Welcome to Axis Foundation, the charitable arm of Axis.

horticultural

Culpeper Community Garden

June 8, 2018By Axis Foundation

Local community gardening project is Eden in Islington

Islington’s award-winning Culpeper Community Garden works closely with local organisations who support vulnerable people. Many schools come here to learn about nature. There is a wealth of activities and workshops for adults and thousands of members of the public also visit this haven every year.

The RHS has warmly praised Culpeper, a registered charity, in their London in Bloom competition. “Culpeper is an outstanding example of community gardening in the city… It’s social and therapeutic horticultural at its best.”

“The money from the Axis Foundation, £2,000, will be used for environmental education and gardening sessions with groups and local schools. I am so happy that the Foundation’s grant can further support our projects at Culpeper.

“Culpeper’s a wonderful green community centre in the heart of London where people from every background, advantage and disadvantage can relax and work together in a beautiful green space. I call it a ‘little garden of Eden’. The garden has been a source of pleasure and inspiration to me for over 30 years” – Margaret Pitt, Trustee

More about Culpeper

Culpeper Community Garden is close to several large housing estates in Islington and is run by locals on organic and sustainable principles. It is one of London’s oldest city parks / community gardening in the city projects and land here comprises 46 plots for local residents and groups, communal areas (including a pond, wildlife area, lawn and rose pergola), a community building and a tea hut for members.

Supporting vulnerable people

Culpeper supports the Elfrida Society, the Stuart Low Trust, Room to Heal and Islington Mind. These local organisations help vulnerable people including those with learning difficulties and mental health issues as well as isolated people and asylum seekers. Each organisation has a weekly session at Culpeper and a plot of their own to cultivate.

“This garden is like paradise for us. When I came here, I was very depressed and without hope. It was winter and now for me it’s spring,” – Garden Volunteer

Community

Organiclea

March 5, 2018By Axis Foundation

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.

Donations

Carmel Caterpillars Pre-School

January 9, 2018By Axis Foundation

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

Community

Headway SELNWK

September 12, 2017By Axis Foundation

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