Can you spare 30 seconds of your time and vote for Launchpad in ASDA’s Green Token Giving initiative?

We have been selected as one of three charities by ASDA’s Hunts Cross store to be in with the chance of winning up to £500 from the ASDA Foundation.

Each year, the ASDA Foundation invests over £1.4m to more than 4,000 good causes through their Green Token Giving. Due to Covid-19, instead of voting in-store with a green token, you can vote online instead.

To vote, all you need to do is visit www.asda.com/green-tokens and select Hunts Cross from the drop-down box. Then, select Veterans Launchpad and that’s it! As this is an online vote, you will be able to vote once every 7 days, so please keep voting for us until the competition closes at midnight on Tuesday 30th November.

If we win or are runners-up, we will use the funding to buy equipment and supplies for our allotment which helps our resident veterans to be active and get outdoors which helps with their mental health and wellbeing.

Thank you for your vote and please spread the word!

Each year, the World Health Organisation recognises World Mental Health Day on 10 October.

The aim of the day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health. 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. Last year, Ann Rees was appointed as a specialist case worker at Avondale House. Due to the success of her appointment and the impact this had with residents, Launchpad also appointed Kate Riley into a similar role at Speke House.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a major impact on people’s mental health. Some groups, including veterans, health and other frontline workers, students, people living alone, and those with pre-existing mental health conditions, have been particularly affected. And services for mental, neurological and substance use disorders have been significantly disrupted.

Prior to Covid-19, residents accessed face-to-face mental health support, but whilst in lockdown, waiting lists increased and certain providers only offered support via telephone or video. Following the appointments of Ann and Kate, Launchpad was able to continue to provide one-to-one support to many of its residents during the pandemic.

Launchpad encourages 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.

Although we organise and provide activities for residents to particulate in all-year round, we have organised a week of activities in the lead up to World Mental Health Day.

For example, a week of activities has been organised at Avondale House including cycling trips, alpaca trekking, fishing, veterans’ breakfasts, a walk along the beach, quiz and games night, visit to the gym and a day trip with lunch. At Speke House, residents will be able to visit the allotment, enjoy playing pool and benefit from veterans’ breakfasts.

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

“It is important our residents are kept busy and active and we provide activities that they will enjoy and engage in. We organise activities all year round, not just for World Mental Health Day. Feedback from residents has been really positive and they often comment that the activities and events are stimulating and good for their mental health.”

Launchpad is a veterans’ charity based in Newcastle upon Tyne and Liverpool. It has an opening for an Assistant Manager (Administration & Budget) to manage house finances and administration. This includes advising residents on benefits, rent and arrears, as well as liaising with the Charity Secretary, the local benefits’ authorities and Launchpad fundraisers.

We are also advertising for a new post, that of Independent Living Co-ordinator whose role is to support those veterans who have left Launchpad and reside in different communities across UK.

Both posts are to be based in Newcastle. Applicants must be experienced in working with people with complex issues, exhibit initiative and be good members of the team. Full details can be seen on the job descriptions.

The application deadline is 15 October with interviews taking place in the week commencing 25 October.

Applicants MUST send CVs AND a one page covering letter with their applications to: [email protected]

Assistant Manager (Administration & Budget) job description here: Assistant Manager (Administration Budget) Avondale House Job Description

Independent Living Co-ordinator job description here: Independent Living Co-ordinator Job Description

The final of the English Veterans’ Awards, which recognise veterans in business, fitness, sport and the wider community, were held last night at a glittering reception at the Village Hotel in Solihull.

63 individuals and businesses were shortlisted in twelve categories in appreciation of supporting the military community in England.

Launchpad was one of seven companies shortlisted in the ‘Veteran Owned Business of the Year’ category, which recognises businesses that have exceeded their initial targets for growth and shown a significance within the industry they are operating in.

The overall winner was CXC Limited and although we didn’t win, it was a great achievement just to be shortlisted and recognised for the service we deliver to our veterans.

David Shaw, CEO and co-founder of Launchpad, said:

“The awards ceremony is a wonderful opportunity to bring individuals and organisations together to recognise and celebrate the work that we do for our military community. Everyone is a winner in my eyes and it was heart-warming to hear some of the stories and achievements that have been made by some truly passionate people.

 

“Well done to CXC Limited and to all the winners on the evening.”

A full list of the winners and categories will be available on the English Veterans’ Awards website here.

Organisers of the Lifting Launchpad event handed over a cheque for £850 to Launchpad on Saturday to raise much needed funds for the charity and raise awareness of homeless veterans.

Fifty athletes from across the country competed in the Lifting Launchpad weightlifting event, which was organised by Northern Weightlifting and Unique Fitness North East.

The morning saw some excellent performances from the youngsters including sisters Emily and Olivia from Featherstone Weightlifting Club in Yorkshire who were presented with gold medals in the U12 category. This was followed by Ayden Edwards of Triple X Weightlifting Club in Manchester who was also presented with gold and best male lifter in the U12 category.

In the afternoon, world masters champion Susan Trebillcock from The Parkhead & Wansbeck Powersports Club in Ashington received a gold medal and the title for best lifter by Sergeant Gary Stamp from 3RHA, who very kindly allowed us to host the competition on site at Albemarle Barracks. Susan holds multiple masters records including World, European, British and England.

Collecting gold and best lift trophy in the ladies senior group was Hannah Beaumont from Triple X Weightlifting.

The day was a huge success and enjoyed by all participants and spectators. Funds were raised from entry fees, a raffle, refreshments and online donations.

Launchpad’s Avondale House in Newcastle upon Tyne is the city’s largest veterans’ accommodation. The charity provides accommodation and support to veterans’ to help them make a successful transition to civilian life. Avondale House comprises 33 self-contained one-bedroom flats and has supported 227 veterans (at 31 August 2021) since it opened in 2013.

Phil Thompson, Manager of Avondale House said:

“It was a brilliant day and I’d like to say a special thank you to everyone involved from the competitors, coaches and spectators to Northern Weightlifting and Unique Fitness North East for organising it. I’d also like to make a special mention to 3RHA at Albemarle Barracks for kindly allowing us to use their fantastic facilities.

 

“The money will contribute towards setting up a gymnasium at Avondale House to help our residents with their mental health and improve their physical fitness and wellbeing. We are very grateful to receive this cheque and there are still more donations coming in so thank you. Due to the success of our inaugural event, this may become an annual competition in our calendar and hopefully more teams can join us next year – watch this space!”

This Saturday 11th September, we are organising a weightlifting event in partnership with Northern Weightlifting and Unique Fitness North East to help raise awareness of homeless veterans and essential funds for the charity.

https://youtu.be/EI6RTWsB8IQ

Five weightlifting clubs from Manchester, Sheffield, Wakefield and the North East have been invited to send ten lifters each to compete which means there will be 50 people in total competing on the day.

There will be a children’s lifting competition in the morning followed by the adults and masters in the afternoon. Those competing will include World, European, British and Northern weightlifters who will compete at different weights.

The event will be held at Albemarle Barracks in Northumberland and we would like to thank the 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery for very kindly hosting the event.

The free event starts at 10am and refreshments will be available for spectators throughout the day. Any donations or money raised from refreshments will all be donated to Launchpad.

If you would like to attend, please contact Sam Hughes, Assistant Manager (Projects) at Avondale House in Byker on 07545 210905 or email [email protected] who will organise vehicle and personal clearance.

Staff and residents from Avondale House will also be attending the event and you can speak to them to find out more information about the Launchpad and what we do to support homeless veterans.