Axminster Care Service

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Approximately £125,000
• Grant Range: £500 - £5,000 (typical grants observed)
• Geographic Focus: Axminster Medical Practice catchment area (Devon)
• Charity Number: 900144
• Established: Registered charity operating locally in Axminster
• Volunteers: 45 active members

Contact Details

Address: South Street, Axminster, Devon, EX13 5AD

Telephone: 01297 35550 (Monday to Friday, 9:30am - 10:30am)

Email: axminstercareservice@gmail.com

Website: www.axminstercareservice.co.uk

For grant applications: Contact the Secretary at 01297 35000 or email axminstercareservice@gmail.com to request a funding application form.

Overview

Axminster Care Service is a local charity established to support individuals, families, and community organizations within the Axminster Medical Practice catchment area. With an enthusiastic team of approximately 45 volunteers, the charity has grown from primarily providing transport services to becoming a multi-faceted community support organization. The charity is largely funded through their South Street charity shop, which enables them to distribute approximately £125,000 annually in services and grants. Their mission is to “fill the holes left by the Health and Social Services provision” by supporting those experiencing challenges due to age, disability, housing difficulties, or educational needs. In 2023, the charity significantly expanded its grant-making capacity when it was chosen by the late Douglas Hull to receive a substantial bequest specifically for supporting dyslexia needs in local schools, launching the Douglas Hull Dyslexia Fund.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Community Fund (£500 - £5,000)

• Rolling basis applications
• Supports local organizations, families, and community projects
• Recent awards include £5,000 to Action East Devon, £2,000 to Flamingo Pool, £1,000 to Axe Vale Netball Club

Douglas Hull Dyslexia Fund (launched 2023)

• Initial £500 donations to all schools within catchment area
• Ongoing support for dyslexia resources and interventions
• Funds specialist equipment, software, books, and support worker contributions
• Application by request to the Secretary

Educational Support Grants

• School trip funding for families who cannot afford it
• School clothing and uniform assistance
• Educational equipment and resources
• Applications facilitated through schools or direct family contact

Individual/Family Emergency Support

• Rapid response grants for essential items
• Example: replacement cooker provided within days for a young family in need
• Contact charity directly for urgent needs

Priority Areas

Education & Young People

• School programs at Axe Valley Community College and Axminster Primary Academy
• Dyslexia support and specialist resources
• Educational trips and residential visits
• Youth sports and activities (sailing, netball, skateboarding)
• Summer holiday support (swimming vouchers)

Community Health & Wellbeing

• Bereavement counselling services (ARC at Axminster Medical Practice)
• Community hydrotherapy pool support (Flamingo Pool)
• Defibrillator provision
• Transport to medical appointments (2,000 trips annually)
• Support for people with disabilities

Local Community Infrastructure

• Churches and faith groups
• Community centres (Pippins Community Centre)
• Food provision services (Nourish)
• Youth organizations (Scouts, Girl Guides, St. John's Ambulance)
• Arts and heritage centres

Emergency & Crisis Support

• Essential household items for families in crisis
• Support for individuals with specific medical needs
• Housing-related emergency assistance

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the charity's scope is limited to:

• Must be within Axminster Medical Practice catchment area
• Focus on local community benefit rather than individual commercial gain
• Projects must align with charitable objectives of relieving need due to age, disability, housing, or education difficulties

Ready to write a winning application for Axminster Care Service?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Join the Launch List

Governance and Leadership

The charity is governed by a board of 7 trustees who oversee the organization's activities and grant-making decisions. Recent trustee appointments have included individuals with strong local connections and civic experience, such as former Axminster mayors.

The organization maintains 37 regular volunteers who support both the charity shop operations and service delivery, including transport drivers and telephonists.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Organizations and Community Groups:

• What other sources of funding have been tried
• How many people will benefit from the funding
• Specific purpose and itemized budget

For Schools (Dyslexia Fund):

All schools within the catchment area have received initial £500 donations and can apply for additional support following the same process above.

For Families in Need:

• Call 01297 35550 (Monday-Friday, 9:30am-10:30am)
• The charity will talk families through the application process
• Schools can also facilitate applications on behalf of families

Application Method: Contact-based (no online portal), rolling basis

Decision Timeline

While specific decision timelines are not published, the charity has demonstrated rapid response capability:

• Emergency support (e.g., essential appliances) can be provided “within days”
• Standard grants appear to be decided at trustee meetings
• The charity emphasizes flexibility and responsiveness to local needs

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, the charity's community-focused approach and rolling application process suggest they work closely with applicants to support viable projects that meet their criteria.

