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Behind the Retrospective – A closer look : meaningful connections

In June, we unveiled our first ever exhibition – ACT: A Retrospective – showcasing the stories, people and impact behind the Trust’s eight-year journey.

Following the launch event in the grounds of Kensington Palace in London, the full exhibition gone digital, meaning you can explore the virtual tour for yourself – before a travelling version visits key sites and events across the Group worldwide.

We continue to delve into the exhibits in more detail – next looking at some of the incredible causes ACT has built relationships with as we focus on the connections to causes special to colleagues around the Group.

Meaningful connections: doing good is greater when we do it together

People form communities. And it’s the relationships within and between them that creates their identity. Each unique, each with the capacity to collaborate toward something new.

Our global group has established far-reaching connections – and while there is diversity in the causes we support, we are united in heart.

From wellbeing services to accessible sport. Cancer care to green spaces. Youth clubs to homelessness outreach. The projects are varied, but at their core is a common aspiration for positive change.

In the first section of the Retrospective, get to know four of the 1,000+ causes we’ve supported to date that demonstrate perfectly that no action for good is too small.

A conversation: a chance to change a life

On an ordinary lunchtime walk on London Bridge in 2022, two colleagues from Ardonagh’s Specialty unit made a choice with lasting consequences. Seeing a man on the wrong side of the railing, they took action to open a conversation.

Having guided the man to a safe place, they discovered his connection to James’ Place – a charity providing help for men in suicidal crisis.

Nestled near Old Street in Central London, the unassuming red front door of James’ Place is the entrance to lifesaving and life-changing support. No questions, no judgement.

In recognition of this simple act of kindness, ACT pledged a three-year donation to James’ Place toward expansion of their services into Newcastle and Liverpool.

James’ Place was honoured to be showcased at ACT: A Retrospective exhibition at Kensington Palace. The overwhelming sense from the exhibition was one of pride and celebration; ACT is clearly an integral part of The Ardonagh Group and one that holds group members together for a common and greater purpose – that was clear from David Ross’s speech on the night. The care that the ACT team took to sensitively and accurately portray the work of charity partners in a visually and emotionally compelling way was extraordinary. As David said, “ACT is a verb. It’s a mission and a purpose…it’s the best of us”. We are hugely grateful for the support of The Ardonagh Group.
Amy Swart, Head of Fundraising and Communications, James' Place
As part of the exhibition, we shone a light on the amazing work therapists at the charity provide day in and day out to whoever steps in.

This set of cards is a tool specially designed by James’ Place to facilitate conversation and support reflection. The simple cards are at the start of many men’s journeys to overcoming mental health crises.

The brave choice to talk: the powerful privilege to listen

As a universal cause, mental health has been central to much of ACT’s work since the beginning. From 2021 to 2023, we joined together with Samaritans to ensure that the opportunity to talk and to be heard is available to anyone in crisis across the UK and Ireland.

Samaritans' vision is a world where fewer people die by suicide. Key to their incredible work is a volunteer-led listening line, which provides a non-judgmental source of support to call at any time of day or night. Far beyond our target, ACT and our Ardonagh people raised a spectacular £162,000 – and the equivalent of over 32,000 calls to Samaritans.

Gardens are a source of solace and hope for many, with plants symbolising future possibilities. An apt way to celebrate the conclusion of our partnership, we were honoured to fund the opening evening of Samaritans’ Listening Garden at the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2023, attended as every by members of the royal family.

Designer Darren with King Charles at the opening event at Chelsea
Stone and metal work depicted obstacles to mental health, initially obscuring the path to resolution
Beyond, the garden opens out to a calm and sunlit space, with spots to pause and contemplate
The garden marked Samaritans' anniversary and was seen by the royal family, including Princess Kate

Created by award-winning garden designer and Samaritans volunteer Darren Hawkes, the space reflects the journey of a caller from crisis to resolution, with the garden’s form and planting working together to represent overcoming challenge to find calm and solace. Experience 'flying through' the Listening Garden by watching the video below.

Using plants that featured Darren’s original Listening Garden design featured in the video above, we brought a sense of the outdoors to the Retrospective exhibition.

