Students sitting at tables studying to become Mental Health AmbassadorsCommunity

Student Life

September 9, 2020By

Foundation supports Mental Health Ambassador project

Student Life, based in Ipswich, supports the government’s initiative to transform the way that mental health problems are dealt with in our society. They place an emphasis on early intervention for children and young people. The charity also aims to normalise speaking up about mental health and reducing stigma and media stereotypes.

The Axis Foundation’s donation of £4,715 will fund one young person to be trained as a Mental Health First Aid England Instructor. They will deliver Youth Mental Health First Aid and other mental health awareness training courses to students to allow them to become Mental Health Ambassadors, creating a unique peer-to-peer support network.

Young people from school year 10+ will benefit from having access to at least one peer who will offer support and guidance through 1-2-1 discussion, through spotting early warning signs of mental health issues and signposting to additional, third party support.

“We are exceptionally proud of our Mental Health Ambassador project and the unique nature of the work that we carry out in education settings across 3 counties.  Part of the uniqueness is that our own young people – not long out of education themselves – are placed on accredited training through Mental Health First Aid England and having graduated, are training other young people in a very relevant and relatable way. This would not be possible without the support of organisations like the Axis Foundation: and our Trustees, our young team and I are so very grateful for this amazing support” – Richard Stewart, Chief Executive at Student Life

More about Student Life

Student Life works with young people in high schools, sixth forms, colleges and universities providing support and activities to develop their skills, capacities and capabilities, and supporting their mental health as they go through education into employment. This work is currently carried out in over 60 settings in Suffolk, Norfolk and Kent, with plans to extend into 2 additional counties from January 2021.

And there’s more here

READ MORE
Kennet Furniture, man in high vis jacket in store room of furniture and white goodsCommunity

Kennett Furniture Refurbiz

September 8, 2020By

Aid for Families in Crisis

We might take them for granted, but white goods such as cookers, washing machines, and fridges are vital to families in crisis, where abuse and relationship breakdown may be factors, where a single parent is often caring for troubled children. White goods help such families live hygienically and eat healthy, home-cooked food. 

The Axis Foundation’s donation of £2,000 will contribute to Kennett Furniture Refurbiz‘s (KFR) Families in Crisis Project Fund whereby KFR will supply and install – free of charge to qualifying families  – essential large white goods which have been refurbished at their premises in Devizes.

KFR estimates that their Families in Crisis project will help 450+ people per/annum.

“Our charity would like to offer our sincere thanks to the Axis Foundation for the amazing donation towards our Families in Crisis project. Since reopening on the 1st of June, following the easing of  COVID-19 restrictions, our Crisis fund has provided 59 items of white goods to struggling families and individuals free of charge. According to the “Reuse Network’s impact calculator”, the cost of buying these items new, would have totalled nearly £9,000 and in doing so we have generated a 1718kg saving in C02 by refurbishing these items. We not only help families to survive, we also help the planet!”– Daniel Thompson, Operation Manager

More about KFR

Kennett Furniture Refurbiz (KFR) visits over 3,000 homes each year collecting and refurbishing furniture and white goods for re-sale to households with limited income in Wiltshire.

Environment protection 

Each year KFR also prevents over 150 tonnes of items of pre-owned furniture and white goods being sent to landfill by refurbishing them and finding them new homes.

Training and employment 

KFR also offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities and trains volunteers to become accredited white goods repair technicians, meaningful qualifications for employment.

There’s more about them here

READ MORE
Two women at Rohan Gardens care home with gardening equipmentCommunity

Rohan Gardens Support Group

December 9, 2019By

We preserve and maintain gardens at Care Home

The Axis Foundation has contributed £1000 to the Rohan Gardens Support Group. The group preserves, maintains and improves the outdoor areas at Rohan Gardens Care Home in Warwick. The donation will also help put on events, like barbecues and tea parties. Because of their work on the garden, more residents will be drawn in to enjoy the fresh air and engage with the community.

The team at Rohan Gardens has been building on the work of a small group of residents led by Sylvia Avery. Sylvia said, “I first came to Rohan Gardens over 6 years ago and my apartment overlooks the main community garden. Looking out I was less than inspired by the bland, no colour vista. So I decided to do something about it.”

