Community

Bexhill Men’s Shed

Sharing skills and friendship

Bexhill Men’s Shed provides a space to combat loneliness and isolation. Here men (and women) can access tools, workbenches, skills and opportunities to make and mend in the company of others. Whilst using their practical skills and learning new ones, they make new friends.

The Axis Foundation was pleased to donate £2,000 to Bexhill Men’s Shed to ensure they remain self-sustaining, available and accessible to all.

“How delighted we are at Bexhill Men’s Shed to have been awarded this grant from Axis Foundation. We are grateful that you are helping us in this way. The money donated will certainly go towards ensuring that we are able to become self-sustaining by the end of this year, which is our aim” – Derek Merkl, Chairman/Trustee

More about Bexhill Men’s Shed

Bexhill Men’s Shed provides a workshop space where men (and women) in Bexhill can use and share their practical skills and life experiences to support each other, working side by side and producing and repairing items.The service users here have made Infant School Play equipment, garden benches/tables, Hedgehog houses and many other items to raise funds to remain self-sustaining.

There are 1,000 Men’s Sheds in the United Kingdom. They aim to help alleviate the high rates of suicide, depression, and loneliness amongst elder men.

There’s more here

READ MORE
group of young children reading booksCommunity

Wimbledon Bookfest

Giving 2,000 children a free book to take home

Schoolchildren attending Wimbledon Bookfest World Book Day events in March 2024 can go home with a free book, thanks to the Axis Foundation’s donation of £10,000.

“Developing a love of reading for pleasure is incredibly important and has a lifelong impact on a child’s prospects. Children who attend BookFest events and go home with own copy of the book leave feeling inspired and excited about literature. We are incredibly grateful to the Axis Foundation for their generous donation; helping us to inspire and encourage the next generation of readers” – Fiona Razvi, Festival Director

As one teacher said: “The best part is children getting a copy of the book with each ticket; the next few weeks at school ALL children in the same class are reading the same book which leads to some great book talk and discussion and encourages their love and enthusiasm for reading” – Holy Trinity C of E Primary School

“The Axis Foundation is delighted to support Wimbledon Bookfest. We supported Bookfest because we believe that encouraging young people to read – for both pleasure and education – is vitally important. Giving every child who attends the World Book Day events is a real pleasure for us and we hope through our donation to help Bookfest inspire the next generation of readers” – Michael Hayes, Trustee of the Axis Foundation

More about Wimbledon BookFest

Wimbledon BookFest is a not-for-profit arts and education charity which runs a year round programme of events aimed at supporting literacy in schools and fostering the next generation of readers. Events for schoolchildren and young people include World Book Day events with children’s authors, an Introduction to University day for older students, the Wimbledon BookFest Young Writers Competition, and a series of school events during its annual ten day autumn Festival.  Last year over 13,000 schoolchildren attended BookFest events.  Find out more here

READ MORE
Group of people holding bags at St AmbroseCommunity

St Ambrose Barlow Church

Providing warmth and comfort

The Café at St Ambrose Barlow Church provides a safe and warm space for local people. Here they can enjoy complimentary meals and refreshment, a sense of community and belonging, as well as crafts and activities.

The Axis Foundation donated £1,000 so that Saint Ambrose Barlow Church could purchase 60 Warm Packs to keep their guests keep warm this winter (2023).

“The grant from the Axis Foundation has allowed us to provide 60 warm packs in the space of two weeks to all in our community who asked for one. From young families, to people who lived on their own and the elderly, everyone went home thrilled with their bag of goodies – a cosy warm blanket, a hot water bottle, a travel cup, a hat, scarf and gloves so they would be warm in and outside of the home!” – Hayley Haughton, Community Engagement and Support Worker

“I was thrilled to get my warm pack, I am going to use the hot water bottle and travel cup together so i only boil the kettle once to save money and energy and then snuggle down in my blanket with my knitting!” – Recipient

More about the café at St Ambrose Barlow Church

The community café at St Ambrose Barlow Church is a lifeline for some people who have fallen through the cracks of the social welfare system; are struggling with the cost of living crisis or who are seeking a safe space to meet others and combat isolation. Located in the Parish Hall, the Community Café aims to reduce the impact of poverty and to help their guests maximise their income. They provide complimentary meals, activities and signposting for additional support to over 50 people a week and also recently distributed warm packs to 30 families.

There’s more here

READ MORE
man on red seats with Axis Foundatin branding Charlton AthletixCommunity

Charlton Athletic and the Axis Foundation

Helping partially-sighted Charlton fans enjoy the action!

The Axis Foundation recently donated £3,500 to the Charlton Athletic Supporters Trust to enable partially-sighted supporters to receive live commentaries at The Valley and thus fully immerse themselves in the action on the pitch.

The donation will help towards replacing old equipment so that partially-sighted fans can pick up a headset and receiver from reception and – from anywhere in the stadium – listen to the animated commentary by Rob Shaw (who pioneered the ground-breaking idea over 20 years ago), Harry Low, Jamie Whitehead and Dave Lockwood. They can capture and share the excitement of every moment!

