The Cabinet Office issued the following press release yesterday, 21 December 2022. This is a project we have proudly and jointly campaigned for working alongside Riverside Group, Alabaré and Stoll.

New funding and support scheme to finally end armed forces veterans homelessness

More than £8.5 million of funding has been announced in order to ensure no veteran should sleep rough this Christmas, and veteran homelessness is ended in 2023.

The funding will deliver services in more than 900 housing units in England, where specialist help for veterans, including with health, education and employment needs are provided.

The new money announced today will also allow for the establishment of a new referral scheme – Op FORTITUDE, that will enable veterans at risk of homelessness to access supported housing and wrap-around specialist care in health, housing and education. Working with charities, the funding will ensure a single central point for local authorities and charities to identify those in need and refer them to a network of support.

Ahead of the funding, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer worked with the veteran housing charity sector, bringing them together to establish a temporary referral scheme in England, Wales and Scotland for the Christmas period, ensuring that no Veterans should be sleeping rough this Christmas.

Veterans can access the scheme through a dedicated charity helpline, on the number 01748 833797.

This temporary referral scheme should ensure that no veteran who seeks support is homeless at Christmas.

The Prime Minister will today host an event at No10 attended by charities Riverside and Stoll, along with veterans who were previously homeless. The Prime Minister will discuss with attendees the issue of veteran homelessness and how the government, including the Office for Veterans’ Affairs, can best ensure that everyone who needs support gets it.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer and Chief Secretary to the Treasury John Glen will also attend.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer said:

“No one, not least those who have served this country, should be homeless.

“That’s why today we are committing £8.5m in funding and supporting a dedicated pathway, set up in collaboration with our charity partners, so veterans can not only get the housing support they need this Christmas, but also the vital backing required to help them get on their feet again.

“As a government we remain steadfastly committed to ending veteran homelessness in 2023.”

Chief Secretary to the Treasury, John Glen said:

“It’s a sad fact that so many people who have served this country find themselves sleeping rough on the streets.

“Our mission is to put a stop to that, which is why we’re providing £8.5m in funding for over 900 housing units that support our veterans and creating a new service that will help those at risk of homeless access housing much more easily.

“Today’s announcement should ensure that no veteran who seeks help will be on the streets this Christmas.”

Lee Buss-Blair, the Director of Operations for The Riverside Group, and Member of the Veterans Advisory Board said:

“This funding will make a significant difference to the lives of vulnerable veterans.

“Not only will it support the Government’s commitment to end veteran rough sleeping, but it will also provide organisations the resources to support veterans into work.

“Veterans have so much to offer employers and communities, and thanks to this funding, providers will be far better placed to support them to realise their potential.”

The funding will ensure the government’s pledge in the Veterans’ Strategy Action Plan 2022-24 to end veteran rough sleeping within this Parliament, is delivered a year early.

Running for two years the funding provides help and support to some of the most vulnerable veterans in our society.

The vast majority of veterans go on to live happy, healthy and successful lives. But some do struggle and today’s announcement further demonstrates the government’s commitment to making this the best country in the world to be a veteran.

Image credit: The Cabinet Office

Veteran residents living at Launchpad’s Avondale House in Newcastle upon Tyne are all set for Christmas thanks to free haircuts by a local barber.

Father of four, Lee Bonner from Killingworth, contacted the charity and offered to visit the house in Byker this week and provide all residents and staff with a free haircut and beard trim.

Lee, 41 qualified as a barber this year after successfully completing his Level 2 in Barbering at Newcastle College. He developed a passion for barbering and styling after cutting his son’s hair for the last four years. His seven-year-old son, who is autistic and has sensory issues, found it difficult to allow other people to cut his hair, so Lee took it upon himself to learn to cut his hair along with his three daughters.

He has been working in a salon in West Moor near Killingworth and decided to take some time out to share some of the skills he has learnt.

He is passionate about the military and spent a lot of his childhood growing up and learning about the military after his uncle left the forces and moved in to live with his family. When he offered his services to Launchpad, the residents and staff were more than happy to accept his kind offer.

All 33 residents living at Avondale House were invited and Lee was joined by his good friend Raymond Denholm who is also a professional hairdresser and has been in the industry for over 20 years.

Lee said:

“I’m really pleased Launchpad took me up on my offer. When I grew up, I didn’t have much help and support and I think we could all do with that right now – not just because of the current cost of living crisis but I know talking to some of the guys in here today, Christmas is going to be a really tough time for some of them. I just wanted to use the new skills I’ve learned and help them out. Some of the guys were at work so I’ve arranged to come back another time before Christmas so they can benefit too.”