Since then, the group has volunteered their own time and money to grow a relaxing space for residents. They have improved the garden by introducing a summerhouse, water feature, gazebo and garden furniture. The group won a gold medal in the Community Gardens category at the Warwick in Bloom horticultural awards 2018/2019.

Secretary of the group, Gary Hawkins said: “Over the past two years we have worked hard to establish the garden as a place for residents to relax in and enjoy the outdoor space. We are investing the money in equipment, topsoil, future planting and other related items. We would not have been able to do so without help from the Axis Foundation.”

The garden is an environment that provides sanctuary for 70 residents living at the care home. It’s a safe outdoor space where people can walk around as well as sit and interact with others. All of this means a higher quality of life for residents making the care home a much brighter place to live.

READ MORE
People bee-keeping at bee urban charityCommunity

Bee Urban

August 16, 2019By

Improving facilities at a London bee-keeping social enterprise

Bee Urban is a honeybee-centric social enterprise promoting ecologically-sound practice around urban greening, building, farming and particularly bee-keeping.

It’s not just about bees however! Over 4,000 people a year visit the site in Kennington. At Bee Urban they work with disadvantaged, vulnerable people including those with mental health needs and learning difficulties. Local pupils learn about the environment, regeneration and wildlife in curriculum-relevant workshops and Volunteers are always welcome.

The Axis Foundation’s donation of £5,000 will contribute to making important improvements at the premises of this valuable local resource. These include: creating more planting space – to support the honey bees and to increase local biodiversity; improving the hardstanding to make the site safer and more accessible – particularly for those with mobility issues – and supporting a new aquaponics system.

“The funds from Axis Europe will help us to improve the accessibility of our garden space, enhancing the experience for elderly and disabled people who wish to access the grounds. We have wanted to make these improvements for a while but have lacked the resources to do so. The funds will make this possible and will improve everyone’s experience at Bee Urban. Thank You Axis.”
Barnaby Shaw, Bee Urban

The Axis Foundation reached a decade of donations this year. Read more about our 10th Birthday here and share the good news #10YrsGiving

READ MORE
Children in Scout Group walking down a pathCommunity

First Halesworth Scout Group

July 27, 2019By

Refurbishing Scout Hall for young Scouts

The 70 members of the Suffolk based First Halesworth Scout Group, children and young people aged 6-25, learn many life skills, an appreciation of nature and respect for the world around them.

The Axis Foundation donated £5,000 to help refurbish their Scout Hall. The improvements include replacing the corrugated flat roof – as the kitchen, toilet and kitchen areas are greatly damaged by leaks – fully refurbishing the toilet and cloakroom facilities and replacing rotting flooring.

“The refurbishment to our scout hut will benefit both existing members and future members, greatly improving the time spent in the HQ by members and leaders… The improvements may also enable us to let the hall to other organizations which would give us a small income” – Nigel Busby, Project Manager at First Halesworth Scout Group

More About First Halesworth Scout Group

First Halesworth Scout Group engages in activities including climbing, camping, first aid, Duke of Edinburgh’s awards, archery and air rifle shooting, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, hill walking, international travel, to name but a few. The Scout Group has 70 members in total, all of whom are young people from Halesworth and the surrounding villages.

Seventeen leaders and helpers lead and support the group and all its community activities – they are all volunteers. Some of the current leaders were members of the Scout Group when they were young.

In other news, the Axis Foundation is celebrating its 10th Birthday of donations this year. Share the good news #10YrsGiving

 

READ MORE
Three people in front of Alcohol and Drug Detoxification Centre with new accessible bathroomCommunity

Equinox Care

July 26, 2019By

Accessible bathroom at drug and alcohol detox centre

Open 24/7, 365 days a year Equinox at Brook Drive provides medically supervised alcohol and drug detoxification programmes for people aged 18+. Many service users have other needs including mental and physical health needs and challenging life circumstances.

