We are committed to supporting our local and the wider community through a variety of schemes.
Each year our HQ chooses a charity local to the East Devon area to support and raise funds for. Our stores are involved with other charities and the communities local to them.
Resources from a pension fund have been utilised to build a new leisure facility which can be used and enjoyed by the local community.
Supporting Woodworking Communities
We've spent more than 50 years building our Axminster Tools woodworking community. We've met some incredible people along the way and we want to reward and celebrate them. From those at the start of their journey to the unsung heroes who put their heart and soul into sharing a passion for all things creative. We hope that by sharing some of these stories we can inspire and connect even more people.
As part of our commitment to supporting woodworking communities, we currently run two reward initiatives.
Skills Development Programme
The teams at Axminster Tools are built from industry professionals, craftspeople and passionate woodworkers. The Axminster Tools Skills Development Programme runs every six months and is an exciting opportunity for one aspiring woodworker to come and spend the day with our tutors. This one day course is aimed at people at the beginning of a career in woodworking or those who wish to develop a specialist skill to support their existing career.
Learn more
Community Grant
We've met countless people committing their time and sharing their skills to raise awareness for woodworking crafts and the benefits of creativity. Together, they work tirelessly to change lives while ensuring these much loved, traditional crafts are around for people to enjoy for generations. By highlighting these wonderful communities we can help raise awareness for key social issues within woodworking. We also want to reward and celebrate these groups who often get very little recognition or support.
Are you part of a charity or non profit organisation using woodworking to support the community? We want to tell your story. What's more every six months, three communities will be awarded a share of £2,000 in Axminster Tools vouchers as part of the Axminster Tools Community Grant.
Apply now
The Furniture Makers’ Company
The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers is the British furnishing industry’s charity. The Company does invaluable work supporting the industry by helping those in need, nurturing skills and expertise and championing excellence.
We have been supporting and working with FMC since 2013, taking a particular interest in the work the Company does with young furniture makers. It's vital for the future of the industry that we continue to support and develop fresh new talent.
Axminster’s Managing Director Alan Styles has been a Liveryman of the Company since 2018.
Welfare Support
If your financial situation has changed and you are struggling to pay your bills, if you work or have worked in the UK furnishing industry you may be eligible for a grant through The Furniture Makers Company. Learn more
Men’s Sheds
At the start of 2017, Axminster Tools made a commitment to the Men’s Sheds Association to provide training to ‘shedders’ in the best interests of member safety and assistance, where possible, with the supply of tools and machines to reduce setup costs and help Sheds become self-sustaining.
All of the Axminster stores are encouraged to support at least one UK Men’s Sheds Association Shed and help direct customers to Shed locations in the area.
The Sylva Foundation
We support the Sylva Foundation in Oxfordshire which in turn supports education and training in woodworking crafts at the Sylva Wood Centre. The Centre provides a dedicated space and equipment plus facilities to nurture business incubation.
A Shared Passion
We also work with Worshipful Company of Turners and The Institute of Carpenters, both of whom share our passion for building a sustainable future for the industry.
Online Axminster Community
Our online community of Axminster customers and followers has grown significantly since the beginning of 2020. We facilitate and encourage discussion and support between all levels of makers through our Community Forum , social media platforms and, more recently, our live YouTube series Woodworking Wisdom.
Business Support
We have a dedicated Business Services team who work alongside businesses to share knowledge and industry insights. We support our business customers in a number of ways including opportunities to make connections and learn about industry related topics through Lunch & Learn Workshops.