Our News

A bumper round of ACT grants for 13 special causes

Four times a year, ACT awards funding to causes nominated by colleagues from across The Ardonagh Group and around the world through its Community Grant programme.

ACT’s grant programme provides the opportunity for any Ardonagh colleague to apply for up to £5,000 (or equivalent currency) towards a chosen charity to support a project or initiative in need of funding.

Already in 2025, 22 causes have received grants, and now 13 more have been added to this year’s running total with a bumper £63,000+ awarded in Q3. This means that to date, ACT has gifted over £1.2 million to more than 280 deserving causes.

Read the stories behind each of the causes that have received funding this quarter and why they matter to the colleagues who nominated them.

Commemorating memories of loved ones
Heart of Kent Hospice

Nominated by Rachel Coldwell – Everywhen, UK

This local hospice provides hugely valuable care to people with terminal illnesses, and their families, supporting their health and wellbeing.

Part of this broad approach to care is creating a sense of positivity and connection, which Heart of Kent Hospice does through its Living memories programme. The £5,000 ACT grant will go towards this initiative, funding six months of weekly sessions at where patients and families and explore memories together and capture life stories to treasure in a comforting and caring way.

Heart of Kent Hospice supported my wonderful sister-in-law through her final few months when she was terminally ill with a brain tumour. They provided her and the family the support needed so that she could be in safe and familiar surroundings. Their care was more than practical nursing, it was emotional wellbeing too – ranging from support groups and pamper sessions and getting her nails done, which gave her a much-needed boost. The Living Memories programme supports families through being able to capture important memories and life stories, that can be shared with loved ones and provide comfort for many years to come. Having seen the impact of their services, I know the grant will make a real difference.
Rachel Coldwell

Ensuring men have access to support in crisis
Menslink

Nominated by Paul Eccles – PSC Insurance, Envest Group, APAC

Paul has been a long-term supporter and fundraiser for men’s mental health charity, Menslink, which aims to ensure all men can access help in time of challenge or crisis. Through mentoring, role modelling, and counselling, the charity seeks to raise awareness of men’s wellbeing and provide vital services to build resilience and offer support to prevent suicide.

The ACT grant of £5,000 will fund 12 months of counselling for four men, ensuring these individuals get the help they need during crisis and beyond.

Paul and the team on a fundraising walk for MensLink. In 2025 alone, Paul has helped raise over $22,000 for the charity.
This cause has been close to my heart since I first got behind it in 2017. What started as fundraising has gone to ever-growing involvement – and even organising the charity’s largest annual fundraising event, now in its fifth year, walking 142km in five days. I’ve seen the effect of making counselling accessible at the point of crisis, when without this need the outcome might be different. Menslink are there at that critical point, at the onset of crisis, when it matters most.
Paul Eccles

Ensuring life-saving relief reaches Lebanon communities
Global Ehsan Relief Worldwide

Nominated by Hairyn Kamilah – HR, Everywhen, UK

After learning about Global Ehsan Relief Worldwide’s aid project, Hairyn has become deeply involved in the charity’s work and later this year will be travelling to Lebanon to help on the ground with their winter appeal – delivering vital supplies to communities affected by ongoing crisis in the region.

The £5,000 grant from ACT will be used towards a range of relief services and items, including emergency food packs, clothing, sanitary supplies and medicines. With winter weather presenting additional challenge to communities, these supplies will make a huge difference to day-to-day life.

When I learned about Global Ehsan Relief’s Lebanon Emergency Appeal, I was struck by the sheer scale of suffering in a country where one in three people is a refugee, and many struggle to afford even a single meal a day. I applied to volunteer and was accepted – and am self-funding my travel to the country to deliver and distribute aid. Being on the ground means I can help support communities with dignity, meet the families we are helping, and see the direct impact of this generosity. This deployment is not just about delivering aid — it is about showing compassion, offering hope, and reminding people they are not forgotten. Thank you so much ACT for your support!
Hairyn Kamilah

Furthering access to creative writing
The Writers’ Summer School

Nominated by Martin Lake – RiskSTOP Group, Everywhen, UK

This creative cause has existed since 1948, supporting writers of all abilities to develop their skills and inspiration. Entirely volunteer-led, each summer The Writers’ School hosts over 200 people across all genres meet to explore courses, workshops and talks.

