Each quarter, our Group charity, ACT (Ardonagh Community Trust) awards funding to causes nominated by colleagues through its Community Grant programme.
This opportunity is available to all 12,000+ Ardonagh colleagues around the world 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 support.
Today, we share the Q2 grants – with 11 causes awarded just over £52,000.
Since ACT’s inception, this takes the running grant total to £1.37 million in aid of more than 300 deserving causes.
Read the stories behind each of the causes supported this quarter and why they matter to the colleagues who put then forward.
A chance to express and connect through music for young asylum seekers
Play for Progress
Nominated by Eloise Morgan – Price Forbes
Play for Progress enables teens and young adults in and around Croydon to express themselves through creativity. Welcoming any young asylum seekers in need of support, the charity provides group sessions, therapy and practical advocacy.
The ACT grant of £5,000 to cover the summer term drop-in music classes for 13–25-year-olds, offering them the chance to try new instruments, compose and perform – from rap songwriting and hip hop. In August, the group will go on to perform at the Museum of Croydon to celebrate 10 years of the charity with the wider community.
“In the current global climate, I believe the work of Play for Progress is more important than ever, to help people feeling from persecution to feel safe and to develop their skills so that they can play a valuable part in society.” Eloise Morgan
Creating a community park for connection and more
Lusmagh Development Fund
Nominated by Eoin Quinlan – Arachas
Located in Co. Offaly, Ireland, Lusmagh Development Fund is on a mission to establish a much-needed community green space where people of all ages can meet, rest, play and connect.
The ACT grant of £5,000 will go towards this ambition, with the grant specifically funding a playground, seating and walkway. Ultimately, the community park will act as a central hub in the parish where all will be welcome.
“This is my own local community that I grew up and where now my own children are growing up too. The ACT grant funding will be a huge help to make this special place for all those who live in and around Lusmagh.” Eoin Quinlan
Completing a space for play and joy
Ray’s Playhouse
Nominated by Adriana Marx – Price Forbes
Based in Fulham, London, Ray’s Playhouse is a long-established early years charity supporting children over five from disadvantaged backgrounds. They provide low-cost stay and play sessions, wellbeing support, workshops, a food bank and much more.
The ACT grant of £5,000 will enable the completion of the centre’s outdoor playground, which the charity has already raised £10,000 for. The space will be used for years to come, providing a safe and joyful space for hundreds of local families.
Enabling access to the local community regardless of age
St Michael’s House Foundation
Nominated by Jamie Cowan Walsh – Arachas
In Dublin, St Michael’s House Foundation supports the work of St Michael’s House – a leading provider of services for people with intellectual disabilities within the city, enabling them to live with dignity, respect and maximum independence. Through day services, clinical support and community programmes, St Michael’s House is a pivotal part of people from early years to old age.
The ACT grant of £5,000 to contribute to the purchase of a dedicated vehicle to support the Seantrabh Day service, which helps adults with intellectual and mobility disabilities by providing community transport to vital services, whether that’s the GP, a library or local shops – all to help people stay connected and independent.
“My aunt manages Seantrabh Day Service, so I have seen the care, patience, and commitment that goes into supporting the people who attend it every day. What stands out to me most is how something as simple as getting out into the community can become increasingly difficult without the right support. A trip for coffee, a walk or attendance at an activity is not a small thing and really brings home how important something like accessible transport is. It’s not just a logistical issue—it directly impacts people’s quality of life, their sense of independence, and their ability to stay connected to their community.” Jamie Conwan Walsh
Supporting girls to stay on the track
Lytham St Annes Road Running Club
Nominated by Greg Ashworth – Everywhen
Lytham St Annes Road Running Club has community at heart and centre, enabling as many people local people regardless of age, running experience or background to get on the track.
Now the club is on a mission to support more girls to continue with running through their teens. The ACT grant of £2,760 will cover first-year costs of establishing regular track sessions led by women coaches for junior girls, to help encourage more girls to stay in athletics.
Furthering the fight against motor neurone disease
Fight MND
Nominated by Siobhan Roberts – PSC Insurance, Envest Group
Fight MND does incredible work year-round in the fight against motor neurone disease, improving support today and research into better treatment in the future across Austrlia and beyond. A disease many of us have heard of, as if often the case the true impact is not understood until firsthand experience is met.
With a close friend diagnosed with MND, Siobhan has seen how the disease has affected the individual, family and beyond. The ACT grant of £5,000 to charity’s work into raising awareness of MND and research to understand and cure the disease.
The gift of communication
The Down Syndrome Centre, Swords
Nominated by Gillian McCarthy – Arachas
As Ireland’s only charity dedicated to clinical, educational and wellbeing services for children with Down syndrome, The Down Syndrome Centre provides a range of support for young people to the age of 18 and their families – from speech and language therapy to education – helping 300 families a week.
