Overview and key points
We are delighted to announce that not one, but two community projects supported by our colleagues won funding of £5,000 each at the Aviva Broker Community Fund Awards.
The Aviva Broker Community Fund provides the chance for insurance brokers to win funding for charities and causes with 28 winners announced at the awards event which took place in London in March.
Entries were submitted in the autumn of 2024 from brokers across the UK applying for a share of the Aviva Broker Community Fund for specific projects within their chosen causes.
We were deeply moved by the inspirational and heart-warming stories shared throughout the evening and are absolutely thrilled to have been awarded:
Key takeaways
£5,000 supporting Alexander Community Development
£5,000 supporting Benbecula Community Association
This funding will make a huge difference—helping to strengthen communities, support vital local projects, and create lasting impact.
The projects are both based in Scotland and are vital to the communities in which they are located.
Alexander Community Development – Transition to Work and Trades for All
Established in 2019 by John Alexander, Alexander Community Development (ACD) was launched with the primary goal of giving back something into the City of Dundee. John held a passionate belief that children and young adults were being left behind within a challenging education system, and as a result their future life opportunities were limited.
Craig Duncan, Client Director at Partners&, has worked with John for many years and recognised his strong and passionate advocacy supporting the local community in Dundee – an ethos that connects with the founding principles of Partners&.
Craig explains:
“John and the team at Alexander Community Development (ACD) work tirelessly creating opportunities for young people in the Dundee area through the various projects they have in play. Their enthusiasm to support the local community is infectious and links in seamlessly with the values of Partners& and our Team in the Dundee Office. When Aviva launched their Broker Community Fund this year, ACD were an obvious choice to represent, and we were delighted to attend such an inspiring event and come away with an award in recognition of the work they do in our area.”
John has witnessed, first hand, the challenges that many young people face and is driven to support these children and young adults.
The Transition to Work and Trades for All programmes offered by ACD aim to address the drop off in attainment within a large percentage of children and young adults. Working with schools and other partners, the programmes show those individuals the varied life paths and careers options that are available within the construction sector whilst maintaining their attendance at school, improving discipline and providing purpose for those who may have exited full time education.
The programmes offered by ACD provide foundation skills and guide individuals into the world of work and financial independence, enabling them to building a rewarding career, which benefits them personally and the community at large.
ACD have had more than 200 school age children and young adults going through this transition to work/trade programme with demand growing year on year as they broaden the sectors available.
Recently, they have seen a huge increase in the use of technology within the employment market. This has identified another skills shortage / gap. The lack of IT accessibility and knowledge has become apparent alongside limited numeracy skills.
Many of the children and young adults don’t have access to computer systems at home and need support to navigate the recruitment process, as well as digital life in general.
The Aviva Community Fund Award of £5,000 will enable ACD to purchase a supply of iPads/tablets and develop training programmes to support digital life skills, such as making job applications, online training and numeracy skills needed to further enhance employability opportunities.
Receiving this award and recognition means the world to all of us at ACD. It marks not just a milestone but a moment that reminds us WHY we do what we do. At ACD, we don’t just work—we create. We create space, possibility, and hope. We help people believe again, in themselves and in brighter futures. And now, to be recognised and supported by Aviva and Partners&, it truly feels like a dream brought to life.
Benbecula Community Association – saving the local community hub
Located in the Scottish Outer Hebrides, the Benbecula Community Association is a group run by volunteers.
Iain MacDonald, Client Executive at Partners& (formerly MacDonald Group) based at our Benbecula office, has been one of the Directors/Trustees of the Community Association for the last 34 years after taking over from his dad in 1990.
In 2009, the Association managed to secure the necessary funding to build a new community centre – Balivanich Community Hall.
People of all ages use the facility which hosts fitness classes, weddings, youth and OAP group, and provide a training space for Police Scotland, the Westerns Isles Health Organisation and Ambulance Service and many others.
After Covid, things got hard for the community as rising energy costs ate away at the association’s bank balance. At one point last year, the community hall very nearly had to close. But through volunteer funds and fundraising, the team managed to keep the centre going.
The Community Centre is the Hub of the island and to lose this service due to excessive energy costs would be devastating for the community.
The Aviva Community Fund opportunity gave the team hope. When Iain submitted the application and they won, hope turned into reality and the £5,000 they have been awarded will keep the Benbecula Community Association open.
Funding is never easy to come by and fundraising is one of the only ways to obtain monies. As you can imagine, being on an island people really work closely together to achieve what they can, and any outside funding is always treated as a godsend. I work closely with Aviva in my full time role as Client Executive at Partners and I have a close relationship with insurers, especially Aviva. I will be forever grateful to them for giving us the opportunity to apply for funding via the Community Fund and I say this on behalf of everyone involved with Benbecula Community Association. We are extremely grateful and so appreciative.