News

Journey to our 10th birthday

September 26, 2019By

In 2019, we celebrate our Axis Foundation’s 10th birthday. During this Decade of Donations we have given over £1.4 million to 200 small, impactful and local causes.

People power

The people of Axis set the very first Foundation stone with their generosity of spirit.

Axis CEO and Foundation Trustee John Hayes set up the Foundation in 2009 to “formalise and capture all the elements of giving that already existed across the company, particularly giving back in the communities where we were working”.

Axis people – demonstrating never-ending enthusiasm and inventiveness in their fundraising activities – have made the Foundation such a great success in this Decade of Donations that a new Fundraising Hero Award was launched in 2019 to acknowledge their support.

Award-winning Foundation

This universal support throughout the company was one of the reasons the Foundation won the Corporate Foundation Category in the highly prestigious Business Charity Awards 2018. Presenting the award, sponsored by Third Sector, the Judges commented on “good employee involvement” and the “passion” behind the Foundation.

One million landmark

In the same year the Foundation hit the £1m donated mark with a donation to For Jimmy in south east London.

Sticking to original values

The Foundation has stuck to its original remit of helping mainly small, local and impactful causes – in giving a hand up, rather than a hand out. All of the money – that raised by Axis people, plus through a corporate donation and funds raised by generous guests at the Axis Foundation Charity Balls and Golf Days – goes straight to these causes: not a penny is wasted.

 

10th Birthday Year

Our generous Axis people and our clients and supporters made our 10th birthday year a real record breaker with top amounts raised at our Alan Curbishley Charity Golf Day and our annual Axis Foundation Charity Ball.

The Future

With the support of our people, our clients and with the partnership and friendship of our charities, the Axis Foundation looks forward to another Decade of Donations!

 

 

 

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young person holding poster standing astride red bike, 10 year logoCare

Cyclists Fighting Cancer

September 9, 2019By

Bikes and adapted trikes for children with cancer

The Axis Foundation donated to £5,000 to Cyclists Fighting Cancer (CFC), a charity which donates bikes and adapted trikes to children with cancer in order to support their work which improves lives and well being.

“The Axis Foundation’s generous donation will allow us to purchase 10 bikes or 3 specialist trikes for those children who are successful in their application to Cyclists Fighting Cancer. Your donation will help us to change the lives of children and young people living with a cancer diagnosis… on behalf of the whole Cyclists Fighting Cancer team, thank you for the generous donation” – Alice Wragg, Fundraiser

More About CFC

We know that cycling is good exercise. And for children with cancer it is even more beneficial. Some children may be unable to ride a conventional bike as a result of treatment – they may have balance issues, numbness, fatigue or have had amputations or be wheelchair-bound. CFC makes required adaptions to bikes and trikes.

Fundraiser Alice Wragg explains: “Exercise is an effective way to improve both the mental and physical side effects of cancer and its treatment. Cycling in particular is a great way for children with cancer to enjoy exercise as it is low impact, sociable and a great escape from hospital visits and ongoing treatment.”

CFC works closely with the 21 paediatric oncology units around the UK, as well as with other charities that work with childhood cancer (i.e. CLIC Sargent, Teenage Cancer Trust, The Rainbow Trust etc). Their specially trained Cancer Exercise Specialists regularly offer advice regarding physical fitness and on-bike and trike applications.

The charity has donated 5,000 bikes and adapted trikes to children with cancer since the charity’s inception in 2005.

 

 

 

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Band Performing at Music therapy charityDisability

Otakar Kraus Music Trust

August 27, 2019By

Music therapy helps children with additional needs

The Axis Foundation’s donation of £8,000 to The Otakar Kraus Music Trust (OKMT) enables seven pupils to attend OK Music School. Here qualified music therapists teach children and young people with physical, learning, mental or neurological disability or illness.

“We are delighted that the Axis Foundation has approved our application to enable seven pupils with disabilities to attend OK Music School for 36 weeks. This will make a huge difference to our music therapy work and allow more children to enjoy the benefits of learning and performing music. Music therapy helps children with disabilities when nothing else can reach them” – Valerie Roy, Fundraising Manager, OKMT

Whilst at the music therapy school, children interact and make friends, reducing isolation. They gain communication skills and become more confident. Improved listening skills and focus help their learning at school. And performing makes them feel happier, proud of their achievements and part of the community. Some children have passed Royal School of Music exams, and some have performed on national radio.

