Finance Score: 2

Governance Score: 5

Support Score: 14

Strong growth: +2

No conflicts policy: -1
Good trustee age range: +3
Gender balanced board: +3

Grant maker support: +14

Overall GiG Score: 21

DETENTION ACTION

Detention Action is a national charity that aims to change the way that migrants are treated by immigration detention policy in the UK. We defend the rights and improve the welfare of people in detention by combining support for individuals with campaigning for policy change. Detention Action was known as London Detainee Support Group until May 2011.

Analysis by Giving is Great

Positives:

There has been strong growth in spending over the last 5 years
There have been no material income shortfalls in recent years
A significant proportion of recent income was derived from major grant makers
The Board appears to be well diversified in terms of age and gender

Regulatory & Governance issues to consider:

This charity does not have a Conflict of Interests policy

Financial issues to consider:

This Charity has changed registration and some of the financial and donation history pertains to the previous entity

Financial Data ?

Income & Spending ?

Sources of Income ?

Y/E		Income £k	Spending £k	Surplus/ Deficit	Fundraising Cost £k	Total Funds £k	Unrestricted Funds £k	Mths Rsrvs	Staff	Volun- teers
31/03/23		£885	£864	£22	£0	£244	£244	3.4	15	65
31/03/22		£642	£691	£-49	£0	£222	£202	3.5	13	65
31/03/21		£674	£547	£127	£0	£272	£269	5.9	10	65
31/03/20		£358	£481	£-124	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	70
31/03/19		£394	£382	£12	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	84
31/03/18		£344	£345	£-1	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0
31/03/17		£404	£312	£92	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0
31/03/16		£276	£265	£10	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0
31/03/15		£314	£261	£53	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0
31/03/14		£261	£223	£38	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0
31/03/13		£235	£211	£24	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0
31/03/12		£228	£230	£-1	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0
31/03/11		£193	£189	£4	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0
31/03/10		£147	£150	£-3	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0
31/03/09		£113	£122	£-10	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0
31/03/08	*	£120	£117	£3	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0
31/03/07		£127	£109	£19	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0
31/03/06		£82	£96	£-13	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0
31/03/05		£87	£55	£32	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0
31/03/04		£76	£115	£-39	£0	£0	£0	n/a	0	0

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Financial Ratios

Fundraising Costs/Relevant Income: 0%
Fundraising Costs/Total Spending: 0%
Highest pay band: Less than £60,000
Liabilities/Assets: 40%
Liabilities/Income: 18%
Unrestricted Funds/Total Funds: 100%
Reserves/Spending: 3.4 months
Net Current Assets/Spending: 3 months
Quick Ratio: 1.5

Asset Split ?

Established: 2 years

www.detentionaction.org.uk

admin@detentionaction.org.uk

02070624211

Charity Commission for England and Wales

Listed activities

The Prevention Or Relief Of Poverty

GiG Classification

Services for refugees & asylum seekers

How it operates

Other charitable activities
Provides advocacy/advice/information
Provides services

Where it operates

Throughout England And Wales,

Who it helps

Other Defined Groups

Who works here?

15 employees
65 volunteers

Who's supporting them? ?

Donations from Grant Makers ?

We have details on the following significant donations. Multi-year donations are allocated to the years for which they are earmarked.

Major supporters in last 5 years

Paul Hamlyn Foundation	£333,000
Trust for London	£277,500
Esmee Fairbairn	£214,500
Joseph Rowntree Foundation	£150,000
Barrow Cadbury Trust	£125,000
The Bromley Trust	£60,000
The Michael And Betty Little Trust	£50,000
Sam and Bella Sebba Charitable Foundation	£50,000

