Four speakers address a roomNews

Spreading the Word: Axis Foundation Lunch & Learn

September 26, 2025By

Axis Foundation Trustees (l to r) Peter Varney (Chair), Claire Pearce, John Hayes MBE (Founder), Mick Hayes and Tim Hayes presented a Lunch & Learn session about the Axis Foundation to over 40 employees in our Stratford office.

Our employees: our eyes and ears

Because they work directly in homes, our employees, and specifically our operatives and Resident Liaison Officers, are the eyes and ears of Axis. And we rely on their support to identify people in need. So we gave all attendees information about how to identify and refer local, small causes and individuals who could benefit from funding through the Axis Foundation. And the session concluded with a Q&A, allowing the trustees to address several thoughtful questions from the audience.

Attendees said that the session helped improve their understanding of the Axis Foundation and how they can refer individuals and groups in need.

Ronald Fraser (Training Administrator) said: “[The event] was an eye opener for me. I came to appreciate the hard work that goes into fundraising. The ideal is that we shouldn’t just be considerate constructors, but great neighbours who look out for one another, too! It was inspiring to hear of the tangible, enduring and immediate impact grants are making to the most vulnerable in our society. I would encourage every corporate team to discuss how they could be playing a role in helping those who deliver front line services to our residents.”

Do you know someone who needs a helping hand?

The Axis Foundation’s mission is to make meaningful, long-lasting change in our local community. If you know an organisation, family or individual in your community who could benefit from a grant from the Axis foundation, please apply on their behalf here or share this form with them.

Celebrating our £3m milestone

We were also marking a magnificent milestone: since 2009, our Foundation has donated a total of £3 million to small, local and impactful causes, with a focus on supporting small organisations and individuals to create meaningful, long-lasting change in the communities where Axis works.

READ MORE
Donations

Urban Forest Tribe (UFT)

September 23, 2025By

Making nature accessible for SEND children

Urban Forest Tribe (UFT)’s mission is to make outdoor learning and nature connection accessible to all, regardless of background or ability – nurturing individuals and strengthening families and communities.
Firmly rooted in Forest School philosophy, and based in north London, they have a particular focus on those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The Trustees of the Axis Foundation were delighted to support their application with a donation of £3,500 to meet the costs of the sensory and interactive features for their scheme at Bridge School. This scheme will rewild and enhance a green space here, introducing a wide range of accessible, features specifically designed for SEND children.
“We’re over the moon to hear that we’ve been awarded a grant of £3,500 to support the sensory features at The Bridge School site. This funding will make a real difference in helping us create a more inclusive and nurturing outdoor space for the children we work with” – Paula Harvey Founder and Executive Director
There is more about Urban Forest Tribe here
READ MORE
hall with ceiling lights and tables and chairsCommunity

Kelvedon Hatch Village Hall

September 23, 2025By

Supporting a vital community asset and keeping it safe

Over 150/200 people each week use Kelvedon Hatch Village Hall in Brentwood, Essex, including mothers and toddlers, teenagers, children and adults who enjoy a huge variety of classes, celebrations and activities here.

The hall needed re-wiring in order to achieve compliance and continue its vital role as a safe mainstay of the community. And the Trustees of the Axis Foundation were delighted to support their application. So, we donated £2,500 to pay for the materials involved in the rewiring of the Village Hall.

“On behalf of all of the Trustees of Kelvedon Hatch Village Hall I would like to thank the Trustees of the Axis Foundation for their kind generosity in agreeing an award of £2,500 to pay for the materials involved in the rewiring of the Village Hall. This means our valuable community asset can continue to serve our village – without your donation this would not have been possible” – David Hughes, Trustee

There’s more about Kelvedon Hatch Village Hall here

READ MORE
two children with school bellDisability

Christ Church CofE Primary School, Greenwich

September 23, 2025By

Funding an accessible toilet for SEND children

Christ Church CofE Primary School (Parents and Friends Association) applied to the Axis Foundation for help converting an outdated toilet block into a much-needed sensory room and wheelchair-accessible toilet.

The school (which is located in Greenwich, south east London) supports 210 pupils – 62 of whom are on the SEND Register, including 11 children with EHCPs. As there is no dedicated quiet or sensory space currently on site, the new facilities will provide vital support for children with additional needs.

The Trustees of the Axis Foundation were delighted to help the school fit out the specialist bathroom with a donation of £4,000.

