustee
Alex is a social media strategist and paid ads manager with experience working with a range of non profits. She joined forRefugees in January 2025 as Communications Trustee to support our marketing activities and promote our kindness-first approach.
Rachel Strudwick
Trustee
Rachel is an operations manager working in the UK charity sector. She spent four years supporting refugees and asylum seekers in Greece – first running a food distribution project in camps near Athens, and later working with a legal aid organisation in Thessaloniki. Rachel first connected with forRefugees in 2020 when Amber volunteered at the project she was managing. Since returning to the UK she has remained closely involved with the charity and joined the board of trustees in March 2025.
Nobel Awasom
Trustee
Nobel is the Trustee and Owner of Nobelfit, bringing entrepreneurial vision to the health and wellness sector. From Cameroon he’s an MBA student at the University of Nicosia, Cyprus, specializing in Energy, Natural Gas, and Oil, with a BSc in Petroleum Engineering, Nobel also serves as Membership Chair of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). Passionate about innovation and sustainable growth, he blends technical expertise with business leadership.
Hana Meer
Trustee
Hana is a committed young volunteer with experience in fundraising and hosting charity events. She joined forRefugees as a trustee in 2025 and is passionate about engaging young people with the refugee cause, raising awareness and encouraging them to play an active role in supporting displaced communities.
"forRefugees have supported us through our most challenging periods. They are constantly joining partner organisaitons on the ground and regularly visiting sites and volunteering their time to fully understand each project they support and the impact it has on the community they serve."
Soline, Collective Aid
Annual reports
Read all our annual reports on the Charity Commission website.