To help more people access this opportunity, the charity offers places for people experiencing financial difficulties or accessibility challenges. The £5,000 grant from ACT will go towards this inclusivity project to make sure even more people can get the same creative opportunities as others.

Providing the opportunity of sight in São Paulo
Fundação Dorina Nowill Para Cegos

Nominated by Jose Silva – MDS Brasil, LatAm

Fundação Dorina Nowill Para Cegos (Dorina Nowill Foundation for the Blind) provides resources and services to people of any age affected by vision impairment or loss in São Paulo. Alongside its ophthalmology work, the charity also operates one of the largest braille printing facilities in Latin America – printing over 450,000 pages a day.

The £5,000 ACT grant will go towards vital eyecare health and glasses the charity provides to disadvantaged people in the city to better their quality of life and future prospects.

Building connection through old age
The Ivy Club

Nominated by Diane Whalley – Health & Protection, Everywhen, UK

For over 50 years, the Ivy Club has provided a welcoming and inclusive hub for older people in the community to connect and promote wellbeing. Founded by Diane’s mother, she’s seen the club develop over time and provide a much-valued space to combat loneliness and promote joy.

The ACT grant of £5,000 will ensure the club can host weekly sessions throughout 2026, alongside key events like the Christmas trip and birthday buffets hosted to mark each member’s birthday over the year ahead.

The Ivy Club is incredibly close to my heart because it’s run by my mother, Ellen Regan, who is now in her 70s. I’ve seen firsthand the love, care, and dedication she pours into the club every single week. Their commitment has kept this vital community space going for over 55 years. For some, the Ivy Club is the only time in the week they leave their home, see friends, and feel part of something joyful and meaningful.
Diane Whalley

Offering career opportunities for people with learning disabilities
Stable Home Family Trust

Nominated by Adam Clifford – Finch Insurance, Everywhen, UK

Stable Home Family Trust is on a mission to ensure people with learning disabilities have the same opportunities to thrive as anyone else by developing confidence, skills and independence.

Part of this programme is helping beneficiaries to secure employment through qualifications and upskilling. Thanks to the ACT grant of £5,000 the charity will be able to reinstate its kitchen so that it can deliver hospitality training courses to help people secure roles in the industry. Not only that, it will help grow the charity’s training cafe by increasing its menu. 

Stable Home Family Trust has been connected to Finch Insurance for over 20 years. The work to develop skills and give people confidence is invaluable and we’re working with the charity to volunteer with them to help with the upkeep of their premises and grounds so they can keep doing more in the community.
Adam Clifford

Helping autistic young people find movement and calm
Autism Unlimited

Nominated by Abbie Davis – RiskSTOP, Everywhen, UK

The RiskSTOP team have rallied behind Autism Unlimited over recent months, from fundraising with a plane-pull to volunteering. The charity empowers people with autism through a variety of support including learning programmes, workshops and facilities.

The ACT grant will fund two pieces of outdoor equipment at a local school to help autistic primary and secondary school children to build coordination, balance and strength – as well as calming sensory experience.

I faced significant challenges throughout my education due to my neurodiversity, which had a lasting impact on my mental health. That’s why seeing a school go above and beyond to support its students, creating a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment, is truly inspiring. As a team, we’ve got behind Autism Unlimited with initiatives like mock interviews, talks, and CV writing workshops to support them in education and beyond – it’s been meaningful and memorable for everyone.
Abbie Davis

Enabling disabled people to experience the joy of sailing
Sussex Sailability

Nominated by Isabelle Jackson-Langlois – Marine MGA, Everywhen, UK

Sussex Sailability provides sailing opportunities to over 65 disabled people from their based on the Adur River near Brighton. Their volunteer guides help people get aboard and the skippers and crew ensure they feel as much a part of the team as anyone else. Not only do these sessions offer the chance to get on the water, but the benefits also extend to teamwork, taking on challenge and wellbeing more broadly.

The £5,000 ACT grant will go towards new safety equipment, first aid training for volunteers and the boats to make the joy of sailing can continue to be shared.

I’m a keen sailor and I know from experience the benefits sailing can have on people. However, beyond the sport of sailing, more importantly in my view is the caring environment of this charity, which allows people from all horizons to thrive: they feel respected, empowered, supported and secure. Sussex Sailability is the perfect example of such an organisation, where members are giving the opportunity to appreciate the wonderful sense of freedom which comes with sailing.
Isabelle Jackson-Langlois
From Chris Hodge, Chairman of Sussex Sailability Chris and Adrian on the water. While the individuals' disabilities are not apparent in this picture one of the sailors has a spinal injury and the other has had a stroke. They are taking part in a sailing club race alongside boats with able-bodied crews. This photo shows how sailing enables disabled people to enjoy the freedom and excitement of sailing beyond the barriers of their disabilities.