“Wow — thank you so much! We are absolutely thrilled to have your support. The Axis Foundation’s generous donation towards our sensory room and accessible toilet is about so much more than bricks and mortar — it’s a promise to our pupils that their needs truly matter. This funding means that every child at Christ Church will have access to a safe, inclusive space to learn, regulate, and thrive — a space that will champion inclusivity for generations to come” – Laura Simpson, Deputy Head and Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator

There’s more about the Christ Church CofE Primary School here

READ MORE
Two people in high vis and helmets with brown spaniel on lifeboatCommunity

Hamble Independent Lifeboat

September 23, 2025By

Saving Lives of Those in Peril on the Sea…

Hamble Independent Lifeboat saves lives in the busy waters of the Solent and Southampton Water.

The two lifeboats, Harry Childs and John and Violet Hurrel, hold the proud record of being the fifth busiest in the UK, last year attending 125 calls by the UK Coastguard and saving 17 lives.

Our Trustees were delighted to help out with a grant of £3,400 to enable them to purchase 10 new Gecko Safety Helmets for their 27 active crew and many members of the public who they assist each year.

“A massive thanks to you and your fellow Trustees for agreeing to award Hamble Lifeboat this grant. PPE is vital for the safety of our crew members and safety helmets are part of that requirement. We save lives year on year and rely 100% on fund raising to continue to operate the service. Without the generous support of businesses like yourselves – and our volunteers – this service would not be able to continue. We are humbled and grateful” – Tim Adams, Bosun

More about Hamble Independent Lifeboat here 

READ MORE
Axis Foundation logo, bit three million pounds in goldNews

£3m Donated – Mission Milestone!

September 19, 2025By

Axis Foundation Reaches £3m Milestone in Donations

We are proud to announce that the Axis Foundation has donated £3 million to over 400 small, local and impactful causes since 2009. This milestone reflects our enduring mission: to provide a hand up, not a hand out, to individuals and communities most in need.

From the very beginning, our vision has been clear – to give back to the communities where our parent company Axis works. In our first eight years, we donated £1m to 110 causes and were honoured with the Corporate Foundation of the Year Award at the Business Charity Awards, our little Foundation triumphing over far larger organisations such as Credit Suisse and PwC who also have incredibly successful and effective charitable foundations.

We’ve always been proud that we punch well above our body weight! Our impact is significant, despite our small size!

In 2022, we proudly reached the £2m landmark, and now, just three years later in 2025, we celebrate an incredible £3m milestone.

And indeed, this has been a year of celebration: our Founder John Hayes was awarded an MBE for charitable services in the King’s Birthday Honours.

Our donations have changed lives – from supporting families at our charity partner Demelza Hospice to funding hundreds of highly individual and personal causes to make a lasting difference.

And although we know money cannot buy happiness per se, we know that it can bring many a smile of happiness! And you can see plenty of examples here 

READ MORE
Long line of golf players and big cheque at centreNews

Axis Foundation Celebrity Golf Day 2025

August 1, 2025By

The Axis Foundation’s fundraiser, the Alan Curbishley Classic Celebrity Golf Day, raised £26,000 in sponsorship, support and donations and, on the day, at raffles and through contributions.

This amazing sum will be shared, via the Axis Foundation with our charity partner, Demelza, and small, local and impactful causes.

On the day, we also presented Demelza with a cheque for £173,000 which will help them in their work supporting children with serious or life-limiting conditions, providing expert clinical care and helping to create extraordinary moments along the way.

Thank you to All

A big thank you to all our friends who supported us!

Top of the list of our “thank yous” is Alan Curbishley, our esteemed and tireless patron who kindly lent his name to our tournament and whose support we value deeply.

