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Ending a year of grants with 12 deserving causes receiving ACT funding

Through our Community Grant programme, ACT awards funding to causes nominated by colleagues from across the Group and around the world.

This quarterly opportunity is available to any of our 12,000+ Ardonagh colleagues, no matter where they are located or which business they work for, and provides the chance to apply for up to £5,000 (or equivalent currency) towards a chosen charity which has an initiative or project in need of funding.

Today we share the final round of grants for 2025 – with 12 worthy causes awarded £52,786 in funding. Overall, this means that to date ACT has gifted over £1.26 million to more than 290 deserving causes – with just over £221,000 of this through 2025’s grants alone.

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

Enabling children to find support if the face of life challenges
Be Centre

Nominated by Renee Cosgrave – Resilium, Envest Group

Based in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Be Centre Foundation is a unique mental health charity supporting vulnerable children and their families. Using special play therapy, they help children aged 3 to 12 years old who are navigating challenge – be it connected to anxiety, family breakdown, neglect, bullying or abuse.

The cornerstone of their work is their one-to-one approach with specialist play therapists and ACT’s £5,000 will ensure even more children can access this help by funding four scholarships to reduce financial barriers.

A play therapy room at Be Centre's facility in the suburb of Warriewood.
What makes Be Centre so powerful is that it supports not only the child, but the entire family, helping parents and carers better understand, connect with, and support their child’s healing journey. When I first attended a Be Centre event, their mission immediately resonated with me. I grew up in a home where family violence was my norm, and I spent much of my adult life trying to understand how those early experiences shaped my behaviours and relationships. Had a service like Be Centre been available to me as a child, I truly believe I would have been able to heal and thrive much earlier. I have also seen firsthand the impact of Be Centre’s work through friends whose children have accessed their services. When a child feels truly safe and supported, the transformation extends beyond the therapy room. The calm they find follows them home, and the tools they learn help the whole family find peace and resilience together.
Renee Cosgrave

Furthering vital research into immune disorders
University College London Hospitals – HLH Programme

Nominated by Abi Smith & Izzy Clifford – Usay Compare, Everywhen

This cause has a deep connection to colleagues Abi and Izzy, with it remembering the life of a close friend, Daisy, who died aged just 25.

UCL’s HLH Service provides essential support for people with Haemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis, a rare immune disorder causing hyperinflammation in organs. Being such a rare disease, teams at UCL are running extensive research to better understand the condition to improve earlier identification and treatment.

The £5,000 ACT grant will go towards this research programme, led by a team of clinicians and scientists, which aims to better understand the disease and improve outcomes for patients.

Skydiving to raise funds in Daisy's memory.
Daisy was just 25 years old when she was taken by this hideous disease. Up until this she was a force of nature, a vivacious fit and healthy young lady who had never been sick and was going to the gym daily and had just run a 10km road race. Because this disease is so rare, funds are desperately needed for research. The team at UCL Hopsitals are undertaking extensive research to better understand HLH and how it can be identified as early as possible and treated. All money raised will go directly to this, and hopefully we can help any future patients in Daisy's position.
Rachel, Daisy's mum

Producing street theatre to instil community spirit
Sheringham Little Theatre Charity

Nominated by George Bryce – Everywhen

Arts, and community theatre in particular, provide an amazing outlet for so many people. Offering this opportunity to people across Norfolk, Sheringham Little Theatre Charity is a real hub in the community, not only as a theatre, but through its music sessions, dementia friendly sessions and work placements for unemployed people too.

The £2,500 ACT grant will go towards their 2026 ambitions, a street performance production of Wind in the Willows as part of the two-day Norfolk and Norwich Festival. This is a key moment to raise awareness of the theatre charity and to get local community members involved in the show itself too.

Creating inclusive communities for people living with Dementia
Dementia Friendly Tasmania

Nominated by Lauren Kahui – Epsilon Insurance, Envest Group

A cause close to the hearts of colleagues at the Hobart office in Tasmania, Dementia Friendly Tasmania is on a mission to raise awareness and understanding of dementia across the island’s communities. For 10 years, DFT has run events, established community groups and connected families impacted by the disease to further acceptance and support of dementia.

