Three little children planting lettucesDonations

The Visionaries 

Creating hands-on outdoor learning space for children

The Visionaries help children, young people and educators to connect with nature. Whilst open to all, they focus on supporting young and marginalised people and those facing challenging transitions. The social enterprise is based at School 360 in Stratford, east London, near to Axis’ head office.

The Axis Foundation agreed to donate £9,500 towards buying raised beds and 50 fruit trees to help with the rewilding of School 360’s outdoor space. The overall scheme will serve as a hands-on, learning space fostering environmental consciousness and creating stronger connections to nature.

“Thank you so much. This will make a huge difference to the project. We are re-imagining the school’s grounds, to enhance the school community’s nature connectedness. This funding will contribute towards the rewilding of the school’s outdoor spaces, creating a dynamic environment that brings people together, improves community well-being, and supports the potential of the students”  – Thanking the Foundation, Max Girardeau, Director

More about The Visionaries Education CIC

The Visionaries is a not-for-profit social enterprise. They partner with schools, universities and other educational institutions to produce transformative nature-based programmes and adapt their learning environments to be more ‘nature connected’.  Through participating in their programmes, youths and adults report discovering a greater sense of purpose and belonging, feeling more hopeful and more equipped to create the future we know we need to live sustainably on the planet.

More here

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Donations

Adult Training Network

Resourcing Digital Learning for disadvantaged people

Adult Training Network (ATN) provides education, training and employability skills to disadvantaged people. Many are referred to the charity by their local Job Centre.

The Axis Foundation donated £2,500 so ATN could purchase an interactive whiteboard to facilitate digital learning at their Training Centre in Southall, west London.

“The interactive whiteboard will be a valuable addition to our digital resources and will supplement and enhance the learning experience of disadvantaged learners” –  Sarjeet Singh Gill, Managing Director

More about ATN

Adult Training Network Limited was founded in 1999 to help the most disadvantaged members of the community access mainstream education. The charity unlocks marginalised learners’ potential for employment and social connection through education, training, employability support and links to job opportunities. They offer a wide range of in-person and online accredited courses as well as vocational qualifications and apprenticeships.

ATN’s BAME, migrant and refugee learners (many of whom have South-Asian backgrounds and/or are from Syria or Ukraine) hail from highly deprived wards and have low English, literacy and numeracy levels.

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Donations

Chance for a Future for Esmay

Chance for education – and a future – for Esmay

Following young Esmay’s diagnoses of autism, dyslexia and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), and her mother’s application to the Axis Foundation, the Trustees agreed to donate £870 to fund a private Occupational Therapy (OT) referral to progress Esmay’s Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) submission.

The long-term impact of our donation will be Esmay’s successful secondary education providing her with options for a future career.

“We literally can’t thank you enough, it is going to make such an impact for us. Without her EHCP in place, moving to further education will be a difficult transition for Esmay and she will struggle whilst waiting for an OT assessment” – Zarah, Esmay’s mother

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Donations

The Rowdown Inspire to Aspire Foundation

Helping youngster achieve her Judo dreams

The Rowdown Inspire to Aspire Foundation supports children from low-income Croydon families to pursue their dreams.

The Axis Foundation donated £1,500 towards kit and training fees for 12-year-old Lizzy, who has recently been promoted to the England Development Squad for Judo.

Thanking the Foundation, Gary Coy, Chair of the Rowdown Trustees, said; “Thank you Axis Foundation for helping Lizzie pursue her ambition. Without our help – and your help – Lizzie’s parents may have had to turn this amazing opportunity down.”

Lizzy’s parents said: “Lizzy’s judo has gone from strength to strength in the last year. This is only made possible because of the sponsorship she receives allowing her to compete across the country and benefit from excellent training by the country’s most talented coaches. We are grateful for all the help you offer in this exciting journey for Lizzy.”

Being part of a national development squad at such a young age will give Lizzy real potential to reach Olympic or Commonwealth standard and represent her country in Judo. And she is already off to a flying start! In February 2023 Lizzy entered the High Wycombe Green belts and under championship, fighting in the under 48kg category (a new weight group for her). She won all of her four fights with maximum points to take Gold. Next up is the English Open where she will be competing as the British Silver Medallist.

