REFUGE NETWORK
INTERNATIONAL

Our vision, mission, direction, and values

About Refuge Network International (RNI)

Headquartered in London, Serving Communities Globally

Refuge Network International (RNI) is an international non-profit and dedicated socioeconomic rights organisation headquartered in London, England. We champion human dignity worldwide by promoting equitable access to food, housing, shelter, healthcare, education, and an adequate standard of living for marginalized individuals, families, and communities.

While our global operational hub is based in Central London - where we deliver high-impact frontline outreach and run our resource banks - our vision and reach extend internationally. We work to break cycles of poverty, displacement, and social exclusion wherever help is needed most.

Our Global Mission & Vision

Our Mission: To advance socioeconomic progress and relieve acute poverty across the UK and internationally. We deliver immediate relief, digital inclusion, educational opportunities, and holistic support services to individuals and families facing homelessness, displacement, and extreme hardship.
Our Vision: A world where socioeconomic rights are upheld for all - where every human being, regardless of geographic location or circumstance, enjoys equitable access to basic life necessities, dignity, and opportunities for a better future.

Global Framework, Local Impact: Our Integrated Pillars

Whether addressing street homelessness in Central London or supporting displaced communities globally, RNI operates a unified framework designed to tackle systemic poverty:

1. Food Security & Emergency Nutrition

From our weekly Charing Cross Outdoor Soup Kitchen in London to community distribution initiatives globally, we ensure vulnerable individuals and displaced families receive nutritious meals, fresh produce, and emergency food parcels.

2. Digital Device & Data Bank

Digital poverty is a global barrier to education, housing, healthcare, and employment. Partnered with the Good Things Foundation, we provide hardware, free SIM cards, and data packages, equipping individuals with the tools needed to access welfare systems, online learning, and remote work.

3. Basic Needs & Relief Supply (Clothes & Hygiene Banks)

Severe weather and displacement strip individuals of basic dignity. We procure and distribute winter coats, sturdy footwear, emergency blankets, and comprehensive hygiene kits to keep people safe and warm.

4.Community Health Initiatives

Health is a fundamental socioeconomic right. We run health and wellbeing sensitization programs, facilitate preventative care screenings, and connect underserved individuals with healthcare providers to promote community wellness and physical recovery.

5. Education & Youth Development Programmes

We empower the next generation and adults alike through education. Our initiatives offer literacy coaching, life skills workshops, digital training, and business development guidance to boost career prospects, foster self-reliance, and unlock economic opportunities.

6. Environmental Sanitation, Beautification, and Protection Projects

Living in a clean, safe environment is vital for human health and dignity. RNI mobilises community-led environmental projects—focusing on sanitation drives, neighborhood cleanup, greening, and environmental protection—to restore community pride and create healthier living spaces for vulnerable populations.

7. Socioeconomic Mentorship & Advocacy

We provide direct mentorship, employment pathway coaching, housing navigation, and advocacy on legal rights and education, helping individuals transition from crisis to long-term stability.

Leveraging Corporate Power for Community Impact

We bring communities together to effect change and leverage corporate power to empower communities.

Our Corporate Partnership Programme bridges the corporate sector with frontline community needs. Through turnkey corporate volunteering sessions, international business teams collaborate directly with RNI to prep meals, assemble resource packages, and support frontline outreach.

Volunteers serving meals at a community distribution. Source: Refuge Network International / Soup Kitchen & Central London Homeless Outreach Events | Refuge ...

Strategic Alliances & Partners

We leverage cross-sector partnerships with educational institutions, all levels of governments including public services, nonprofits, global corporations, and strategic stakeholder networks to support community initiatives and programmes.

Join Our Global Movement

Whether you are an individual looking to volunteer, a corporation seeking an impactful CSR partnership, or an international funder aiming to drive sustainable community development, RNI welcomes your collaboration.

Get Involved: [Volunteer With Us]
Corporate CSR: [Partner With Us]
Invest in Our Work: [Support Our Global Mission]

Dependability and Reliability

We value commitment and a spirit of sacrifice. The vulnerable individuals and communities we work with cannot thrive if they cannot count on the commitment of service providers. We want to do everything we can to be there for those who need our support. All members of our team are expected to be dependable and reliable.

Equality and Inclusivity

All human beings are equal. We welcome diversity and promote inclusivity and equality. We want to build bridges and tear down walls of discrimination and prejudices. Refuge Network’s volunteers come from many different backgrounds representing over 100 countries. Our leadership comprise a good proportion of women and a fair representation of young, homeless, and marginalised people.

Humility and Respectability

We understand that our work is a call to service, so, as servants, we deliver service with humility and courtesy, treating colleagues and service users with respect. We aim to accomplish complex tasks in simple ways. Life is complicated enough; we do not want to complicate it further. We understand that it is a privilege to serve in this position of public trust. Therefore, we will eschew dishonourable activities and comport ourselves respectably.

Creativity and Sustainability

We aim to evolve creative and innovative ways of combating the socioeconomic challenges in our communities while striving to ensure that outcomes are sustainable and local communities are not damaged. The ultimate goal would be to ensure excellence in the quality of services we offer.

Equity and Loyalty

We will reflect fairness and impartiality in project selection and in the dispensation of service, and distribution of resources to service users. We will stand by our service users and do our utmost to be loyal allies to all partners and sponsors.

OUR VALUES & ETHOS

Communality and Unity

We believe in community and the power of healthy symbiotic relationships. We can achieve more if we synergise, working collaboratively as a team. We will strive to build community, focusing more on the fundamental things that unite us rather than the little things that divide us

Probity and Accountability

We deal with a high level of transparency. We have adopted a legal format that makes us accountable to regulatory authorities. In addition to this, our accounts will be made publicly available to strengthen accountability.

