helping children with autism, child with headphones in front of screenDisability

Time4Autism

December 9, 2020By

Helping children with autism improve motor and cognitive abilities

Time4Autism is run by parents and volunteers to provide activities for children with autism. These activities, which include yoga, drumming and trampoline, help children develop their motor and cognitive abilities.

The Axis Foundation’s donation of £600 buys a Soundsory headset. This is a multi-sensory programme of music (processed with neuro-acoustic modifications) and movement-based exercises, designed to help children with autism improve their motor and cognitive abilities.

Time4Autism will lend the Soundsory system to families within their local community in Milton Keynes so they can help their children at home. This is especially vital when face to face sessions are impossible due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Thank you for the generous gift to Time4Autism! We are so happy to have your support. Through your donation, we can continue working towards supporting children with Autism. Your donation is going toward providing headsets for children with sound sensitivities and sensory problems. You have helped us to lend the system to families, so they can help their children at home. This is especially vital when face-to-face sessions are impossible due to COVID-19 restrictions. Thank you again!” – Jabeen Salam, Treasurer

More about Time4Autism

The charity helps parents and carers to understand their child’s sensory needs and behaviours and supports them in dealing with challenging behaviours.

The Soundsory programme which we have donated also helps children and adults with motor delays, balance and coordination issues, sensory and auditory processing disorders, ADD and ADHD as well as whose on the autism spectrum and with developmental issues.

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Young disadvantaged children sailingCare

The Ahoy Centre

November 6, 2020By

Supporting vulnerable children

The Axis Foundation donated £3,750 to The AHOY Centre’s Time2Talk programme. Time2Talk provides 1-2-1 emotional and psychological support for vulnerable children. Many children at AHOY come from chaotic home-lives, with little guidance. And these Time2Talk 1-2-1 sessions improve teamwork, self-esteem and leaderships skills.

“On behalf of everyone at AHOY, thank you for believing in our work and helping us to continue to have a real positive impact on people’s lives.

“We have now added our mentoring Time2Talk services to all our main programmes. We will continue to embed this vital piece of support into all additional programmes.

“During the period of your grant, The Time2Talk programme was led by AHOY’s Lead Mentor and qualified Psychologist who worked with a team of qualified mentors. The mentors were also instructors on the activity programme.

“They provided emotional and psychological support to our vulnerable children whilst delivering “on the job” mentoring. And they could recognise any behavioural changes and react appropriately during sessions to support them”  – Danny O’Sullivan, Fundraising Manager

More about Ahoy

The AHOY Centre is based in Deptford, one of London’s most deprived areas. The charity enables disadvantaged and disabled young people to take part in water-based activities and train in life skills.

And there’s more about  AHOY here!

Lockdown update

During Lockdown, AHOY’s virtual hub provided online cooking, nautical theory, drama and fitness sessions for members. And AHOY also cooked and delivered over 1,600 hot meals for vulnerable families. Plus, they provided Covid Capsule activity packs to keep members progressing and engaged.

“As parents of an adult with autism and a learning disability, Lockdown was extremely difficult for us as a family. We were very concerned about T’s mental health. All his activities stopped and his normal routines ended. So we were immensely grateful to AHOY for keeping in touch with the Sailability students and for all the effort that went into reopening the centre” – AHOY parent

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Mum holding baby, CASPA parents of children with autismCare

CASPA

October 22, 2020By

 Support Group for parents and carers of children with autism

Children on the Autistic Spectrum Parent’s Association (CASPA), based in Bromley, Kent, works with around 270 autistic individuals every week. The charity helps build their confidence, sense of self-worth and social and practical skills.

And, as Helen Dyer, Director of CASPA, says: “Parents of children with autism often feel that they are fighting a constant battle. As much as children need a break and understanding, which CASPA provides, parents do too.”

So, our donation of £2,300 will fund a support group based in Orpington, Kent for 100+ parents/carers. They meet and talk, hear and share stories of achievements and struggles. And here they can also discuss ways in which they can help their child with the support of CASPA professionals.

“Just being able to share stories, cry and laugh with other parents/carers in the same situation enables our group members to feel less isolated and ostracised. As they tell us, these groups provide a lifeline when things as an Autism parent get tough.

