Axis Apprentices Build Sensory Barn for Maypole Project

Axis’ First and Second Year Apprentices create a Sensory Barn for The Maypole Project, a Bromley-based charity which provides a lifeline of support for children with complex medical needs across south-east London.

We built the Sensory Barn during summer 2018 and completed it ready for use on 16 October when Sally Flatteau Taylor, Founder and CE of The Maypole Project, and Ian Rhodes, Divisional Manager at Axis, cut the ribbon. Leading supply chain solutions provider Travis Perkins Managed Services donated all the materials for the works and TW Drainage built the ramp and prepared the ground to accommodate the new electrical connection to the cabin.

“Being able to open our own Sensory Barn is a dream come true for us and will bring enormous benefits to the ill and disabled children we work with. It will act as both a safe space where they can calm down and relax, and an interactive, engaging learning environment. We are extremely grateful to Axis Europe for all of their hard work and dedication to bringing our vision to fruition, and to Travis Perkins for providing the raw materials to make it happen. Without the support of local businesses, we wouldn’t be able to reach out to the 1,000 children and families in Bromley, Lewisham, Greenwich, Lambeth and Southwark we help each year.” – Sally Flatteau Taylor, Founder and CE of The Maypole Project

Axis believes in supporting small, local and impactful organisations with a long term hand up rather than a handout. The relationship between Maypole and Axis dates back to 2016 when the Axis Foundation donated a minibus to The Maypole Project. The minibus helps over 500 children a year, transporting them to different events and activities. Axis also donated a stairlift improving accessibility within the Maypole building. The Sensory Barn is the latest donation by Axis to the Maypole Project which works with families in Bromley, Lewisham, Greenwich, Lambeth and Southwark and supports the whole family from the moment of diagnosis, creating a package of care tailored to the needs of the parent/carer, siblings, extended family and ill child themselves.

Axis Apprentices undertook the project as part of the annual Axis Apprentice Challenge.

Read more on Axis Apprenticeships here.

See more photos from the project here