Community

Manchester Urban Diggers

July 2, 2025By

Creating places for people to grow, cook and eat food together

Manchester Urban Diggers produces over 1 tonne of food annually at their main site: Platt Fields Market Garden. Here local people develop a wide range of horticulture skills, connect with others, increase their physical activity, share food, learn about sustainable food growing and get involved in developing ideas and projects.

The Trustees of the Axis Foundation were delighted to award Manchester Urban Diggers a grant of £7,000 to build an integrated water harvesting and automatic irrigation system.

This will help them reduce environmental impact, costs and labour, improve the experience of beneficiaries and staff, and model best-practice of low-input, sustainable agroecological food growing methods.

“We are absolutely thrilled and thankful to receive the generous donation from the Axis Foundation. We’ve started ordering and receiving the irrigation system and will be installing it as soon as we can – the recent weather shows you just how important this technology is going to be this year and the years ahead. We spend hundreds of hours a year keeping our plants alive and this system will dramatically reduce this – meaning we can produce more food and deliver more free community services/events” – Sam Payne, Director

More about Manchester Urban Diggers

Through growing, cooking and eating food, Manchester Urban Diggers improves the environment and personal wellbeing, and strengthens local communities.

Platt Fields Market Garden is also the home of MUD Kitchen where they operate a café to generate an income to help run the garden. MUD Kitchen also operates its own catering service which is open 7 days a week running seasonal fresh food around the city.

More here

 

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Disability

Woodlarks Camp Site Trust

July 2, 2025By

Disability is no barrier to adventure

Woodlarks Camp Site Trust’s focus on accessibility ensures that disability need not be a barrier to adventure. Anyone, whatever their physical or cognitive ability, can enjoy camping and outdoor activities in their12-acre woodland setting.

The Axis Foundation was delighted to support their application and donated £4,965 so they can purchase another accessible tent.

The tent allows plenty of room for users to have profiling beds (if required), hoist access and plenty of storage space for the essential equipment that comes with so many of their more complex campers. Each tent can accommodate six to eight people at a time, so many more people with disability will benefit from the joys of accessible camping.

That is brilliant news, THANK YOU! You have no idea how grateful we are to you for this grant, it will make an enormous difference to our users” – Nick Richards, Warden

More about Woodlarks

Over the last 25 years, Woodlarks volunteers have developed a facility that will meet the needs and risk assessments of any organisation that co-ordinates holidays or short breaks for people with disabilities. Examples of their adjustments include:

  • hoists at the swimming pool and in changing rooms
  • height-adjustable changing tables and private showers in pool changing rooms
  • accessible showers and toilets
  • height-adjustable tilting bath and nine profiling beds, all accessible by ceiling hoists
  • new accessible food prep and cook house area
  • wheelchair-accessible tarmacked paths
  • tents on wheelchair-accessible timber tent bases

More about their work here

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Community

Creating a real home for Amy

July 2, 2025By

“Shell” house transformed into a safe and comfortable home

Axis’ Customer Experience Manager Joe Marshall made an application to the Axis Foundation on behalf of Amy McGinty as a result of our Ears and Eyes campaign, inviting employees to put forward suggestions/applications for the Trustees’ consideration.

Joe had seen a plea from Amy on Facebook for a sofa. He says: “As luck would have it, I had two sofas sitting in the garage, so I reached out to offer one of them. I hired a van and delivered it to her home, for free.”

Amy had just moved into a Community Housing home – and, when he dropped off the sofa, Joe found that it was a shell: bare walls, no white goods and no carpets. Amy was cooking for her two small children using only a microwave.

“As a parent myself, I was deeply moved by her situation. Despite everything, she’s staying strong and doing her best for her children, who are both happy and healthy, thankfully. But the thought of them living in those conditions, is tearing at my heart,” Joe told our Trustees.

And our Trustees were delighted to help support Joe’s application. The Foundation funded new flooring and a new bed. And our Axis apprentices painted and decorated Amy’s flat too.

Amy said: My experience with Axis has been amazing! Joe and The Axis Foundation have made such a huge difference to my family life and how I feel about my new home.”

Amy explained that before receiving help from the Axis Foundation, she was unsure how she would afford or manage the necessary decorating for her “forever home.” Having recently moved from temporary accommodation, her new place needed a lot of work.