Through Axis’ cyclical decorations contract with our client L&Q, Catherine Weedon, Client Liaison Manager at Axis, visited Equinox. She explains: “During my meeting and walk around with Mark Masterson, Equinox Manager, I found out that their bathroom was in need of some TLC: it was not really fit for purpose. I realised the magnitude of help the Equinox drug and alcohol detoxification centre provided. And I saw – by helping – we could give something back and would be exercising all our Axis core values.”

Catherine therefore alerted the Axis Foundation to the needs of the centre: the Foundation provided funds of £5,600 and Axis people volunteered to refurbish the bathroom at Equinox, turning it into a wet room with new tiling and new flooring and also installing a new shower, sink and toilet – all within two weeks!

“When Cathy magically secured funding I was gobsmacked! Accessibility is very important to us. Now we have an accessible bathroom and toilet for all our residents and service users” – Mark Masterson, Equinox Manager

“We’ve worked with Axis for six years now, and during that time they’ve regularly been involved with the CSR projects in our areas. Their involvement here and over the years has been fantastic” – Carolle Downer, Planned Projects Manager at L&Q Group

 

 

READ MORE
Performance at Aldridge Youth TheatreCommunity

Aldridge Youth Theatre

November 1, 2018By

Safe stage for Youth Theatre Group

Aldridge Youth Theatre is a community centre in Walsall that gives local youngsters the chance to express themselves through acting. The registered charity, founded in 1975, provides support to 80 people between 10 and 18 years old, providing them with a creative environment in which to build life skills, confidence and team spirit.

The Axis Foundation’s donation of £2,000 to the theatre will pay for a new Smoke Extractor Fan. This will provide assurance to the community that the building and those inside it will be safe in the event of a fire. This will make the youth theatre health and safety compliant, so that local children can continue to grow, learn and build lasting friendships in a risk-free environment.

More About Aldridge Youth Theatre

The theatre is the cultural hub of the community, putting on regular plays, weekly rehearsals and live gigs, amongst a range of other community activities. For youngsters, it is a great place to meet like minded people and feel like part of the community. They pride themselves on their inclusive environment, which is like an open family to the people of Aldridge. The youth theatre is particularly beneficial to children from disadvantaged backgrounds, as it gives them the opportunity to build on their self-belief and motivation in an environment where they are free use their imagination without fear of judgement.

READ MORE
Youths wearing For Jimmy T-shirts - a charity who safer spaces and communities in South East London.Community

For Jimmy

June 22, 2018By

Creating safer spaces and communities

The Axis Foundation and For Jimmy have consolidated long and special relationship working together in memory of Jimmy Mizen. For Jimmy was founded by the family of Jimmy Mizen, a 16-year old Lewisham boy who was murdered here in 2008 by a fellow young person. Jimmy’s parents, Barry and Margaret, are determined to create a living legacy of forgiveness, peace and hope, helping build safer spaces and communities for everyone – and especially for young people.

We are so grateful to the Axis Foundation for their support and generosity. I promised my son the day he died I would never stop working on his behalf, and I would never forget him. Of course we never have. The support of the Axis Foundation means For Jimmy can continue to work to build safer spaces and communities” – Margaret Mizen, mother of Jimmy

2018: Our millionth £ goes to to For Jimmy

In 2018, we shared a special moment together when the Foundation reached £1m in total donations: this landmark on our road of giving was passed when the Foundation donated £5,000 to For Jimmy.

“We look forward to a long partnership with the Axis Foundation and would like to congratulate – and thank – them all on reaching their £1 million in donations made to charities and causes like ours” – Barry Mizen, Jimmy’s father.

 “We are delighted that our millionth pound is to be given to For Jimmy, a charity that is so close to our hearts and that has had such a positive influence” – Peter Varney, Chairman of the Axis Foundation Trustees

“I’m delighted to celebrate donating one million pounds to causes and charities like For Jimmy that really make a difference and have an impact in their communities” – Alan Curbishley, Patron of the Axis Foundation

Also in 2018: We fund Young Citizens

The Axis Foundation’s donation in 2018 of £10,000 to For Jimmy developed their Young Citizens Programme. The YCP provides the opportunity for young people to identify, plan and deliver a community project which builds their capabilities and self-confidence as well as adding to their passion of making a positive contribution to society.