Sam Hughes, Assistant Manager – Projects at Launchpad, said:

“It’s been wonderful for the residents to have someone come into the house and provide this service to them. It’s not just about getting a free haircut, it’s about interacting and communicating with other people outside of the house. They really enjoyed it and we were able to lay on bacon and sausage butties for them as part of the breakfast club.”

Jonathan, one of the residents living at Avondale House who benefitted from a free haircut, said:

“It was really thoughtful of Lee and Raymond to come in today and offer their services. They’ve done a great job, I’m really pleased.”

Launchpad is proud to be a Giving Tuesday UK partner.

Today, 29 November 2022, is Giving Tuesday. If you’d like to support a good cause, then please consider supporting Launchpad and our veterans.

We provide vital accommodation and support for up to 100 veterans in the North of England via three houses in Newcastle, Durham and Liverpool. We help homeless and unemployed veterans of the UK armed forces, who usually suffer from complex issues, to rebuild their lives.

Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the last decade, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

As a charity, we rely on personal and corporate donations to ensure we can continue to provide the support our veterans need. We’d really appreciate your help by supporting our Christmas campaign, Lighting up Launchpad, which gives you the opportunity to light up a flat in one of our virtual houses.

Since 2013, we have supported over 575 residents across all three houses. 90% of the veterans who arrive at Launchpad are homeless, and on average over the last five years, 61% successfully moved on to settled accommodation, either living independently, reunited with family or with the support they need and 41% of residents gained employment during their time living at Launchpad.

#GivingTuesday #InspireOthers #InspireVeterans

Staff from veterans’ charity Launchpad went back to school this week to teach Year 6 pupils the importance of Remembrance Day and why we should remember those who served and honour armed forces members who have died in the line of duty.

Launchpad’s Avondale House is located next to Byker Primary School in Newcastle upon Tyne and staff and residents have visited the school previously to carry out talks and activities around Armed Forces Day and Remembrance Day.

This week, over 60 pupils listened to staff and veterans to learn more about the charity but also what is Remembrance Day and why we pay our respects to those who serve and have served.

They then participated in a creative art session where they designed poppies and drew posters to indicate what Remembrance means to them.

Staff and the pupils from Year 6 were invited to the Remembrance service held at St. Michael’s Church this morning to pay their respects and showcase their poppies and creative designs.

The children aged 10 & 11 were then invited back to Avondale House to meet residents and visited the garden of remembrance, which is situated in the centre of the courtyard within the house and was shown some of the work of last year’s students.

Sam Hughes, Assistant Manager – Projects at Launchpad, said:

“Launchpad’s Avondale House is located in the heart of the Byker estate so it’s important for us to engage with the local school and community so they can understand who we are and how we support veterans who need additional support once they leave service and have found the transition to civilian life difficult.

 

“The children really welcome the activities we organise for them but it’s nice they learn about the importance of Remembrance Day and participate in the church service.”

Liam Thacker, Year 6 Teacher at Byker Primary School, said:

“This has been a wonderful experience for our Year 6 students to work with the staff and veterans from Launchpad’s Avondale House and to attend this morning’s Remembrance service at the local church. The children proudly displayed their creative poppies at the front of the church for all to see.

 

“All year groups do some work around Remembrance Day but it is nice that our Year 6 pupils were able to gain a deeper understanding with regards to the meaning of the day itself.

 

“We have a long-standing partnership with Launchpad and the pupils who attended last years’ service still talk about the occasion. All our pupils are appreciative of the opportunity and how important Remembrance Day is to our community as a whole.”

Launchpad received funding of £400 from Byker Community Trust (BCT), part of Karbon Homes, through the BCT Community Partnership Fund to contribute towards the costs of the materials needed for the activities, such as paint, brushes, paper and pens etc.

Launchpad’s Hollyacre House in County Durham has benefitted from improved green open space and the creation of a sensory garden for residents to enjoy thanks to funding from Esh Construction, part of Esh Group.

Launchpad is one of 12 charities and organisations who have benefitted from grant funding from the Greener Communities Fund, which aims to help communities become ‘greener’ through carbon reduction, environmental improvement and education.

The fund was launched by Esh Construction, working in partnership with County Durham Community Foundation (CDCF), an independent grant-making foundation that allocated £50,000 to support projects which centre around green skills, climate resilience, improving green spaces and habitats.