The children say:

  • ‘It makes me feel good about myself – I can do something well!’
  • “I love music because it gives me confidence and it takes me away from the pressures of real life. I make more friends here than anywhere else”

Parents say:

  • “OK Music School has been amazing helping my daughter to gain confidence and improve her memory and listening skills. She is able to verbalise that she is proud of herself.”
  • “E has blossomed, she had very low self-esteem when we started as she was unable to attend school due to her severe anxieties. It has been a Godsend for her mental health.”

OKMT Survey Results

OKMT asked parents what difference OK Music School was making to their child.  The top survey results were:

  • Increased their confidence and self-esteem 100%
  • Improved their concentration and ability to follow instructions 79%
  • Improved their mental well-being  74%
  • Improved their listening skills 68%

Second donation

The Axis Foundation Trustees additionally agreed a grant of £4,800 towards bursaries for 1-1 music therapy for children and young people  and £120 for a new Yamaha Portable Keyboard. Valerie thanked us saying: “We are delighted to get the funding and we will increase our budget for the coming year for bursaries to £6,000. This will help us reach children, young people and families who receive very little regular help.”

OK Music School Case Study

D is 8 and is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. He struggles with interacting with people he doesn’t know and with some motor skills. He lacks concentration and has some language and communication difficulties. Therefore it is hard for him to take part in activities where he could enjoy time and space with his peers. D had received speech and language therapy and some music therapy.

But then his mother heard about OKMT through a London Autism group.

D started attending the OKMT Youth Choir, where he was silent for a few months until he finally joined in and started singing along. Then he joined OK Music school where he began to learn to play the piano. He thrived on the stable routine, and playing piano now provides him respite and happiness. His concentration and motor skills have improved, and he is now confident in a group of children and socially more aware of others. He took part in the Christmas concert in 2019 and played Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the piano which gave him a great sense of achievement. His family were so proud and joyful to watch him playing in the concert in front of a big audience.

D said: “I feel happy and excited to attend my music lessons!”

Read more about this Twickenham-based charity here

 

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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

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Axis Foundation logo, large red number ten and twitter logoNews

Best Birthday Wishes to Foundation

August 12, 2019By

Foundation Fans send us best birthday wishes, thanks and love

You might have noticed, there’s been a bit of a fuss on Twitter about our Foundation’s 10th birthday.

Here’s just a few of the wonderful messages we received as we celebrated a Decade of Donations.

 

Thank you so much for your continued support! Happy 10th birthday Maypole Project

Your support is invaluable. Thank you St John’s Hospice

Our grant enabled us to bring children from deprived areas into our amazing natural space to learn outside. Thank you Holly Lodge

We are SO grateful for your support for our work Beyond the Streets

Happy 10th birthday and thank you for your support For Jimmy

Congratulations and here’s to another 10 years Support Tommy Brown

Happy 10th birthday and thank you for your support from all of us at The Choir with No Name

Happy 10th birthday and thank you for your support Bentilee Volunteers

Both Axis and the Axis Foundation have been one of our longest partnerships and they hold a very special place in our heart Demelza

Thank you Stepney City Farm

Happy Birthday Vauxhall City Farm

Happy 10th Birthday. Thanks so much for your support  Freddie Farmer Physio

Thank you for funding a new batch of anti-suffocation pillows Hope Epilepsy

Thank you for the support this season Basildon Boys and Girls

Goes without saying what fantastic support you have been for us. More young members have joined our club giving them a safe and enjoyable place to come to. Thanks Axis Swale Gloves

Fantastic gesture, thank you very much Walsall Wood FC

Thank you for supporting us – your grant is helping us to make theatre accessible to all Worcester Life/Swan Theatre

Thank you so much for your amazing support Cyclists Fighting Cancer

Happy 10th Birthday! A very big Heart of Kent Hospice thank you for your support Heart of Kent Hospice

Thank you from all of us at St Clare’s Hospice

Happy 10th Birthday to the wonderful Axis Foundation who have supported us with a grant to provide therapy packs for children We really appreciate their support The Movement Centre

Thank you for your wonderful support! Happy 10th Birthday! Newlife

A big thank you… We couldn’t do what we do without the help of foundations like Axis. Happy 10th Birthday, and here’s to another decade! Omega Care for Life

Happy 10th Birthday to the Axis Foundation and thank you for your continued support OXSRAD

Happy 10th birthday and thank you for your support TAG Youth Club

Thank you so much for your support! Happy Birthday! Momentum

Happy 10th birthday and thank you for your support with our project here in Birmingham, helping homeless people gain the literacy skills they need to achieve Fluence Foundation

There’s more about our 10th Anniversary Celebrations here

 

 

 

 

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Axis foundation helps to fund specialist bathroom to young girlCare

Bathroom for Isabella

August 3, 2019By

Specialist bathroom for disabled child

Aged two months, Isabella was diagnosed with a serious birth defect – neuronal migration disorder – and epilepsy. Her parents, Nicola and Robert were of course devastated by this news. Now aged four, Isabella has very limited mobility and is confined to a wheelchair. She is unable to speak, and her family, including her young siblings, is on constant guard as the risk of seizure is never far away.

