Two people playing Table Tennis at Pimlico Foundation youth projectDonations

Pimlico Foundation

March 12, 2017By

Youth project activities reduce anti-social behaviour

The Pimlico Foundation runs after school clubs, one-on-one mentoring, detached youth work, sports and creative activities, all of which are designed to prevent anti-social behaviour and encourage community spirit.

The Axis Foundation donated £700 to the youth project to help them purchase equipment including board games and a table tennis set. This donation means that there is a wider range of activities available at the weekly youth club. These sessions provide the young people who attend with a safe and relaxed space where they can interact with each other and engage with informal learning which serves to enhance their social and personal development.

“We’d like to thank the Axis Foundation for their gift of a donation. It has enabled us to purchase a table tennis set and board games and these are perfect ways to encourage the young people who visit us to interact with each other. The donation has added to our youth work and we appreciate the support as it’s something that the children are really benefiting from” – Mark Liburd, Senior Youth Worker

More About The Pimlico Foundation

The Pimlico Foundation works with young people to create a hub which provides physical, emotional and spiritual support, helping them to reach their full potential. The charity holds a weekly ‘hot chocolate outreach’ which reaches around 100 people. Attendees receive free hot chocolate and get the chance to speak to the youth workers from the charity about local events and help to shape the community.

The youth project operates under the youth movement Outbreak, which aims to create a cohesive community and help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds living in Pimlico

 

 

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Co-ordinator of Camberwell After School Project receiving cheque.Donations

Camberwell After School Project

February 1, 2017By

Children can socialise in safe after-school club

Camberwell After School club  enables children to socialise with each other in a constructive and enriching environment and we are happy that our support will be used to bring smiles to local children’s faces. Our donation of £1,000 bought gifts, toys and resources for children within the Camberwell community to enjoy.

“The donation has come as a blessing and it’s a great Christmas present for the children and we’re very grateful” – Carmen Lindsay MBE, Chief Executive Officer

“This after school club is vital for parents as it gives them peace of mind and practical support in terms of caring for their children whilst juggling their career or studies. They don’t receive much support though, so I’m really happy that the Foundation is helping them” –  Leah Kimani, parent

“We liked the cause and recognise the importance of knowing that your children are cared for whilst balancing working and family life. Services such as the Camberwell After School Project are a valuable asset to our community and it is important that we do everything that we can to support them ” – Foundation Trustee, Sandie Ryan

 

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A child plays in the sensory soft room at Tower Hamlets Opportunity Group.Donations

Tower Hamlets Opportunity Group

December 12, 2016By

Safe sensory soft room for playgroup children

The Tower Hamlets Opportunity Group is a playgroup which provides a safe environment for all children (under 5) living in the borough supporting them on their journey into school.

51% of the children who attend the playgroup have a disability or additional needs, so it’s important that parents feel confident their children are involved in a safe, fully inclusive, pre-school, educational environment. In addition, Tower Hamlets Opportunity Group, a registered charity, aims to reduce isolation by helping people become part of the community.

In 2016 we made a donation of  £9,097. With this grant the Group created a sensory soft room including soft cushioning, steps, a slide, a mirror a dome, a projector and a twinkle hut for the children. Here the Tower Hamlets children – particularly those with disabilities – can learn and develop as they engage with their peers in a safe with a safe, stimulating and enriching environment.

“The sensory soft room was a simple design but it ticks all the boxes for under 5s development. It gives our little ones the scope to be confident and supports their imagination and physical development. Thank you for providing us with such a useful resource. Our children have really benefited from using the sensory room. It is a bright, soft and atmospheric room that everyone loves to use” – Lorraine Dooley MBE, Project Co-ordinator

 “The children at the setting are making great use of the sensory soft room that the Axis Foundation awarded us funding for. It has been such a great resource. The play practitioners and children are delighted”- Alan Dooley, Capacity Building Officer

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Braille at Clearvision for visually impaired childrenDonations

ClearVision Project

October 20, 2016By

Support for visually impaired adults and children

Can you imagine what it would feel like if the world of books was closed to you because you were visually impaired? Books educate and inspire and bring people together. Whether it’s at bedtime, in the classroom or at a book club, reading plays an important part in our lives and encourages sharing – pages, opinions and ideas. Indeed, as Roald Dahl said: “If you are going to get anywhere in life you have to read a lot of books.”

