This morning, we welcomed Colonel David Richmond CBE, Independent Veterans Advisor to UK Government Ministers to Avondale House.

He visited to find out more about the support we provide to our resident veterans. He was given a tour of the building and had the opportunity to meet and speak to residents and partners.

Commenting on his visit, David said:

“It was great to meet you, your partners and veterans and understand more about the wonderful work you do. Keep up the great work.”

Please read our Launchpad Impact Report for 2021.

Despite the effect of the pandemic and the impact this had on our operations, our report highlights case studies and achievements this year.

We hope you enjoy reading it and please do let us know if you’d like to get involved in supporting Launchpad.

Like all charities, we’re always very grateful for personal and corporate donations and you can make a donation here.

On behalf of all Trustees, staff and residents, we’d like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Up to seven residents from Speke House got all creative this week by decorating Christmas baubles as part of their weekly arts and crafts session.

Staff at Speke House provided the materials such as baubles, glitter, glue, ribbon and feathers for them to use and decorate.

When they finished, they hung them on the memory tree in the back garden of the house to pay their respects and remember their loved ones who are no longer with us.

Natalie Scully, Assistant Manager (Projects) at Speke House, said:

“Our arts and crafts sessions are always popular with residents as it gives them time to be creative and it helps them with their mental health and wellbeing.

 

“The memory tree is a real Christmas tree that has been planted for any residents wishing to hang a memory bauble on the tree. It’s a place for them to reflect and take time to remember their loved ones.”

Speke House resident Lee, who decorated his bauble and hung it on the tree in memory of his nan, said:

“I really enjoyed making the bauble to put on the memory tree, it was the anniversary of my nans passing on that day also and it gave me time to reflect and remember all the special times I had with my nan bringing back lots of happy memories.”

A new Independent Living Co-ordinator has been appointed to support residents after they have moved on to live independently.

Lorena Budd will ensure veterans experience a smooth transition to independent living once they leave Launchpad’s houses, as well as ensuring the veterans gain support if they need it. This will be achieved by working through Launchpad’s staff or through other organisations such as SSAFA and RBL, wherever they live.

Lorena, 38 who is originally from Whitby in Yorkshire, served 14 years in the army as a senior HR manager and then more recently, working as an HR Administrator in Colchester with 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment based at Merville Barracks.

She will be based at Launchpad’s Avondale House in Newcastle and her role is part-funded by Force for Change, which is administered by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.

Lorena started her new role in November and commented:

“I’m really looking forward to delivering this new service on behalf of the charity to support Launchpad’s resident veterans to ensure they get the support they need once they have moved on to live independently.

 

“In a recent survey [by Launchpad in June 2021], 92% of residents about to leave Launchpad expected the transition to be difficult, with all of them feeling worried about loneliness. It will be my job to ensure they are connected to external communities to reduce isolation, combat loneliness and increase their long-term health and wellbeing by encouraging them to actively engage in local services where they are living.”

Phil Thompson, Manager of Avondale House, said:

“I am delighted to welcome Lorena on board. She brings 14 years’ experience serving in the military and five years’ experience working alongside the military, so she has a good understanding of veterans and the transition they go through from leaving the military to re-joining civilian life. She will play a vital role in supporting our veterans wherever they decide to settle.

 

“Encouraging the veterans and keeping them motivated will boost their confidence and will make it easier for them. I am confident this will be a useful and important service provided by Launchpad.”

The Force for Change grant will cover Lorena’s salary costs for four months, while Launchpad is applying for additional funding to ensure the programme continues beyond March 2022.

The aim of the Force for Change grant, which will directly benefit residents, helps isolated members of the Armed Forces community to take part in activities that improve their general wellbeing or help them to be more connected or engaged in their local area.

Launchpad provides accommodation and support to veterans to help them stabilise their lives and make a successful transition from military to civilian life. Since 2013, the charity has supported over 525 veterans from its two houses at Avondale House in Newcastle upon Tyne and Speke House in Liverpool.

Please support Launchpad, by donating online here.

A new campaign has been launched this week to raise awareness of homeless veterans and support the work a national charity provides to veterans.

Launchpad, which offers accommodation and support to veterans to help them stabilise their lives and make a successful transition from military to civilian life, has unveiled the campaign in the lead-up to Christmas.

The fundraising campaign features residents living at Avondale House in Newcastle upon Tyne and Speke House in Liverpool, and they were more than happy to show their appreciation of the support they have received from the charity.

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.

Launchpad was created to help veterans overcome these challenges and to live positive and rewarding lives thereafter. Around 90% of the veterans who arrive at Launchpad are homeless and are supported normally for up to two years.

Since it was established in 2013, the charity has supported over 525 veterans within its two houses. Speke House in Liverpool includes 48 self-contained flats while Avondale House in Newcastle, comprises 33 self-contained one-bedroom flats. 62% of residents successfully moved on to settled accommodation and 36% left in paid employment.

Launchpad needs £5,756 in voluntary income to support each veteran for 12 months. David Shaw, CEO and co-founder of Launchpad, said:

“Like all charities, we rely on personal and corporate donations to contribute towards the running costs of both houses and enable us to provide the support our residents need. Over the next 12-months, we’ll be supporting up to 120 residents and any donations received from this Christmas campaign will significantly contribute towards ensuring we continue to deliver this vital service to our veterans.

 

“We are very grateful to the organisations and partners who continue to support us. If you’re thinking of giving a donation to a charity this Christmas, please consider supporting Launchpad – your donation will make a huge difference to veterans’ lives.”

There are other ways to support the charity, either in kind or by providing volunteering opportunities for our veterans. Please contact us if you’d like to hear about how Launchpad supports veterans.

To support Launchpad this Christmas, please visit: https://veteranslaunchpad.org.uk/campaigns/christmas/