To give their daughter more freedom of movement, Nicola and Robert moved to a bungalow and adapted it – widening the doors for example – with the aid of a grant.

Installing a specialist bathroom for Isabella

Nicola and Robert desperately wanted to install a similar specialist bathroom at their home. Sadly, their local authority was only able to offer a shower: the costs of installation were well beyond Nicola and Robert’s budget.  At this point, the Axis Foundation stepped in, funding a specialist bath costing £10,000, paying for installation and materials, and turning a dream into a reality.

“We can’t believe it! Grateful doesn’t even cover it! You guys will never know how much this means to us! THANK YOU!” – Nicola and Robert, Isabella’s parents

Respite stays at Demelza Hospice for Sick Children provide comfort and practical support too – for all the family. Here Isabella benefits from using the sensory room while their specialist bathroom is both practical and safe for her and her carers. Demelza is the charity partner to the Axis Foundation and parent company Axis Europe plc.

The Axis Foundation has reached a milestone of 10 years of donations to small, local, impactful causes. #10YrsGiving

 

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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

 

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Sensory Log Cabin at Two Rivers special needs schoolDisability

Simon’s Heroes

July 26, 2019By

Sensory log cabin for children at a special school

Simon’s Heroes supports life-limited and disabled children in Tamworth, Staffordshire. They provide, for example, mobility equipment, wheelchairs, frames, profiling beds, sensory equipment, bedroom makeovers and short breaks for families and children when time is short and precious.

The Axis Foundation’s donation of £3,000 will help Simon’s Heroes with their project at local special needs school Two Rivers in Tamworth. The donation will contribute to providing a sensory log cabin, where essential therapy sessions will be held.

Here, 120 children whose disabilities range from cystic fibrosis to cerebral palsy, downs syndrome and the full autism spectrum will use the cabin which will continue to improve the experience of children attending the school for years to come.

“The sensory lodge will be a calming and peaceful area for individual children to use to carry out their therapy session. With the sensory equipment and space, this is the perfect area away from the main school building. We can’t thank Axis enough for their generosity. To be able to provide the sensory lodge is a dream come true not only for us, but for the children now and in the future.” Justin Haywood Chairman

The Axis Foundation is celebrating its 10th Birthday this year, signifying ten years of support for small, local, impactful causes. Share the good news #10yrsgiving

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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

 

 

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3 people with Speak Easy NOW (a self-advocacy charity) T-shirtsDonations

Speak Easy NOW

July 16, 2019By

Self-advocacy charity makes video for people with learning disabilities

Speak Easy NOW is a self-advocacy charity run by people with learning disabilities. Two hundred members speak up about things that are important to them, representing the unheard voices of 2,000 people in Worcestershire.

In May 2019 some members with learning disabilities hosted an information day for people with learning disabilities and family carers to help them prepare for growing older and end of life. The day included advice on how to stay happy and healthy in older adulthood, information about wills, property and the law and signposting and practical tips. These are difficult topics and People with Learning Difficulties are often totally excluded from conversations pertaining to their life, and death.

The members of the self-advocacy charity used a donation from the Axis Foundation, alongside other fundraising, to commission some professional filmmakers to create a social media film about the event, about the members own experiences of loss, and the steps they have taken to plan ahead for their own future.

“The donation from Axis was very important to us because it helped us make the video. It is very important for people with learning disabilities to understand this information and to feel more secure about the future.”
Pat Roberts, Member of People’s Parliament

“The donation from Axis was vital to making our video. Donations like this make a world of difference to self-advocacy charity like ours, and allow us to put our members’ ideas into action.” Holly Yuille, People’s Parliament Co-ordinator

The video will be used as a vital communication tool delivering important information on this topic. Speak Easy NOW hopes that it will inspire other families to have open and honest conversations around growing older and end of life.

 

 

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