Funding housing costs and specialist care for homeless Army veterans

As part of our close relationship with Launchpad, we are delighted to award a £38,147 grant towards the charity’s work in helping homeless veterans.

Our donation will be used to meet the housing utility costs of around 46 homeless Army veterans living at Avondale House, Newcastle upon Tyne, the city’s largest veteran accommodation provider.

We are also funding the annual cost of a specialist caseworker devoted to helping vulnerable veterans with complex mental health and substance addiction problems, recovering from broken family relationships or unable to find paid employment.

Launchpad observed a rise in demand for specialist caseworker services during the pandemic, especially where access to the NHS often proved difficult for some veterans looking for help.

David Shaw, CEO and Founder of Launchpad, commented:

“We are very grateful to the Trustees of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity for providing this grant which ensures the vital work we provide to our veterans can continue at a high standard.

 

“For most veterans, the transition from the armed forces to civilian life is smooth but more often than not, those few who can’t resettle easily face challenges such as homelessness, poverty, mental and physical health issues, addictions, broken families and unemployment.

 

“Launchpad was created to help veterans overcome these challenges and to live positive and rewarding lives thereafter. Our specialist caseworkers support each resident by helping them to stabilise their lives and move on to live independently.”

Brigadier (Ret’d) Peter Monteith, Chief of Staff at ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, added:

“We are always proud to support Launchpad and admire its award-winning work with Army veterans on the edge of society who find themselves homeless due to circumstances and need specialist support. We are committed to helping all members of the Army family.”

Veterans’ charity Launchpad has today (Monday, 9 May) unveiled a new campaign which invites partnering organisations to ‘buddy-up’ with residents to support them on their journey to independent living and combat loneliness.

The campaign, which coincides with Mental Health Awareness Week, will see organisations visit both houses in Liverpool and Newcastle this week to meet staff and residents, have a tour of the buildings, learn more about the services Launchpad provides and find out how they themselves can support veterans.

Loneliness is something we can all experience and it affects millions of people across the UK. It can also have a significant impact on our mental health, with many of us still finding it hard to talk about.

The theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, focusses on loneliness. Mental Health Awareness Week is the UK’s national week (9-15 May) to raise awareness and importance of supporting people with mental health.

Overcoming loneliness and its impact on mental health cannot be achieved by individuals alone. Long-term loneliness is closely linked to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety and as a nation, we must address loneliness together in our communities and across our whole society and together prevent mental health problems.

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

Two full-time specialist case workers, one in each house, help residents with their mental health and provide one-to-one support. Residents are encouraged to talk about problems they are experiencing, and to take part in activities that support and improve their mental health and wellbeing.

The last two years have been particularly hard for residents due to Covid and lockdowns. Communal areas within each house had to close and some of our more vulnerable residents had to shield in their rooms on their own with many feeling isolated and lonely.

David Shaw, CEO and Founder of Launchpad, said:

“Our experienced specialist case workers are trained to support residents to overcome mental health issues We encourage those who need support to engage with the extensive range of agencies that provide help that is relevant to their individual circumstances.

 

“Some of the residents living at our houses in Liverpool and Newcastle have mental health issues and loneliness can be a major factor in this. We are also mindful that once residents leave, many may struggle with loneliness and recurrent mental health so our dedicated independent living co-ordinator supports residents once they move on.

 

“To support this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, we have launched our ‘buddy-up’ campaign and we’re inviting organisations and partners to ‘buddy-up’ with our residents to combat loneliness and support them on their journey to independent living.”

Mark Rowland Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation said:

“We hope this year’s theme of loneliness will strike a chord with many of us who felt lonely and struggled throughout the Covid pandemic.

 

“Millions of us experience loneliness from time to time. We know that some people are at higher risk of experiencing loneliness and the evidence shows the longer we feel lonely, the more we are at risk of mental health problems.

 

“Loneliness deserves more attention and we’re calling on everyone who has struggled as a result of being lonely to share their experiences. We must work together – as individuals, as a society and through government policy – to reduce loneliness and prevent mental health problems by investing in welcoming, social spaces and new community initiatives.”

For more information on the buddy up campaign, please visit our website at https://veteranslaunchpad.org.uk/campaigns/buddyup

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 #IveBeenThere and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

Launchpad’s Avondale House resident Alex Rowe has stepped up his search for employment and is destined for a career in the construction industry after successfully completing his City & Guilds Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Construction and Civil Engineering.

Alex, 48, has completed a five-week Building Heroes course which was delivered by training and education specialist Learning Curve Group. Alex was one of seven veterans that have graduated on the course and will now sit his final exam to gain his Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card, which will enable him to find a career in the industry.

Launchpad provides vital accommodation and support to veterans who have fallen on hard times and have found the transition to civilian life tough. The charity works with local and national employment and training providers to help resident veterans to find employment.

Alex has lived at Avondale House for just over a year and joined the Army in 1990, serving in the 40 Field Regiment Royal Artillery, The Lowland Gunners in Germany for 18 months.

