Agora — agora.akn.org.uk
URL: https://agora.akn.org.uk Type: Registered UK Charity / Mobile Platform Charity Number: 1217001 Registered: February 2026 Admin Portal: admin.agora.akn.org.uk
Overview
Agora is a registered UK charity that builds and operates a secure, community-driven mobile platform designed to help refugees overcome social isolation by connecting them with others who share their cultural, linguistic, and regional backgrounds.
The organisation's mission is captured in its tagline:
"A world where no refugee has to feel alone."
Agora empowers users to build localised digital communities while maintaining autonomy and strong privacy protections.
The Problem
Research underpinning Agora's founding highlights the scale of the issue:
- Over two-thirds of refugees report significant social isolation upon arriving in the UK
- Half feel like outsiders even after settling
- Many struggle to find peers from the same culture, language group, or region
- Existing support services are widely considered inadequate for addressing social connection
The Solution — The Agora Platform
The Agora mobile app addresses refugee isolation through six core feature areas:
1. Group Discovery
Users can filter and discover groups by:
- Identity — cultural or ethnic background
- Language — shared native or spoken language
- Location — geographic proximity within the UK
2. Secure Chat
- End-to-end encrypted messaging
- Private and group chat rooms
- Safe, confidential communication
3. Safety First
The platform prioritises user safety with multiple layers of protection:
- Account verification to reduce fake accounts
- AI-powered content moderation to detect and remove harmful content
- Panic buttons for users who feel unsafe
4. Event Hosting
- Users and groups can organise real-world meetups and events
- Tools for scheduling, RSVPs, and event discovery within the platform
5. Multilingual Support
- The platform is available in multiple languages
- Enables refugees who are not yet fluent in English to access all features
6. Privacy Protection
- Minimal data collection — the platform collects only what is necessary
- Non-precise location — location is used to connect people in the same area without revealing exact addresses
- Users retain control over their personal data
Impact & Milestones
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Pilot launch in Slough (partnered with Slough Refugee Support) |
| February 2026 | Official UK Charity registration (No. 1217001) |
| Planned | UK-wide expansion to additional cities and regions |
| Planned | International rollout beyond the UK |
Team
Trustees
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Ahnaf Kabir | Founder & Trustee |
Core Team
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| John Buchan | Team Member |
| Zain Carrimjee | Team Member |
| Sandy Riddick | Team Member |
The team describes itself as "a small, committed team who believe technology can help tackle refugee isolation — and that the people most affected should be at the heart of that work."
Expert Advisors
| Name | Organisation |
|---|---|
| Dina Haynes | Yale Law School |
| Adio Dinika | Distributed AI Research Institute |
| Vivian Cheung | Equal Justice Hong Kong |
| Jean Kelly | Slough Refugee Support |
| Uday Khemka | Khemka Foundation & UNHCR Partner |
Get Involved
Agora actively welcomes partnerships from:
- Charities and NGOs working in refugee support
- Tech teams who want to contribute to development
- Individuals who care about refugee welfare
- Funders and organisations who want to support the mission
To get in touch, use the Contact Us button on the Agora website or visit agora.akn.org.uk.
Navigation
| Page | URL |
|---|---|
| Home | agora.akn.org.uk |
| Team | agora.akn.org.uk/team |
| Contact | Via homepage "Get in Touch" button |
| Staff Login | admin.agora.akn.org.uk |
Access
The public website is open to everyone. The Staff Login / Charity Admin portal at admin.agora.akn.org.uk is restricted to verified team members and charity staff.