Annual Reserves Day was created to highlight and recognise the valuable contribution Reservists make to our Armed Forces.

As part of Armed Forces Week (19-24 June), Launchpad is celebrating and recognising the valuable contribution reservists play in supporting the charity.

Reservists give up their spare time to serve in the Reserve Forces, balancing their civilian life with a military career to ensure that should their country require them, they would be ready to serve as part of the military.

The Reserve Forces make up approximately one sixth of our Armed Forces personnel and as such are integral to protecting the nation’s security at home and overseas, particularly providing capability in specialist areas such as medical and cyber.

Launchpad currently has two reservists amongst their staff at Speke House in Liverpool.

The charity, which provides accommodation and support for up to 100 veterans across three houses in the North of England, actively supports 15 days special leave for current reservists ensuring they fulfil their commitments and attend both courses and operational commitments to help further their reservist career.

Gary Perriton serves in the Naval Reserve and is a Warrant Officer. His role within Launchpad is Corporate Fundraising and Business Development, which has seen strong partnerships grow between the charity and the business community, particularly across the North West.

Nicola Higham is Deputy Manager of Launchpad’s Speke House and an Army Reservist. She has been fully supported by Launchpad throughout her career in the Army and is given time to carry out her training and exercises, separate from work and normal holidays.

Earlier this month, Launchpad was granted Silver Award holder of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (DERS) for its commitment and support to Defence and the wider Armed Forces community. One of the main aspects of achieving the Silver Award is a strong commitment to demonstrate or advocate support to Defence and the Armed Forces community, whilst aligning values with the Armed Forces Covenant.

The charity was recognised for employing and supporting people in Defence, including reservists and veterans. They also enable reservists to apply for up to 15 days special leave of absence to attend training and courses with the Reserve.

Nicola said;

“Through my five years’ service at the Army Reserves, I have been fully supported by Launchpad and can adjust my working hours if necessary. Each year, I’m granted 15 days paid leave entitlement for my annual camp. Without the support of Launchpad, I would not be able to offer my service in the capacity that I do.”

This year, Reserves Day was celebrated on Wednesday 21 June and to mark the occasion and in the lead up to Armed Forces Day this Sunday, staff and residents at Speke House held an open day for corporate partners to visit the house, speak to staff and residents and enjoy a BBQ.

Since 2013, Launchpad has supported over 620 veterans across all three houses in Liverpool, Newcastle and Durham.

Vital funding from VIVO Defence Services has helped veterans’ charity Launchpad to improve the external facilities at Hollyacre House in Sacriston, Durham.

Earlier this year, VIVO, which provides facilities management and accommodation maintenance for the UK military and its partners, awarded the charity £10,000 sponsorship as part of a two-year corporate partnership.

The funding has contributed towards the costs to tarmac the car parking facilities at the house, which will also accommodate disabled residents and improve the visiting experience.

When Launchpad took over the management and operation of Hollyacre House last year, the grounds around the house were extremely overgrown and unkempt. The driveway leading to the house and the dedicated car parking area for residents became heavily deteriorated and was in major disrepair.

Now, thanks to additional funding, the new car parking facility is not only more functional, it has aesthetically improved the external appearance of the house.

Launchpad provides accommodation and services, with the help of specialist providers, to support homeless veterans who have fallen on hard times and have found the transition from military to civilian life difficult. Hollyacre House comprises 16 self-contained apartments for veterans and their partners, and includes a communal lounge, kitchen and a gym for residents to relax and socialise.

Phil Thompson, Manager of Hollyacre House, said:

“Naturally, when we took on the ownership of the house there were a lot of jobs that needed doing. Our main focus was to concentrate on undertaking essential internal improvements to the flats and communal areas. The car park was in desperate need of repair, to the point where residents were refusing to use the area because of the risk of damage to their cars.

 

“Improving the car parking facilities was always a job that needed doing but, as a small charity, a huge expense, so we are very grateful to VIVO Defence for providing this funding to enable us to carry out these essential works. The result is amazing and will hugely benefit residents and visitors, but it has also significantly changed the appearance of the house.”

