Children show Christmas cards they made with charity Accuro.Community

Accuro

August 18, 2018By

Transport for young people and adults with a disability

For local children, young people and adults with a disability and their families Accuro offers a great range of activities and outings in West Essex. 

Our donation of £5,560 helped transport members to social activities including trips to the seaside. These respite trips reduce loneliness and provide fun, friendship and entertainment.

“Thanks to everyone at AXIS – you have helped make a real difference to people with learning disability in West Essex. We can help our members learn new life skills, as well as reduce social isolation while increasing their confidence and giving them the independence and opportunity to integrate with their local community ” – Natalie Trapmore, Grants and Trusts Fundraiser

More About Accuro

The range of activities for local children, young people and adults with a disability and their families provided by Accuro is extensive. Initiatives for young people include the School Holiday Support Project offering 8-19 year olds with a disability opportunities to participate in leisure and social activities.

The Saturday Play Club offers 8-16 year olds with a range of disabilities and needs the opportunity to engage in constructive and imaginative play within a safe, caring environment developing confidence and self-esteem plus communication, social and life skills.

For adults with a disability, the Adult Friendship Scheme offers opportunities to take part in leisure and social activities.

 

 

See how the people at Accuro spent our donation – and hear their words of thanks as they join us and celebrate our 10th birthday in 2019

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Five Men on summit of Arctic Mountain for Demelza Arctic Challenge FundraiserDemelza

Axis Arctic Challenge

August 17, 2018By

Chilly Challengers Fly the Flag for Demelza on Arctic Fundraiser

Well done to the Axis Arctic Challengers who went all the way to the top of Mount Kebna in the Arctic Circle – raising funds for our Axis Foundation charity partner Demelza

The Chilly Challenge

Axis people Christopher Houlihan, Gary Perfect, Philip Twin John Bull and Daniel Blake decided they would take on the chilly challenges of the Arctic Circle to raise money for Demelza Children’s Hospice, the charity partner of both Axis and the Axis Foundation  supporting children with life-limiting illnesses.

The Adventure Begins!

On the first leg of their Arctic Challenge fundraiser, the team arrived at base camp on the first night – in great spirits if a little burnt and tired! The following day they went from 25 degrees C to minus 10; sweltering heat to hail and glaciers; hot rocky terrain to waist-high snow drifts; suffering cramp, dizziness painful injuries and bearing heavy kit: our Arctic Challengers certainly had to dig deep to reach the heights.

Would they do it again?

In total the Arctic Challenge fundraiser provided £10,000 for Demelza. They said:

“Yes, without a doubt we would do it again. We got a real sense of achievement. We pushed ourselves to a place we did not know existed. Throughout the Arctic Challenge fundraiser, we kept thinking about the kids at Demelza. We had a hard few days. Their entire life is hard. The money we raised will make a difference.”

An exclusive extract from the diary of the Arctic Challenge Team

“No sooner had we left the first valley did our fears become reality, a storm, fearsome freezing winds, hail & snow coming straight at us and whilst we needed to descend quickly our only route back was up into another valley totally exposed and heading into the storm. There was no safe opportunity for photos here. We stuck to what rockery we could but then found open snow to cross, increasing in distance as visibility was so poor and with the weather worsening all the time – thunder and lighting now!

“No option but to continue we pushed and pushed, falling down in snow or twisting ankles on rocks, with one of us even becoming stuck and needing to be dug out! The valley seemed endless and the weather relentless, progress was perilously slow. We were wet, cold through and totally exposed and our gear barely sufficient for such conditions!

“Eventually we began to descend and with it the hail and snow became rain and the wind lessened to allow us look up, what we saw was a long valley and 6 wet cold hikers! Kebna had broken us but not beaten us!”

Axis would like to thank the following for their support, sponsorship and pledges:
Advanced Drains, Camview Security, Clearline, D&D Plumbing & Electrical, Danacom Ltd, Hallowell Electrical, Hydrotech, Leander Services, M&R Ltd, Paul Grindley, Pump Practitioners, PV Electrical, Raysaleccy, Rob Mellish, Roofmaster, SH Plumbing, Synergy and W&K Interiors.

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Children play with child theraeutic equipment donated to Blooming Blossoms.Disability

Blooming Blossoms

August 10, 2018By

Helping disabled and disadvantaged children

The Axis Foundation’s donation of £4,500 to Blooming Blossoms will contribute to providing specialist therapeutic equipment which will help disabled and disadvantaged children to lead independent lives.

The equipment Blooming Blossoms purchased includes a Frame (to be used in conjunction with sensory swings, platforms and bolsters); a Steamroller Deluxe; a Helicopter Swing and a Stargate Swing.

“The donation from the Axis Foundation will make a massive difference in the lives of disabled and disadvantaged children Without the support of Blooming Blossoms many of these children will fail in their education and social lives. On their behalf I say thank you!” – Kayla Lew, Funding Officer

More About Blooming Blossoms

Based in the London Borough of Hackney, Blooming Blossoms is a free learning centre supporting approximately 80 children on a regular basis and upwards of 160 children through the drop-in options and out-of-hours Sunday-funday sessions and holiday play schemes.

Happy Haven here is a state-of-the-art Therapy Centre which offers both conventional and holistic therapies (including Occupational Therapy, Speech & Language, Drama Therapy, Art Therapy, Music Therapy) so that children can hone and improve crucial life skills.
The children attending the learning centre are all from low-income homes and families: Blooming Blossoms offers their therapeutic services to all children referred to them, free of charge.

 

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Two Children supported by Newlife, with portable hoistDisability

Newlife Foundation

July 30, 2018By

Improving quality of life for two children by purchasing specialist equipment

Newlife Foundation is the UK’s largest charity provider of specialist equipment for children with disabilities and terminal illnesses. In their care areOlivia and Ryan who, at the time of our donation, were both around eight years old.

Olivia has a genetic disorder that affects the nervous system. So, the Foundation donated £2,899 to Newlife towards a specialist bed that will improve her quality of life and provide relief for both herself and her family.

Ryan’s disability means he has to be hoisted in and out of his wheelchair whenever he needs to use the bathroom, have a wash or go to bed. There is a ceiling track hoist in his home but Ryan’s family were very limited to where they could take him. So, the Axis Foundation donated £1,020 to Newlife towards a portable hoist for Ryan, meaning that they can take him to exciting new places for longer periods.

“We would like to say a huge thank you to the Axis Foundation for their support of Newlife and our family – this will make a big difference. Having a portable hoist that we can put in the boot of the car and take with us wherever we want to go will make a huge difference to Ryan’s life. There are endless possibilities. Ryan has never been able to play in a paddling pool in the garden but this summer he will be able to enjoy this simple pleasure. We will be able to be more adventurous about where we go for days out with Ryan and even consider a family holiday” – Ryan’s Mum, Victoria

 

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Youths wearing For Jimmy T-shirts - a charity who safer spaces and communities in South East London.Community

For Jimmy

June 22, 2018By

Creating safer spaces and communities

The Axis Foundation and For Jimmy have consolidated long and special relationship working together in memory of Jimmy Mizen. For Jimmy was founded by the family of Jimmy Mizen, a 16-year old Lewisham boy who was murdered here in 2008 by a fellow young person. Jimmy’s parents, Barry and Margaret, are determined to create a living legacy of forgiveness, peace and hope, helping build safer spaces and communities for everyone – and especially for young people.

We are so grateful to the Axis Foundation for their support and generosity. I promised my son the day he died I would never stop working on his behalf, and I would never forget him. Of course we never have. The support of the Axis Foundation means For Jimmy can continue to work to build safer spaces and communities” – Margaret Mizen, mother of Jimmy

2018: Our millionth £ goes to to For Jimmy

In 2018, we shared a special moment together when the Foundation reached £1m in total donations: this landmark on our road of giving was passed when the Foundation donated £5,000 to For Jimmy.

“We look forward to a long partnership with the Axis Foundation and would like to congratulate – and thank – them all on reaching their £1 million in donations made to charities and causes like ours” – Barry Mizen, Jimmy’s father.

 “We are delighted that our millionth pound is to be given to For Jimmy, a charity that is so close to our hearts and that has had such a positive influence” – Peter Varney, Chairman of the Axis Foundation Trustees

“I’m delighted to celebrate donating one million pounds to causes and charities like For Jimmy that really make a difference and have an impact in their communities” – Alan Curbishley, Patron of the Axis Foundation

Also in 2018: We fund Young Citizens

The Axis Foundation’s donation in 2018 of £10,000 to For Jimmy developed their Young Citizens Programme. The YCP provides the opportunity for young people to identify, plan and deliver a community project which builds their capabilities and self-confidence as well as adding to their passion of making a positive contribution to society.

“We believe we all have the power to build the types of communities we want to live in. We are grateful to the Axis Foundation for their whole-hearted support. Our new Young Citizens Programme has been made possible by your generosity and will make a difference the lives of many young people” – Barry Mizen, father of Jimmy Mizen

2017: Safe Havens

In 2017 the Axis Foundation gave For Jimmy a donation of £5078 funding Safe Haven’ stickers and For Jimmy t-shirts. Safe Havens (inspiring and equipping children and young people to build safer spaces and communities), Good Hope cafes and Talks for Change in schools are three Flagship Programme areas of focus at For Jimmy.

See our video celebrating our 10th anniversary in 2019 as Margaret Mizen explains how For Jimmy used our donation.

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Children at Holy Lodge Centre learning about natureDonations

Holly Lodge Centre

May 14, 2018By

Granting urban children chance to discover nature at Outdoor Learning Centre

Holly Lodge Centre is an outdoor learning centre in Richmond Park. Here they’ve adapted their beautiful two-acre nature trail to allow children – including those with even the most complex needs – to access the natural world.

In 2017, over 5,600 children – 678 of whom were disabled – attended Holly Lodge Centre natural world workshops. For some it was their very first encounter with nature. Many of the pupils live in high rise flats and attend schools with tarmac outdoor areas. They met tadpoles, newts, stag beetles and even slugs and snails: some had never seen such creatures before.

In 2018, the Axis Foundation granted £4,000 towards the outdoor learning centre to create more workshops and provide additional transport so that more children can attend.

“This donation is so exciting, giving children living in urban areas the opportunity to get outside and discover for themselves fantastic invertebrates, birds and pond creatures.

“We can immediately see the benefit these children get from being in a natural space, they get so excited to even see ants! It is most amazing for children who struggle in the classroom, their teachers are delighted to see them so enthusiastic to learn about wildlife in our beautiful setting.

“It is vital that children have the opportunity to explore and discover nature; even more so for children with disabilities who have least access to the outside world.

“Thanks to the generous donation from the Axis Foundation we were able to deliver 12 free workshops… The feedback from the sessions was overwhelming positive with 100% of the schools scoring each session with 5 out of 5 for the group enjoying the session and for the session meeting their curriculum requirements” – Anna King, Centre Manager

What the teachers said

  • “Exciting, engaging tasks….. we loved the pollen games, making a tree, potting plants and the leaves’ hunt. It was perfect, thank you so much”
  • “Hands-on pond dipping enthralled our pupils. Very happy with our experiences, we would love a longer day”
  • “The children really enjoyed looking for bugs and lifting logs to see what was underneath them”
  • “The level of detail in each session was really valuable, the class particularly enjoyed the camouflage”
  • “All of it was really good, especially the outdoor activities where the children can get stuck in with nature”

 

 

 

 

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Transporting children with disabilities in donated carDisability

Lifelong Family Links

April 12, 2018By

Giving transport for children with disabilities

Lifelong Family Links provides short breaks and stimulating outings for children and young people with medium to severe disabilities. These include Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Special Educational Needs and a range of physical and sensory disabilities. They give lifts to 560 young people, enabling them to lead fuller and more stimulating lives.

Our donation of £3,000 helped to purchase a new car for the charity. The car is wheelchair accessible and will transport the young people to social activities, family outings, swim clubs and more.

“It’s not fair that these children are socially disadvantaged without access to the same leisure or transport experiences as other young people. We hope that this donation will provide enjoyable experiences for the children in a safe and comfortable environment with professional carers” – Joe Ibrahim, Axis Foundation Trustee

Our Previous Support

In 2012, the Foundation donated £2,500 to Lifelong Family Links’  summer activity programme. The grant covered the cost of mini-bus transport, carer support and sporting activities including swimming, wall-climbing, football and horse riding. These activities are otherwise inaccessible to the children and their families due to the extra support they require.

“The LFL is extremely grateful for the Axis Foundation’s support. Without funding, the Summer playscheme for these disabled children simply couldn’t happen. Then these young people, especially those with severe autism and severe disabilities, would most likely be sitting at home for the duration of the summer holidays because it is a struggle for their parents to take them out” – Lambeth Family Link’s Marva Trenton.

More About Lifelong Family Links

Lifelong Family Links was initially set up in 1982 to support children with disabilities and their parents in the Lambeth area. They now run afterschool clubs, holiday play schemes, a befriending service, an allotment gardening project and a Saturday club for over 200 disabled children/young people.

 

 

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Child touches interactive wall in sensory room at Mapledown SchoolDonations

Mapledown School

April 12, 2018By

Providing immersive sensory room for children with Special Educational Needs

The Axis Foundation granted £3,000 to Mapledown School, helping to fund a sensory room. This is an immersive environment that helps children to learn and captures their imaginations. It is highly interactive. Students touch imagery projected onto the walls which emits a response, like bubbles appearing in a virtual aquarium or stars in the night sky. The room also features an Eye Gaze station where students can play educational games with their eye movements, which are tracked using a detector.

Our donation paid for ceiling work that enabled projectors and an interactive music system to be installed and also purchased an APPlicator device that allows students who are unable to use their hands to interact with a tablet.

“We are grateful for the generous donation of the Axis Foundation which has provided more opportunities for our students to learn and explore through lessons and recreation” – Daniel Green, Mapledown School

More about Mapledown

Some of Mapledown School’s pupils have sensory impairments, physical difficulties or challenging behaviour. Therefore, the school’s resources include a multi-sensory room, a hydrotherapy pool, a soft play room and a fully equipped gym. This ensures that every child receives the support they need. Friends of Mapledown is a registered charity that helps to raise money for the school’s specialist equipment, which is usually very expensive by nature. The charity is formed of a small group of teachers and parents that also contribute towards gifts for the children and extracurricular activities where they can.

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Children enjoy physiotherapy swimming lesson at Waterwings swimming club.Donations

Waterwings

April 12, 2018By

Swimming classes for children with disability

Waterwings is a fully accessible swimming club that provides occupational therapy for children with physical and learning disabilities. It also offers hydrotherapy.

The Axis Foundation’s donation of £3,600 will pay for the use of the school pool, a lifeguard cover and a hydrotherapy trained physiotherapist for a year.

“This funding is essential for the running of Waterwings. Without it we would not be able to provide vital, life enhancing therapy and play for these wonderful children. This type of facility is not available anywhere else locally and we thank Axis Foundation so much for helping us to ensure it continues” – Tracy Smith, Fundraiser

More About Waterwings

Waterwings is the only swimming club in St Leonards on Sea that provides fully accessible swimming lessons, occupational therapy and hydrotherapy. Sessions take place at St Mary’s School, Bexhill where the school pool is specifically designed for children with special needs. It has a hoist, changing areas for children with physical disabilities and accessible car parking for carers and parents.

Waterwings’ children have a range of disabilities: Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, heart problems, developmental delay, Downs Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy, learning disabilities or autism. Whilst some children can walk with support and others are wheelchair dependent, they all have difficulty in getting into the water and need assistance or hoisting. Local facilities are in the main unsuitable and, importantly, unsafe, because of overcrowding, lack of hoists and the pools’ temperature.

It is well documented that children with physical disabilities benefit from regular targeted occupational therapy. Hydrotherapy (no longer available through the NHS) helps with bone and muscle development. It also provides relief from muscle spasm and teaches patterns of movement that are vital for posture, sitting, standing and walking.

 

 

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Stepney Scouts and scout leaders kayak down river.Donations

Stepney Scouts

April 9, 2018By

Funding for scout group enourages young people in outdoor activities

The 9th Stepney Scout Group wanted to help local youngsters engage in more outdoors activities like kayaking and canoeing on the local canals and rivers. Local sports facilities were proving expensive for the group and their families.

The Axis Foundation donated £4,500 to fund the scout group; they’ve matched this sum. The money will be used to purchase kayaks and all the associated equipment and safety aids.

Our funding for the scout group will mean that young people can set out on the local waterways of East London in their kayaks, enabling them to gain their “Time on the Water” and “Paddle Sports” badges. The lasting impact of our donation will be the skills and bonds that these experiences will form for the youngsters whilst they are on the water.

The The 9th Stepney Scout Group of 65 young people aged 8 to 18, based in Tower Hamlets, East London, is run by volunteers.

“Joining in the activities with the group is fun, we get to learn new skills that we wouldn’t get from school. I enjoy taking park in kayaking and raft building. I can’t wait for the summer!” Julia (13 Years Old).

“I can’t believe that the leaders have been able to get our own boats, now we can spend more time on the water” Carlos (11 Years Old)

 

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