Outdoor and indoor produce growing at OrganicleaCommunity

Organiclea

March 5, 2018By

Accessibility enhancements at community food project

For those with physical disabilities who attend Organiclea in Chingford, gardening is an invaluable physical intervention, developing strength, co-ordination, balance and motor skills.

The Axis Foundation’s donation of £1,000 will increase the community food project’s accessibility for those with disabilities – for example by improving wheelchair access and providing raised beds as accessible outdoor growing areas.

“We were so happy to receive funding from the Axis Foundation, allowing us to improve our facilities for those with special needs, particularly wheelchair users, making gardening more accessible for everyone. I have plans to involve our special needs students in the construction of the raised beds the Axis Foundation have funded, that the same group will then use to grow vegetables, salads and flowers in. Thanks Axis Foundation for helping us with our work!” – Joe Wensley SEN Young People’s Co-ordinator

More About Organiclea

An important community resource, situated in the 12-acre site of Hawkwood Plant Nursery, Organiclea community food project welcomes people from a wide range of backgrounds, ages and abilities. Organiclea currently works with 16 students with special educational needs and regularly works with around 10-15 others with a physical difficulty or disability. Volunteers here benefit from their accredited training offering and Organiclea also works with schools and colleges – including SEN and PRU – housing estates and care homes on projects to do with food growing and the environment.

 

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Axis patrons hold one million pound cheque.News

Axis Foundation milestone – one million pounds donated

February 21, 2018By

Little charity celebrates donating a whopping one million pounds to small, local and impactful causes

In 2009 we started as a little charity with a big ambition: to give back to the areas that we are from and where we’ve grown, and to make a positive difference to the people and communities in those areas.

Fast forward to 2018 and the Axis Foundation is celebrating having given away one million pounds to over 110 such causes. PLUS we scooped the Corporate Foundation category of the Business Charity Awards!

“I set the Foundation up originally to try and formalise and capture all the elements of “Giving” that we were already doing right across the company, to say it has exceeded my wildest expectations would be a massive understatement” John Hayes: Trustee, Axis Foundation; CEO, Axis Europe plc 2018

Our Millionth pound!

Our donation in 2018 to South East London charity For Jimmy took our total donations over the one million pounds mark.

“Whilst the value (one million pounds) is nice, we like to think about all the people behind the donations. Those who have been helped and those who have contributed, through fundraising and generous giving. This donation milestone celebration represents all of them.” Peter Varney, Chairman, Axis Foundation

How the Foundation helps

Perhaps money can’t buy happiness, but our one million pounds has bought a lot of smiles, support and relief to those who need it most.

The Foundation has helped hospices and specialist nurses to care for those with life limiting illnesses; contributed to scientific breakthroughs that extend life; provided mobility to those without it; reduced social exclusion; funded adapted minibuses and provided a lot of care, equipment, therapy, outings and experiences.

And that’s just a few of our projects! The number and size of donations has grown each year but we have stayed true to focusing on small, local and impactful charities and causes. We are on an exciting philanthropic journey that is continues to gather momentum each year.

“What is really exciting is that we are growing all the time and giving more to people and organisations in the communities we work in identified by our kind and caring people.” – John Hayes: Trustee, Axis Foundation; CEO, Axis Europe plc. 

Our Foundation fundraiser activities

The funds donated by The Axis Foundation come from an annual corporate donation from Axis Europe plc and funds raised through a charity ball and golf day as well as many fundraising events participated in by the people who work at Axis.

Thanks a Million!

Thank you to everyone who has supported us, worked with us, fundraised or given – indeed, thanks a million.

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Gardening tools at Bright Star Welllbeing to promote good mental healthCommunity

Bright Star Wellbeing

February 12, 2018By

Promoting good mental health and social inclusion

Bright Star Wellbeing is a charity which helps people with mental illness and also raises public awareness of mental health issues.

The volunteers here work with local people who may feel isolated due to disability, race, ethnicity or mental health. By offering recreational therapeutic activities, the charity aims to help them to mix within society and their local community – and so promote good mental health and wellbeing as well as bring about an end to their loneliness and isolation.

