Meet the Team
Staff
Lisa Norcross - Lisa was a founding member of Kairos Housing back in 2021. She joined us as a member of staff in January 2023 as our Project and Fundraising Manager. Previously she coordinated community English classes for Asylum Seekers and Refugees and volunteer recruitment across the ARC Project and headed up the Lancashire Sanctuary Homes Project for Together Lancashire under the Church Urban Fund.
Nancy Kinyanjui - Nancy joined the team in October 2023 as our full time Support Worker. With lived experience of the asylum process, promoting anti-discriminatory practice in society is close to her heart. She has worked in various roles supporting people on the margins of mainstream society and led diverse research initiatives and projects with a focus on equality, inclusion, and diversity to raise awareness and influence policy.
Trustees
Ali Ordikhan - Ali became a trustee at Kairos Housing in 2024, driven by a deep sense of purpose to serve those in need and apply his expertise in community engagement and lived experience of the UK asylum process. With a long-standing commitment to advocating for vulnerable groups, particularly refugees and asylum seekers, Ali is passionate about creating environments where safety, dignity, and compassion are at the forefront. His extensive work in social initiatives spans across various charitable projects aimed at improving the lives of marginalised communities. Ali’s faith-led approach and dedication to social justice empower him to meaningfully contribute to Kairos Housing’s mission of providing not just homes, but hope and support for all. His vision is to inspire others to act in the service of those less fortunate, reinforcing the values of charity, inclusion, and empathy.
Charles Gent - Charles is a new member of our trustee team...his bio is coming soon!
Daleen ten Cate - Daleen is a co -founder of Kairos Housing and started the project as a result of finding a refugee homeless in the snow. Daleen works for the North West Synod for the United Reformed church as Missional Discipleship Mentor and is also the DEO of Churches Together in Lancashire. She has a passion for social justice and encouraging churches to work together in mission.
Debbie Smith - Debbie has been a primary school teacher (for more years than she cares to remember) and joined Kairos after having volunteered as an English teacher and case worker with asylum seekers and refugees at the ARC Project for 10 years.
Hein ten Cate - Hein joined the Kairos team in 2022. Hein works full time in the National Health Service as a Clinical Psychologist and has a special interest in working with trauma, resilience and the well-being of staff (caring for the carers).
John East - John has been supporting asylum seekers and refugees for over 20 years. He first started a drop in at Central URC Darwen and then was employed by Blackburn Cathedral as a Asylum/refugee support worker. He then set up a drop-in at Wesley Hall now the ARC project. After retirement he was asked to form a new drop-in at Central URC by the British Cross Red which then became DARE. He remains the Chair of DARE and still supports the various needs of asylum seekers and refugees in Darwen along with lots of fantastic partners and volunteers. He also helped to set up the YMCA welcome project and is a non-serving elder and local preacher in the URC church. He is an elected Darwen Town Councillor and lobbies and supports the integration and cohesion of new residents from conflict areas of the world who live in the Blackburn with Darwen. His main background of employment for over 35 years was in the local newspaper industry.