“The Axis Foundation made this happen, and I’m so pleased with the outcome. My new home now truly feels like home – it’s absolutely amazing, compared to a few months ago. My children and I are so happy now!”

“The team involved was amazing; they were so thorough and just did a great job overall. I want to say a huge thank you to Joe for making this happen. Without his involvement, I’d still be living in a shell! And of course, to the Axis Foundation for all their help and support. Without them, my house wouldn’t be a home, and I’m loving being here now. More importantly, my children love it too!”

Joe Marshall said: Having been a part of Axis for the past two years, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing first-hand the profound impact of the Axis Foundation’s initiatives within local communities. The Foundation not only extended crucial support for Amy’s cause, but also meticulously coordinated inspections and the subsequent restorative work, transforming Amy’s previously dilapidated residence into a comfortable and secure home for her and her children. It is genuinely a source of immense pride and satisfaction to be associated with an organisation that demonstrates such genuine commitment to the well-being of its local communities.”

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Disability

New Accessible Garden for Connor

July 2, 2025By

With our help, Connor can now access and enjoy his garden in his wheelchair

Michaela Palmer works for Axis as our Fleet Administrator. Her son Connor has cerebral palsy and could not access his garden in his wheelchair as it was not flat enough.

She applied to the Foundation after our Ears and Eyes campaign invited employees to put forward suggestions/applications for the Trustees’ consideration. And our Trustees were delighted to fund new paving in the garden. Axis’subcontractor M&R conducted the works, laying new paving and making the garden accessible to Connor.

Michaela said:“You have no idea how much difference this has made to my son. I honestly cannot thank you enough. No words can explain the difference this has already made to Connor!!! This has completely lifted his mindset so, so much. I am really hoping this is the start of his recovery.

“Being able to hang his laundered clothes on the washing line is a huge difference for him. Something he could not access before. He is already using the garden every day: he takes his morning coffee outside and sits in the sun with the dog (Dutch). They are both loving the garden. And it has already made a significant change to Connor’s mindset and mental health.

“The finished garden enables Connor to be more independent, which is what he has always wanted. He hates having to rely on someone to help him. But it also means it will free up some of my time as I won’t have to go and do the jobs that he could not manage to do.

“We have now painted the fences, added some solar lights, a BBQ, garden furniture and a sail shade for Dutch.

“As I said before I cannot put into words how extremely grateful, we both are to the Axis Foundation. When I got the email to say my application had been accepted, I cried!!!! It just was a huge weight lifted!”

Connor told us: “I’m so grateful to be able to use my garden now, it’s made such a difference having a flat surface.It was really depressing not being able to go out there and now I can use it and enjoy the sun when it shines. My dog Dutch used to dig holes, and it was hard to pick up his waste as I couldn’t reach with my wheelchair so it got overwhelming to a point where I just had to leave it there. Now I can pick it up so much easier. And when it rains his paws don’t get muddy: in the past I had to wipe his paws before he came back into the house after it had rained as they were full of mud.

“It’s already made a huge difference to my lifestyle and I can enjoy sitting out here and I can even put my laundry up to dry without anyone’s help. My wheelchair can get to every spot in the garden now so easily so I’m excited for summer time to enjoy it fully.

“The Axis and M&R  team were great, they were so professional with everything and it was nice to have them here.”

Mick Hayes, Axis Foundation Trustee said: “When we received Michaela’s application through our Ears and Eyes campaign, we were very moved by Connor’s plight and were delighted to assist with funding to creating a pathway in his garden so that he can get out and enjoy life outside with his dog Dutch. As you can see, the impact on Connor’s life is profound and immediate – a truly great example of how our Foundation can change a life.”

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Community

Mama2Mama Baby Essentials

July 2, 2025By

Bringing practical support to families in crisis

Mama2Mama is a baby bank supporting families in crisis in Woolwich, south east London.

They collect pre-loved donations from their community—including clothing, baby equipment, and hygiene products—and redistribute them to families referred by health visitors, social workers and other professionals.