Reapplication Policy

No specific restrictions on reapplication are mentioned. The charity's ongoing support for organizations like schools, community centres, and local groups suggests they maintain relationships with beneficiaries and can provide repeat funding for different projects or ongoing needs.

Application Success Factors

Demonstrate Local Impact: The charity is deeply rooted in the Axminster community. Applications should clearly articulate how the project benefits people within the Axminster Medical Practice catchment area and how many local people will be helped.

Show Financial Need: As stated in their guidance, applicants should “clarify what other sources of funding they may have tried.” The charity positions itself as filling gaps, so demonstrating that other funding sources have been explored strengthens applications.

Align with Service Gaps: The charity explicitly aims to “fill the holes left by the Health and Social Services provision.” Projects addressing unmet needs in health, education, disability support, or family crisis are strongly aligned with their mission.

Provide Specific Budgets: When requesting funding, be specific about costs and items needed. Recent successful grants have included itemized requests (e.g., tracksuit bottoms for 120 netball club members, specific dyslexia resources).

Engage Early: The charity encourages contact before formal application. For families in need, they state “contact us and we will talk them through how to apply for funding,” suggesting they prefer dialogue over formal processes.

Highlight Vulnerable Groups: The charity specifically supports those experiencing challenges due to “age, disability, housing, or education difficulties.” Applications that clearly identify how they help these groups are prioritized.

Leverage School Connections: For educational projects, working through local schools (Axe Valley Community College, Axminster Primary Academy) appears to be an effective pathway, as the charity has established sponsorship programs with these institutions.

Consider the Dyslexia Fund Separately: If your project involves dyslexia support in schools, specifically reference the Douglas Hull Dyslexia Fund in your application, as this has dedicated funding.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Local is essential: This is a hyperlocal funder serving only the Axminster Medical Practice catchment area. Organizations outside this geography should not apply.

• Shop-funded grants: The charity's grant-making capacity is directly linked to their charity shop revenue, suggesting they value community engagement and may appreciate mentions of reciprocal support.

• Quick response possible: For genuine emergencies, the charity can move quickly (appliances replaced “within days”), so don't hesitate to contact them for urgent needs.

• Dyslexia is a current priority: The 2023 launch of the Douglas Hull Dyslexia Fund represents significant new funding capacity. Schools and organizations supporting children with dyslexia should explore this opportunity.

• Relationship-based approach: With only 45 volunteers and serving a small geographic area, this is a relationship-based funder. Personal contact and dialogue appear more important than formal proposals.

• Flexibility over formality: While application forms exist, the charity emphasizes talking through needs and circumstances, suggesting a flexible, responsive approach to grant-making.

• Demonstrate community backing: As a charity shop-funded organization relying on local donations, showing community support and involvement in your project likely resonates with trustees.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Axe Vale Festival Limited
• Chippenham Borough Lands Charity
• OKEHAMPTON UNITED CHARITY
• Exeter Chiefs Foundation
• THE BRIDGE TRUST
• Market Harborough and The Bowdens Charity
• The David Gibbons Foundation
• Northbrook Community Trust
• Barton Under Needwood and Dunstall Key Trust
• Somerset Community Foundation

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities: Axminster Care Service (900144) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/900144 -

• Axminster Care Service Official Website - About Page - https://axminstercareservice.co.uk/about -

• Axminster Care Service Official Website - News Page - https://axminstercareservice.co.uk/news -

• Midweek Herald: "Former Axminster mayor's bequest funds dyslexia support in schools" - https://www.midweekherald.co.uk/news/24081620.former-axminster-mayors-bequest-funds-dyslexia-support-schools/ -

• Midweek Herald: “Axminster charity announces it will help fund free community counselling service” - https://www.midweekherald.co.uk/news/23541079.axminster-charity-will-help-fund-free-counselling-service/ -

• Axminster Care Service Information Booklet 2025 - https://www.axminstertowncouncil.gov.uk/_UserFiles/Files/ACS%20Information%20Booklet%202025.pdf -