Empathy and Solidarity

The poor do not need our sympathy; what they need are empathy and solidarity. We are genuinely concerned about the challenging conditions of fellow humans walking the streets without a home to go to and the millions going to bed without food. We are all in this together; anything that affects one should concern all.

Integrity and Honesty

We cherish honesty and strong moral principles. We will strive to be consistent and would endeavour to demonstrate a high level of integrity and honesty.

Dependability and Reliability

Safeguarding Policy Statement

Our organisation acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard, protect and promote the welfare of children and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and the requirements of regulatory bodies.

Privacy Notice

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

Refuge Network International is dedicated to protecting your privacy while ensuring we can continue our vital work to promote access to food, health, education, and an adequate standard of living for underserved individuals and communities.

We ask for or collect your personal information solely to improve and run our services and to communicate effectively about our mission.

Our promise to you:

Security: Your personal information is kept secure and rigorously protected.
Clarity: We are honest and transparent about how we use your data. We encourage you to ask for clarification if you ever feel unsure.
Control: You are always in control. You can update your marketing and contact preferences at any time.

This comprehensive Privacy Notice outlines how Refuge Network International (RNI) collects, uses, stores, and protects personal data.

1. Who We Are and What This Notice Covers

Refuge Network International (RNI) is a network of non-profit organisations operating in Europe, Africa, and other regions.

Data Controller: Refuge Network UK CIC is the Data Controller for personal data processed in the UK. We determine the purpose and means of processing your personal data.
Our Commitment: We are committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about the data we collect.
Contact Details:
- Data Protection Lead: The Data Protection Team
- Address: Office Refuge Network International, Office 113, St Vincent House, 30 Orange Street, London WC2H 7HH, UK

Email: info@refugenetworkinternational.com

2. Categories of Data We Collect

We collect different types of data depending on your relationship with RNI.

Category of Individual: Beneficiaries / Service Users, Volunteers / Staff / Trustees, Donors / Supporters, Corporate Partners / Vendors, Website Users.

Types of Personal Data Collected (Including Special Category Data Collected Where Applicable): Name, date of birth, contact details (phone/email), gender, nationality, location/residency status, emergency contact details, and data concerning a person's life circumstances (e.g., refugee status, housing status), address, recruitment records (CV, interview notes), health data (for occupational health/risk assessments), criminal records (for DBS/background checks), gift Aid declarations, job title, email address, phone number, company address, details related to contracts and invoices, IP address, device type, browser information, pages visited (collected via cookies/analytics).

3. How and Why We Use Your Data (Lawful Basis)

We must have a lawful reason (or "lawful basis") to process your data under the UK GDPR.

Purpose of Processing: Service Delivery to Beneficiaries (e.g., providing meals, medical assistance, tailored support), Volunteer Management (e.g., scheduling, communicating, reimbursing expenses), Recruitment (e.g., reviewing applications, conducting background checks), Fundraising and Appeals (sending newsletters, appeals, impact reports), Processing Donations (Gift Aid claims, financial reconciliation), Photography/Videography at Events (for publicity, social media)

Lawful Basis for Processing: Vital Interests (in life-or-death situations) or Explicit Consent (for Special Category Data), Contract (volunteer agreement) and Legitimate Interest (ensuring safe operations), Legal Obligation (for right-to-work checks) and Legitimate Interest (assessing suitability for a role), Consent (for electronic marketing/emails) or Legitimate Interest (for postal communication to existing supporters), Legal Obligation (for tax purposes) and Contract (processing the financial transaction), Legitimate Interest (promoting our charitable work) or Consent (obtained via a specific photo release form).

4. How We Collect Your Data

Directly from You: When you fill out forms (online/paper), apply to volunteer, sign a beneficiary agreement, make a donation, or communicate with us via email or text.
From Third Parties: We may receive data from referral partners, other charities, local government agencies (for beneficiary support), or public sources (e.g., Companies House, LinkedIn, charity directories for partner research).
Automatically: Via our website cookies and analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) when you visit our site.

5. Data Storage, Security, and Retention

Security: We use appropriate technical and organisational measures, including password protection, encryption, and restricted access, to protect your data from loss, misuse, or unauthorised access.
Retention: We only keep your personal data for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes we collected it for, including for satisfying any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements.
- Example: Financial records must be kept for six years for tax and audit purposes. Data related to unsuccessful job applicants may be kept for six months.
International Transfers: RNI is an international organization. When we transfer data outside the UK (e.g., to our RNI Nigeria office), we ensure robust safeguards are in place, such as Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs), to ensure the data remains protected under UK GDPR standards.

6. Sharing Your Data

We will never sell your personal data. We may share your data with the following third parties only when necessary and under strict data processing agreements:

Service Providers: IT support, website hosting, payment processors (e.g., PayPal), and email service providers (for newsletters).
Regulatory Bodies: HM Revenue & Customs (for Gift Aid or payroll), the CIC Regulator Office, Charity Commission, or law enforcement (if legally required).
Partner Agencies: We may share beneficiary data with trusted community partners for the sole purpose of referring you to better support services, but only with your explicit consent.

7. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:

Access your personal data (known as a Subject Access Request).
Have your data rectified if it is inaccurate or incomplete.
Request the erasure of your data (the 'right to be forgotten').
Object to processing, particularly for direct marketing.
Ask us to restrict the processing of your data.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact our Data Protection Lead using the details provided in Section 1.

8. How to Complain

If you have any concerns about our use of your personal data, please contact our Data Protection team in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK’s supervisory authority for data protection.

ICO Contact Details: https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/

REFUGE NETWORK
INTERNATIONAL

About Refuge Network International (RNI)

Our Global Mission & Vision