The clients at Bright Star Wellbeing had expressed a desire to form a gardening group and so be able to plant flowers in memory of one of their members who had recently died. And so our donation of £1,000 made in 2017 purchased gardening equipment and plants so they could realise their dream.

“We are so thankful to have received this donation as it means that the clients will be able to run their own therapeutic gardening group and honour the memory of their friend. This will assist us greatly in maintaining our groups and enabling us to support assist and empower those in need within the local community – to include all and exclude none” – Christine Pearce, CEO

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Group of adults at Paul's Cancer Support CentreCare

Paul’s Cancer Support Centre

February 8, 2018By

Training volunteers to help cancer patients

Volunteers at Paul’s Cancer Support Centre provide emotional, physical and psychological support for 500 cancer patients a year. The Centre also has a Home Visiting Service for 100 patients who are too frail to make the journey to the premises in south west London.

The Axis Foundation has made two donations to Paul’s Cancer Support Centre. Our first donation (£3,300 in 2017) recruited and trained four massage therapists, three reflexologists and one befriender; our second (£2,500 in 2018) trained nine new Home Visiting Service volunteers.

“On behalf of the Trustees, staff, volunteers and clients at Paul’s Cancer Support Centre, I would like to thank you and your Fellow Trustees for all your support. We are truly grateful” – Scheherazade Ameer, Fundraising Manager

“Funding into our volunteers’ training is vital for us to provide support for cancer patients. We are so appreciative of the grant we received from the Axis Foundation. We cannot deliver our services without volunteers” – Marisca Ribeiro, Services Manager

More About Training

Scheherazade Ameer, Fundraising Manager, explained: “All our Home Visiting Service volunteers have to complete our high-quality, specially-designed 32-hour course. A nationally recognised expert in cancer and bereavement counselling has assessed our course as ‘a model of excellence’. We then match our Volunteers to Home Visiting Service clients once we receive their DBS approval.”

A Trainee Home Visitor told us: “Helping others is a humbling experience which also provides a great amount of satisfaction. I hope to gain a better understanding of the challenges those with cancer face so I can provide more effective and supportive massage treatments to them and contribute to improving their predicament, even if for a short while.”

A Home Visiting Service client said: “During a time when I was housebound, barely able to move about and seeking psychological and emotional assistance, this was the only local organisation who was able to provide face-to-face counselling in my own home; I am so grateful for that, and for how quickly it was organised.”

 

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Two ladies at Omega life care laughing together.Care

Omega

February 4, 2018By

Support for End-of-Life Charity

Omega, the National Association for End of Life Care, is a multi-award winning charity which helps families and clients who are to coming to terms with terminal illness. Their motto is: “Caring is everyone’s business.”

In 2018, the Axis Foundation donated £2,000 to Omega’s peer support groups including Chatterbox Befrienders.

“The clients we help are often socially isolated and benefit enormously from peer support. Omega groups are a gateway to other sources of help and information offered by Omega and our delivery partners,” explains Tom Memery, Development Director.

Chatterbox Update

In FY 2021/22, the Chatterbox programme worked with over 369 clients and helped and signposted an additional 71 potential clients to other services and specialist agencies.

Thanking the Foundation Tom said: “With your valuable support we have been able to raise the profile of the Chatterbox programme and target clients who need us most. We have further developed relationships with a growing number of referrers. We now work with over 180 individual referrers and referring agencies (40% from within NHS primary care).”

New Award 2022

In 2022, The Axis Foundation made a second award to Omega, this time to support their army of vital volunteers – over 335 of them!

Omega delivers inductions and monthly support groups to their volunteers via video link. The grant of £5,000 will upgrade their IT and help Omega support their volunteers – and recruit and retain more.

They will also use the grant to make some minor changes to install additional electrical sockets and a upgrade the lighting as well as buy more office furniture.

‘We value the relationship we have with The Axis Foundation. We have found Axis to be a discerning and very supportive grant making trust who take a particular interest in the good causes that they support. With their help, we can now upgrade our ageing ICT equipment and buy much-needed office furniture. This will help us support our volunteers and the vulnerable clients we serve,’ said Tom.

