A charity providing grant support to help other charities make a positive impact on health and wellbeing across the North West has selected veterans’ charity Launchpad as one of its charities for 2022.

Launchpad is one of 18 charities chosen by North West Charity Events (NWCE) to benefit from their 18 for Eighteen golf event, which aims to raise funds for health and wellbeing in the region.

The focus for 2022 is mental health and their mission is to raise awareness of important issues and opportunities affecting communities across the North West region.

Launchpad has two houses in Liverpool and Newcastle upon Tyne and provides comfortable accommodation and excellent, holistic support, with the help of partner organisations, for up to 80 veterans to help them make a successful transition to civilian life.

The last 12 months in particular, have been the toughest since the charity was set up in 2013. The veterans Launchpad supports are highly vulnerable with 79% of those arriving with mental health problems, often related to their time in service. 68% have had problem debt and 63% have drug, alcohol or gambling addictions.

The golf event will take place on Friday, 6 May 2022 at Heswell Golf Club and Thornton Hall Hotel & Spa and will include a golf day followed by evening entertainment to raise funds for all of the selected charities.

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

“Like many other charities, we rely on additional funding through personal and corporate donations to enable us to continue to deliver the excellent services we provide to our veterans.

 

“Speke House is the city’s largest veterans’ accommodation in Liverpool and we provide a safe home for up to 48 veterans at any one time. Since the house opened in 2015, we have supported over 300 veterans – many of whom experienced mental health issues.

 

“We are thrilled to be selected by North West Charity Events as one of the eighteen charities to benefit in this year’s golf event. I hope it is going to be a fantastic day raising funds and awareness for lots of brilliant charities.”

Most of the veterans who arrive at Launchpad’s Avondale House in Newcastle are homeless and turn up with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

The charity exists to provide safe, secure accommodation and support to help veterans to live independently and successfully transition back into civilian life. A warm flat, a hot cup of tea and a comfortable bed to lie in is welcomed by all, especially if it’s the first safe place they have slept in for months, even years.

They are also provided with a fully-furnished flat to give them the best start to rebuild their lives. They’re not alone as the house on the Byker estate comprises 33 self-contained one-bedroom flats and communal areas for former serving personnel and their partners, where they can make friendships and support one another.

A two-seater sofa, armchair, double bed and mattress, bedding and curtains, wardrobe and chest of draws, coffee table, TV unit, fridge/freezer, microwave, cutlery, dinner set, and saucepans are provided within each flat.

Avondale House resident and veteran Robert Thompson served 16 years with the Royal Anglian Regiment and carried out nine operational tours. He said:

“There were only two sites in the country that would accommodate veteran couples and both happen to be run by Launchpad, one being here in Newcastle and the other in Liverpool. Due to having family connections in the North East, we applied to live in Newcastle and were offered a flat.

 

“When we arrived, we had very little. Finding Launchpad was a godsend. Everything was provided and it felt like the weight off our shoulders had been lifted. Unless you’re in that situation, you don’t know how good it feels like to come to a welcoming home.”

Funding provided by leading bereavement and veterans’ support charity, Forces Support, has enabled Launchpad, for the first time, to be able to buy furniture for all 33 flats, ready for new arrivals. Previously, most household goods had to be rented from the Local Authority by the veterans and this new arrangement reduces costs.

Forces Support provides funding to charities working with veterans and their families, helping address problems of homelessness, financial disadvantage and the transition from military to civilian life.

Phil Thompson, Manager of Launchpad’s Avondale House, said:

“For most of us, moving house or into our first home can be a very daunting and stressful period. It’s the same for our homeless veterans who, like Robert, arrive with literally nothing but the clothes on their backs.

 

“Launchpad gives them hope. It provides a roof over their head and access to the support they need. Their flats are fully furnished and waiting for them when they get here and it means so much to them. Just to see their faces light up and a smile makes it so worthwhile.

 

“We are very grateful to Forces Support for this funding. The flats are furnished to a high standard when the veterans move in and the charity can save money too which means we can allocate that to other essential areas and running costs of the building and to enable us to continue to provide this fantastic facility to our veterans.”

Carol Reynolds, Chief Executive of Forces Support, said:

“Forces Support is thrilled to be providing funding for Launchpad, and look forward to seeing the flats fully refurbished and occupied. The work Launchpad do is truly invaluable, and we hope to support it in any way we can.”

Beyond partnering with and supporting other charities, Forces Support also provides practical support for the families of fallen servicemen and women, ranging from decorating to landscaping.

In addition to Avondale House, Launchpad also operates Speke House in Liverpool which includes 48 self-contained flats for which Forces Support has also provided funding.

Since its inception in 2013, Launchpad has supported over 550 veterans across both its houses. Avondale House has accommodated 237 residents during that time. 62% of residents successfully move on to settled accommodation and 36% leave in paid employment.

A women’s friendship club in Liverpool has chosen veterans’ charity, Launchpad as their adopted charity for 2022.

The group, which was set up 19 years ago and consists of over 50 members, meet regularly at Christ The King Parish Club at Score Lane with the aim of developing friendships, tackling loneliness and simply enjoying each other’s company.

The club organises day trips and weekends away with various speakers and entertainers to keep the group entertained.

They raised and donated £256 towards Gary Perriton’s 650-mile solo bike ride of the entire Welsh coastline, which he successfully completed last October.

Gary, from Llangollen in Wales, cycled from Chepstow to Chester to raise awareness of homeless veterans and over £5,000 for Launchpad and The Royal British Legion.

The Women’s Friendship Club have chosen Launchpad as their nominated charity for 2022 to help raise even more funds to support homeless veterans.