Specific Donations

Amount	When Months	To be used for
The Michael And Betty Little Trust - Detention Action
£50,000	23/09/2023	Protecting the human rights of those affected by the UK’s detention, deportation and asylum systems, on both individual and systemic levels
Esmee Fairbairn - Grant to Detention Action
£12,000	20/02/2023	Towards unrestricted core costs as a Cost of Living Uplift
Paul Hamlyn Foundation - Consolidating expansion and gains in systemic reform
£18,000	18/01/2023	Detention Action defends the rights and improves the welfare of people in detention by supporting individuals and campaigning for change. This grant supports Detention Action to present a lived ....more Detention Action defends the rights and improves the welfare of people in detention by supporting individuals and campaigning for change. This grant supports Detention Action to present a lived experience-led, evidence-based, collaborative alternative to migration reform at a pivotal moment in governmental decision-making. Detention Action will prioritise: continued work towards a time limit on detention; holding the government to account through strategic litigation, public campaigns and constructive dialogue; developing a new model for humanitarian visas in partnership with others; effectively evaluating their Community Support Project; and pushing forward with advocacy on community-based alternatives to detention.
Sam and Bella Sebba Charitable Foundation - Grant to Detention Action
£50,000	24/11/2022	Towards Rwanda strategic litigation project
Trust for London - Detention Action
£2,500	29/09/2022	This is a cost of living uplift for grant reference 360G-trustforlondon-MAIN-S2-04.06.2019-8115
Trust for London - Detention Action
£100,000	29/06/2022	The funding is for an integrated advocacy programme aimed at achieving a statutory prohibition on indefinite immigration detention, reforming the UK’s deportation policies, and fundamental and ....more The funding is for an integrated advocacy programme aimed at achieving a statutory prohibition on indefinite immigration detention, reforming the UK’s deportation policies, and fundamental and widespread reform of the asylum system, with those with lived experience of these systems at the heart of the work.
AB Charitable Trust - A grant to Detention Action
£15,000	17/06/2022	An unrestricted grant of £15,000 (This grant is renewable - year 3 of 3 years). Detention Action provide practical and emotional support to people detained in the Harmondsworth and Colnbrook, and ....more An unrestricted grant of £15,000 (This grant is renewable - year 3 of 3 years). Detention Action provide practical and emotional support to people detained in the Harmondsworth and Colnbrook, and Morton Hall Immigration Removal Centres (IRCs) and people held under immigration powers in London prisons.
The Bromley Trust - Unrestricted grant
£60,000	17/01/2022	Detention Action is a national charity that seeks to defend the rights and improve the welfare of people in immigration detention by combining support for individuals with campaigning for policy ....more Detention Action is a national charity that seeks to defend the rights and improve the welfare of people in immigration detention by combining support for individuals with campaigning for policy change. This is a three year unrestricted grant towards their work.
Esmee Fairbairn - Grant to Detention Action
£180,000	20/10/2021 36	Towards unrestricted core costs to end indefinite immigration detention and combat injustice in the UK asylum system.
AB Charitable Trust - A grant to Detention Action
£15,000	14/06/2021	An unrestricted grant of £15,000 (This grant is renewable - year 2 of up to 3 years). Detention Action provide practical and emotional support to people detained in the Harmondsworth and Colnbrook, ....more An unrestricted grant of £15,000 (This grant is renewable - year 2 of up to 3 years). Detention Action provide practical and emotional support to people detained in the Harmondsworth and Colnbrook, and Morton Hall Immigration Removal Centres (IRCs) and people held under immigration powers in London prisons.
Paul Hamlyn Foundation - Consolidating expansion and gains in systemic reform
£240,000	17/05/2021	Detention Action defends the rights and improves the welfare of people in detention by supporting individuals and campaigning for change. This grant supports Detention Action to present a lived ....more Detention Action defends the rights and improves the welfare of people in detention by supporting individuals and campaigning for change. This grant supports Detention Action to present a lived experience-led, evidence-based, collaborative alternative to migration reform at a pivotal moment in governmental decision-making. Detention Action will prioritise: continued work towards a time limit on detention; holding the government to account through strategic litigation, public campaigns and constructive dialogue; developing a new model for humanitarian visas in partnership with others; effectively evaluating their Community Support Project; and pushing forward with advocacy on community-based alternatives to detention.
Barrow Cadbury Trust - Detention Reform Project 2021-24.
£75,000	23/01/2021 36	To support Detention Action's advocacy and campaigning work.
Barrow Cadbury Trust - COVID-19 - Detention Action
£50,000	07/10/2020 6	To expand frontline services in response to the pandemic.
Trust for London - Detention Action
£25,000	02/09/2020 6	The funding is to develop its advocacy work at a crucial moment for detention reform. Following Covid19 the number of people detained is at its lowest level for many years. However, the indications ....more The funding is to develop its advocacy work at a crucial moment for detention reform. Following Covid19 the number of people detained is at its lowest level for many years. However, the indications are that the Home Office will revert to 'business as usual' and resume mass detentions imminently.
Joseph Rowntree Foundation - Grant to Detention Action
£150,000	10/07/2020 36	Core costs
AB Charitable Trust - A grant to Detention Action
£15,000	02/07/2020	An unrestricted grant of £15,000 (This grant is renewable - year 1 of up to 3 years). Detention Action provide practical and emotional support to people detained in the Harmondsworth and Colnbrook, ....more An unrestricted grant of £15,000 (This grant is renewable - year 1 of up to 3 years). Detention Action provide practical and emotional support to people detained in the Harmondsworth and Colnbrook, and Morton Hall Immigration Removal Centres (IRCs) and people held under immigration powers in London prisons.
Paul Hamlyn Foundation - COVID19 Emergency Funding
£50,000	03/06/2020 12	Support to aid the organisation in dealing with the challenges posed by COVID19.
Esmee Fairbairn - Grant to Detention Action
£22,500	05/05/2020 6	towards unrestricted core costs as a COVID-19 fast response grant
Paul Hamlyn Foundation - COVID19 Emergency Funding
£20,000	09/04/2020 3	Support to aid the organisation in dealing with the challenges posed by COVID19.
