What is KEEN?

KEEN is a registered charity and a joint organisation of Oxford University and Oxford Brookes University. We provide social, sporting and recreational activities for children and young adults with special needs in the surrounding area.

What does KEEN cost?

It costs around £70,000 to run a full year of KEEN sessions. Our major costs are venue hire, transport for athletes and volunteers, the materials actually required to run sessions and the salaries of the coordinator and the administrative assistant. You can see our accounts on the Charity Commission website.

How is KEEN paid for?

Apart from a weekly subscription for GrEAT, our over-18s session, KEEN does not charge for its sessions and is completely free at the point of access. We are reliant upon grants from trusts and institutions, the support of local businesses, fundraising ventures, and the generosity of the public.

How can I help?

Around a third of our revenue comes from large quantities of small donations. Giving a small sum to KEEN, whether one-off or on a recurrent basis, can make a big difference. It’s easy to donate online – you can find us on JustGiving and Localgiving.com – or we’ll happily accept a cheque by post to our office.

If you’re thinking of taking part in a 10k/half-marathon/marathon or other similar event, why not consider fundraising for KEEN? Let us know and we can help publicise your efforts – maybe it will give you an extra boost!

We’re a local business – can we help?

Absolutely! KEEN is eager to form partnerships with any local organisation interested in supporting our valuable work in Oxford. Obviously we would be grateful for any financial support you can offer, but there are also many other ways you can assist in the operation and publicity of the charity. Contact the KEEN coordinator, Nathan Webster, at keen@keenoxford.org for more information.

Can my organisation provide activities at a KEEN session?

Yes please! We’re always looking to attract new and exciting organisations and individuals to come and lead a session. If you or your organisation would be interested in finding a fun way to give back to the community, then please just get in touch!

I don’t have money but I have time – can I still help?

Of course! Most obviously, you could volunteer for us, but even if that isn’t for you, there are other ways you can profitably give your time to KEEN. If you have skills and talents that can assist in the wider running of the charity, we’d love to hear from you. Perhaps you have expertise in publicity, fundraising, or administration? Whatever your skillset, we’re interested – please send us an e-mail and we’ll get back to you!