 

More about Rowdown

Rowdown supports gifted children in New Addington in Croydon by providing funding for 1-2-1 lessons or club membership, equipment and kit; and also for Masterclasses so that groups of children can further their talents in sport, art, drama and dance. They additionally provide a tuition programme for academically able children and offer grants to parents to help with the costs of uniform, school trips and residual fees.
There’s more here

 

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Donations

UK Reads

Our donation helps break illiteracy cycle and gives children a foundation for success.

UK Reads is the World Literacy Foundation’s (WLF) response to the literacy crisis facing children in the UK. Ultimately, the charity aims to put reading in the heart of the home understanding the power of literacy and the impact it can have on life outcomes.

The Axis  Foundation was delighted to donate £3,330 to UK Reads’ Manchester programme specifically helping provide free books to 500 children; 500 literacy resource packs to engage children and parents; two Story Box workshops for ten families plus Story Box resources including books, props and writing material; and their Pen Pals Project which connects children from classrooms across the UK and sub-Saharan Africa via World Literacy Foundation partner schools.

“On behalf of the team at UK Reads, I would like to thank Axis Foundation for their generous contribution to our programme.  The early years of a child’s life can shape their future; the donation will inspire children and their caregivers to prioritise reading, giving them a foundation for success in their education and beyond.  We are incredibly grateful for Axis Foundation’s willingness to champion our cause and for aiding us to continue to break the illiteracy cycle in Manchester’s most disadvantaged families.” – Naomi Nwagboso,Trust and Foundations Manager

More about UK Reads

Before COVID-19, 380,000 children did not own a single book, and 1 in 5 struggled to read or write.  The most recent survey suggested 413,000 UK children now do not own a book. Since launching in November 2020, UK Reads has supported over 37,000 children living in disadvantaged circumstances with free books, bespoke literacy resources, access to a global Pen Pal Project and exciting ‘Story Box’ workshops that engage the whole family.

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two young people reading togetherDonations

Friends of West Wimbledon Trust

We help design library space for reading and storytelling

Friends of West Wimbledon Trust (FOWW) want to create a new, inclusive, child-friendly library space that will inspire a love of reading and storytelling.

When the Friends applied to the Axis Foundation for help, we were delighted to donate £1,000 to the project.

“We can’t thank the Axis Foundation enough for donating £1000 towards our library project. The transformation of the previously outdated space into an inviting, resource-based library for children to read, research and socialise, will be hugely appreciated by the children and staff. Thanks to the Axis Foundation, generous supporters within our school community and running various events, we are thrilled to announce that we have raised enough for the project to go ahead this summer! We can’t wait to share pictures once the new library is finished in September” – Susan Edwards, fundraiser, FOWW

The Axis Foundation’s grant will support the re-design of the library space as well as purchase flexi-bookcases, a picturebook unit, hideyhole seat, picturebook tunnel, reading den and tent as well as comfortable seating and storage areas.

The newly designed space will feature cosy areas for quiet reading, a variety of soft seating and Me-To-You display boards for book recommendations. The furniture will create defined fiction, non-fiction, and picture book areas. The shelving and the furniture ensure books face out to encourage children to choose books independently and so broaden their reading choices.

Diverse users of West Wimbledon Primary School’s (WWPS) library space include children with autism. Within the Autism Base at the school, the pupils all have specific needs: the new contemplative and calm environment will specifically help them to engage with their reading.

More about FOWW

FOWW is a charity run by the parents and supported by the teachers, staff and governors of West Wimbledon Primary School in the London Borough of Merton.  More here

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two adults and child in school Save Kids TeethDonations

Dental Wellness Trust

Our donation helps Save Kids Teeth

The Axis Foundation has donated £8,000 to Dental Wellness Trust (DWT) to support their free LiveSmart tooth brushing and education programmes teaching children good oral health.

“We are most grateful for the support of Axis for our LiveSmart toothbrushing programmes delivered to 20,000 children in England. With this grant we are able to reach more children to help Save Kids Teeth” – Linda Greenwall, Founder

DWT delivers the LiveSmart programme mainly in schools in areas of higher social deprivation in London. Our grant will enable them to reach more schools and include the refugee community too.

The lasting impact of DWT’s Live Smart programme will be reduced gum disease and fewer hospital admissions for young people as well as a generation of children who understand the importance of healthy gums. Educating today’s children about the benefit of good oral hygiene will benefit the children of tomorrow.