Special thanks too, to our suppliers and subcontractors who so generously supported the day:

  • Adeva Homes
  • Bauder
  • DMD Contracts
  • DMJ
  • Elite FLS
  • Emplas
  • ESTEC
  • FFT
  • Hall & Gertski Wealth Management
  • Heron Joinery
  • Howells Solutions
  • JEM
  • Martin Arnold
  • Pioneer
  • Russell Trew
  • Symphony Windows
  • TW Drainage
  • VH Electrical

Big gratitude to our celebrities who headed up the teams including:

  • Dave Beasant, ace goalkeeper for Wimbledon, Newcastle United, Chelsea and Southampton
  • Dean Ashton, Football League and Premier League forward and England cap
  • George Parris, former midfielder/defender for West Ham, Birmingham City, and Brighton & Hove Albion
  • John Conteh, British boxing legend
  • John Moncur, football chairman and former midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur, Swindon Town and West Ham United
  • Lee Bowyer, manager including for Charlton Athletic, and former professional player
  • Mark Dennis, former left-back for Birmingham City, Southampton, Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace
  • Martin O’Neill, Northern Irish association football manager
  • Matt Le Tissier, Southampton’s top scoring midfielder
  • Mick McCarthy, professional football manager, pundit and former footballer
  • Paul Walsh, former professional footballer who now works as a television pundit
  • Ray Houghton, former professional footballer and current sports analyst and commentator with RTÉ Sport
  • Ray Parlour, former professional footballer and sports radio pundit for BBC Radio 5 Live and Talksport

And finally, a personal thank you too, from Axis people – John Hayes, Joseph Hayes, Ben Ibrahim, Marc Jeffrey and Adam Whitbread – to their guests:

  • Usman Malik
  • Jeremy Cunningham
  • Andrea Joseph
  • Neil Watts
  • Bradley Green
  • Ian Conquest
  • Tom Preston
  • Sam Preston
READ MORE
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

 

READ MORE
Community

Burnside Centre

July 2, 2025By

Creating a Forest School in built-up estate

Burnside Centre supports the community and people of Langley Estate in Middleton, Manchester, a high-ranking area of deprivation in a built-up area with few green spaces.

The Axis Foundation and the Riverside Foundation were delighted to support their application to create a Forest School here, transforming disused green space behind the community hub into a safe, inclusive, and sustainable outdoor learning environment for children, young people, and families.

Burnside Centre’s aspiration to introduce the Forest School was made possible through £19,000 investment from the Riverside Foundation, £9,700 donation from the Axis Foundation and additional support from the Asda Foundation and the Manchester School of Architecture – bringing the total project value to around £41,000.

The funding will enable the installation of features designed to encourage exploration and ensure accessibility, including:

  • A storytelling area with fixed seating and a firepit
  • Interactive wooden structures and outdoor learning zones
  • SEND-friendly resources
  • A nature-inspired mural, new planting, and secure fencing
  • Safety upgrades including new CCTV and anti-climb perimeter fencing

“The Trustees of the Axis Foundation were delighted to join forces with the Riverside Foundation to support Burnside Centre’s vision: to introduce a Forest School at their community hub. Both Axis Europe and The Riverside Group are already partners, working together to maintain properties and homes, and it seemed to us highly appropriate that our foundations join forces in supporting this valuable local enterprise to provide a lasting legacy of learning that will benefit the local community” – Michael Hayes, Trustee, the Axis Foundation

Hazel Waddington, Chair of Riverside Foundation, said: “We’re proud to support a project that will have such a lasting impact on the Langley community. The Forest School will provide a much-needed green space that offers hands-on experiences that inspire creativity and learning. It will foster confidence and connection with nature for generations to come.”

Kerry Edwards, Burnside Centre Manager, added:  “We’re a grass roots charity – committed to quality and people-focused engagement! Our community Forest School vision could not flourish and become reality without the fantastic support of the Riverside Foundation,the Axis Foundation and the other incredible supporters. To be able to bring this green space to life for local children and families is a dream come true. It has been truly transformational to have your support – empowering our community-based learning journey.”

More about Burnside Centre

Forest Schools offer hands-on learning in natural environments. They aim to foster confidence, self-esteem, and independence through engaging with nature. Burnside has invested in frontline staff training and formal Forest School accreditations. And their new Forest School at the Langley Estate will provide opportunities for local people and the wider community to benefit from volunteering, gaining new skills; and actively engaging with nature and all its wonders.

Open 50-weeks of the year, Burnside Centre offers workshops, learning, growth, support and development opportunities in a deprived area.They deliver their services under three themes: crisis, proactive and progressive:

  • Crisis supports low income and vulnerable families and includes Food Bank vouchers, emergency food parcels & personal care supplies
  • Proactive support vulnerable people and unemployed people  and through Early Years provision, health and well-being sessions, learning courses and family support
  • Progressive offers large scale ambitious projects to uplift the wider community

More here

 

 

READ MORE
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

READ MORE