Planting inspired by the Listening garden brought the outside into the exhibition
All the florals and grasses were locally sourced
Being part of a wider group of causes and charities that have benefitted from ACT has been a huge privilege, the retrospective event made a huge impact on me not least because of the calibre of other beneficiaries, their work and the way in which they communicate their stories. The involvement of Ardonagh Community Trust in the Listening Garden for Samaritans at Chelsea Flower Show was massively appreciated and helped promote the lifesaving work Samaritans volunteers do every day to a wider audience. “Hearing David ross speak about how ACT connects to the way The Ardonagh Group do business was so inspiring. Charity is never just about giving money, instead it’s a mindset of being open to the opportunities to share expertise, energy, connections, enthusiasm and kindness in all sorts of ways and the return on that is priceless.
Darren Hawkes, garden designer and Samaritans volunteer

Giving back time: in the heart of the city

The City of London is recognisable around the world and is home to Ardonagh Specialty and its lead brand, Price Forbes, which operates in the prestigious Lloyd’s of London.

Yet step outside the rush of activity in the London market and you will find people for whom the challenge of finding adequate food and a safe place to sleep is a part of daily life.

Minutes down the road from our City offices you will also find The Whitechapel Mission, where each morning breakfast is provided to those in need alongside vital support services – and, most importantly, hope.

Demonstrating Specialty’s efforts in a slightly different way, this tower of baked bean cans represents the time they’ve given back. Since 2024, 55 London teammates have donned their aprons and donated their time.

This adds up to over 18,975 minutes, equivalent to the number of beans in these 40 cans – with the time enabling colleagues to cook up over 1,200 breakfasts. Here's a few photos from just some of those volunteering minutes over the past year!

Joe and members of the Specialty team serving breakfast
With tea, hot food and clothing essentials all provided each morning

More than football : society and solidarity

Rio de Janeiro is a sprawling metropolis of people, culture and energy. More than 1.5 million people living in 1,000 favelas, stretching from the steep hills to the sloping beaches, knit this renowned city together.

For many young people, life outside the favela can feel beyond imagining, but belief in possibilities is what Projeto Grão de Areia is all about. Their community-focused beach football clubs provide an inclusive opportunity for girls and boys to enjoy free lessons in a safe and welcoming environment.

With an ACT community grant, the charity expanded to a new location for the 2024 season on Copacabana beach, and taking their annual impact to over 600 children. Thanks to MDS colleague Jorge Ribeiro for nominating the charity for a grant, the team is now well-established – including proudly wearing their MDS and ACT kit.

When we became part of the Ardonagh Group in 2023, it was clear that ACT was a very important part of the Group’s DNA, and something we had to bring into our organisation. In the main countries where we operate (Portugal, Brazil, Angola…) there isn’t a social responsibility culture such as in the UK, so it was a challenge, but I believe we are on the right track, with small but sure steps in some cases, and creative ideas in others. Having the opportunity to get together at the wonderful ACT Retrospective event, and experience, live, all of ACT’s achievements through the years of its still short but incredibly full and rich life, was extraordinary. I believe I can say this, on behalf of the team that joined me there: the enthusiasm, sharing of experiences, getting to know all ACT’s activities, the art display, the palpable spirit of solidarity have instilled in us the will to go further, to continue to develop ACT’s initiatives in the Group and, more – create our own. It was a wonderful experience, one we will certainly keep as we continue this mission of bringing ACT’s mission of solidarity to the minds, and ultimately the hearts, of all MDS employees.
José Manuel, CEO MDS Group

View the virtual Retrospective in full

Take a look at the ACT: A Retrospective exhibition yourself by exploring our fully virtual version, an accessible online experience that showcases the Retrospective in full and enables you to interact with all the exhibits.

Look back at the launch event

Gain an insight into the Retrospective’s launch by reading the launch event article. Attended by friends and beneficiaries of ACT, it was a night to remember!

Getting ready for a global tour 

In 2026, ACT: A Retrospective will set off on its journey of key locations and events across The Ardonagh Group. Over the following the 12 months, this travelling version of the exhibition aims to reach as many colleagues and friends of the Group as possible!

In the meantime, learn more about ACT and all its funding programmes by exploring the ACT website and following us @ardonaghCT.