Paul Hamlyn Foundation - COVID19 Emergency Funding
£5,000	24/03/2020 1	Support to aid the organisation in dealing with the challenges posed by COVID19.
Trust for London - Detention Action
£150,000	02/10/2019 36	The funding is for an integrated advocacy programme aimed at achieving a statutory prohibition on indefinite immigration detention in London and nationally; contributing to the establishment of ....more The funding is for an integrated advocacy programme aimed at achieving a statutory prohibition on indefinite immigration detention in London and nationally; contributing to the establishment of community-based Alternatives to Detention (ATDs), and supporting the development of the London-based Freed Voices network (FV) to lead the campaign for reform.
AB Charitable Trust - A grant to Detention Action
£20,000	24/01/2019	£20,000 towards core costs. Detention Action supports people held in immigration detention in Colnbrook, Harmondsworth and Morton Hall detention centres. They provide practical & emotional ....more £20,000 towards core costs. Detention Action supports people held in immigration detention in Colnbrook, Harmondsworth and Morton Hall detention centres. They provide practical & emotional support and campaign for reform within the detention system.
The Bromley Trust - Unrestricted Grant
£30,000	09/01/2019 36	Detention Action is a national charity that seeks to defend the rights and improve the welfare of people in immigration detention by combining support for individuals with campaigning for policy ....more Detention Action is a national charity that seeks to defend the rights and improve the welfare of people in immigration detention by combining support for individuals with campaigning for policy change. This is a three year unrestricted grant towards their work.
The Bromley Trust - Unrestricted grant
£10,000	01/02/2018 12	Detention Action is a national charity that seeks to defend the rights and improve the welfare of people in immigration detention by combining support for individuals with campaigning for policy ....more Detention Action is a national charity that seeks to defend the rights and improve the welfare of people in immigration detention by combining support for individuals with campaigning for policy change. This is a one year unrestricted grant towards their work.
AB Charitable Trust - A grant to Detention Action
£15,000	23/01/2018	£15,000 towards core costs. Detention Action supports people held in immigration detention in Colnbrook, Harmondsworth and Morton Hall detention centres. They provide practical & emotional ....more £15,000 towards core costs. Detention Action supports people held in immigration detention in Colnbrook, Harmondsworth and Morton Hall detention centres. They provide practical & emotional support and campaign for reform within the detention system.
Barrow Cadbury Trust - Detention Reform Project 2018-2021
£60,000	21/10/2017 36	To achieve radical change for irregular migrants and asylum-seekers at risk of indefinite immigration detention
The Bromley Trust - Unrestricted grant
£10,000	07/06/2017 12	Detention Action is a national charity that seeks to defend the rights and improve the welfare of people in immigration detention by combining support for individuals with campaigning for policy ....more Detention Action is a national charity that seeks to defend the rights and improve the welfare of people in immigration detention by combining support for individuals with campaigning for policy change. This is a one year unrestricted grant towards their work.
Paul Hamlyn Foundation - Community Support Project
£142,000	08/05/2017 36	The Community Support Project will continue to work with the Home Office to enable the release from indefinite detention of young ex-offender migrants, and will provide intensive one-to-one case ....more The Community Support Project will continue to work with the Home Office to enable the release from indefinite detention of young ex-offender migrants, and will provide intensive one-to-one case management to support them to reintegrate into the community. This second phase of the project will share learning from the model to engage and support NGOs, institutions and policy-makers in the UK and elsewhere in Europe to develop similar ‘alternatives’ projects, working towards reducing reliance on detention.
Joseph Rowntree Foundation - Grant to Detention Action
£112,500	18/03/2017 36	Alternatives to detention advocacy
AB Charitable Trust - A grant to Detention Action
£15,000	24/01/2017	£15,000 towards advocacy and casework. Detention Action supports people held in immigration detention in Colnbrook, Harmondsworth and Morton Hall detention centres. They provide practical & ....more £15,000 towards advocacy and casework. Detention Action supports people held in immigration detention in Colnbrook, Harmondsworth and Morton Hall detention centres. They provide practical & emotional support and campaign for reform within the detention system.
Henry Smith Charity - Grant to Detention Action
£91,800	10/03/2016 12	towards three years' continuation funding of the running costs of the 'Colnbrook and Verne Advocacy Project', supporting immigration detainees
AB Charitable Trust - Defending rights of migrants in detention
£10,000	26/01/2016	£10,000 towards core costs
Esmee Fairbairn - Grant to Detention Action
£225,000	09/12/2015 60	Towards Detention Action's strategic campaigning for reform of the immigration detention system.
Tudor Trust - Grant to Detention Action
£30,000	11/06/2015 12	over one year as continuation funding towards the running costs of an organisation providing casework to detainees at Colnbrook and Verne detention centres
Barrow Cadbury Trust - Campaign for detention reform
£60,000	24/01/2015 36	To enable Detention Action to build on its success to date in campaigning for a fairer detention system.
AB Charitable Trust - Support and campaigning for immigration detainees.
£10,000	21/10/2014	£10,000 towards core costs
Lloyds Bank Foundation - Grant to Detention Action
£29,600	29/01/2014	Detention Action supports migrants held in detention and campaigns for welfare improvement and policy change . This request relates to their practical and emotional support services for individuals ....more Detention Action supports migrants held in detention and campaigns for welfare improvement and policy change . This request relates to their practical and emotional support services for individuals held in Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre
AB Charitable Trust - defending the rights of immigration detainees
£10,000	29/10/2013	£10,000 towards core costs
Henry Smith Charity - Grant to Detention Action
£76,600	12/09/2012 36	towards three years' continuation funding of an advocacy and support project for detainees at Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre near Heathrow Airport
Esmee Fairbairn - Grant to Detention Action
£75,000	18/07/2012	Towards core costs while the organisation pursues policy change around the unlawful detention of immigrants.

