A new project has been launched to support resident veterans to combat loneliness and deteriorating mental health long after they have moved on to live independently.

Veterans living at both Launchpad schemes in Newcastle and Liverpool, will receive follow-on support from a dedicated independent living co-ordinator to ensure they have the support they need to live independently and are connected with local Armed Forces and activities wherever they are living, either through Launchpad staff or the armed forces’ charity networks and other third parties.

In a recent Launchpad survey (June 2021), residents who felt ready to move on to live independently said they found the first months difficult/very difficult. 81% of those who responded to the survey said they struggled with loneliness and 50% saw a relapse of their mental health problems.

92% of veterans about to leave Launchpad expected the transition to be difficult with all of them feeling worried about loneliness. One resident said: “I felt lonely, I’d had so much support on a daily basis [at Launchpad], it took time to adjust.”

Phil Thompson, Manager of Launchpad’s Avondale House in Newcastle upon Tyne which comprises 33 flats, said:

“The aim of this project is to help residents connect and stay connected with social activities and support services near their new homes when they start living independently, to reduce isolation and increase their long-term health and wellbeing.

“To be successful, this project relies on collaboration and cooperation between charities and other organisations. 63% of residents who responded to the survey said additional external support they received focussed on supporting their mental health, addictions and employment problems, not reducing social isolation and loneliness.

“Thanks to grant funding from Force for Change, which is administered by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, we are able to cover the costs of bringing in an independent living co-ordinator to ensure the residents that leave feel supported and connected. It’s such a vital time for them in their transition to provide this extra support which will go a long way.”

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.

In addition to staff salary costs for four months, the funding will contribute towards social activities such as fishing, cycling, fitness activities, arts and crafts, a daily allotment and will also provide volunteering opportunities with local community organisations and the church.

Launchpad is applying for additional funding to ensure the programme continues beyond March 2022.

A representative from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, said:

“We’re delighted to be able to award Launchpad funding for this project, and we look forward to seeing the outcomes and real life impact the funding has.”

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

To support Launchpad, you can donate online at https://veteranslaunchpad.org.uk/get-involved/donate/

Staff and residents from Speke House attended a veterans evening held at The Blue Base, part of Everton in the Community.

The aim of the event was to bring all veterans together to enjoy an evening of entertainment with guest speakers talking about mental health.

Seven veteran residents from Speke House attended the event and enjoyed a meal followed by entertainment. Former Everton FC footballers attended including Graham Stuart and Ian Snodin. Also in attendance was former professional boxer Tony Bellew who talked about his career and mental health.

Also speaking on the evening was veterans David Curtis and Ste Nicol. David works for Everton in the Community and set the hub up in 2015 and spoke about his time in the military. Ste delivered a very emotional speech, which resonated with our residents.

Speke House resident Dan, said:

“The evening was very enjoyable and interesting to attend and listen to all the guest speakers. It was also good to hear the story of Tony Bellew and the highlight of his career when he had his boxing match at Everton Football Ground.

 

“It was an honour to be asked to attend and it was great to have so many veterans in one room supporting each other. Some emotional and touching moments followed by lots of laughter! Thanks again for a great evening and to Everton in the Community and Speke House for asking me to attend.”

Ten members of staff from AstraZeneca volunteered their time to build four raised flowerbeds at Launchpad’s Speke House. This also gave them an opportunity to learn more about the charity and the work Launchpad does for veterans.

Volunteering is an annual event for each AstraZeneca employee, with staff within the organisation enabled and empowered to give something back to local charities and causes by volunteering one full day of their time.

Launchpad’s Speke House is located near to AstraZeneca on Renaissance Way, Boulevard Industry Park in Speke and staff have attended sessions with their leadership team to raise awareness of the charity and how it supports veterans to help them stabilise their lives and make a successful transition from military to civilian life.

Launchpad provides accommodation and support, with the help of partner organisations, to veterans and over 300 veterans have been supported at Speke House since it opened in 2015.

After speaking to staff and residents living at Speke House, the request was made for raised flowerbeds to be built in the garden so that the residents can tend and maintain the area throughout the year.

In addition to their time, materials such as pallets, screws and compost were also donated by AstraZeneca. The volunteers met a few of the residents on the day to find out more about their military careers and the support they receive from Launchpad.

Sam Jackson, Manager of Speke House, said:

“Over the last year and due to restrictions with Covid, the garden area had been neglected and needed a good makeover. We were thrilled when staff from AstraZeneca said they wanted to help us by volunteering their time and to build the flowerbeds.

 

“It’s fantastic to receive support like this from local organisations and the staff and residents really do appreciate their time and effort. Some of residents are keen gardeners and are looking forward to maintaining this area for us. Gardening is also a therapeutic way for them to manage their mental health and wellbeing.”