“This funding is hugely needed and appreciated. It will enable us to keep doing what we do best – providing direct support! Thank you Axis Foundation” – Helen Dyer, Director of CASPA

A CASPA parent says

“The support group has been a lifeline for some of us. It’s a safe place for us to talk and to be able to exchange information on various subjects such as schools, behaviour tips and just to ‘offload’. CASPA goes above and beyond to support our children and our families. This service has definitely saved my sanity on many occasions over the years! We love CASPA!”

More about CASPA

Many autistic people become socially isolated. So they miss out on educational, social and employment opportunities. CASPA runs a wide range of programmes for children, young people and adults on the autism spectrum encouraging them to participate in variety of positive activities. These activities develop social and communication skills and provide learning opportunities, fostering independent living and employment skills.

During lockdown CASPA took their parent support groups online to continue supporting families.

More here 

 

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Man and wheelbarrow standing in front of polytunnelCare

Green Health Thames Valley

October 20, 2020By

Helping people with mental health difficulties

Green Health Thames Valley (GHTV) helps people with mental health difficulties through horticulture-based programmes and activities.

The Axis Foundation’s donation of £4,450 purchased a polytunnel, raised beds and green roofs for the sheds for their community garden in Whitley. 

“We are thrilled with the support from the Axis Foundation. Our new polytunnel is fantastic. It enables us to extend our growing season and provide warm dry space for clients. We have installed new raised beds and have finalised designs for a new green roof which will be created very soon. It’s so exciting seeing these improvements. Thank you to all at Axis Foundation. Your support means so much to us all at GHTV” – Richard Byard, Chair of GHTV

More about Green Health

The horticultural programmes at Reading-based Green Health help marginalised and isolated clients. Here they can engage with nature, create projects and participate in physical activities. They can also socialise with other clients and locally-based volunteers. As a result, they become more confident, less socially isolated and develop new skills that move them closer to economic activity and independence.

In addition to helping people with their mental health, GHTV also aims to protect physical health through encouraging  horticulture-related physical activity and promoting healthy eating.

The charity additionally aims to improve the places and spaces of their local communities.

Find out more about the work of Green Health Thames Valley here.

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Collage showing massage and two women in a bus one in yellow vest, one in bright scarf SEDSCare

Sussex Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes and Hypermobility Support (SEDS)

October 5, 2020By

Support for people with Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS)

Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes is closely related to Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD). And Pilates, hydrotherapy, osteopathy, acupuncture, physio and massage all help people with EDS/HSD by strengthening and relaxing muscles.

So, our donation of £3,000 to Sussex Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes and Hypermobility Support (SEDS) will fund some of these activities which are offered by SEDS’ Hypermobility-aware specialised practitioners, either 1-2-1 or in specialised groups.

“We are very grateful to the Axis Foundation for their donation. The feedback we are getting from those people with EDS/HSD who have participated in physical activities is amazing. In the longer term we believe that sufferers can sometimes learn to improve – or at least maintain – their own physical health. This might mean less reliance on the NHS from damage they can inadvertently inflict on their bodies. It can also improve their mental well-being” – Jane Green, Founder and Chair of SEDS

More about EDS/HSD

EDS/HSD is a multi-systemic disorder for which there is no care pathway. The condition affects connective tissues throughout the body. Common symptoms include: dislocations, pain, Chronic Fatigue syndrome/ME, allergies, fibromyalgia pain, gastro-intestinal problems, anxiety, heart issues plus other associations. The condition is life limiting: many people with EDS/HSD lose careers, colleagues, friends and hobbies.

“The funding has been amazing – I would not be feeling anywhere near as good without it”

“It made a great deal of difference to my mental health whilst shielding in lockdown”

“Enabled me to carry out a much needed Pilates course following a recent emergency spinal operation and this has really helped my rehabilitation … the instructor is fantastic and very knowledgeable about SEDS”

More about SEDS

SEDS advocates actively for members locally in Sussex and also for their families, friends and carers. The charity also works with other organisations to improve awareness and create a care pathway. During COVID-19 the charity conducted successful online EDS/HSD specialised Pilates classes.

Mental health support

Persistent and acute pain affect mental health whilst fatigue adds to the isolation many sufferers experience. SEDS provides further direct support for members with their mental health.

Pictured:  SEDS event day helping members gain confidence and to access travelling; 1:1 Covid-safe deep tissue massage helping muscle spasms rigidity.

Read more here about their work here.

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Group of children learning to develop key communication and motor skills at SkylarksDisability

Skylarks

September 14, 2020By

Helping disadvantaged children with disability gain vital skills

Skylarks provides a supportive and active community for children with disabilities and additional needs. The charity offers inclusive play sessions, therapies and workshops and structured activities. These include Sensory Art, Singing with Percussion, Makaton Sing and Signing. All these activities help the development of key communication, motor and sensory skills.