The ClearVision Project is a charity that helps those with visual impairment They encourage the love of reading, increase the availability of books in accessible formats and promote the use of braille, Moon and tactile illustrations. Their specially-created books put print, braille and Moon (an easier version of braille) together on the page with pictures so that people with a visual impairment and sighted people can read together. Reaching all ages across the UK, their work is impressive and far-reaching.

The Axis Foundation’s grant of £4,000 to the ClearVision Project funded 100 dual print and Braille newly-fluent books including popular children’s classics The Enormous Crocodile by Roald Dahl, Lizzie Zipmouth by Jacqueline Wilson, The Big Red Balloon by the charity’s patron, former children’s Laureate Anne Fine and The Hodgeheg by Dick King-Smith.

“We were delighted to receive your donation and would like to thank the Axis Foundation very much. With your help we can continue to meet the needs of our borrowers and bring them the joys of reading aloud and sharing books and stories.

“The books in contracted braille funded by the Axis Foundation are going strong and being very much enjoyed. The use they’re getting just goes to show how very much needed they are, and what a gap the funding has helped to fill.The results of our works are proven, opening the world of books up to those with a visual impairment, stimulating, educating and helping them progress and develop.

“Thank you very much for your help: the support of generous organisations like yourself is vital to our survival and ability to best meet the needs of our users.” Alexandra Britton, Director

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Children see Santa at West Durrington Phoenix GroupCommunity

West Durrington Phoenix Group

July 8, 2016By

Helping local support group with Christmas donation

Based in Durrington, Worthing, the Phoenix Group is a support hub for the local community. Across a number of years, the local support group has opened its doors to a number of different groups to further support the community.

The Axis Foundation has made a Christmas donation of £5,000 to the group to fund their annual Christmas lunch. 194 children were present at the event and 29 adults came to support some of them. The group supports children who come from families experiencing financial and emotional strain. All of the children were identified through local schools, housing associations and family centres. Before we awarded the donation, the group were organising the party on limited funds which meant there would be no disco, face painter and no entertainer for the children to enjoy. This donation allowed them to provide a party that was much more fun and included special presents for every child.

The children were treated to a delicious Christmas Dinner and enjoyed entertainment from a magician and a balloon artist. In addition, the Axis Foundation’s donation provided a photo booth, where children (and adults) dressed in silly costumes and captured special memories.

“I was over the moon when I was told we were going to be given the money, you can’t imagine the difference it has made. My objective for this party was to make lasting positive memories for our family and this money has allows us to do that. Thank you,” Linda Lewis, Group Representative.

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Demelza

Top DJ Dave Berry accepts second cheque for Demelza 2016

July 7, 2016By

Capital Radio DJ Dave Berry accepted a cheque for £75,000 from Peter Varney, Chairman of the Axis Foundation, on behalf of Demelza Children’s Hospice at the hospices premises in January 2016.

Demelza is Axis’ charity partner; both the parent company Axis, and the Axis Foundation are long-term and loyal supporters of the hospice.

Peter Varney thanked the Capital DJ saying: “It is always a very moving experience to visit the Demelza Children’s Hospice and you cannot fail to be humbled by the fantastic and caring work they do. Axis people have played a huge role in organising fundraising activities to support Demelza and deserve enormous credit for this achievement.”

This is the second time Dave Berry, Demelza’s patron has accepted a Foundation cheque from us. We are delighted to have such capital support!

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Disabled child in specialist mobility chairDisability

George Tappenden Fund

May 3, 2016By

Specialist mobility wheelchair for disabled toddler

Toddler George Tappenden lost the use of his legs due to Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) so the Axis Foundation donated £3,000 to help his family buy his new specialist mobility chair.

The chair supports George’s body and enables him to get around more easily, stand up, sit on the floor, play with his siblings and be able to experience a life closer to that of a typical, happy toddler. The specialist mobility chair cost £21,000: George’s family and friends organised successful fundraisers including raffles, quiz nights, balls and auctions to raise the required amount; our donation helped them reach the total they needed.