The £5,000 ACT grant will go towards community outreach events and education workshops to ensure this work continues to make positive impact. The café events in particular help carers and those with dementia meet one another to improve peer support and to ensure no one feels alone.  

Providing a festive dinner for people in need in Porto
Associação Amor Perfeito

Nominated by Patricia Correia – MDS Group Portugal, LatAm

Located in the city of Porto, Associação Amor Perfeito is a true community cause which has supported vulnerable people with food, essential supplies and care for 10 years.

A regular volunteer for six of these years, Patricia is very closely connected to the charity. The £5,000 ACT grant will go towards Associação Amor Perfeito’s meal kits and Christmas dinner event. Each week the charity serves up over 100 meals to people in need and the traditional Christmas dinner is a special opportunity for people to sit together in a warm space for a meal – plus offering a kit containing gifts, toiletries and food at the end.

More than just helping others, Associação Amor Perfeito truly supports those who are in real need – their kindness knows no boundaries. I have been a volunteer with Amor Perfeito for over six years, including street outreach and donation collection. In this individualistic world, it is difficult to be someone in need, so it is very important to make a difference to those who experience challenge.
Patricia Correia

Improving a space vital for aspiring women
Young Women’s Hub

Nominated by Olivia Dowden – Price Forbes Re, Specialty

Young Women’s Hub spearheads life-changing support for women from Lewisham ad across southeast London. They aim to keep girls in education and developing skills to ensure they have the best possible potential through a holistic approach that spans from cooking classes to support for Special Education Needs.

Olivia has been deeply involved with the charity and seen the amazing work they do. But with programmes always taking priority, the hub itself has gone unloved and in need of renovation. The £5,000 ACT grant will go towards improvements to ensure it provides a safe and welcoming space for many years to come.

YHH trustees and volunteers at the hub.
I grew up in Southeast London, not far from where Young Women’s Hub is today. The charity and all the staff there are doing an amazing job at providing formal education as well as life skills to girls in the Lewisham community. The charity understands that it can be tricky to excel at school when you’ve had a difficult start in life and therefore provide lots of one to one and bespoke care to the young women. I’m proud to volunteer with the charity and the ACT grant will allow for a nicer and safer environment for learning.
Olivia Dowden

Supporting continued community care
Garden House Hospice

Nominated by Ollie – PSC Real Estate, Everywhen

Based in North Hertfordshire, Garden House Hospice is a cause close to many Everywhen colleagues in and around Stevenage. Ollie in particular has experienced the invaluable support the hospice provides when it cared for his wife, Laura.

The hospice is needed more than ever, with referrals up 25% and the £5,000 ACT grant will go towards the vital care services it provides to families across the region and with dignity at heart.

The Garden House hospice is an amazing charity. Sadly, my wife fell ill at a young age after a short battle with cancer. In her final days we were lucky enough to be offered a bed in the hospice. The care given to her was nothing short of amazing and the environment was private, calming and offered a non-intimidating space for our kids to say goodbye to their mum and for her to pass peacefully. After Laura passed, the hospice offered support and counselling for kids and me through family support sessions. For both young and old the charity offers space away from the chaotic environment of a hospital for loved ones to pass with dignity and in peace and provide support to families after.
Ollie

Offering warmth and connection over Christmas
Holy Trinity Night Shelter & Community Outreach

Nominated by Sarah Ellis – Everywhen

With weather changing and the festive time of year approaching, charities like Holy Trinity Night Shelter are critical to support vulnerable members of the community. A key service in Bishops Stortford, the charity can provide accommodation for up to 10 people, alongside access to food and help to access permanent accommodation.

The £2,000 ACT grant will go towards the shelter’s Christmas Day and Boxing Day food provisions – offering the opportunity of companionship and warmth to services users.

Supporting children and teens affected by bereavement
Simon Says

Nominated by Sarah Curd – Everywhen

Bereavement is unavoidable in life, but when it happens at a young age the journey can be particularly challenging. Simon Says does incredible work helping children and young people across Hampshire navigate grief, with monthly meet-up groups and work in schools to educate teachers on supporting students.

Simon Says ensures no child is turned away from their support and the £5,000 ACT grant will go towards a blend of teacher training, monthly groups, and their regular activity days. All these help create a network of support available should any young person need it.

