Madrid pay it forward with a year of community action

From Climate action, reduced inequalities, and education Madrid colleagues have been busy taking action to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Here is a brief summary of all the activities they have taken part in. The comments from individuals highlight how important it is to create links with local communities in order to understand the various issues we are now facing in our society. Their active engagement, helps with their own self-awareness while also sharing this message with their friends, family, and colleagues.

Insurance Social Leadership Program (ISLP), in association with the Association of Young Insurance Professionals is a pioneering program which Alicia Fole, senior associate is a part of. By offering guidance and advice on different career opportunities within the insurance industry, ISLP strives to train individuals under the age of 30 who are unemployed or have unstable employment; helping them to enter the labour market and have a deeper understanding of the insurance sector.

ICADE’s Law Clinic continues this year; this partnership with Comillas University (ICADE) and Corazón y Manos Association (part of the company Clece), delivers legal advice to both students and Clece employees. These individuals are usually in need of legal advice but are unable to access a lawyer due to personal circumstances such as not being able to speak the language, or living in very challenging situations.

You can find more information on our collaboration here, and in the below videos.

The Al Paso Association works with the local business community to support its horse therapy programmes, which are available to children with a range of disabilities as well as those who needs support with behavioural challenges.  This summer, our Madrid team visited the centre and spent the day with 20 young people and their families who are supported by the Prodis Foundation, the Monteprincipe Hospital and Al Paso. The team worked alongside children and helped them take part in different workshops. Horse-riding activities were a big part of the day, and the children were given an opportunity to ride a horse together with spending time with their therapy dog, Viva.

Garbage collection at Manzanares River took place last November, as part of the Kennedys Eco Awareness week; the team collected plastic bottles, cans, wipes, and other items that harm our environment and its ecosystems. A total of 8 bags of trash were collected, sorted and recycled.  This initiative was really popular and a great success; preparations are underway for another activity this November

We are excited to hear about the initiatives Team Madrid are planning this coming year.

Miguel Ángel Avilés, associate at Kennedys said: "The volunteering activity organized by Al Paso Association was a truly wonderful and fulfilling activity. Mainly because, even though I already expected the rewarding feeling of helping other people have fun and learn, I also found myself enjoying my time there at least as much as the kids did, and also improved my sensitivity and awareness towards functional diverse people. The fact that it involved contact with nature and animals made it so much better, I can’t wait to repeat!”

Irene Moreno Garrido, associate at Kennedys said: "We believe that being able to collaborate as tutors with this Legal Clinic has meant both personal and professional growth, as we not only want to be the best professionals in the world, but the best professionals for the world."

Alicia Fole, senior associate at Kennedys said: "The youth unemployment figures in Spain are heart-breaking and the AJPS, with an extraordinary commitment to D&I, knew that we had to make an impact by helping other young people. This programme aims to invest in the youth’s skills and talent and to give them tools to be the leaders of tomorrow."