2024: A year of meaningful change

2024 from Ancient + Brave

For Ancient + Brave, 2024 has been an exhilarating, whirlwind of a year. We wanted to take a moment to pause and reflect on all that it has brought us.

Inspiring is an understatement - this year, we have had the honour of supporting several incredible initiatives. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to meaningful change. 2024 has embodied our commitment to making a difference.

We have increased our pledge from 1% to 2% of all revenues to charity, doubling down on our dedication to create meaningful change and allowing us to support vital healthcare projects and environmental conservation efforts. Our mission at Ancient + Brave is to champion wellness, sustainability, and social responsibility in everything we do. By doubling our pledge, we hope to inspire others to act and join us in building a more compassionate and sustainable world.

Supporting Love Mercy: Transforming Healthcare in Northern Uganda

In 2024, we were able to contribute to the development of the Kristina Health Centre (KHC). Built in 2012, KHC is a beacon of hope for its community, named in honour of Julius Achon’s mother, Kristina, whose tragic passing in 2004 inspired its creation. Kristina could have been saved with access to adequate medical care—a painful reminder of the urgent need for improved healthcare infrastructure. 

Since its inception, KHC has made a profound impact, treating over 75,000 patients and safely delivering more than 1,500 babies. The centre has faced significant challenges, particularly in managing complications that require advanced care. That’s why we are incredibly proud to support the next stage of its evolution -  transitioning KHC to a Level 4 clinic and establishing a surgical theatre. 

This upgrade will ensure that critical interventions can be performed on-site. By eliminating the need for patients to travel long distances for life-saving care, this build will dramatically reduce risks and improve outcomes for countless families. In addition to the surgical theatre, there will be a new NICU, an upgraded maternity ward, accommodation for patients, a laboratory, a dental clinic and a cafeteria for staff and patients. 

The work at KHC embodies the spirit of Love Mercy - creating a world where access to quality healthcare is not a privilege, but a right. As we look ahead to 2025, we are filled with hope and excitement for the future of KHC and the communities it serves.

 

The Lotus Flower: Empowering Women through the ‘Swimming Sisters’ Project

This year, we have been thrilled to support an initiative by The Lotus Flower: the Swimming Sisters project. Designed to empower marginalised women, this program provides vital swimming lessons, therapeutic sessions, and opportunities to build safe, supportive communities for refugees. 

Over the course of 12 to 15 months, the project will work with six cohorts of 10 women each, offering not only life-saving swimming skills but also a renewed sense of confidence and belonging. 

Why is this important? Many women and girls from refugee and migrant backgrounds face significant barriers to social integration, physical health, and personal safety. In coastal regions, the inability to swim can pose safety risks and limit recreational opportunities. These challenges are further compounded by the lack of accessible, culturally sensitive programs. 

The Swimming Sisters project directly addresses these gaps, offering a safe space where women can learn essential skills, find emotional support, and connect with others who share similar experiences. This programme will also incorporate group mental health sessions led by psychologists, as well as individual therapy to address trauma from displacement. Additionally, participants will engage in holistic well-being activities, such as crafting traditional body creams and hair products with essential oils, fostering creativity and promoting self-care. We are honoured to support The Lotus Flower and the incredible work they do. Together, we’re making waves of change.

 

Rainforest Concern: Protecting Threatened Habitats and Supporting Biodiversity

In 2024, we proudly supported critical conservation efforts in partnership with Rainforest Concern, contributing to the management of the Neblina Cloud Forest Reserve. These unique ecosystems, found 1,000–2,500 meters above sea level, are as breathtaking as they are vital—often shrouded in mist and home to thousands of plant and animal species. 

Cloud forests are among the most endangered ecosystems on Earth, with over 90% already lost due to population growth, land-use changes, and climate change. Their protection is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and the delicate balance of the rainforest ecosystem. The Neblina Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet, plays a key role in this balance.

Our contributions have directly supported the Reserve’s management, including funding camera traps that monitor wildlife, and aiding community projects that engage local farmers and families in sustainable practices. Additionally, we are helping to establish another ecological corridor in South America, creating a safe migratory route for endangered species. More details on this project are yet to come so we will keep you updated with our progress. By supporting these initiatives, we are committed to preserving these invaluable ecosystems for generations to come.