The Axis Foundation has supported Charlton Athletic for many years now, most recently sponsoring Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT)’s 30th Anniversary Golf Day which raised over £13,000 to help support their work raising educational achievement, creating pathways to employment, building healthier lifestyles, bringing communities together and reducing crime.

Charlton close to our hearts

Indeed, Charlton is close to our hearts here at the Axis Foundation. The Chairman of our Trustees, Peter Varney, joined CAFC as managing director in 1997 – a dream job for Peter, who is, like his father, from boyhood, a proud supporter of the Addicks. Peter was promoted to the position of Charlton’s Chief Executive a year later. And Alan Curbishley, who famously managed Charlton 1991 to 2006, became patron of the Axis Foundation in 2014.

Our winning team of Alan and Peter saw the club through many successful years. And together they work tirelessly as volunteers for our Foundation whose primary aim is to support small, local and impactful causes. We are grateful to them both.

The Axis Foundation is very proud of our partnership with Charlton – and fans will be familiar with our branding at the Valley. In fact it is hard to miss!

Our photo shows our CEO and Axis Foundation Trustee John Hayes at the Valley.

READ MORE
Community

Rebuilding Lives

Axis employee applies to helps family rebuild their life after tragedy

Axis Resident Liaison Officer Sandra Chipato applied to the Axis Foundation on behalf of a family who lost their son/brother in a house fire in March 2023.

The family also lost all their belongings. So, Sandra asked the family what they needed most – a mattress, a bed and a tv – and asked the Foundation to help them. So the Trustees of the Foundation arranged to purchase these goods and deliver them to the family in their new home provided by their local council.

Thanking the Foundation Sandra said: “I was neighbours with this family for six years: our children were friends. It was heart-breaking to hear what had happened to them. I felt so helpless as I was not able to help.

However, I remembered our Axis Foundation! So I reached out to the Foundation team who were very supportive and helpful: they advised me to fill out the form and they would pick it up from there. I was so glad when I received the call that the application had been approved and that we can help the family. I called the father to tell him the good news. He broke down in tears, that’s how much this meant to him.

“I am so proud to work for an organisation that not only build people’s homes, but they transform lives.”

The father said: “I just want to thank the Axis Foundation for the help they have given to me and my family: the past few months have been really challenging. We are trying to rebuild our lives as well as mourn the loss of our oldest child. My wife is still in hospital, so I have not been able to work. And because I am self employed if I do not work, I don’t get paid. When Sandra first told me that there is a chance your company could help, I was hopeful but at the same time was prepared for the worst.

“I had been sleeping on the floor with my daughter for weeks and it was a relief when I heard the application was approved and we could get some help.

“Thank you so much for your help and reminding us that all is not lost. Yes, we lost all our belongings and our son but your generosity has given hope and the strength to carry on. Words cannot express how grateful we are.”

READ MORE
Community

Hands of Hope

Equipping children to learn hands-on about the the natural environment

Through a number of schemes and activities including biodiversity and food growing programmes, Hands of Hope tackles food poverty, rural isolation and loneliness in Rother, Hastings and West Kent.

The charity told the Axis Foundation: “Many children who engage in our activities arrive on site ill-equipped. We are seeking funding to purchase 20 sets of children’s waterproofs as well as 10 children’s bee suits.”

And so, our Trustees were delighted to donate £1,000 to purchase both waterproofs and bee suits.

“As many schools prepare for a new addition to the national curriculum with the launch of Natural History GCSE in 2025, Hands of Hope are already leading the way in climate and sustainability education with a wide range of activities that offer children and young people hands-on, practical learning about the natural world around them so they can have a greater connection with the natural environment and in turn, play their part in making sure future generations can enjoy a cleaner, safer, greener world.

“The donation from the Axis Foundation is fundamental to supporting these activities and ensuring that the children are equipped for an enjoyable, safe, and educational experience” –  Mandy Doran, Trustee

More about Hands of Hope

Supporting local communities throughout Rother, Hastings and West Kent, Hands of Hope creates positive social connections within diverse groups whilst tackling mental health, isolation, and food-related issues. Since 2020 the number of people engaged in activities at Hope Farm Community Garden has increased with over 300 adults and children benefiting from onsite activities during 2022 as well as 1000s engaged via their Get Growing project regionally. Hands of Hope are restoring and developing a neglected walled kitchen garden and 22 acres of AONB land, creating “Hope Farm Community Garden”, a Soil Association Accredited community garden containing 2 large market gardens, a small heritage orchard with Apiary, a Gill Woodland, 7 ponds and 2 large wildflower meadows. In June 2022 the charity was awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Hands of Hope delivers the following practical projects: Helping Hands Lunch Clubs; Men in Sheds; traditional bricklaying training; Bee in Company biodiversity programme; Growing Buddies community gardening; Living History including  Rural Crafts, environmental heritage, conservation skills and market gardening; and Get Growing delivering fresh, in-season produce to local food banks.