Mark Proctor, Senior Director, Biologics Supply at AstraZeneca, said:

“We pride ourselves at AstraZeneca in doing the right thing and supporting our local community. Launchpad’s cause is so vital and has an immense impact on the lives of so many veterans, so we are honoured that we were able to help in any way we could. We hope that residents can now enjoy time spent in the garden, and look forward to seeing the garden thrive in the future.”

As part of our new partnership with Gateshead FC Foundation, they named Saturday’s game against Alfreton Town FC as Veterans’ Day to help raise funds for Launchpad.

Staff and two residents from Avondale House attended the game at Gateshead Stadium where there was collection buckets, an article in the match day programme, awareness of the charity at half time on the tannoy system and the opportunity to present the man of the match award to Gateshead FC player Macaulay Langstaff at the end of the game.

We are looking forward to working with Gateshead FC Foundation in the future and building on our relationship to support our veterans. There is an opportunity for our veterans to volunteer on match days to gain experience and to build their confidence.

Phil Thompson, Manager of Avondale House, said:

“I would like to thank Gateshead FC Foundation for a great day and their very kind hospitality.

 

“The residents enjoyed it and what a great result on the pitch. I will be promoting the volunteering opportunities with our residents and I am sure there will be some take up.”

Gateshead FC turned out winners on the day with a 2-1 win.

Gateshead Football Club Foundation aims to be a leading community charity building better lives through sport. They use the power of sport to provide meaningful education, employability, health, inclusion, environmental, and sport programmes.

20 September 1966 – 11 November 2021

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of a former resident and dear colleague, Lofty Rames.

RAF veteran Lofty, spent 15 years working in bomb disposal where he was awarded the General Service Medal, the Long Service Medal and the Operation Telic Medal with Crest.

After leaving the military in 2005, he moved to London where he worked on building sites doing site mitigation to ensure they were clear of any unexploded bombs from WW11. After the markets crashed, he found himself unemployed and moved back to his native Newcastle. He was the first resident to move into Avondale House in Newcastle. In March 2014, he was offered the job of facilities manager.

He moved out of Avondale House in October 2016 to live independently and enjoyed spending his time relaxing and fishing in the Peak District.

Over 60 year 6 pupils from Byker Primary School in Newcastle learn about Remembrance Day from veterans who have served in the military.

The veterans, from local charity Launchpad, visited the school this week to explain why we remember those who served and honour armed forces members who have died in the line of duty.

The resident veterans living at nearby Avondale House, collected large pebbles and stones from a recent trip to St. Mary’s Lighthouse and gave them to the pupils who then designed and painted their own stones with poppies or words of remembrance.

The pupils were also invited to participate in some creative writing by writing a small verse on a poppy head they made from card explaining what remembrance means to them.

The stones and poppy heads were displayed at St. Michael’s Church in Byker for their Remembrance service this morning with some of the pupils and two staff in attendance.

The stones and poppy heads will be displayed again on Remembrance Sunday before being collected and brought back to Avondale House on the Byker Estate where staff and residents have created a garden of remembrance.

Phil Thompson, Manager of Avondale House, said:

“Avondale House is located right in the heart of the Byker Estate and it is important our staff and residents engage with the community, in particular the local school.

“We have a great partnership with Byker Primary School and have visited many times before, more recently for Armed Forces Day, which was very successful. It’s important for children to learn about what Remembrance Day is, the significance of the poppy, why we fall silent at the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month and what this means to armed forces personnel.

“Visiting schools, talking to the children and inviting them to take part in arts and crafts activities is important but following this up by attending our Remembrance Service and seeing their artwork on display in the church and then at Avondale House is something I hope, they will remember for a long time.”

Rob Watson, Assistant Headteacher at Byker Primary School, said:

“The relationship that we have with both Avondale House and Launchpad is one that Byker Primary School really values.

“All year groups do some work around Remembrance Day, but it was wonderful for our Year 6 students to work with our partners to gain a deeper understanding with regards to the meaning of the day itself. The creative writing and poetry that was created was really moving and we are proud to have it displayed.

“I’ve had children and parents speak to me about the learning and activities that took place on that day which just goes to show how appreciative they were for the opportunity, and how important Remembrance Day is to our community as a whole.”

Launchpad received £281 funding 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.

Lynsey Ward, Head of Housing and Community (Byker) at Byker Community Trust, said:

“This is a really great project bringing together the veterans’ charity and a local school to raise awareness and the importance of Remembrance Day. The children came up with some very creative designs and poems and it was lovely to see them all on display at the service this morning.”

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

Avondale House has supported 228 veterans since it opened on the Byker Estate in 2013.