A festive craft sessions for children supported by Simon Says.
Several years ago, I decided I wanted to offer some of my time through volunteering. I didn’t have a charity in mind, but after some research I found Simon Says. Following training, I began supporting monthly bereavement groups in Basingstoke, where children and young people attend for diverse reasons—managing anger, understanding emotions, coping with grief, or simply connecting with peers who share similar experiences of bereavement or serious illness which will ultimately result in the death of someone special. This experience has been profoundly impactful. Witnessing a child or young person openly express their fears and sadness is both humbling and a reminder of the charity’s vital role: ensuring they feel seen and heard, while reinforcing that joy and play remain possible even during the grieving process.
Sarah Curd

Raising awareness of Early-Onset Parkinsons  
Young Parkies Portugal

Nominated by Gustavo Simões Abreu – MDS Group Portugal, LatAm

Young Parkies Portugal aims to promote cooperation across the community to raise awareness and improve support for people affected by early-onset Parkinson’s disease. The charity has a real array of programmes, including yoga sessions, Parkies talks with online conversations hosted by experts, and even a climbing project to provide new ways to help physical therapy.

The £5,000 ACT grant will go towards three main projects – the charity’s annual conference event, a bootcamp series in 2026 of regular community and exercise activities, plus psychological support to help people navigate the wellbeing challenges of Parkinson’s.  

High spirits at one of Parkies' events.
Parkinson’s is often misunderstood and those diagnosed at a young age face unique challenges—balancing careers, family responsibilities, and social life while managing a progressive condition. I am actively involved with Young Parkies Portugal, contributing to initiatives that raise awareness and provide holistic support. Through volunteering and advocacy, I’ve seen firsthand how community, education and emotional support can transform lives. This experience has reinforced my commitment to ensuring that no one feels isolated or without resources when navigating this journey. Beyond all this, one of the main driving forces behind the project is a close friend, of my family and who was diagnosed with Early-Onset Parkinson’s.
Gustavo Simões Abreu

Growing a joyful space to support wellbeing 
Progetto Itaca Milano

Nominated by Carlo Faina – Ardonagh Italia, Ardonagh Europe

Situated in Milan, Progetto Itaca Milano is a mental health charity that seeks to support people live a full life. They believe mental health challenges are always treatable and seek to reduce stigma – with a range of projects to help people facing issues and their families too, with 20 people welcomed to the club each day.

The £4,526 ACT grant will go towards a brand-new project in 2026, the creation of the 'Orto Allegria' (Garden of Joy). Members of the charity will be involved in the redevelopment of the terrace at the Club Itaca Milano headquarters, filling the space with plants and flowers to create a sanctuary of calm and reflection.

In the grounds of Progetto Itaca Milano, where the garden will be created.
For eight years my wife Elisabetta has been a volunteer with Progetto Itaca Milano, initially involved in a project dedicated to high school students. Like many, wellbeing is a cause close to our family, and we are so grateful to Progetto Itaca for what it does, especially with regard to reducing the stigmas around mental health and support for families.
Carlo Faina

A calendar of events to connect and support women through health and fertility   
Positility CIC

Nominated by Heather Brackenbury – Geo Underwriting, Everywhen

Having been involved in Positility CIC since its inception, Heather has been a central part of developing the charity to support women have a more positive experience of fertility and women’s health. Having experienced challenges herself, Heather supports Positility to help women meet challenges and improve access to health services.

The £3,760 ACT grant will fund the charity’s programme of 2026 events, with monthly wellness meet-ups and specialised retreat days focussing on topics including endometriosis and fertility. A charity in its early days, the grant will really help Positility establish itself in the community.

Making an impact through ACT grants

ACT’s Community Grant programme runs on a quarterly basis, with four rounds of grants over the calendar year.

Open to all Ardonagh employees worldwide, through the scheme you can apply for up to £5,000 (or equivalent local currency) towards a charity close to their heart with an initiative in need of funding.

The ACT board of Trustees then review all applications and select those to be awarded funding.

Learn more on the dedicated Community Grant page of our website and see stories of grants in action on our socials @ardonaghct.