The Trustees of the Axis Foundation were delighted to support their work with a donation of £2,500 which will purchase essential items to provide immediate relief to families in crisis, ensuring that their children’s basic needs are met. These include:

  • Formula milk supplies
  • Nappies and wipes
  • New baby cot mattresses
  • Breast pumps and milk bottles
  • Warm blankets and essential winter clothing for babies and toddlers

“We are absolutely thrilled and deeply appreciative of the Axis Foundation’s decision to award Mama2Mama a grant of £2,500. This generous financial support will make a significant difference in helping us grow and strengthen the vital support we provide to families in need. We are committed to using these funds wisely and ensuring they have a lasting impact on our community” –  Zuzana Fratrikova, CEO/Founder

More about Mama2Mama Baby Essentials

Through partnerships with health visitors, children’s centres, refuges, and social services across Greenwich, Mama2Mama Baby Essentials makes sure that help reaches those who need it most: single-parent families on tight budgets, mothers fleeing domestic violence, and working parents increasingly caught between rising costs and stagnant wages.

At their welcoming community café, families can discreetly access essentials like nappies, formula, and toiletries, while also connecting with others in a supportive environment.

More here 

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Community

Rugby for Good / The Mizen Foundation

July 2, 2025By

Creating a safer world with young people

The Mizen Foundation, established in memory of Jimmy Mizen, who tragically lost his life to violence in 2008, works to promote Forgiveness, Peace & Hope among young people.

The Trustees of the Axis Foundation have long supported the Mizen Foundation’s charitable work through For Jimmy, contributing a total of £20,000 to initiatives including Safe Havens and Young Citizens.

In 2018, we shared a memorable milestone when the Foundation’s £5,000 donation to For Jimmy marked the Axis Foundation’s £1 million total in charitable giving.

Now, in 2025, we are proud one again support the Mizen Foundation by donating £5,000 to their Rugby for Good initiative.

Rugby for Good tournaments are powerful and positive platforms for under-18s to come together, connect through sport, and build life skills rooted in teamwork, discipline, and community spirit. The tournaments are held primarily at Sidcup RFC, with additional matches across Bromley, Gravesend, and Lewisham/Greenwich, benefiting around 250–300 young people each year.

Thanking the Axis Foundation Barry Mizen, father of Jimmy Mizen and co-founder of the Foundation, said: “We are deeply grateful to the Axis Foundation for their continued belief in our work and their generosity in funding this year’s Rugby for Good tournaments. This support means we can cover the essential costs, ensuring the events are safe, inclusive, and inspiring for every young person who takes part. These tournaments are about so much more than rugby, they’re about resilience, connection, and creating spaces where young people feel valued and supported. With Axis Foundation’s help, we can continue to make a lasting difference in our communities.”

The Axis Foundation’s donation will support:

  • Venue hire
  • Food and refreshments for participants
  • Trophies and medals
  • First aid and physiotherapy support
  • Event signage and banners
  • Match balls

There’s more about the Mizen Foundation here 

 

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Care

Better life for Reuben

July 2, 2025By

Specialist equipment creates a better life for little Reuben and his family

Axis’ Lorrae Mannering suggested to our Trustees that the Axis Foundation might support Reuben Whitehead and his family. Little Reuben, now six years old, has cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism and is likely to need a liver transplant. He has had over 66 operations in his short life. He is nil by mouth and so needs total parental nutrition (TPN) for feeding and hydration which restricts him to his cot 16 hours per day.

Reuben has been in the care of our charity partner Demelza – he and his family live near their premises in Sittingbourne, Kent, where Axis also works and has offices.

After seeing Lorrae’s application, the Trustees of the Axis Foundation were unanimous in their support and have agreed to donate £5,575 to purchase some specialist equipment to help Reuben and his family.

This includes a height-adjustable bath, sensory toys, an air purifier and a steam cleaner as well as a special jogger pushchair.

Reuben’s father told us what a difference these will make to their lives:

“We would like to thank Lorrae for putting us forward, and the Axis Foundation for their amazing donation to help our boy Reuben. It’s gone towards buying him a new jogger push chair which has helped in giving us the freedom of getting him out and about without having to use his heavy bulky wheelchair, also a roof box for our car so that we can travel easier with all his medical equipment.

“The main thing that it’s going to help buy is a special height-adjustable bath that is literally going to change our lives in helping caring for him at home and also a steam cleaner to help keep his room sterile and an air purifier to keep him as well as we can at home.

