Disability

The Abbey School

July 25, 2024By

17-seater minibus makes trips and treats accessible for wheelchair users

The Abbey School is a strong and vibrant special school with places for students who have learning difficulties and additional needs. The school also welcomes children with physical disabilities – and now has 12 wheelchair users.

The Axis Foundation donated £10,000 to help the charity (The Abbey School Farnham Trust) purchase a 17-seater wheelchair-accessible minibus so that Abbey School pupils can go swimming, to the gym, to local nature reserves and on summer school trips.

“On behalf of all the pupils and staff at The Abbey School thank you for the pledge of £10,000 towards our new minibus. We are really grateful to you all for deciding to help us with this very generous offer.

“A wheelchair-accessible bus will make activities available to all our pupils regardless of their disability and will help increase their independence as they grow older and leave Abbey for further education, supported employment or work experience” –  David Jackson, Head Teacher

There’s more about Surrey-based Abbey School here

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Disability

Park Lane Stables

July 25, 2024By

Bringing the benefits of riding to more people with disability

Park Lane Stables is an award-winning Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) centre enriching the lives of children and adults with disabilities or learning difficulties.

The Axis Foundation donated £2,754 to purchase two specialist saddles so that more people can reap the undeniable benefits of riding with the team at Park Lane Stables.

“Thank you so much for approving a grant for our charity. We are incredibly grateful. The grant will enable us to provide group sessions for those with the most complex needs.

“At present, we only have one specialist saddle, so we have to take the most complex people one at a time. Your grant will enable to increase participation. We also remember that the saddle also provides comfort for the horse which is just as important part of the partnership” – Natalie O’Rourke (Manager)

More about Park Lane Stables

Park Lane Stables operates over 6,000 individual riding sessions for young people with disabilities every year. Activities include assisted riding, horse care, carriage driving, equine therapy and hippotherapy.

The benefits, as the parents of young riders report, include improvements to physical/core strength; social and communication skills; mental health and wellbeing; behaviour and relationships and confidence and resilience.

The majority of staff here are registered as disabled and most have been previous clients of the charity, now finding meaningful employment within the centre.

Here’s more about the charity which is based in Richmond, Surrey.

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Disability

Greengrow

July 25, 2024By

Accessible toilet for visitors with disability

Greengrow is a not-for profit, ecologically-run farm which produces food boxes for local households and grows food for a local food bank. They also offer enriching educational countryside experiences for urban children.

The charity was seeking funding for an accessible composting toilet for visitors with disability – and the Axis Foundation donated £5,000 to help them.

“We can’t thank you enough, this has made our week; it will make a huge difference to our organisation.This funding will allow us to reach out to more people who will benefit from our beautiful farm. It will be a real legacy project that will form part of our Care Farm hub.

“Thank you again so very much!” – Rozelle Bettesworth (Director)

Greengrow Farm currently has one composting toilet but it is not accessible for individuals with additional needs. The new accessible toilet for visitors with disability brings Greengrow a wider gain: Greengrow can offer more day placements for adults with learning disabilities and expand their offerings to schools so more visitors and come and learn about farming and growing food.

There’s more about Greengrow, a beautiful 34-acre mixed farm in the Waveney Valley, here

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Disability

Ruby’s Fund

July 25, 2024By

New specialist hoist supports those with disability

After her daughter Ruby was born and diagnosed with a rare chromosome disorder, Alison Parr identified a gap in support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families. So, she founded Ruby’s Fund. And now, this award-winning charity supports 2,000 families (including children and carers) each year in Cheshire East.

The Trustees of the Axis Foundation, recognising the excellent work of the charity, awarded Ruby’s Fund £4964.79 to cover the purchase and installation costs of a new tracking hoist in the disabled toilet at their centre.

“I was delighted to hear we have been awarded the grant to allow us to fit a hoist in our disabled bathroom. It will make such a difference to the families who require specialist support, such as hoisting, and we will proudly show them the hoist when it is installed. On behalf of Ruby’s Fund, the staff, volunteers and the families we support, thank you. We appreciate your generosity and kindness” –  Alison Parr, Founder, Operations and Impact Manager – and Ruby’s mum

More about Ruby’s Fund

Ruby’s Fund’s overall aim is to provide early help for families of young children with SEND to ensure they stay well and avoid reaching crisis point: to help them thrive, be happy and feel part of a bigger family. High quality facilities at Ruby’s Fund centre include a café, a sensory room with hoist, soft play area, siblings’ play room, a sensory garden and changing room with hoist. The centre benefited 6,000 visitors in 2023.

They also offer outreach sessions at partner venues and onboard their mobile sensory bus. The dedicated team offers person-centred support to disadvantaged and vulnerable children and families; improving their quality of life and wellbeing.

Feedback highlights

• 95% of parents said Ruby’s Fund has improved their overall sense of wellbeing
• 100% of parents felt ‘listened to’ by Ruby’s staff
• 66% of parents felt Ruby’s Fund support had prevented them seeking crisis support from their GP
• 93% of parents felt better informed on how to be a good parent carer
• 100% of parents would recommend Ruby’s  Fund support services to other parent carers.

There’s more about their work here

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Care

Down Syndrome Cheshire

July 25, 2024By

Supporting therapy sessions to empower those with Down Syndrome

Down Syndrome Cheshire is dedicated to empowering individuals with Down syndrome, helping them unlock their potential and live the lives they choose.

The Axis Foundation donated £3,000 to Down Syndrome Cheshire to purchase sensory and musical equipment for babies, children and families to use during therapeutic sessions. Therapy sessions are designed to enhance social, communication and educational skills.

“This is wonderful news! Thank you so much from everyone here at Down Syndrome Cheshire. This will make such a big difference to our small, local charity as we can purchase more sensory and music equipment, allowing us to run more therapy sessions for our members, especially over the summer holidays.

“Developing strong communication skills is so important for our members. We are delighted to have been awarded this grant, as it will significantly benefit our families and their children, particularly in developing communication skills and having lots of fun!” – Julie Duff, Chair

More about Down Syndrome Cheshire

The charity was established in in 2007 by a group of local mothers who all had babies with DS. It has grown to directly support over 350 children and adults with DS and their families, as well as informing education and health professionals and the wider community. Visit their website here for more information

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Disability

Creating Safe Garden for Young Man with Rare Disability

July 25, 2024By

 

Brenden has a very rare disability called Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome characterised by delayed growth and development, intellectual and mobility disability, seizures and distinctive facial features. He needs 24/7 care

Brenden’s father desperately needed to create a safe outdoor space for his son. He wanted to level the whole garden and to create a large patio where Brenden could use his K-Walker and his wheelchair: a safe place for him to enjoy.

And this is where his landlord Peabody, Axis and the Axis Foundation in a true partnership were able to help! Peabody raised the alert to the family’s needs. Axis’ Nicola Barcoe, Partnering Manager, applied successfully to the Axis Foundation for support and personally undertook to oversee the works (value approximately £13,000).

The Axis team created a new patio of porcelain paving slabs (which are smoother and safer), levelling and adding astro turf to the remaining area. We put in a new fence, using funds contributed by Peabody while our sub-contractor M&R donated and fitted the shed, giving two additional days’ labour to the project with no charge. And our supplier Global Stones generously donated the paving slabs.

“It is unbelievable. This will really help Brendan with a better quality of life. We would like to thank Axis, the Axis Foundation and Peabody. They have been amazing” – Brendan’s parents

Peter Varney, Chairman of the Axis Foundation Trustees, said: “This project vividly represents what the Axis Foundation is all about and how it is a force for good. The Foundation believes in giving help where it is really needed, and where it can change a life. Here the Foundation has changed Brendan’s life.

“The partnership of Axis – operatives, supplier and subcontractor and the Foundation – with Peabody has created a space for this young man and his family to enjoy together now and in the future. We wish the family well.”

Nicola Barcoe said: “As well as Brenden’s other conditions he also suffers with social anxiety and doesn’t cope well in crowded surroundings which highlights the need for a usable open space which will be good for his mind, body and soul.

“It was a pleasure working with the Robinson family to create a new outside area for Brenden which will improve his  – and his family’s quality of life – and hopefully will give them years of enjoyment. I thoroughly enjoyed project managing these works through to completion and being the main point of contact for the family.

“I would like to thank the Axis Foundation for the funding and Peabody for funding fencing works, as well as  M&R and Global Stone who all helped give the family such an open and beautiful space.”

Elly Hoult, Chief Operating Officer at Peabody, said: “It’s incredible to see the results of Brenden’s garden transformation, and the big smile on his face. Now, this family can spend quality time together in a beautiful outdoor space. We believe that every resident deserves a safe and enjoyable home, and this initiative not only enhances Brenden’s quality of life, but also showcases Peabody’s commitment to supporting residents and fostering inclusive communities.”

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Two small children Kaiden Burman and Marla BurmanDisability

New bed for little Kaiden

June 10, 2024By

Helping little boy with Dravet Syndrome – and his family

Axis’ Fleet Manager Taylor Burman applied to the Axis Foundation to acquire a specialist cot bed for his son Kaiden who suffers with Dravet Syndrome, a very rare and complex form of epilepsy.

Taylor told us: “We are always looking for ways on how keep Kaiden safe. He only sleeps about three hours a day and can be up all night. He needs monitoring systems constantly overnight. When we are at Demelza, he uses a specialist bed. It is electrically operated and has perspex panels and padding and is really great for him. So, I applied to the Foundation for help to buy something similar.”

The Trustees of the Axis Foundation were completely unanimous in their decision to support Taylor and his family and have made a donation of £11,000 to buy the bed.

Thanking the Foundation, Taylor said: “From the very day I started with Axis just under three years ago now, I’ve been supported by such a fantastic company. Axis is a company you want to stay with, there are no other companies like Axis, Axis is like a family, The Axis Family.

Taylor told us: “It was only two years ago, Kaiden caught Covid from hospital, at just one of his many visits, and due to his condition, we nearly lost him. It was extremely touch and go and unfortunately he had to be medically induced into coma. I remember ringing my manager at the time, David Crampton, and broke down in tears on the phone.

“The words and support I received from the board of directors, managers, colleagues and operatives were amazing. It was a tough time, but strangely that support helped us, helped Kaiden.

“I was later introduced to the Axis Foundation, constantly being told by [Foundation Founder, Axis CEO] John Hayes: ‘Taylor, the Foundation is your Foundation, use it.’

“I had always turned it down: my reasoning was, Axis does enough for me, and I wasn’t sure there is anything that could help Kaiden. I was WRONG!

“Kaiden started going to Demelza in Sittingbourne last year. We were extremely anxious about leaving him over night. He has no sense of danger at all. Our hospital consultants explained it like this: ‘If you put an item in fire, a normal person would keep away from the fire, but Kaiden would walk into the fire and sit in the fire to play with that item.’

“And because he also has epileptic seizures, it just wasn’t safe to have him in a normal bed. Demelza had a purpose-built specialist bed just for him, for children like him, something we have not seen or heard of. So I enquired with Demelza about the bed, the safety of the bed and most importantly, does Kaiden like it (he does!).

“When we were in the process of moving home, our wonderful [Foundation Trustee/Axis Divisional Finance Controller] Claire Pearce reached out to me asking if there is ANYTHING the Foundation could do for my family. The rest is history.

“My family and I would just like to thank the Foundation their support in providing the bed, it has taken a humongous amount of pressure off me and my wife. It’s very hard to put in words how thankful we are. Thank you!”

More about Kaiden

Kaiden, suffers with a disability called Dravet Syndrome, which is a rare and complex form of epilepsy. He requires 24/7 care at home and school and needs regular assistance at our charity partner Demelza’s hospice in Sittingbourne. Demelza’s home care team provide respite for the family too. including his sister Marla.

Because of related co-morbidities (including autism, mobility and sleep issues, low immunity and oxygen levels) and vulnerability to SUDEP (sudden unexplained death in epilepsy) Kaiden is also treated frequently at specialist hospitals including Evelina and Great Ormond Street as well as the family’s local hospital, Medway in Kent.

Up till now, he has slept in his parents’ room along  with all his vital equipment including Oxygen machine and bottles, medication, and seizure and oxygen monitoring systems.

As Kaiden, now five, grows and gets heavier it is increasingly hard to lift and carry him so the local council are re-homing the family to a larger home with hoists and lifts – and where he will have a room of his own.

And, thanks to the Axis Foundation, he now has a practical, safe cot too.

 

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Disability

Burton Wheelchair Rugby Club

June 4, 2024By

Gaining confidence through wheelchair rugby

Burton Wheelchair Rugby Club helps wheelchair-bound people enjoy the physical and mental benefits of a community team sport.

The Axis Foundation agreed to donate £3,650 to fund a new specialist wheelchair so more members can participate in the team sport, gaining independence, confidence and empowerment.

“That is brilliant news – thank you so much. Our heartfelt thanks to the Trustees” – Richard Williams, Fundraising Coordinator

Richard added: “Most of our members have suffered some form of trauma in their lives and lack confidence to continue feeling part of our community. We have already seen members who had given up hope join our club, be part of a team and feel whole again. We know there are hundreds of disabled members of our society who could join our club. Our plan is to expand the club to include junior members, so they don’t have to wait to become adults to be included.”

As well as supporting individuals’ wellbeing and health, Burton Wheelchair Rugby Club additionally engages with the local community to raise awareness of disability sport and also helps disabled people who are not permanently wheelchair bound too.

There’s more about the club which is based in Staffordshire, here

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Care

The Thomley Hall Centre

May 2, 2024By

Enhancing the lives and experiences of people with a disability

The Thomley Hall Centre is a lifelong learning and leisure centre which exists to enhance the lives and experiences of people with a disability, their families and the wider community. Thomley enhances the well-being of disabled people through delivering activities that helps develop the skills they need to run their day-to-day lives.

The Axis Foundation donated £10,000 so Thomley can build an eco-friendly Interactive Water Feature (IWF): a safe, fun and accessible place where people with and without disabilities in Buckinghamshire can enjoy water-based play.

Ewan Shinton, Thomley’s Chief Executive, told us: “A huge thank you to Axis, the interactive features of the IWF will offer experiences that are a huge amount of fun and developmentally important for our visitors. The majority of the people who visit Thomley are children with autism who have difficulties processing and integrating sensory input. The multi-sensory experiences provided by the IWF and water will be uniquely beneficial for them. We expect the IWF to quickly become our most-popular attraction and be used by everyone who visits Thomley.”

There’s more about The Thomley Hall Centre here

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little boy with fair hair in white tee shirtCare

Helping a Little Boy with Rare Genetic Disorder

January 31, 2024By

Donation buys a sensory room to help Toby, a little boy with rare genetic disorder

Six-year-old Toby Conway has an incredibly rare genetic disorder called De Novo ZNF 292 syndrome. It is so rare, his doctors and consultants have never previously encountered a patient with this diagnosis. And Toby’s parents are unable to find any other parents in a similar situation to share their experiences.

Toby has autistic traits, speech delay and extreme hyper mobility, His abnormal brain structure primarily affects his short-term memory (so he has some educational challenges). He is physically weak and has a high risk of epilepsy.

Despite all his challenges, Toby embraces mainstream education and loves his school. His parents told us:

“Every day, he runs into school with a huge smile on his face; it’s priceless. He is honestly the most polite, infectious and caring little boy. He is a pleasure to be around for both adults and other children. His school is amazing, and we’re hugely grateful for their support.”

The Axis Foundation Trustees awarded Toby’s school (Northgate Primary School Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire) £10,000 to create a sensory room. This will not only help Toby’s sensory processing disorder but will also benefit the 100 neuro-diverse pupils at the school.

Thanking the Foundation, Toby’s father Mark Conway said: “This donation will make such a huge difference to Toby and all other pupils at his school, both neurodiverse and neurotypical. His school do an amazing job with limited resources, and their new sensory room will create a safe space for the kids that will be invaluable. Thank you so, so much.”

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