There’s more about their work here 

READ MORE
Community

Beyond The Wall 

Our donation increases accessibility in community gardens

Beyond The Wall is a two-acre walled garden in Suffolk for people with additional needs ranging from physical or learning disabilities to mental health conditions or low self-esteem.

The Axis Foundation donated £5,000 to help Beyond the Wall to enable the charity to grow and develop their kitchen garden, providing accessible paths, raised beds and a communal sun shade area.

“The clients and staff at Beyond The Wall are absolutely thrilled to have received a grant from the Axis Foundation. The grant will help us achieve so much in the coming months, which will benefit all of our current clients as well as future proof the garden for future clients. Without this grant, we would not be able to achieve so many of our plans to make the garden more inclusive and accessible for all of our users” – Rozelle Bettesworth, Centre Manager

The raised beds will enable more clients to access the garden independently and with greater ease. The kitchen garden provides Beyond The Wall’s clients with the opportunity to grow fruit and vegetable to cook with, take home and share with families and friends and also sell at markets to generate further funds for the charity.

There’s more about Beyond the Wall here

READ MORE
Community

Onward Homes

Supporting Onward Homes’ important learning and leisure site for local community.

The Axis Foundation is donating £3,540 to purchase Bee habitats and planters and other pollinator friendly items.

We’re really excited to see the difference that this new community space will make to the lives of our residents on North Hill Street. And we are delighted to have the support of the Axis Foundation with this project. Urban green spaces are so important in boosting health and wellbeing. The items donated by Axis will help bring nature nearer to our customers, whilst supporting pollinators in the process” – Sajida Kerbalai-Blackburn, Social Investment Specialist

More about the project

Onward Homes is creating this new community space from derelict space in direct response to resident feedback and research.  And, as well as building a stronger community the new space will help improve mental health and wellbeing, particularly of those who are isolated or lonely. Residents with no outdoor space will be able to enjoy the planted area. And there will also be educational benefits for community groups and local schools. Onward estimates about 1,000 local people will enjoy the new space.

More about Onward Homes and Axis

Onward Homes is a leading provider of 35000+ homes in the North West. The Axis Foundation’s parent company, Axis, is Onward’s Repairs Contractor. The Axis Foundation was therefore delighted to support this application.

There’s more about Onward Homes here

More about Axis’ work with Onward Homes here

READ MORE
People with balloons at Hutton Community CentreCommunity

Hutton Community Centre

Combating loneliness in Brentwood

Hutton Community Centre is an important community hub in Brentwood, working primarily to combat loneliness. Our parent company, Axis Europe, works in Brentwood keeping local residents’ homes safe and comfortable. And so we were keen to support their application.

So, through our partnership with Travis Perkins, the Axis Foundation contributed  £3,020 to the centre’s kitchen refurbishment. Specifically, the donation bought a new commercial catering oven and extractor hood.

“I would like to thank the Axis Foundation for their donation and support towards the cafe’s refurbishment. The oven and canopy will make a huge difference to the services that we can now offer the local community and those visiting the area.

“All the feedback we have had during the COVID-19-enforced shutdown of the Centre from the people who would have normally used it has reinforced to us the importance of the HCC in combating loneliness and isolation in the local community” –  Stella Miles, Cafe Supervisor

Our donation

The refurbishment enables the low-cost café to offer a wider range of meals, provide hot meals during the school holidays for children who would normally have free school dinners and host a senior lunch club. The centre has extended the café opening hours too.

Hutton Community Centre

HCC is run by volunteers. Activities include 50+ Club, Community Bingo, Dementia Carer’s support, dance classes, baby and toddler groups, martial arts, board games and Camp Epic for youth activities.

There’s more here about Hutton Community Centre here

 

READ MORE
men on building site community centre Dads LaneCommunity

Dads Lane Community Association

Donation refurbishes local centre helping to build community spirit

Dads Lane Community Association founded a vital community centre in Stirchley, Birmingham. And the Axis Foundation donated £5,000 to help refurbish the café/kitchen here. The café/kitchen will provide refreshments and community meals as well as space for knit and natter, parenting and mental health groups.

 “We are over the moon to receive this generous grant from the Axis Foundation. It will make a huge difference in the refurbishment of this important local community centre.

”This area has few local facilities, activities, or general spaces for the local community. It lacks the amenities that usually cultivate community spirit and unity. There are pockets of real deprivation, disadvantage and isolation here.  And so people lack opportunities to address their issues” –  Steve Squires, Chair of Trustees

More about the works

The plans at Dads Lane include creating a community garden with raised beds. There will be training spaces for employability and volunteering programmes as well as the café/kitchen. The centre will be fully accessible inside and out.

Axis in the Midlands

Our parent company Axis Europe works for many of the Midlands’ major social housing landlords from our local offices in Oldbury. In accordance with our Core Value 6 – A community we contribute to will welcome and value us – and in addition to Axis’ regular CI activities throughout the Midlands, the Foundation was very pleased to support Dads Lane Community Association. The Axis Foundation is proud to say we are ‘at the heart of the community’.

You can read more about Dads Lane Community Association here 

READ MORE