The Axis Foundation’s donation of £1,500 buys sensory equipment and toys to support these structured activities.

“We are delighted to receive a donation from the Axis Foundation. It has enabled us to purchase new equipment for our interactive Sensory Room. The donation has funded new weighted soft furnishings and a range of audio visual equipment including fibre optic lights, colour changing light panels and more. The room creates a relaxing area for the children to use whilst allowing them to enjoy new experiences and develop communication, motor and sensory skills.

“With the support of organisations like the Axis Foundation, Skylarks can continue supporting disadvantaged children and their families for years to come.

“We really appreciate the funding Axis has provided to purchase this equipment. Skylarks closed for the last 6 months due to Covid-19. However we plan to partially re-open soon so more families can use the equipment you have enabled us to purchase” – Aaron Guiver, Development Manager at Skylarks

More about Skylarks

Whilst supporting disadvantaged children with disabilities, Skylarks, based in Twickenham in south west London, also cares for the whole family. The play sessions at Skylarks offer a safe and relaxing haven for the families in a non-judgemental environment. And while children are accessing therapies and supervised play, parents can access a wide range of peer support, relaxation therapies and informative workshops by specialists such as speech and language therapists and the National Autistic Society.

Over the last three years Skylarks has increased its membership from 550 to over 2,000 children.

Read more here 

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Sophie Hayes survivors of human trafficking blue eye close upEducation

Sophie Hayes Foundation

September 9, 2020By

Supporting survivors of human trafficking

The Sophie Hayes Foundation is the only charity in the UK solely focused on delivering employability support, training and resources for women survivors of human trafficking and modern slavery.

The Axis Foundation’s donation of £1,000 funds travel costs for 50+ survivors of human trafficking so they don’t have to choose for example, from either paying for food or travelling to the support available at The Sophie Hayes Foundation.

“For many of our women survivors, the journey to sustainable freedom and a life without fear is all too often a mere dream. Over a year we work with the women to turn their dreams into a reality. Thank you on behalf of our programme participants, staff, volunteers and board” – Red Godfrey Sagoo, CEO of the Sophie Hayes Foundation

What the survivors say

“Because of SHF I am in college and I have work experience, you make me have confidence in my life.”

“I’ve learnt how to write a CV because I didn’t know. I have confidence that I have my own plan in the future to open my own nursery school. When you come here you know there is options.”

“I was enjoying coming here, seeing different people different face. You helped myself to relax and reduce my problems. I’ve been coming here seeing different things, when we’re in groups we laugh, we joke.”

Covid-19 Update from The Sophie Hayes Foundation

“2020 the year of uncertainty, challenge, exhaustion, compassion, collaboration, triumph and inspiring leadership.

“A year in which the dedication of so many across diverse fields helped weather the ongoing national storm.

As we head towards 2021 with even more uncertainty; I would like to acknowledge the journey of supporting women survivors at Sophie Hayes, has only been possible through amazing colleagues and strong partnerships. Thank you for helping us weather 2020 and we look forward to being stronger together in 2021.”

More about The Sophie Hayes Foundation

There are an estimated 136,000 victims of modern-day slavery in the UK. They are recruited, transported or harboured for the purposes of exploitation. As a result of their horrific experiences, survivors of human trafficking face serious mental and physical health issues.

Through a programme including workshops, coaching and a community survivor network, The Sophie Hayes Foundation helps women rebuild their lives.

Survivors can live independently by increasing their confidence and their social and professional networks. They gain invaluable work experience, training and education.

The Sophie Hayes Foundation is based in London and delivers the programme in London and the south, Birmingham and the West Midlands, Manchester and the north.

Here is more about The Sophie Hayes Foundation

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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

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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

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Axis CEO John Hayes handing over mini bus to Maypole charityDisability

The Maypole Project

September 5, 2020By

Support for parents of children with life-threatening illnesses

The long and happy relationship between The Maypole Project and the Axis Foundation dates back to 2016. Then the Foundation donated a minibus to this Bromley-based charity supporting the families of children with life-threatening illnesses.

Christened Mayble, the minibus transports over 500 children a year to different events and activities. Mayble also carries parents who lack transport to support groups, events and activities.