When Launchpad took over the management and operation of Hollyacre House in Sacriston in May this year, the grounds around the house were extremely overgrown, paved areas were covered in weeds to the extent the paving was not visible, the grass was dead and the grounds were strewn with overgrown gorse bushes.

Staff and residents living at the scheme, which comprises 18 flats for veterans, took it upon themselves to clear the ground as much as possible, but a lot of work still needed to be done.

Phil Thompson, Manager of Hollyacre House, said:

“We are very grateful to Esh Construction and CDCF for giving us this donation. From work undertaken in our other two houses, we know access to nature/outdoor spaces, plays an important part in our veterans’ recovery and research by the Mental Health Foundation demonstrated that connectedness with nature improves mental health.

 

“The transformation of the garden and creation of a sensory garden is amazing. Residents living at the house will help to maintain it, as gardening has proven mental health benefits.”

Always keen to establish and build links with the local community, Launchpad engaged the local nursery team to carry out the improvements and create the sensory garden. Works includes clearing the overgrown bushes and replanting attractive low maintenance plants and shrubs to attract wildlife, create a large lawned area with paths and seating for the residents to enjoy and create a 40 sq. meter sensory garden with colourful and fragrant plants to stimulate senses and attract birds and nature to provide peaceful, calming sounds.

Kate Marshall, Social Value Manager at Esh Construction, said:

“Launchpad’s new sensory garden is the perfect example of why we set up the Greener Communities Fund, with the new space providing environmental improvements as well as mindfulness and mental health benefits for individuals. Giving back to the local community is at the core of Esh’s values, we are delighted with the outcome and hope that it supports veterans for many years to come.”

As part of the Greener Communities Fund, Esh pledged to support a minimum of ten communities across the areas it operates in the North East and Yorkshire, awarding grants of £2,000 up to £5,000. Launchpad has been awarded £5,000 with the remaining monies for the works funded from a £7,500 donation by Launchpad ambassador James Rose who raised the money for climbing Mount Toubkal in Morocco.

Launchpad provides vital accommodation and support for up to 100 veterans across three houses in the North of England and helps residents to transition from military to civilian life. Hollyacre House comprises 18 flats and communal facilities such as a lounge, kitchen, IT suite and gym. Residents are supported for up to two years (longer if necessary).

His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham, Mrs Sue Snowdon, attended Launchpad’s Hollyacre House in Sacriston today (12 October) to officially open the house.

Mrs Snowdon unveiled a plaque and guests, partners and Trustees met staff and residents and had a tour of the house, which provides accommodation and support for veterans who have found the transition from the military to civilian life difficult.

Launchpad purchased the house from administrators in May after previous owners, Single Homeless: Action Initiative in Durham (SHAID) was placed into administration in February 2022. The agreement not only secured the future of the building, but it also enabled eight veterans to continue living at the house and safeguarded the jobs of four members of staff.

Launchpad provides vital accommodation and support for up to 100 veterans across three houses in the North of England and helps residents to make a successful transition. Hollyacre House accommodates up to 18 veterans in self-contained flats and includes communal facilities such as a lounge, kitchen, IT suite and gym. Residents are supported for up to two years (longer if necessary).

90% of the veterans who arrive at Launchpad are homeless and since 2013, over 575 veterans have been supported. On average over the last five years, 61% of residents successfully moved on while 41% gained employment during their time at Launchpad.

Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham, Mrs Snowdon, said:

“The Armed Forces make an outstanding contribution to this country and deserve our support in helping them to successfully move on with their lives following the transition from military life into civilian life. I am delighted that Launchpad have acquired Hollyacre House, have secured the future of the building and can continue to provide much needed help and support for our veterans. I wish Launchpad well and every success for the future.”

David Shaw, CEO and Founder of Launchpad, commented:

“We are very grateful to the Lord-Lieutenant for visiting and officially opening our new house in County Durham. While most veterans make a successful transition, Launchpad provides vital accommodation and other expert support to those veterans who need a helping hand in order that they can stabilise and build more successful lives.

 

“Hollyacre House is the charity’s third veterans’ house in the North of England and although it has only been open a few months, the staff and residents are making great progress engaging with the local community and businesses across the County.

 

“We are already working with partners from housing, education, training and employment, mental health and wellbeing and community groups but if there are any other organisations that would like to get involved and support our veterans, we’d love to hear from them.”

In addition to Hollyacre House, Launchpad also manages Avondale House in Byker, Newcastle, which comprises 33 self-contained flats and Speke House in Liverpool, which comprises 50 flats for veterans.