Gillian’s nephew has had incredible support from the charity and seen directly the difference it makes to families’ daily lives. The ACT grant of £5,000 to purchase an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) device to help children with difficulties speaking to communicate through symbols, pictures, words, and speech output technology – making an invaluable impact on their ability to express and connect.
“My nephew Jack has been attending Down Syndrome Centre since he was a little boy. The centre has become for us a lifeline, a community and a connection to other families who together are stronger because of this charity. The funding from The ACT Community Grant will make a huge difference to the charity and I am very grateful they received it this year.” Gillian McCarthy
Supporting better and safer care for scoliosis
Norfolk & Norwich Hospitals Charity
Nominated by Laurie Coe – Everywhen
The N&N Hospitals Charity supports patients and families from across Norfolk and Norwich receiving care.
The charity is currently aiming to purchase an EOSedge low dose x-ray system to help young people with scoliosis and other complex conditions, which the ACT grant of £5,000 will contribute to.
Laurie knows the importance of the right care being provided efficiently, with her own daughter being diagnoses with scoliosis a few years ago.
This specialised x-ray machine enables imaging at much lower doses of radiation, which makes a huge difference for young patients who are x-rayed multiple times as they grow.
“I’m delighted this grant has been awarded to support the spinal team at our local hospital. This is particularly important to me as my daughter has Scoliosis and three years ago at age 12 she underwent major spinal fusion surgery. Her diagnosis and treatment journey has required numerous x-rays to monitor the progression and recovery (around 12 to date) and she will likely need more in the future. During what was already a very stressful and anxious time, the increased risk of radiation exposure was not lost on her. The whole team at the hospital were amazing and having experienced firsthand the difference that specialist spinal care makes, I know how valuable this technology will be in improving future care, reducing radiation exposure whilst providing the highest quality diagnostic imaging and giving families like ours greater peace of mind. The grant is particularly well timed, as June is national scoliosis awareness month. Thank you once again.” Laurie Coe
Transforming a dedicated space to support end-of-life care
Lindsey Lodge Hospice and Healthcare
Nominated by Nathan Jones – Stallard Kane, Everywhen
Lindsey Lodge Hospice supports patients with life limiting conditions and their families from across Lincolnshire, providing compassionate care from diagnosis through to end-of-life and into bereavement.
The ACT grant of £5,000 will fund the transformation of an existing double occupancy hospice room into a self-contained, calm and homely environment, enabling families to stay close to their loved ones during end-of-life care. At an incredibly difficult and emotional time, this will allow families to remain together, offering comfort, dignity and reassurance when it matters most.
“This project is incredibly close to my heart, and I am so grateful to ACT and the Trustees for the community grant. When my Dad, Wayne, received care at Lindsey Lodge Hospice, the private space we were given made an enormous difference. It made those incredibly difficult final weeks more manageable both for him in terms of comfort, and for us as a family, far more than we fully realised at the time. It allowed us to stay together, supporting him and one another through every moment that mattered most. He meant everything to me and being by his side brought a level of comfort and dignity I will never forget. In his memory, I am incredibly proud that this funding will help create that same environment for other families by giving them the chance to be close, find comfort and feel supported during the most difficult of times.” Nathan Jones
Connecting grass roots sports for maximum impact
Sports Location Action CIC
Nominated by Kerry McQueeney – Everywhen
Sports Location Action CIC connects the dots when it comes to grassroots sports initiatives. With so many amazing local causes struggling to continue, SLA unlocks their full potential through a single platform for people to find sporting opportunities and funding for the essentials – from kit to coaches.
The ACT grant of £5,000 to fund a year of essential digital infrastructure alongside one-off website development, a critical investment which will enable the charity to scale sustainably in its work aims to amplify community sports organisations and to further social mobility.
Enabling a pivotal community space to stay open
Nuneaton Bedworth and District Mencap Society
Nominated by Linda Bannister – Everywhen
Nuneaton Bedworth and District Mencap Society supports adults and children with learning disabilities through their range of social opportunities, life skill activities, creative programmes and more.
Linda’s brother is a regular member, and she’s the difference the charity makes day in and day out to beneficiaries.
The charity building desperately needs a new roof to stay safe and open to members, and the ACT grant of £5,000 will enable this vital work.
“The charity is special to me as once the repairs to the building have been fixed, they can continue providing learning disabilities support to local people and my brother in particular, who has been a member there for over 20 years. A lot of groups and support has dwindled over the past few years and Mencap is now the only one my brother can go to.” Linda Bannister
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