Ouse + Adur Rivers Trust: Giving Back to the Local Community and Supporting Conservation

The Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust is a local charity doing incredible work to protect and restore the waterways of East Sussex—including the very river that flows beneath our office. We’re thrilled to support their mission through donations and hands-on company volunteering, where we’ve helped to clear invasive species, foster natural flood barriers, and create new habitats.

Our initial donation is helping to accelerate their exciting Citizen Science Hubs initiative along the Rivers Ouse and Uck. Despite limited funding, the Trust has made remarkable strides in engaging local communities passionate about river health and monitoring. With our support, they can now fast-track this program by offering community training, providing essential equipment, and enabling critical monitoring of water quality and sea trout populations.

The goal is to empower 60 citizen scientists and establish six fully equipped hubs across the region. Together, we’re not just protecting rivers—we’re cultivating a community of eco-champions committed to safeguarding these lifelines for future generations.

Reflecting on Our B-Corp Recertification Journey: Growth, Impact, and Gratitude

When we began our B-Corp journey in 2021, it reaffirmed our commitment to not just growth, but growth with purpose and responsibility. As we approach our recertification, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the remarkable progress and experiences that have shaped our journey so far

Recertification is often seen as a daunting task, but for us, it has been an inspiring and energising experience. It’s given us the chance to look back on how far we’ve come—from our humble beginnings as a team of five, in a one-room office, to where we are today: an operation with over 65 employees, our own fulfilment warehouse, and blending facilities. This transformation has been nothing short of extraordinary, but what makes us most proud is how we’ve stayed true to our values along the way. As a purpose-driven brand, we’ve made it a priority to ensure that our growth amplifies our positive impact.

From expanding employee benefits to giving back to our community, our efforts have scaled alongside the business. 

One milestone we’re particularly proud of is increasing our charitable giving by over 4,170%. 

Recertification is more than just a checkbox for us—it’s a celebration of our progress and a recommitment to doing even better. We’re excited to continue evolving, driving positive change, and making an impact that extends beyond the walls of our office.

Climate Neutral - Offsetting our Emissions by Investing in Carbon Sequestration

While our aim is to eliminate all emissions, we recognise that achieving this is a long-term endeavour. In the meantime, we remain committed to offsetting the emissions we generate through credible and verified platforms. 

This ensures that even as we work towards zero-emissions, we are still contributing to the planet's well-being. We acknowledge that this is not a permanent solution and do not view it as a substitute for driving meaningful change.

Our priority remains reducing carbon intensity across all areas of our operations. To offset our 2023 emissions, in 2024, we invested in the Southern Cardamom REDD+ Project, which spans the Cardamom Mountains in Cambodia and extends to the Gulf of Thailand. This remarkable watershed, one of the world’s 34 biodiversity hotspots, feeds into Southeast Asia’s largest mangrove forest, located in the Koh Kong estuary. REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation), is one of the most effective and impactful carbon offset protocols available.

Life Cycle Analysis: Understanding our Environmental Impact

As a continued effort to improve our operation, in 2024, through a third party, Fishwick Environmental, we have undertaken a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) for our entire product range. In accordance with ISO14040 and ISO14044, this assesses the environmental impact of each product, from sourcing raw materials to manufacturing, packaging, and disposal. By conducting a more comprehensive analysis of our emissions, we aim to identify areas for improvement and ensure our products align with our eco-conscious values, continuing our commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. With the insights we have gained from this evaluation, we will be able to set a clear pathway on how to improve our environmental impact through adjusting how we operate as a business.

Looking Back on 2024 with Gratitude

2024 has been filled with challenges, growth, and incredible opportunities to make an impact. We’ve been kept on our toes every step of the way, but we wouldn’t have had it any other way. None of this would have been possible without you, our amazing community. Your support has allowed us to contribute to life-changing initiatives, empowering and transforming communities around the world. For that, we are grateful.

As we look ahead to 2025, we are filled with anticipation and excitement for what’s to come. We can’t wait to embark on this next chapter together and continue creating positive change—one step at a time. Here’s to another year of making a difference together!