More About Omega, the National Association for End of Life Care, here 

 

 

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News

Big Christmas Giveaway

January 30, 2018By

For most of us, hopefully, Christmas is full of festivities, fun and feasting with family. For others less lucky, particularly for the sick, it may be a cold and desperately lonely time.

That’s why, in the run up to Christmas, the Axis Foundation invites Axis people to suggest the names of individuals or organisations who need a little extra money or support at Christmas.

Regular volunteers in their local communities, Axis people are well placed to know individuals and organisations who need a helping hand at Christmas.

The nominations are discussed by the Foundation Trustees and they allocate support where it is most needed. And that, quite simply, is why it’s called The Big Christmas Giveaway.

Christmas Giveaway donations total £20,000 in the two years since the launch of the Big Christmas Giveaway. In 2019, to mark the start of the Foundation’s 10th birthday year, the 2018 Big Christmas Giveaway was replaced with Generous January 2019 taking our total of giveaway donations to £30,000.

Here are just a few examples of how our Christmas Giveaway donations

Disney dream comes true: A teenage boy who is deaf and severely disabled requiring full time care had a trip to Disneyland in Paris with his father, the full time carer.

Axis Santas: A mum suffering from cancer had her best Christmas ever! Axis people played Santa delivering gifts to her family, including her son who has Leukaemia.

Chair and care: A seriously ill little girl with a rare bowel motility disorder with no cure received a new specialist recliner bed to help her, and also her carers.

Family support: A bereaved young Croydon Council tenant who had become the family’s primary carer received a new carpet for the family lounge. The Foundation also donated vouchers to help with Christmas shopping.

Kitchen TLC: Big Christmas Giveaway donations purchased kitchen equipment for a Day Centre offering meals and care, company and friendship

Peace of mind: A Swan tenant received a new cooker. Axis teams also installed and checked it all for him too!

Winter warmth: A cold elderly tenant who was living in a flat which had no carpet received a new carpet. Axis fitted it for her too.

Shedloads of love: The MS Society Bexley & Dartford used their Christmas Giveaway donation to purchase a shed where they can safely store all their precious donations.

Spanish dreams: A seriously ill little girl fulfilled one of her dreams – to go to Spain to see her cousin get married – thanks to the Foundation’s Christmas Giveaway donations towards her flight and insurance costs.

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Colourful planters with large ladybird models at Carmel Caterpillars pre-schoolDonations

Carmel Caterpillars Pre-School

January 9, 2018By

Helping children learn through play

Carmel Caterpillars Pre-school is a committee-run service in Sittingbourne that has been running for over 44 years. It has given parents in the community a safe place for their children to learn and play.

Their small garden was in dire need of some TLC. And so, Lorrae Mannering, whose son attends the pre-school, approached the Foundation for help. And we were delighted to support Lorrae’s application.

We donated £650 to fund garden equipment and craft materials. Specifically the donation purchased fencing, a new roof for the playhouse, a pirate ship, a new drying rack, paints, easel, craft materials, toys, paint brushes, flower pots and plants. The pre-school used these to revitalise the garden to create a more exciting space for children.

“The donation from the Axis Foundation has been amazing and is really benefitting the children and will continue to do so for years to come. We’d all like to say a very big thank you from us and the children and an extra special thank you to Lorrae for helping to organise the funding” – Louise Leppenwell, Carmel Caterpillars

More About Carmel Caterpillars

Carmel Caterpillars believes that ‘Children learn through play’ and aims to ensure that the children who attend are free to choose from a range of activities that will help them to develop and learn. The pre-school operates within the local church hall and currently runs morning and afternoon sessions, each attended by around 30 children

 

 

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Attendees to Communicate2U stand together for a picture.Disability

Communicate2U

January 7, 2018By

Training provides improved communication for people with learning disabilities

By advising potential employers and care providers on how best to communicate with people with learning difficulties, Communicate2U helps people with learning disabilities who may face reduced educational and employment opportunities – ultimately, a pathway to poor mental health and poverty. A C2U Communications Expert is person with a learning disability or a vulnerable communicator, who is trained to teach others about communication.