Facts and figures

Tooth decay is the most common childhood infectious disease in the UK today. Annually, some 48,000 children, are admitted to hospital in the UK for teeth extraction under general anaesthetic. 60,000 school days are lost each year through tooth decay; some 1m parents have never taken their children to the dentist.

More about Dental Wellness Trust

DWT’s mission is to improve the general health and wellbeing of young children– especially those most in need – through dental wellness. They believe good oral health is a basic human right. DWT was founded by Dr Linda Greenwall who was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in recognition of her services to the dental profession. Dr Greenall volunteers her time to DWT, is a practising Dentist and lectures and writes extensively on the topic .

More about their work here

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Care

Mindful Peak

Support for young carers

Mindful Peak helps young carers to improve their physical and mental wellbeing through boxing and mindfulness. The charity has recently developed BAM! which fuses non-contact boxing training with mindfulness through one-to-one sessions, video and a specially developed App. They developed BAM! with help from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Barnardo’s.

The Axis Foundation donated £1,250 towards film videoing and editing as well as skipping ropes for boxing training.

“I’m delighted that the Axis Foundation saw the value in this project that supports a group of young carers who need this support now more than ever. Thank you and we look forward to delivering this project and sharing the impact” – Luke Doherty, Founder and MD

Helping Young Carers

Young carers face extra responsibilities at home often leaving them feeling lonely or as though no one else understands. They can feel isolated and often miss out-of-school activities or meet-ups with friends. And they often become anxious about the person they care for when they’re away from them. Mindful Peak helps young carers become better able to respond to the specific challenges they face.

More About Mindful Peak

Working in the London Boroughs of Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest and Newham Mindful Peak is a not-for-profit enterprise dedicated to sharing a mindfulness-based approach to performance.

Luke Doherty founded Mindful Peak in 2019. Luke played Rugby for England. He gained a postgraduate degree in Law and Community Leadership and then trained as a mindfulness instructor.

In addition to supporting disadvantaged young people, Mindful Peak teaches mindfulness to elite athletes.They have worked with Saracens and Harlequins rugby clubs, Brentford football club, the GB Skateboarding and British Weightlifting teams among others.

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Children at play Kinetic Science FoundationDonations

Kinetic Science Foundation

We help equip sensory room for children at new Interactive Science Centre

The Axis Foundation donated £3,900 to the Kinetic Science Foundation to help them purchase toys and equipment including a bubble machine for their “all senses” room. Here children with additional needs – and indeed all children – can enjoy a tranquil space and re-charge. A further donation of £4,900 in 2022 enabled them to purchase a Mirror Ball and Projector.

“We are exceptionally grateful for this donation which makes a difference to children of all ages and aids their well-being with a space to relax and be a calm oasis. This donation allows us to make our Senses Room accessible to all. The Senses Room is in our new Interactive Science Centre: the largest in East Anglia. Over 40,000 people per year will enjoy the new centre”  –  Debbie Ball CEO and Founder

About the Kinetic Science Foundation

The Kinetic Science Foundation was established in 2015 to inspire all young people to enjoy Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. They do this by providing outreach projects, festivals and roadshows and exciting workshops like Bodily Functions, Pop-up Planetarium and Marquee Rain Forest. The Kinetic Science Foundation has delivered their programme to over 165,000 young people.

There’s more about the Kinetic Science Foundation here

 

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Three young children in green leaves outdoor learning spaceDonations

The Friends of Collett School

Creating forest learning space for children with Special Educational Needs

The Friends of Collett School approached the Axis Foundation to help convert an overgrown, unused forest area to a forest school area for children with Special Educational Needs. And we were delighted to make a donation of £540 to create learning packs for the project.

“This is such wonderful news! On behalf of everybody at The Friends of Collett School, thank you very much for your donation and support – it is really, really appreciated” – Rhea Dickman , Fundraising Lead, The Friends of Collett School

More about the Forest Learning Space

The forest learning space for children with Special Educational Needs will include outside blackboards, a fit pit for cooking, sensory equipment, a mud kitchen and bug hotel, a trim trail, a living fedge and a den-making area.

All these fun and educational work stations will help Collett’s children with Special Educational Needs engage with nature in a safe and supportive space. The children will learn transferable gardening skills, develop communication and cognitive skills and improve their self esteem and confidence.

The Collett School for Special Educational Needs in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire will also invite local community groups and special and mainstream schools to use the forest learning area.

And there’s more about the school here

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