George’s mum, Lucy Frost said: “We want to thank the Axis Foundation and all the people who donated. It’s hard to believe that it was just before Christmas that we were told George had SMA, and when we were told how much the specialist mobility chair cost it felt like we were never going to get there – but we did. What is very hard as a mother is knowing that George will get worse, and everything he ever needs or uses is going to have to be designed to him. That’s why I hope people continue to be so kind and support us. Thank you.”

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Child and teacher on Heltwate School trip to NorfolkDonations

Heltwate School

April 23, 2016By

Helping students with learning disabilities gain life skills

The Axis Foundation donated £200 to Heltwate School to assist them in organising a school trip to for their students: all have severe special educational needs and some are on the Autism spectrum. The children spent a week away on the Norfolk Coastline. They stayed in two youth hostels and visited destinations and attractions around Norfolk.  Far more than a sight-seeing exercise, this school trip enabled students with learning disabilities firstly to live a little more independently, and also taught them some basic skills such as meal preparation and tidying, cleaning and bed making. For some it was the first time, or the longest time, that any of them had spent away from home.

Our donation made the trip even more special: it paid for the students to take part in a boat cruise – on which some thoroughly enjoyed steered the boat; and we also contributed to a day trip to the North Norfolk Railway which was a real treat as many of the children love transport.

“We were blown away to receive such a generous donation from the Axis Foundation. I cannot put into words the difference it made to our trip. They enjoyed themselves immensely and the growth in confidence and self esteem during the week away was evident” – Kim Granger, teacher 

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Demelza worker and child at Demelza Hospice Care for ChildrenDemelza

We Win Special Supporter Award and donate £32,000 to Demelza

April 13, 2016By

Axis Foundation wins Demelza’s Special Award: Outstanding Long-Term Supporter 2016

The Axis Foundation has presented a cheque for £32,000 to Demelza Hospice Care for Children to assist them in continuing to care for children with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses. The money was raised through an annual charity ball, corporate donations and the fundraising efforts of Axis people across our offices who are firmly committed to supporting Demelza.

At the same time, Axis was honoured to receive the Outstanding Long Term Supporter at the recent Demelza Awards, which were set up to reward companies for supporting Demelza.
And indeed it is a long term relationship: over £500,000 has been given to the children’s charity through Axis and the Axis Foundation since Axis was in its infancy.

Ryan Campbell, Demelza CEO, said: “We continue to be so touched by the incredible support Axis has shown Demelza over the years. I have been honoured to meet some of the staff there and thank them personally for their tremendous enthusiasm on behalf of the children and families we care for. Presenting you with the Outstanding Long-Term Supporter award at the Demelza Business Awards was a chance for us to acknowledge this amazing support, both from the company as a whole, and from the many individual staff members who fundraise on our behalf.”

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Wide Horizons logoDonations

Wide Horizons

October 12, 2015By

Adventure-based learning activities for disadvantaged children

Wide Horizons delivers a range of adventure-based learning activities for all age groups of school children. These include day centre nature experiences for primary school children and adventurous activities for older children and young people. They call this their ‘Adventure Learning Partnership’ programme.

Wide Horizons used their £5,000 donation from the Axis Foundation to provide a programme of outdoor education and adventure to sixty children from economically disadvantaged areas.

Our donation will fund a week long programme of activities, designed specifically to link with the school curriculum and help with educational and personal development. The children from Marvel Lane and Brent Knoll schools in Lewisham are selected based on a means testing system to identify those most in need.

“Helping Wide Horizons deliver adventure-based activities to children whose families cannot afford  thems, supports our belief that every child should have the opportunity to experience adventure as part of their education and throughout their lives”  – Axis Foundation trustee, Tim Hayes 

The benefits to children attending the adventure-based learning programme are far reaching and include increased confidence and self-esteem, better communication skills, an understanding of how to work as part of a team and achieving personal goals. These benefits combine to improve the chances of success at school and future employment.

“The donation to the Adventure Learning Partnership Programme was matched to two local primary schools in Lewisham which proved to be very successful. Each school had an amazing time, infact everyone had a fantastic time” – Lynn Leadbeater, Fundraising Manager

“The week was a great success and the teachers and children were buzzing when they returned back to school” – Headteacher, Eddie Dove

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