On May 14th a team of Axis volunteers led a DIY workshop with the Magpie Project (MP) for the benefit of vulnerable mothers in East London. The Magpie Project supports women and children who are living in temporary or insecure accommodation in Newham and surrounding boroughs. In the past, Axis have had the opportunity to support MP through our foundation – donating £5,000 in 2024 towards well-crafter play equipment and creative items to furnish a new play space for children. We were pleased to be able to provide a workshop in May that would enhance the quality of life and accommodation for both the mothers and their children. This workshop developed DIY skills for women moving into their own housing. The mothers in attendance were also provided with DIY goodie bags from Axis. The waterproof tote bags included: a mini spirit level, screws, hammer, portable measuring tape, small paint rollers and a tray, a set of paintbrushes, a screwdriver, and leaflets on keeping the home warm and mould-free. The bags were well received and helped extend the impact of the workshop beyond the day itself.
The Big Construction Diversity Challenge
Axis Tackles Library Bus Project to Improve Children’s Literacy Throughout September and October, Axis undertook the renovation of a project in Westminster to encourage learning and fun to primary school students. St Mary Magdelene & St Stephens School in Westminster had the unique opportunity to have their very own library in a bus in their playground! However, the library bus had fallen into disrepair over time due to leaks, mould, and structural damage. Axis was pleased to undertake a renovation project to restore the bus as a functional and valuable resource for the school and the wider community. The renovation involved repairing the structural issues of the bus, including leaks and damaged seals, stripping and repainting the interior and exterior, and replenishing the bus’s book collection with new donations. Prioritising completion by early October, we ensured the bus was ready to use during the school year, maximising its availability for both students and the local community. About the project, Carol Gold, Head Teacher, said “Books open up world beyond our students’ lived experiences. For some, this library is their only access to books, so having it back is invaluable.” As well as providing 460 volunteering hours to this project and over £11,000 in materials and works, we were happy to also be able to donate new books to replenish the library’s collection and replace the books damaged prior to the renovation.
Supporting a Hospital Garden Makeover for Children. At the beginning of December, 16 volunteers from Axis’ FRA team took on a project to enrich the lives of poorly children at the Royal London Hospital. Samantha Paynter, Contract Manager was introduced to a local family who tragically lost their son, Dilly. Prior to passing, Dilly had been receiving care at the Royal London Hospital since 2020. Whilst in hospital, the family realised that there was no safe, outdoor space for children and families to use. In honour of his memory, the family decided to create a wonderful tribute to their child and create something special for other families spending so much time at the hospital. With no hospital funding available, the family set up a funding pledge to the local community asking for support. In collaboration with our supplier, City Plumbing, we were able to purchase and install the perimeter fencing for the project. This ensured that the area was safe and secure for the children and was a key part of the project progressing. Dilly's mum, Amy, said ‘Watching the fence go up today was an emotional and powerful moment - its one step closer to creating a space filled with love, joy, and the magic of childhood, just as Dilly would have wanted. I want to say the biggest thank you to Axis Europe for making this possible. Their team braved the pouring rain all day, volunteering their time, energy, and kindness to help bring this vision to life'.
National Tree Week Volunteering Campaign Environmental Volunteering: Axis Supports National Tree Week 2024 National Tree Week 2024 was a huge success last year, with Axis volunteers contributing 112 hours to tree planting initiatives! Axis’ Linu Eldho, Sustainability Coordinator, said ‘At Axis, we understand the critical importance of planting trees to support a sustainable future. This National Tree Week, we proudly contributed to the planting of over 1,000 trees, an effort that not only enriches the environment but also strengthens our communities. Through partnerships with charities and encouraging our team members to use their volunteering days for tree planting, we are taking meaningful steps toward positive change. Additionally, we continue to plant a tree for every employee through Ecologi to celebrate their one-year service milestone’. Cudham Tree Planting- On Wednesday 25th November, Axis teamed up with L&Q to volunteer with the Woodlands Restoration Project at Cudham Environmental Activities Centre. After donating and installing a brand new weather-proof, insulated, and secure storage shipping container at the centre, Axis was asked to help restore the centre’s green space. The centre’s woodland was unfortunately destroyed due to Ash back disease, with 100s of trees being removed and the space left bare. Our volunteers were asked to donate their time, as well as equipment and resources, to re-plant the trees and bring the woodlands back to life.
Showing the company’s unwavering commitment to personal development, talent, and people, Axis has welcomed 32 new apprentices to the family across the month of August. You’ll be able to find our wonderful apprentices across a multitude of roles, including: Apprentice Electricians Apprentice Multi-traders Apprentice Painters Apprentice Plumbers Trainee Administrators Trainee Customer Service Advisors Trainee Quantity Surveyors Michelle Workman, Apprentice Coordinator, spoke highly about the new intake with excitement saying “This year, we have achieved outstanding success in our apprentice recruitment with 32 apprentices/trainees joining us! We had many applicants through different routes such as Friends & Family events, clients, charities and career and school events”. Axis is incredibly proud to be welcoming so many brilliant individuals at the start of bright future careers. We believe in encouraging both personal and professional growth at Axis, with 10% of our workforce being apprentices!
Brenden Robinson, aged 23, lives with a rare genetic disorder called Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, which affects his mobility. As a wheelchair-user, he needed a larger and safer place to play, with level flooring. Brenden has complex needs that require 24-hour care, seven days a week. He doesn’t like big crowds and gets frustrated when he’s unable to go out in the garden. His father, John, describes his son as a “happy go lucky young man who always has a smile on his face, even on bad days”. After spotting a crowd funding page, partners housing association Peabody, Axis and the Axis Foundation, provided a bigger, brighter and safer space where Brenden feels happy and can have fun playing outdoors. Now, Brenden can have fun in the garden with his family or enjoy the peace and quiet by himself. The Axis Foundation funded the refurbishment, and Axis reinstalled better quality paving that is smoother and safer. They also re-turfed the lawn, built planters and filled them with soil making the entire space accessible for Brenden’s wheelchair. They addtionally put in a new fence, using funds contributed by Peabody, Axis’ sub-contractor M&R, donated and fitted the shed, giving two additional days’ free labour to the project. And Axis’ supplier Global Stones generously donated the paving slabs. “It is unbelievable. This will really help Brenden with a better quality of life. We would like to thank Axis, the Axis Foundation and Peabody. They have been amazing” – Brenden’s parents
We bring 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. Our Foundation’s award of £2,754 purchased 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
Our specialist equipment enables urban children to immerse themselves in nature. The Garden Classroom (TGC) is a multi-award-winning charity dedicated to reconnecting people with nature. With our award of £2,008 they purchased equipment - including a hammock and tools- for the children who enjoy day trips and camping at their site, Hobbs Hill. 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. “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 Visionaries, a social enterprise dedicated to connecting children, young people, and educators with the natural world, embarked on a transformative journey with School 360 in Stratford. Their ambitious plan to convert the school’s concrete playground into a vibrant green space received a significant boost when the Axis Foundation stepped in to lend support. The Axis Foundation agreed to donate £9,500 towards the project. This funding went towards purchasing raised beds and an impressive array of 50 fruit trees, essential elements for the rewilding of School 360’s outdoor area. The initiative aimed not only to enhance the space but also to provide a hands-on, experiential learning environment for the students, particularly those facing challenging transitions or coming from marginalized backgrounds. Eager to go beyond financial assistance, Axis employees volunteered their time and energy to help with the tree planting on the designated day (27th March 2024). The team, consisting of Victor Williams, Georgie Doe, Emily Springham, Halima Rawat, Thomas Geach, and Vera O’Driscoll, rolled up their sleeves alongside students from reception, year 1, and year 2, to plant the fruit trees. But the collaboration didn’t stop there. Axis volunteers joined the Conservation Volunteers to take on the role of educators, hosting an engaging educational activity for the students. Through interactive sessions, they imparted knowledge about nature, sustainability, and the environment.