He said:

“When I left the Army, there wasn’t any support available and I ended up in a life of crime and on the streets of Scotland. I ended up serving time in prison but thankfully, found Launchpad when I was released and haven’t looked back. I can’t thank them enough for the support they have given to me and continue to give to the other veterans.

 

“I am hoping the course will open doors for me and give me opportunities to find a career in the construction industry. I’m a plumber by trade but I wanted to challenge myself and do something new.

 

“The course has been excellent and combined classroom and workshop experience. We’ve learned everything from laying pavements, kerbs, channels and drainage, working concrete and excavating holes and trenches. My dream would be to work on tunneling for HS2 which would be fantastic.”

Helen Hugill, Academy Lead at Building Heroes, said:

“Building Heroes is dedicated to supporting veterans and service leavers throughout the UK. Alex always had a smile on his face and was a pleasure to work with. He was very focused on completing the course and progressing into employment. If anyone is interested in our course at Blaydon then please contact us through our website.”

Sam Hughes, Assistant Manager (Projects) at Launchpad’s Avondale House, said:

“As part of their transition to civilian life and support to our residents, we have a long-standing partnership with Building Heroes. The five-week course is ideal for veterans who are looking for a career in the construction industry and Alex has really excelled in this course. This qualification is a huge step forward in his transition and we will continue to support him and all other residents into employment.”

The fully-funded programme was delivered by Learning Curve Group, in partnership with Costain at their premises at Blaydon Training Academy in Tyne & Wear. As part of the course, employers present employment opportunities within their respective organisations which veterans can apply for.

Avondale House in Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne comprises 33 self-contained one-bedroom flats and communal areas for former serving personnel and their partners.

Launchpad’s Speke House in Liverpool has undergone significant improvements to increase the efficiency and security to help residents feel warm and safe.

Residents living at the house, which includes 50 self-contained flats, said the improvements have made a huge difference to keeping their flats warm and comfortable since new double-glazed windows were installed in all communal corridors and rooms.

Residents said they were struggling to keep their flats warm because of the draught coming from the old, ill-fitted windows in the communal areas and were worried if this may impact on how they could afford to pay their bills with energy costs set to increase in the coming weeks.

Each self-contained flat is metered and residents pay for their own heating, typically costing around £20 per week but, with energy and fuel costs rising, this could almost double and staff at the charity were worried that some veterans may choose not to heat their flats to try and save money.

In total, 35 windows have been replaced in the communal corridors and the main external security door has also been replaced thanks to a one-off capital grant of £22,000 from the Clothworkers’ Foundation.

The Clothworkers’ Foundation awards capital grants to charities and not-for-profit organisations who work across one or more of their defined programme areas. The foundation has awarded in excess of £152 million since it was founded in 1977 and Launchpad applied for this funding through their homelessness programme.

Sam Jackson, Manager of Speke House in Liverpool, said:

“Speke House previously operated as an old people’s home and was in poor state of repair. When Launchpad purchased the house in 2014, our aim was to make sure all 50 flats were habitable and functional. We secured funding in 2019 to replace all windows inside the residents’ flats but, were unable to complete all the refurbishment needed, especially in the communal areas.

 

“These were capital works that needed to be undertaken around the house and thanks to this one-off grant from the Clothworkers’ Foundation, it has allowed us to replace the old windows which were draughty and residents were complaining they could feel the cold from the corridors.

 

“With prices for energy, fuel and shopping bills all rising, these works have come at a good time and will help to keep heat inside the corridors and flats, thus reducing costs for the veterans.”

There are other refurbishment works planned to ensure the house is kept in good condition. This includes replacing all storage heaters that heat the communal areas, replacing carpets in the communal areas and improving the car parking facilities at the house to accommodate disabled residents and visitors.

A project which supports veterans to thrive once they move onto independent living has received a big boost this week thanks to funding from Nationwide’s Community Grant scheme.

The Heroes at Home project, delivered by veterans’ charity Launchpad, will continue to support resident veterans once they have moved on from Avondale House in Newcastle.

Launchpad provides vital accommodation and support to veterans who have fallen on hard times and have found the transition from military to civilian life difficult. 90% of the veterans who arrive at Launchpad are homeless, most have been sleeping rough, 84% are long-term unemployed and 65% rely on foodbanks.

Avondale House comprises 33 self-contained one-bedroom flats and communal areas for former serving personnel and their partners. They are supported for up to two years (longer if necessary) but once they leave, many struggle with loneliness, recurrent mental health, addiction, financial and tenancy problems, which, if unaddressed can cause them to lapse back into homelessness.

In December 2021, Launchpad secured part-funding from Force for Change, which is administered by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund, to recruit a part-time Independent Living Co-ordinator for four months, whose role is to support residents once they have moved on. This three-month trial has proved to be hugely successful with over 50 former residents re-connecting with the charity.