“We can’t thank everyone enough at the Axis Foundation for these items, they really have made a difference already” – Allan and Janine, Reuben’s parents

Lorrae said: “I’m so grateful that we have the Axis Foundation available to consider causes and individuals like Reuben. He is a remarkable little warrior.
It’s difficult to comprehend what their family have to deal with on a daily basis. Just to pass on their story in the hopes that the Foundation could help was the least I could do and I’m so thankful that they agreed.”

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Disability

Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association

March 12, 2025By

Improving lives and outcomes for people with Down Syndrome through music

Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association is committed to improving lives, opportunities and outcomes for people with Down Syndrome.

The Trustees of the Axis Foundation agreed to a donation of £3592.95 to fund the purchase of musical equipment to support their Music Man Project.

Music Man Project offers specialised musical education and performance opportunities specifically tailored for individuals with Down syndrome and other learning disabilities. It culminates in a televised performance at the Royal Albert Hall.

“This is wonderful news. Thank you for this generous grant which will enable us to purchase our very own instruments, making logistics much easier for the group and increasing our sense of ownership over the project.

“We will now be much better equipped to deliver our music sessions, giving the whole group more autonomy and confidence over what we do.

“Please pass our thanks on to Axis Team for their support for our project which will enable us to continue with our commitment to make music sessions and performance opportunities accessible to people with a learning disability” – Rachael Ross MBE, Chair

More about Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association

Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association ASSOCIATION provides friendship, information and a wide range of some of the UK’s best specialist educational services and social opportunities for children and young adults with Down syndrome.

Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association gained Freedom of the City of Portsmouth for their ‘outstanding social contribution to our community’ whilst Chair Rachael Ross was awarded an MBE on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to education and Down syndrome.

There’s more here 

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Disability

Ryan Neuro Therapy Centre

March 12, 2025By

Two Mercado Real 9000 chairs help people with MS and Parkinson’s

The Ryan Neuro Therapy Centre provides tailored physiotherapy-led exercise classes helping people with neurological conditions such as MS and Parkinson’s, and stroke survivors, be active and lead independent lives.

The Trustees of the Axis Foundation were delighted to donate £7,222 to enable the Surrey-based charity to purchase two Mercado Real 9000 chairs.

The Mercado Real 9000 electric chairs are fully adjustable, with ergonomic back and armrests, and are proven to help members with neurological conditions take part in exercises that will help with their co-ordination, core-strength and flexibility.

Thanking the Foundation, Bonnita Apperley, Trusts and Grants Fundraiser, said: “As a result of your donation, more members will be able to take part in our full range of classes, to help them keep active, so that they can keep as well as can be whilst they manage their symptoms and disability. Thank you.”

More about The Ryan Neuro Therapy Centre

The Ryan Neuro Therapy Centre currently has 108 active members, and this number is growing by between two and three people a week.

They offer their members a wide variety of activity classes in their bespoke neuro gym, as well as valuable social time, in a supportive and caring environment which helps them to make friends, connect with others, and feel positive, whilst managing their lifelong condition.

There’s more here

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disadvantaged

Offshoot Foundation

March 12, 2025By

Film making helps young people develop life skills

The Offshoot Foundation uses film making to help disadvantaged young people develop life skills, raise their aspirations and reach their full potential. The young people they work with are often facing multiple barriers including poor mental health, additional needs including autism and ADHD, school refusal, caring responsibilities and living in areas of high deprivation.

The Axis Foundation was delighted to support Offshoot with an award of £5,396 to enable them to purchase 4 iMacs. These provide an all-in-one computer with screen which is perfect for young people to use for their film making. Purchasing them means that more young people can reap the benefits that Offshoot provides.

“Thank you all for your wonderful donation to our charity. These iMacs will be able to help the many children we work with across East Anglia and London and, with our charity becoming bigger and more successful each year, it will mean they will be able to be used by even more young people as we grow.

“When I took these new iMacs to the Newmarket workshop and explained how we got them, the students could not believe that an organisation would do that for them, You could really see them feel that someone believes in them to make such a generous gesture and many of them  said thank you. They were in awe of the gesture.

“I look forward to sharing the Macs across our three Christmas workshops and spreading the news about Axis Generosity.  Thank you from Offshoot and all its young people” – Paul Press, CEO

Here’s what one young film-maker said about their experience at Offshoot:

“It really helped improve my confidence and possibly give me some ideas for future interests such as jobs, college, GCSE choices. It really developed my social skills, and I made new friends.”

More here

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