“Everyone at The Maypole Project was absolutely amazed and delighted to hear that we were successful in our bid to gain a minibus. It will make a huge impact on the services we can provide to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families – where transport is frequently a major block to access. We will also be able to develop activities and outings that we have, until this point, put on hold! A winning asset all round – thank you Axis!” – Sally Flatteau Taylor, Founder and CEO of Maypole

“I think it’s brilliant. So many of us struggle just with the day-to-day and to get to a place is difficult. It will be great to get on the minibus and support the child there rather than have the child in the back of a small car, trying to take their seat belt off” – Maypole parent Ros Luff

“We would like to say a massive THANK YOU to the team at Axis for donating our wonderful minibus, Mayble. The Maypole Project organises lots of wonderful outings in their minibus which enable my child with special needs to be alongside their siblings … we think it’s absolutely amazing. Thank you to the team at Axis for donating Mayble, we would be lost without The Maypole Project’s support” Maypole parent

2017: Funding toys and equipment

The Axis Foundation made a further donation (£9,000, 2017) which helped purchase sensory toys and a wheelchair lift.

Sally Flatteau Taylor said: “Those who are chronically ill get great joy out of playing with sensory toys. The wheelchair lift gives direct and easy access to the family support room and the toilet which has been incredibly helpful for the children and their families. It has helped us support so many more children. It gives the children better access inside and outside of the building. The support from the Axis Foundation is amazing  is phenomenal for our charity. We really do appreciate it. It’s been really good to have the Axis Foundation’s support and belief in the work that we do.”

2018: Building a Sensory Barn for Maypole

In 2018 Axis Apprentices created a Sensory Barn in Maypole’s garden. This enabled all Maypole children to play safely in a stimulating and interactive room. It had long been on the wish list at Maypole and Axis was happy to help out. The full story of the Sensory Barn with pictures and video is here!

2019/ 2020: More support for Maypole

In 2019, the Axis Foundation made a further donation of £1,500 to help Maypole with their drumming workshops, which due to COVID-19 became online activities in 2020. A further donation of £5,000 in 2020 purchased more soft toys for the sensory cabin (built by Axis) and supported taking families on outings.

Maypole families said:

“Thanks so much again for accommodating us, it was such a lovely space for the kids. We had great fun and a great break.”

“We came to the horse-grooming/walking activity in Tonbridge and my child thoroughly enjoyed it. The peaceful setting, the one-to-one careful attention he received all helped to make it so memorable and enjoyable for him.”

“Thank you so much for the outing – we had great fun this morning.”

2021: Bespoke play boxes

The Axis Foundation funded 40 play boxes tailored to an individual disabled child’s needs with a donation of £1500 (2021). The Maypole Project recruited a play therapist to work face to face with the children (some of this online) during the Pandemic.

2022: Sensory play equipment

The Axis Foundation donated £6,866 towards sensory equipment, children’s t-shirts, and team sweatshirts. The sensory equipment includes floor mats, wall toys, fibre optic sparkle rugs, liquid floor tiles and light up toys.

“We are so truly appreciative of this generous award from the Axis Foundation to The Maypole Project – and of course all of the support – both financial and practical through the apprentices work in our buildings – you and your team have given us over the years that it’s hard to find the words” – Sally Flatteau Taylor, Founder and CEO of Maypole

2024: Specialist equipment

The Trustees agreed to support Maypole once again with a donation of £6,750 to purchase postural chairs, adjustable tables and iPads.

Total donations to Maypole

Our donations to Maypole Project, supporting families of children with life-threatening illnesses, came to £72,750 in 2024.

Here is what Sally Flatteau Taylor said to us in 2021:

We can’t thank you enough for the wonderful donations you have provided us across the years. They are all in constant use:
Minibus – used in lockdown to make visits to families and in full use every day during the summer holidays when we had had our fullest programme of outings and excitement yet  including visits to the beach, riding, sailing, bowling, climbing and even to a shopping centre
Stairlift for back office – well in use: as the pandemic lifted we found families were desperately in need of new spaces, new activities, new toys and sensations for the children so we turned the back office into a soft and sensory play space initially used by one family alone (cleaned between sessions by one of our team) and now more families can meet there.
Garden – in full use, as it was when your team wonderfully transformed it!
Sensory Cabin – we have added much sensory equipment in there to make it a play therapy centre for children, and a quiet and calming space for adults
Play Therapy and Play Boxes: The children LOVE THEM and they are a definite and permanent feature of our work.

There’s more about Maypole here

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