The Women’s Friendship Club was set up by Adriana Turner (Chair) and Olga Turner. Olga, 95, said:

“Gary’s mam is one of our committee members and she told us about her son’s cycling challenge so our members wanted to help and support him – it’s a great charity helping our homeless veterans.

 

“We wanted to continue to raise funds throughout the year for Launchpad and hope that the money will contribute towards the wonderful service they provide. Some of our members are former serving personnel and we’re looking forward to welcoming Launchpad’s CEO, David Shaw to visit us in April and hearing more about the vital work this wonderful charity does to support our veterans.”

Sam Jackson, Manager of Speke House, said:

“We are so grateful to all of the members of the Women’s Friendship Club for not only supporting Gary in his recent cycling challenge but also choosing Launchpad as their adopted charity for 2022. As a charity, we rely on personal and corporate donations to contribute towards the running costs of the house and to provide the essential services to our residents. This will go a long way and we are looking forward to meeting the members.”

Launchpad’s Speke House is the city’s largest veterans’ accommodation in Liverpool and provides safe, secure accommodation and other essential support, with the help of partner organisations, to 48 veterans to help them make a successful transition to civilian life. The house has supported over 300 veterans since it opened in 2015.

Launchpad works with Models for Heroes to provide activities for our residents to help them with their mental health and wellbeing.

This model-making hobby promotes focus, confidence, motor skill, social interactions and many other positive mental health benefits.

You’ll regularly see our residents at both houses working on building models. It’s a fantastic idea and our residents really enjoy it.

Three residents who have been supported by Launchpad and ABF The Soldiers’ Charity have been selected to feature in a national marketing campaign highlighting homeless veterans and the work between the two charities.

Drew, Antony and Mark have been selected by ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, the Army’s national charity, to feature in their February direct marketing appeal.

The campaign features each resident who themselves were homeless and received support from both charities to help them move on to live independently and find employment.

They are featured in a marketing leaflet that is being sent to 11,000 supporters who have donated via their [ABF The Soldiers’ Charity] direct marketing appeals in the last five years.

The campaign highlights the experiences of all three residents and support from Launchpad, who provide high quality accommodation and targeted support, with the help of specialist partners, to help them stabilise their lives and make a successful transition from military to civilian life.

ABF The Soldiers’ Charity provides lifetime support to soldiers, veterans and their immediate families.

Drew, 51 lived at Launchpad’s Avondale House in Newcastle and served nine years in the Parachute Regiment, including two and half years spent in Northern Ireland. He has since moved on and is now looking to start his own business.

34-year old Antony, lived at Speke House and served nine years in 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment. He spent four years in Cyprus and completed two tours of Afghanistan, while Mark, 44, who resides at Speke House, completed five years’ service in the King’s Regiment covering tours in Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Belize and carried out public duties in London.

Commenting on his experiences, Mark said: “It’s frightening to think what would have happened to me if I hadn’t found myself a home at Speke House. Looking back, I can barely remember arriving. I have suffered great memory loss and can only recall events from after being treated.

“Without Launchpad and ABF The Soldiers’ Charity’s support, I would still have been on the streets”, reflects Mark. “I have been able to keep my dignity, have somewhere safe to live, and keep myself clean, warm and fed.”

ABF The Soldiers’ Charity make it their mission to help homeless veterans get back on their feet. Last year, they spent £980,000 helping over 1,400 men and women with housing issues. They also awarded £393,500 to charities that specialise in helping veterans who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, to secure a roof over their head and regain stability.

David Shaw, CEO and Founder of Launchpad, commented:

“We have established a unique partnership with ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and are very grateful for their continued support. Last year, they provided a multi-function grant to support the vital work we deliver to our residents, as well as funds to a number of veterans to cover heating bills.

 

“For most veterans, the transition from the armed forces to civilian life is smooth but, those few who can’t resettle easily, face challenges such as homelessness, poverty, mental and physical health issues, addictions, broken families and unemployment. It’s wonderful to see Drew, Antony and Mark being selected to feature in this direct marketing appeal and like all residents who we support, each have a unique story to tell.

 

“I hope their stories resonate with people and they will support this excellent campaign.”

Col. Barney Haugh CBE, Director of Grants & Welfare at ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, said:

“It makes me so proud to be able to support soldiers, veterans and their families when they are in need. Tackling homelessness among veterans is one of our main goals. As well as helping them directly, we fund carefully selected charities that work tirelessly to get them back on track.

 

“I hope Drew, Antony and Mark’s stories show how suddenly a veteran can find themselves in great need. Supporting our direct marketing appeal by the way of a donation will go a long way, addressing not just housing needs but physical health, mental resilience and employment prospects.”

The campaign can be viewed here.

Since 2013, Launchpad, which has two houses in Liverpool and Newcastle, has supported over 550 veterans. 62% of residents successfully move on to settled accommodation and 36% leave in paid employment.

Today is Time to Talk Day.

It’s about encouraging people to have conversations with family, friends, or colleagues about mental health. We all have mental health and by talking about it, we can support ourselves and others.

We’re supporting today’s campaign and it gives charities such as Launchpad, the opportunity to raise awareness of the work it does to support veterans by working with and supporting them on their mental health issues.

Many of the residents living at Launchpad’s Avondale House in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Speke House in Liverpool have mental health issues, ranging from anxiety to service and non-service-related PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). Some need help with addictions to gambling, alcohol and drugs.

We have two full-time specialist case workers who work full time in each house to help residents with their mental health and provide one-to-one support.

We encourage residents to talk about problems they are experiencing, and to take part in activities that support their mental health and wellbeing.

Residents at both houses also participate in a programme of activities to improve their mental health and wellbeing such as mindfulness, arts projects, music lessons and outdoor sports.

Time to Talk Day was launched in 2014 by Time to Change, a campaign to end mental health stigma and discrimination, which was run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness.