A Boost to Climate and Communities in Suffolk: The Impact of the Axter Climate & Community Fund
Ipswich-based flat roofing design and specification practice Axter Ltd, is on a mission to transform the way flat roofs are designed, installed, used, and maintained. Driven by innovation and sustainability, Axter not only looks for better ways to waterproof buildings, but also for meaningful ways to protect the climate and support local communities.
In 2023, inspired by their passion for environmental and social impact, Axter Ltd partnered with Suffolk Community Foundation to establish the Axter Climate & Community Fund. This fund is dedicated to strengthening community resilience, improving health and wellbeing, promoting biodiversity, and supporting emotional resilience programmes for children across Suffolk.
Since launching in October 2023, the fund has awarded 20 grants, totalling an impressive £54,545. In the last year alone, £21,379 has been distributed to eight local charities, supporting a wide range of vital community projects.
How the Fund Is Making a Difference
From urban gardens to environmental education, the fund has already had a powerful impact to communities in Suffolk. Here are just a few of the organisations benefiting from Axter’s support:
Natural Habitat – £3,000
Natural Habitat delivers environmental learning opportunities across Suffolk’s landscapes. The team brings together ecologists, chefs, and other experts to offer rich educational experiences. With the support of the Axter Climate & Community Fund, Natural Habitat can continue providing access to nature for children, refugees, and asylum seekers—helping people connect with the land in meaningful ways.
Tools with a Mission (TWAM) – £2,000
TWAM is well known for sending refurbished tools to communities overseas. This new grant allows them to extend their work here in Suffolk by launching a workstream that provides refurbished toolkits to disadvantaged local communities—supporting skills, employment, and independence. This work was of interest to Axter Ltd due to the environmental impact of diverting the tools and equipment away from landfill and them being repurposed to support local communities.
ActivLives- £3,554.00
ActivLives was awarded £3,554 to sustain and develop a community beekeeping and nature conservation project at their urban community garden reaching a diverse range of people. The Bee Amazed project will provide volunteering and learning activities to show people how they can “do their bit” and contribute to the health of local bee populations and nature as a whole.
A word from the Axter Climate & Community Fund.
“Our Climate & Community Fund was created to support projects that make a real difference to the people and environment of Suffolk. We chose to work with Suffolk Community Foundation because we wanted our support to reach the network of small charities that are doing exceptional things, often with very limited budgets and little visibility beyond the communities they serve. Working with Suffolk Community Foundation also gives us confidence that every pound we contribute is going to well-run organisations that genuinely need our support and share the same values of climate and community improvement.
For me personally, this fund means something far deeper than a line in our sustainability report. I know firsthand what a small, local charity can mean to a family in crisis, and I know that without the Foundation’s network and support, smaller charities simply wouldn’t be able to continue the vital work they do for the most vulnerable people in our county. That experience is at the heart of why we set this fund up, and it’s why supporting the small charity network across our community matters so much to me and to everyone here at Axter”. Phillip Wilcox-Moore – Managing Director
A Word of Thanks
On behalf of all the charities supported by the Fund, Suffolk Community Foundation would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Axter Ltd for their inspiring commitment to Suffolk’s communities and environment.
Feeling Inspired?
You can create lasting change too. Setting up a fund is simpler than you might think—and we’re here to help you every step of the way.
Fran Wright, Philanthropy Manager – [email protected]
Lucy Pembroke, Campaigns Manager – [email protected]