Lorena Budd signposts residents to help them successfully transition to living independently. This tailored support has helped them to access the benefits they are entitled to but also manage their finances, tenancy, support with their mental health and wellbeing and finding employment.

This is achieved by working through Launchpad’s staff or through other organisations such as SSAFA and the Royal British Legion, wherever they live.

The Nationwide has provided funding of £46,384, which will support up to 70 veterans over the next two years to ensure they can thrive and successfully transition to civilian life. The community grants programme aims to help society’s most vulnerable people by funding charities and housing projects that prevent people from losing their home, help people into a home or support people to thrive within the home environment.

As part of the programme, Launchpad will also receive support from their local Nationwide branch and Stephen Smith, Branch Manager at the building society’s Wallsend branch, visited Avondale House this week to meet staff and residents and present a cheque.

Lorena Budd, Independent Living Co-ordinator at Launchpad, said:

“Moving on can be a really daunting experience for our residents, especially after receiving tailored support with accommodation and holistic support to address some of their personal needs. All of a sudden, they are living independently again and many struggle with loneliness and fall into desperate times.

 

“My role is to ensure they continue to receive the support they need and to help them integrate back into society, find employment and signpost them to the relevant agencies they need to engage with. Previously, when residents moved on, we didn’t have the structure in place to continue to support them but the Heroes at Home project and funding from Nationwide’s Community Grant scheme will enable us to support them long after they have moved on from Avondale House. I’d like to think we’re an extended family for them and always here for them if they need us.”

Stephen Smith, Branch Manager, Nationwide Building Society, said:

“Helping local communities is at the heart of what it means to be a building society for Nationwide. Thanks to our Community Grants programme, we are so thrilled to be able to award a grant worth more than £46,000 to Launchpad for its Heroes at Home project. The grant will make a positive difference to so many individuals in our local community. Local charities have been hit by the pandemic and anything we can do to support and help them continue their valuable work with local communities is so important.”

A recipe book, activity box and a regular walking group are just some of the new activities established by two students for veterans living at Launchpad’s Avondale House in Newcastle.

Year 3 students, Olivia Lumsden and Jay Motherwell have completed a 10-week placement at the house, which provides vital accommodation and support to veterans in the North East.

The placement is part of their three-year BSc Occupational Therapy degree at Northumbria University and has provided them with practical experience in a contemporary health and care environment.

Olivia and Jay engaged with veterans living at the scheme who for many, have found it difficult to resettle and have faced challenges such as homelessness, poverty, mental and physical health issues, addictions, broken families and unemployment.

During the initial weeks of their placements, the students faced a number of challenges as the communal areas within the house were still closed due to Covid restrictions and some of the residents, particularly those who were vulnerable, were isolating in their flats.

As restrictions relaxed, they spent time talking to residents and explaining what occupational therapy was and identified what support was already in place at the house. The biggest challenge was that there was no occupational therapy service in place. They both worked closely with Ann Rees, a specialist case worker at Avondale House who supports residents to overcome mental health, gambling, drug and alcohol issues by engaging with the extensive range of agencies that provide expert relevant help to encourage the residents to move onto stable and independent lives.

Olivia, 23, said:

“The first few weeks were challenging due to the lack of social interaction and lack of occupational balance so we used that time to gather information to understand what residents wanted and started to build relationships. We listened to residents and built trust.

 

“We wanted to create a culture of openness and ensure there was clear communication. We valued and respected their engagement to a point where they felt comfortable and would come to us.”

Once they started to build trust and engagement with residents, Olivia and Jay found that they started to open up and discuss their thoughts and feelings which helped them to make informed decisions.

One of the key activities developed was a recipe book to encourage residents to cook healthy meals for themselves and as a group. The recipe will be included within the residents’ welcome pack when they arrive but and is something they can also take away with them when they leave Avondale House to live independently.

They also created an activity box, which promoted interaction and engagement and includes everything from what Avondale House does, what residents are interested in and stories from the residents.

A weekly walking group was also established every Wednesday and has developed into a very popular activity to help residents with their mental health and wellbeing. They found that some of the residents opened up more in a natural environment and they were amazed to see some of the changes of the residents by participating in this activity.

Jay, 31, said:

“We are very grateful to the staff and residents at Launchpad for providing us with the opportunity to work with them and make a difference. In the space of ten-weeks, we’ve seen a huge change in residents’ confidence and it was nice to see them engage in activities.

 

“As veterans, they are used to routine and consistency and they have a large level of independence but hopefully, we’ve been able to help them open up and think about how changes to activities contributes both positively and negatively to their health and wellbeing, and to think about the community of veterans in their local area and what is available for them.”

Andy Hardy, Assistant Manager – Facilities at Launchpad’s Avondale House and also Olivia and Jay’s supervisor, said:

“It’s been a pleasure to work with Olivia and Jay and I have seen the positive impact they have had with our residents. They have instilled confidence and delivered real improvements which will continue long after they have left. Hopefully, this placement has helped them to develop the skills, confidence and knowledge required to prepare them for a career in occupational therapy.”