Supporting newly disabled adults to connect and feel empowered
LimbPower

Nominated by Emma Cowper – GI, Everywhen, UK

LimbPower is a national charity supporting amputees and people with limb differences from across the UK. Emma has been involved with the cause for some time after getting to know it via a friend who lost both their legs to sepsis.  The charity helps people lead active and fulfilling lives, gaining confidence and independence through sports, rehabilitation support, prosthetics support and events to connect

The £5,000 grant from ACT will fund LimbPower’s Beyond Boundaries event at the end of November, which is primarily aimed at newly disabled adults to provide early support. Alongside help with mobility and prosthetic proficiency, Beyond Boundaries offers an invaluable opportunity to meet people and share experiences.

This cause matters to me personally because of my connection with the work of LimbPower and the individuals they support. I’ve seen first-hand the transformative impact this charity has on people’s lives. The Beyond Boundaries event ACT is funding is particularly close to my heart, as it supports people right at the start of their rehabilitation journey — a moment that can feel overwhelming, isolating, and frightening. With the right guidance, community, and encouragement, these individuals can find hope, purpose, and strength again. I will also be volunteering at Beyond Boundaries, actively supporting participants throughout the day, and helping with community-building activities (and yes — selling raffle tickets with enthusiasm!). This personal involvement reflects my commitment to the cause and belief in its life-changing impact.
Emma Cowper

Enabling social mobility and opportunity through bilingual learning
RoModels

Nominated by Sarah Denney-Jones – Risk & Compliance, Everywhen, UK

RoModels is all about furthering social mobility by helping children see the world of possibilities that exists from a young age. Through their programmes, RoModels challenges to consider their potential beyond first instinct and builds their self-belief. Already partnering with 58 schools and reaching 10,0000 young learners, the charity is now expanding to North Wales.

Sarah has worked with RoModels, and through her own bilingual skills will be personally involved in the North Wales initiative. The ACT grant of £5,000 will enable the creation of a bilingual education portal which will enable children in schools to access their activities and resources – which will include raising awareness of the wide choice of careers young people might not immediately consider, such as insurance!

Social mobility is a topic that’s very close to my heart and I’m Co-Chair of Everywhen’s Social Mobility Community. Coming from a lower socio-economic background myself, I have personal, lived experiences of the challenges youngsters face, particularly those from a first language Welsh background like me. RoModel’s mantra – “You can’t be what you can’t see” resonates deeply with me. I never knew what insurance was, the only exposure I had to insurance as a child was usually hiding from the Insurance man when he used to call and attempt to collect his premium each week. I never dreamed that I’d ever end up working in the same industry as him. I am in a position where I know there’s a bigger world out there. I am determined to make a difference, and this grant will provide the opportunity.
Sarah Denney-Jones

Helping children get back into school and find brighter futures
New Futures Nepal

Nominated by Megan Spurin – Geo Underwriting, Everywhen, UK

New Futures Nepal was founded over 20 years ago by a group of trekkers visiting the regions who wanted to empower disadvantaged young adults and children through health and education programmes. Now the charity is about to kickstart a new initiative,  aimed at getting children who have dropped out of school back into education to prevent them being exploited by the lucrative tourist industry in the Everest region.

Becoming a sherpa or guide can be particularly dangerous for a young person, with the risk of injury and loss of long-term educations and skills. The £5,000 ACT grant will fully fund 50 children to re-enter education, including schooling, books, stationary and community outreach to monitor children’s progress – making a life-changing difference to their futures.

I have grown up in close connection to New Futures Nepal and hearing of the incredible impact the charity has had on communities and people, reaching all over the World. It is such an honour to now have the opportunity to support them on their life-changing upcoming project which will work with local communities to re-enrol children in the Mahakulung Rural Municipality of Nepal back into education. I’m so grateful and excited to be able to see just how far these funds can reach and the impact they will have.
Megan Spurin

ACT grants at Ardonagh

ACT’s Community Grant programme runs on a quarterly basis, with four rounds of grants over the calendar year and open to all Ardonagh employees worldwide.