Jerry Moloney, VIVO Defence Services Managing Director, added:

“As an organisation that works solely for the UK military and its partners, giving back to charities that do such great work – as Launchpad does for former armed services personnel – is really important to us.

 

“I am proud we have been able to help in this way, the new driveway looks fantastic. I look forward to seeing what more work we can do together throughout our partnership for Launchpad and, of course, the veterans it does so much for.”

In addition to the funding, VIVO Defence has also committed to arrange for its employees to visit Launchpad’s locations to provide workshops, job training and advice to residents seeking employment.

Veterans’ charity Launchpad has been awarded the silver award from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) for demonstrating its commitment and support to Defence and the wider Armed Forces community.

Launchpad is one of 56 businesses that has secured the silver award. The scheme encompasses bronze, silver, and gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to Defence and the armed forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.

Launchpad was awarded the bronze award in February 2021 and has continued to demonstrate its commitment to the military community. The charity provides accommodation and support, with the help of specialist providers, to support homeless veterans who have fallen on hard times and have found the transition from military to civilian life difficult.

To strive for Silver recognition, Launchpad has:

• Employed 14 Defence people including reservists and veterans.
• Enabled reservists to apply for up to 15 days special leave of absence to attend training and courses with the reserve forces.
• Continued to support resident veterans living in all three houses in Liverpool, Newcastle and Durham with housing, health and wellbeing and employment opportunities as part of their transition to move on and live independently.
• Engaged with other military charities, the Armed Forces and an extensive network of corporate partners to promote and support veterans and reservists.

Nicola Higham, Deputy Manager at Launchpad’s Speke House in Liverpool said;

“Through my five years’ service at the Army Reserves, I have been fully supported by Launchpad and can adjust my working hours if necessary. Each year, I’m granted 15 days paid leave entitlement for my annual camp. Without the support of Launchpad, I would not be able to offer my service in the capacity that I do.”

David Shaw, CEO and Founder of Launchpad, commented:

“This is fantastic news and we are delighted to receive this silver award in recognition for our commitment and support to the Armed Forces and the veterans we have supported since we were founded in 2013. Veterans and reservists are a fundamental part of our expanding workforce and I’m proud this has been recognised.”

Commenting on the announcement of the 2023 Employer Recognition Scheme Silver awards; Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Reserve & Cadets), Major General Marc Overton said: “I would like to thank and congratulate the recipients of this year’s Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Awards. A Silver award recognises the fantastic efforts of employers throughout the UK who have both elevated their commitments under the Armed Forces Covenant and provided actual benefits to the Armed Forces Community.

“The winners should all be proud of their life-changing impact and fresh opportunities they are providing to our Reservists, veterans and their families. The number of winners this year yet again shows that the Armed Forces family talent pool is also providing tangible business benefit.”

Colonel Mark Underhill OBE DL, Chief Executive at the North West of England and the Isle of Man Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (NW RFCA) and a Trustee of Launchpad, said:

“On behalf of the Ministry of Defence, we are honoured and delighted to be able to recognise the outstanding support and commitment given to the Armed Forces Covenant by businesses and organisations in the region, through the Employer Recognition Scheme awards. Each recipient has demonstrated their support to the Covenant and the wider Armed Forces community, but also that they are prepared to support their Reservists, Service Leavers, Spouses, Veterans, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and Cadets in the workplace.”

Launchpad runs three houses in the North of England providing accommodation and support for up to 100 veterans. Since 2013, over 620 veterans have been supported across all three houses in Liverpool, Newcastle and Durham.

The full list of businesses achieving the Silver Award can be viewed here.

For most veterans, the transition from the military to civilian life is smooth, however, some feel strong emotions that might stem from operational experiences or when going through such marked transition. These might include anger, fear, worry, and sadness when they return home.

Anxiety can reveal itself through both physical and emotional symptoms, so it is important to manage and improve feelings of anxiety and prevent them from developing into a more serious mental health problem.

The theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week (15-21 May) is ‘anxiety’ and veterans’ charity Launchpad is backing a campaign by the Mental Health Foundation to raise awareness with its veterans and encourage them to speak out and share their experiences of anxiety.

Launchpad provides an extensive range of accommodation and services, with the help of specialist providers, to support homeless veterans who have fallen on hard times and have found the transition from military to civilian life difficult.

Each year, the charity encourages residents to complete an annual survey which helps to track the progress of support and the services it delivers to veterans across a wide range of measures including skills, employability, self-confidence, and optimism.

In its latest survey (2023), 64 veterans completed the survey with 61% reporting they couldn’t get the help they needed before arriving at Launchpad while 56% said they felt there was nobody or organisation to help them while 35% said they felt abandoned by the country they served. All of these feelings and experiences lead to loneliness and anxiety.

In the same survey, residents are asked how they feel after living in one of Launchpad’s three houses in Newcastle, Liverpool and Durham. 95% agreed they received help they couldn’t get elsewhere, 95% agreed they felt better about themselves and their wellbeing and 90% felt more optimistic about life.

As part of the campaign, experienced staff from Launchpad will be raising awareness to encourage veterans to have confidence in talking about any feelings of anxiety and to understand support is available should they need it.

Kate Riley, Specialist Case Worker at Launchpad’s Speke House in Liverpool, said:

“Many of Launchpad’s residents have mental health issues, ranging from anxiety to service and non-service-related PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).

“Part of my role is to help residents with their mental health and provide one-to-one support. We always support campaigns such as Mental Health Awareness Week and we encourage residents to talk about problems they are experiencing and to take part in activities that will support and improve their mental health and wellbeing.

 

“It’s important residents feel confident in speaking to me or any other member of staff about how they feel. It’s better to be open and let them get it off their chest rather than just build it up and feeling more anxious.

 

“We’ll be raising awareness of the campaign throughout the week and have organised some activities to encourage the residents to get involved so they feel they can talk to us. This includes breakfast with information on mental health and anxiety, a walk along the beach at Crosby and we’ll be holding a group workshop with therapists to focus on anxiety and mental health and mindfulness.”

Alexa Charnley, Director of Fundraising and Communications at the Mental Health Foundation, said:

“We all experience anxiety but sometimes it can get out of control and become a mental health problem. However, there are things we can do to manage feelings of anxiety and stop them becoming overwhelming. For example, breathing exercises, physical activity, speaking to a trusted friend, or keeping a diary. You can find more information and guidance on our website mentalhealth.org.uk.

 

“This Mental Health Awareness Week we’re encouraging everyone to get involved by sharing their experiences of anxiety and the things that help with the hashtag #ToHelpMyAnxiety. We hope people all over the UK will take part and help us to normalise conversations about anxiety and mental health. We hope the week helps people to feel more confident in talking about anxiety and how it affects them. Most importantly, we hope people understand more about what they can do to manage anxiety and what other support is available.”

For more information about this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, please visit mentalhealth.org.uk/mhaw or join the conversation on social media using #ToHelpMyAnxiety and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

We are looking forward to celebrating the King’s Coronation this weekend. We have activities and events organised in all three houses for our residents to enjoy.

As part of our 10th anniversary celebrations, we’ve organised a celebratory dinner on 27 October to be held in the Great Hall at the Discovery Museum in Newcastle.

Launchpad exists to provide vital accommodation and support to homeless and unemployed people who have served in the UK’s Armed Forces to help them rebuild their lives.

We help veterans to address their challenges and make a successful transition to civilian life. We can accommodate up to 101 veterans across three houses in Newcastle, Liverpool and Durham. In just 10 years, we have supported over 625 homeless veterans and on average, 61% of veterans we support successfully move on to new accommodation and 41% find paid employment.

The dinner will help us to raise money and awareness to support the vital work we provide to support veterans experiencing homelessness.

To book your place or to find out more information, please contact Craig Downs on [email protected] 

Thank you for supporting our veterans!