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Data sourced from Donors via 360 Giving

How is it governed?

Trustees (6)

Current Trustees appointed

Gender Split

Age Range of Trustees: 31-71

HANS DIBOBE EKONJE (Chair) Appointed: 2021, Occupation: Train Driver

JACQUELINE MCKENZIE Appointed: 2023, Occupation: Partner At Leigh Day

JENNINE ANN WALKER Appointed: 2021, Occupation: Solicitor

KATHERINE ELIZABETH ASTBURY Appointed: 2021, Occupation: Solicitor

SARAH ELISABETH WINGFIELD Appointed: 2023, Occupation: Senior Philanthropy Manager

JOHN FORSTER BROWN Appointed: 2021, Occupation: Accountant, Other trusteeship: BOX CLEVER THEATRE COMPANY,

Legal constitution

Charitable company registered in England & Wales on 07/04/2022, number: 1198554
Registered at Companies House on 08/09/2021, number: 13608398

Gift Aid

Registered with HMRC for Gift Aid

Policies in force

Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
Complaints handling
Complaints policy and procedures
Financial reserves policy and procedures
Internal risk management policy and procedures
Paying staff
Risk management
Safeguarding policy and procedures
Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
Social media policy and procedures
Trustee expenses policy and procedures
Volunteer management

Filing Record

20 returns made; AR08: 6 days late,

Recent reorganisation events:

Asset transfer in from DETENTION ACTION on 13/02/2024

Main office

PO Box 78310
LONDON
E2 2HA

Objectives

THE OBJECTS OF DETENTION ACTION ARE FOR THE RELIEF OF POVERTY, SICKNESS AND DISTRESS AMONGST REFUGEES, ASYLUM SEEKERS AND OTHERS WHO ARE OR HAVE BEEN DETAINED IN LONDON AND ELSEWHERE AND WHO ARE RESIDENT OR WHO ARE INTENDING TO RESIDE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND ELSEWHERE BY PROVIDING SUCH PERSONS WITH EDUCATIONAL, PRACTICAL OR OTHER SUPPORT.

Data Sources