The Axis Foundation’s Donation of £2,000 will go towards purchasing vital equipment including laptops, cameras, a projector and a screen as well as a printer, USB sticks and a mobile phone. This will enable Communicate2U to provide more effective training and as a result, better communication for people with learning disabilities.

“We wanted to say a massive thank you for giving us money to buy equipment. It was great going shopping with so much money and we got the chance to choose what we wanted. With all the equipment, it means we are set up to prepare presentations, use the projector, and screen for use as a teaching aid. We can’t wait to get started. Thank you so much”-  all the students and interns at Communicate 2U

More About Communicate2U

At Communicate 2U there are teams of Occupational Therapy (OT) staff and Communication Experts (a person with a learning disability or other vulnerable communicator, trained to teach others about communication). They have three clear aims:

  • To empower staff in health, social care, education and business with the skills and confidence to communicate with vulnerable people
  • To change the attitudes of employers towards employing a person with additional needs
  • To provide pathways for vulnerable people into paid employment

Communicate2U has recently audited written and non-verbal communication at Birmingham Children’s Hospital and advised on designing a sensory-friendly mental health drop-in centre.

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Smiling residents of Bentilee VolunteersCommunity

Bentilee Volunteers

October 12, 2017By

Social club for adults with learning disabilities

Bentilee Volunteers is a charity which provides social activities and volunteering to children, the elderly and disadvantaged people within the local community.

£2,500 from the Axis Foundation will go towards their Rainbow Club, a social club for adults with learning disabilities, which provides a safe social haven for members to make new friends and take part in creative and interactive activities like drama, music, crafts and dancing, as well as parties and games. In addition, their theatre trips and excursions take members to exciting and stimulating places.

“Bentilee Volunteers were thrilled to receive a donation from the Axis Foundation. The funding will help our Rainbow Project to continue and grow, supporting the good work of our committed staff and volunteers. Above all, it will ensure that this much needed club remains available to local vulnerable people” – Gill McGovern, Funding Development Worker

More About Bentilee Volunteers

Bentilee Volunteers consult with the residents of Bentilee, encouraging them to identify and address the needs of their local area. As a result, they have set up a range of initiatives, helping to raise the quality of life for vulnerable people within the community.  Projects include:

  • The Furniture Shed and Charity Shop (donations and re-sales
  • Youthlink (a club for young people between the ages of 11 and 19)
  • Senior Clubs (luncheon clubs with transport, activities and outings for older members of the community)
  • The Community IT Suite (offering computer training and assistance into employment, training and volunteering opportunities)

 

 

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Group of gardeners at HeadwayCommunity

Headway SELNWK

September 12, 2017By

Helping people with brain injuries

The Axis Foundation donated £350 to Headway SELNWK ,a charitable organisation providing support and services to individuals, family members and carers affected by an acquired brain injury.

To support the therapeutic gardening programme, our donation bought a polytunnel, seeds, compost and garden tools so that members can grow their own fruit and vegetables and also create an outdoor space.

“Being out in the fresh air and gardening helps people to get more energised and the members are all very keen to show people around. It’s been a lovely contribution; it’s just made everything easier so having that contribution is very much appreciated. Your money is going a long way to Headway’s work helping people with brain injuries” – Andy Hirons, Fundraising and Development Co-ordinator

More about Headway SELNWK

Affiliated to Headway UK the brain injury association, the National charity that works to improve life after brain injury, Headway SELNWK is a charitable organisation providing support and services to individuals, family members and carers affected by an acquired brain injury across Bexley, Greenwich, Lewisham, Lambeth, Southwark, Bromley, Dartford and Gravesend. The organisation offers a person-centred service that understands the complexities and problems that may arise after injury particularly with emotions, cognition, memory, communication and behaviour.

Social rehabilitation centres are based in Greenwich and Deptford and provide a friendly, positive and safe environment for all who attend and their Community Support Programme provides choice and a mix of service provision. Headway SELNWK also works in partnership with Kings College Hospital to provide an Early Intervention Project.

More here

 

 

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