Ockenden International

Promoting self-reliance for displaced people

'Ockenden International is well known for the high quality of its work in very remote and challenging locations'

Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations

Changes in Ockenden International

Ockenden has been very successful in recent years in attracting statutory funding for overseas programmes. However such funding does not provide sufficient allowance for the costs of running an office in the UK. Rightly donors require detailed management of and reporting on the outcomes of programmes and on their finances and this cannot be done without incurring costs in the UK. Ockenden has run a small but efficient office in Woking, and for some time has partly met these costs from the judicious sale of property. This is not a sustainable policy, which is why changes are required.

Ockenden has one substantial property left to sell. Net proceeds will go towards the plans outlined below.

The Board of Ockenden has resolved to run Ockenden as a grant maker, rather than as a direct manager of programmes. The broad aims of Ockenden will remain unchanged - only the method of delivery will alter.

Therefore, in consultation with our overseas staff, we have made arrangements wherever possible to hand over our programmes and programme teams to the organisation best suited to continue our work. In Cambodia the Ockenden programme will be continued by Ockenden's staff operating as a local organisation. Some programmes that have run their course and once funds are all spent and reported on, will be closed.

The restructuring required to allow Ockenden to become cost-effective as a grant maker has been approved at an extraordinary general meeting held in October 2007. The necessary financial and operational arrangements have been made to maintain Ockenden whilst the sale of the remaining property is completed. It is expected thereafter that Ockenden will have sufficient funds to allow it to continue to play an important role working with refugees and displaced people.

Ockenden would like to acknowledge the support of numerous individuals and organisations. This support has allowed Ockenden to maintain its overseas programmes throughout its most recent phase as an operational charity working overseas, and has been invaluable in adding value to the work that has been done. Any future contributions will be added to the fund to be used for making grants.

Contacting Ockenden

Contact Ockenden at the following address: