Four speakers address a roomNews

Spreading the Word: Axis Foundation Lunch & Learn

September 26, 2025By

Axis Foundation Trustees (l to r) Peter Varney (Chair), Claire Pearce, John Hayes MBE (Founder), Mick Hayes and Tim Hayes presented a Lunch & Learn session about the Axis Foundation to over 40 employees in our Stratford office.

Our employees: our eyes and ears

Because they work directly in homes, our employees, and specifically our operatives and Resident Liaison Officers, are the eyes and ears of Axis. And we rely on their support to identify people in need. So we gave all attendees information about how to identify and refer local, small causes and individuals who could benefit from funding through the Axis Foundation. And the session concluded with a Q&A, allowing the trustees to address several thoughtful questions from the audience.

Attendees said that the session helped improve their understanding of the Axis Foundation and how they can refer individuals and groups in need.

Ronald Fraser (Training Administrator) said: “[The event] was an eye opener for me. I came to appreciate the hard work that goes into fundraising. The ideal is that we shouldn’t just be considerate constructors, but great neighbours who look out for one another, too! It was inspiring to hear of the tangible, enduring and immediate impact grants are making to the most vulnerable in our society. I would encourage every corporate team to discuss how they could be playing a role in helping those who deliver front line services to our residents.”

Do you know someone who needs a helping hand?

The Axis Foundation’s mission is to make meaningful, long-lasting change in our local community. If you know an organisation, family or individual in your community who could benefit from a grant from the Axis foundation, please apply on their behalf here or share this form with them.

Celebrating our £3m milestone

We were also marking a magnificent milestone: since 2009, our Foundation has donated a total of £3 million to small, local and impactful causes, with a focus on supporting small organisations and individuals to create meaningful, long-lasting change in the communities where Axis works.

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Donations

Urban Forest Tribe (UFT)

September 23, 2025By

Making nature accessible for SEND children

Urban Forest Tribe (UFT)’s mission is to make outdoor learning and nature connection accessible to all, regardless of background or ability – nurturing individuals and strengthening families and communities.
Firmly rooted in Forest School philosophy, and based in north London, they have a particular focus on those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The Trustees of the Axis Foundation were delighted to support their application with a donation of £3,500 to meet the costs of the sensory and interactive features for their scheme at Bridge School. This scheme will rewild and enhance a green space here, introducing a wide range of accessible, features specifically designed for SEND children.
“We’re over the moon to hear that we’ve been awarded a grant of £3,500 to support the sensory features at The Bridge School site. This funding will make a real difference in helping us create a more inclusive and nurturing outdoor space for the children we work with” – Paula Harvey Founder and Executive Director
There is more about Urban Forest Tribe here
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two children with school bellDisability

Christ Church CofE Primary School, Greenwich

September 23, 2025By

Funding an accessible toilet for SEND children

Christ Church CofE Primary School (Parents and Friends Association) applied to the Axis Foundation for help converting an outdated toilet block into a much-needed sensory room and wheelchair-accessible toilet.

The school (which is located in Greenwich, south east London) supports 210 pupils – 62 of whom are on the SEND Register, including 11 children with EHCPs. As there is no dedicated quiet or sensory space currently on site, the new facilities will provide vital support for children with additional needs.

The Trustees of the Axis Foundation were delighted to help the school fit out the specialist bathroom with a donation of £4,000.

“Wow — thank you so much! We are absolutely thrilled to have your support. The Axis Foundation’s generous donation towards our sensory room and accessible toilet is about so much more than bricks and mortar — it’s a promise to our pupils that their needs truly matter. This funding means that every child at Christ Church will have access to a safe, inclusive space to learn, regulate, and thrive — a space that will champion inclusivity for generations to come” – Laura Simpson, Deputy Head and Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator

There’s more about the Christ Church CofE Primary School here

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disadvantaged

Offshoot Foundation

March 12, 2025By

Film making helps young people develop life skills

The Offshoot Foundation uses film making to help disadvantaged young people develop life skills, raise their aspirations and reach their full potential. The young people they work with are often facing multiple barriers including poor mental health, additional needs including autism and ADHD, school refusal, caring responsibilities and living in areas of high deprivation.

The Axis Foundation was delighted to support Offshoot with an award of £5,396 to enable them to purchase 4 iMacs. These provide an all-in-one computer with screen which is perfect for young people to use for their film making. Purchasing them means that more young people can reap the benefits that Offshoot provides.

“Thank you all for your wonderful donation to our charity. These iMacs will be able to help the many children we work with across East Anglia and London and, with our charity becoming bigger and more successful each year, it will mean they will be able to be used by even more young people as we grow.

“When I took these new iMacs to the Newmarket workshop and explained how we got them, the students could not believe that an organisation would do that for them, You could really see them feel that someone believes in them to make such a generous gesture and many of them  said thank you. They were in awe of the gesture.

“I look forward to sharing the Macs across our three Christmas workshops and spreading the news about Axis Generosity.  Thank you from Offshoot and all its young people” – Paul Press, CEO

Here’s what one young film-maker said about their experience at Offshoot:

“It really helped improve my confidence and possibly give me some ideas for future interests such as jobs, college, GCSE choices. It really developed my social skills, and I made new friends.”

More here

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disadvantaged

Community Albums

March 12, 2025By

Inspiring young people through music

Community Albums inspires young people to learn how to play musical instruments. Through the transformative power of music they help bring about positive change and build better communities.

The Trustees of the Axis Foundation were delighted to support Community Albums in their project in East Ham in the London Borough of Newham, where our parent company Axis is located. We donated £2,176 to help equip and develop a studio here where young people will be able to use percussion instruments and DJ Decks. 

We estimate that up to 50 young people will be impacted immediately, and many more will benefit in the future: developing essential life skills, boosting confidence, enhancing emotional well-being and resilience, fostering a sense of belonging and self-worth, unlocking their creative potential and expanding their horizons.

Our donation bought:

  • Drum kit and drum sticks
  • DJ Decks
  • Percussion instruments (including Guiro, Cabasa, Maracas, Egg Shakers, Tambourine, Bar Chimes and Cahon)
  • Desk and chair 

“That’s wonderful news for our East Ham studio!! Thanks so much to all at the Axis Foundation. School children in deprived areas face a stark inequity in access to arts-based learning, impacting their overall development and life opportunities. Music is sometimes the only way they can express themselves and is, for some, a gateway into writing, composition and more personal self-expression.

“The equipment will make a huge difference to what we are offering the young people at the studio. We can’t wait to buy it all and show them! Thanks again from all of us at Community Albums. Your donation really is hugely appreciated!” – Jan Sheldon, Operations Manager

More about Community Albums

Community Albums’ passion is to amplify voices and so help build better communities.  Two award-winning composers, musicians and music producers Rob May and Simon Hill (of music production company Sitting Duck) founded Community Albums in 2011. They believe music has the power to inspire, heal, empower, unite and bring about positive change.

Community Albums run 1-2-1 therapeutic music sessions for all members of the community and especially love to work with young people with disabilities and more complex needs; and teach digital music and DJing skills and instrument playing. They also create films that share stories, and offer mentoring and career support.

Community Albums run group and 1-2-1 therapeutic music sessions for all members of the community and especially love to work with children and young people with disabilities and more complex needs. These sessions include: singing, digital music and DJing skills and instrument playing. They also create films that share stories, and offer mentoring and career support.

There’s more here

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Donations

Wildgoose Rural Training

December 17, 2024By

New classroom supports activities for disadvantaged adults and children

Wildgoose Rural Training provides activities for disabled adults and children who struggle with the normal education system and those facing problems with their mental health.

In 2023, the Trustees of the Axis Foundation awarded the Worcester based charity £10,000 to help build a new classroom.

The new classroom helped Wildgoose to expand its services and benefit a larger number of individuals in the local community and across Worcestershire.

 “Big thanks to Axis for supporting this project which has made a huge difference to our staff and students” –  Karen McConnell, Development Officer

And in 2024, the Foundation made a further award of £5,914 to build a new barn containing two new classrooms and a storage area. The extra classrooms mean an additional 14 students per day can join in the activities on offer.

More about Wild Goose

Wild Goose offers activities like agriculture, woodwork, mechanics, horticulture, animal husbandry, nature reserve management, cookery and a workstream program learning invaluable practical skills.

Through taking part in various activities students advance in the capacity and the skills required to support a more independent lifestyle.

There’s more here

 

 

 

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Donations

The Garden Classroom

July 25, 2024By

Specialist equipment helps SEN kids re-connect with nature

The Garden Classroom (TGC) is a multi-award winning charity dedicated to reconnecting people with nature.

The Axis Foundation donated £2,008 to enable the Islington-based charity to purchase equipment for Hobbs Hill, their site for day trips and multi-night camping. Hobbs Hill (in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) is designed to offer urban children a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in nature.

We enabled the charity to purchase SEN resources for an autistic safe space on the campsite and a 6-person hammock, both of which will help reduce sensory overload and provide a calm, relaxing environment. And we also provided funds for top-up tools (essential for hands-on activities like bushcraft and den building) and a tarpaulin to safely cover the fire circle and provide shade for eating and cooking.

“Your donation is going to make a huge difference to our facilities on camp, especially for those children with Special Educational Needs. Your support will help us provide inclusive and accessible access to enriching, life-changing experiences for nature-deprived children, with impact extending well beyond their enjoyment of the camp itself.

“Our aim is always to create a deep connection with nature that can resonate throughout the lives of those taking part: and we couldn’t do this without your help – thank you!” – Millie Darling, Director of Countryside Programmes

The Axis Foundation’s donation will benefit over 200 children and their teachers who visit the campsite each year.

In a later report, Millie added: “Our Countryside team here at The Garden Classroom have just finished delivering a hugely successful year of camping residentials during which they spent down all of the generous grant received from The Axis Foundation in 2024.

I hope that our report provides an inspiring picture of the way that our camps have supported disadvantaged urban children over the past two years, especially those with SEND and sensory challenges.  We could not have done this without your generosity – thank you.”

There’s more about The Garden Classroom here

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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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Donations

Free to Be Kids

July 25, 2024By

Transformative mental health support via the outdoors

Free to Be Kids transforms the mental health of disadvantaged London children via outdoor experiences including the 5−day residential Thrive Outside project. Here children meet animals at the farm, build dens in the woods, cook together and camp under the stars. Most projects are based at Cudham Environmental Activities Centre in Kent, owned by Free to Be Kids’ charity partner the Woodcraft Folk.

Each year, Free to Be Kids runs 25 such residential breaks supporting around 400 children most of whom have never left their corner of London.

The Axis Foundation was delighted donate £7,993 to pay for the materials for a new storage facility at Cudham. This took the form of a weather-proof, insulated and secure storage shipping container.

“Simply put, without your support, we may not have been able to continue using Cudham. All of our project equipment (bedding, sports, cooking, outdoor activity equipment) had been stacked to the roof in a tiny storeroom which we were no longer able to use.

“We would need to reduce child place numbers by 30% annually, meaning c120 vulnerable children would have no access to transformative mental health support via the outdoors that we offer” – Mike Gee, Free to Be Kids CEO

And our Axis Apprentices install the storage container!

Axis’ apprentices cleared the land and laid the foundations for the shipping container, then weatherproofing it and connecting it to power. They fitted out the inside with shelving and waterproof crates for storage. And they also then fenced it in, to make sure the new storage facility was secure, and put in some attractive planting too.

More about Free to Be Kids

Winners of London Youth’s ‘Adventure Charity of the Year’ (2022) and ‘Outdoor Education’ (2019), Free to Be Kids supports children in Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham and Bromley who experience multi-factor harm, including parental addiction, neglect, abuse, poverty and homelessness, resulting in significant emotional/behavioral difficulties affecting mental health. There’s more about their work offering transformative mental health support via the outdoors here

And you can read more about the Cudham Centre on the Woodcraft Folk’s website here

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Disability

Sussex Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus

May 1, 2024By

Helping young adults with complex disability

Sussex Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (SASBAH) provides lifelong support for over 1,000 children and adults affected by spina bifida, hydrocephalus and related disabilities.

The Axis Foundation donated £1,760 to purchase eight precision cutters for members of Saspire, the charity’s work experience and training project for young adults with complex physical and learning disabilities.

“This is really wonderful news, thank you so much. New precision cutters will enable the Saspire team to fulfil their contracts with local businesses, through our accessible and supported workshop. Saspire supported work experience enables people with complex disabilities to gain confidence, learn new skills and increase independence. These new machines will be a tremendous boost” – Laura Cecil, Trusts Fundraiser

Laura told us: “SASBAH’s mission is to enable people affected by physical and learning disabilities to lead the lives they want to. We do this by providing lifelong support to over 1,000 people through a range of joined-up services including local support groups; advice and advocacy; a youth club; residential breaks and community engagement. We work across Sussex to offer socially inclusive activities such as meet-ups, exercise and art workshops, lunches and excursions, and we have Saspire, our popular and unique work experience project.”

There’s more about SASBAH’s work here

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