“We believe we all have the power to build the types of communities we want to live in. We are grateful to the Axis Foundation for their whole-hearted support. Our new Young Citizens Programme has been made possible by your generosity and will make a difference the lives of many young people” – Barry Mizen, father of Jimmy Mizen

2017: Safe Havens

In 2017 the Axis Foundation gave For Jimmy a donation of £5078 funding Safe Haven’ stickers and For Jimmy t-shirts. Safe Havens (inspiring and equipping children and young people to build safer spaces and communities), Good Hope cafes and Talks for Change in schools are three Flagship Programme areas of focus at For Jimmy.

See our video celebrating our 10th anniversary in 2019 as Margaret Mizen explains how For Jimmy used our donation.

READ MORE
Minibus donated to BARN charity in Redditch for the elderly and disabledCommunity

BARN

June 12, 2018By

Transport for vulnerable and isolated local people

BARN (Bromsgrove and Redditch Network) is a volunteer network in Redditch. Their free-to-ride minibus (BURT) provides mobility for those with dementia, the elderly and disabled – as well as their carers,

This vital service was under threat as BARN’s minibus was old and unreliable. Its constant need for repair was causing cancellations and preventing BARN from expanding the service.

So, the Axis Foundation’s donation of £5,000 will go towards the purchase of a new minibus so that BURT can continue to help vulnerable and isolated people.

“This has made such a huge difference to so many people. BURT is more than just a transportation service for the elderly and disabled.For our users we’re a lifeline, and it is heart-breaking when we have to cancel journeys because our current minibus had broken down again.

“The feedback from the passengers about the new minibus you helped us buy has been really good. The new minibus has been designed to have a lower floor, making it easier for people to get on; the tail lift is smooth and modern, making access that way a safer and more pleasant experience; it is clean and smart, making passenger journeys more comfortable; it has a separate heater in the passenger section just in time for these chilly winter mornings.

“”We really appreciate the contribution you made to purchasing the minibus, and it is already making a difference to our passengers. We can’t thank the Axis Foundation enough for this” – Gary Roskell, CEO

More about BARN

BARN’s transportation service for the elderly and disabled helps people get to dementia clubs, fitness classes for people with disabilities and life-after-stroke sessions. Without the service, many would no longer have the means to visit friends, attend health appointments or even go shopping. (BURT) makes about 6,000 journeys a year providing a lifeline of support.

 

READ MORE
Community Event at Culpeper Community Garden in IslingtonCommunity

Culpeper Community Garden

June 8, 2018By

Local community gardening project is Eden in Islington

Islington’s award-winning Culpeper Community Garden works closely with local organisations who support vulnerable people. Many schools come here to learn about nature. There is a wealth of activities and workshops for adults and thousands of members of the public also visit this haven every year.

The RHS has warmly praised Culpeper, a registered charity, in their London in Bloom competition. “Culpeper is an outstanding example of community gardening in the city… It’s social and therapeutic horticultural at its best.”

“The money from the Axis Foundation, £2,000, will be used for environmental education and gardening sessions with groups and local schools. I am so happy that the Foundation’s grant can further support our projects at Culpeper.

“Culpeper’s a wonderful green community centre in the heart of London where people from every background, advantage and disadvantage can relax and work together in a beautiful green space. I call it a ‘little garden of Eden’. The garden has been a source of pleasure and inspiration to me for over 30 years” – Margaret Pitt, Trustee

More about Culpeper

Culpeper Community Garden is close to several large housing estates in Islington and is run by locals on organic and sustainable principles. It is one of London’s oldest city parks / community gardening in the city projects and land here comprises 46 plots for local residents and groups, communal areas (including a pond, wildlife area, lawn and rose pergola), a community building and a tea hut for members.

Supporting vulnerable people

Culpeper supports the Elfrida Society, the Stuart Low Trust, Room to Heal and Islington Mind. These local organisations help vulnerable people including those with learning difficulties and mental health issues as well as isolated people and asylum seekers. Each organisation has a weekly session at Culpeper and a plot of their own to cultivate.

“This garden is like paradise for us. When I came here, I was very depressed and without hope. It was winter and now for me it’s spring,” – Garden Volunteer

READ MORE