We have appointed two new members of staff to support residents living at Avondale House in Byker, Newcastle.

These key roles will support the veterans by boosting their mental health and wellbeing while living at the house, but also provide ongoing support once they have moved on to live independently.

Beth McNally has been appointed as an Activities Co-ordinator and will be responsible for developing, managing and encouraging the residents to participate in local community and diversionary projects.

Providing a mix of voluntary social events and physical activities helps the veterans to gain confidence and social skills. Residents are encouraged to participate in a programme of activities to improve their mental health and wellbeing by organising activities such as mindfulness, arts projects, music lessons and outdoor sports.

Beth has experience of working with people with autism, brain injuries and mental health and joins Launchpad after working as a learning support assistant for three years.

Commenting on her appointment, she said:

“This is an exciting new role for me and I was keen to try something new. I enjoy working with people on a one-to-one basis and this role allows me to do that but on a much larger scale – it will encourage me to push myself out of my comfort zone and I’m already enjoying engaging with the residents and planning in activities they want to participate in.”

Meanwhile, Gayle Young has been appointed as a part-time Independent Living Co-ordinator to support the residents once they have moved on from Avondale House and to help them successfully transition to living independently.

Gayle has a background in housing and works as an independent lettings agent – a role she has held for 17 years and will continue to work in. She will support the residents to ensure they go on to thrive and don’t fall back onto hard times by linking them with the support they need from a variety of providers.

This tailored support helps them to access benefits they are entitled to as well as helping them to manage their finances, secure their tenancy, gain support for their mental health issues and wellbeing, as well as encouraging them to find employment.

Gayle said:

“This role is perfect for me – it’s as if it was almost written for me. It means I can still focus on the housing side – helping the residents to move into their new home, visiting them, providing support to ensure they are maximising their benefits and it’s a part-time role which fits perfectly for me. It’s lovely to see the residents thrive in their new environments and as a charity, that is our purpose and why we exist – to support the residents to help them to move onto live independently.”

Both Beth and Gayle’s roles and the activities that are provided to the residents are funded as part of the government’s Op FORTITUDE / Reducing Veterans Homelessness Programme. Op FORTITUDE is a dedicated pathway for veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness to get into supported housing or to keep them in their current home. Launchpad was selected as one of nine funded organisations to deliver the initial two-year programme.

In the first 17-months of our Reducing Veterans Homelessness Programme, the three Launchpad locations successfully supported 202 homeless veterans with high-complex needs.

Phil Thompson, Manager of Avondale House, said:

“I’m delighted to be able to welcome Beth and Gayle to Avondale House. These roles are vital in supporting the residents with their mental health and wellbeing but also supporting them once they have moved on to live independently. Launchpad is not just about putting a roof over a homeless veterans’ head, it’s about providing the vital support they need to help them move on and support them in the communities which they go on to start their new lives. They both bring a wealth of experience that I’m sure will be a benefit to our residents and I’m looking forward to working with them both.”

Launchpad provides accommodation and support to UK Armed Forces’ veterans to help them stabilise their lives and make a successful transition from military to civilian life. Avondale House provides self-contained, one-bedroom flats for up to 33 residents and includes a communal lounge/kitchen area, IT suite and central courtyard for residents to relax.

The charity manages three houses in Newcastle, Durham and Liverpool and accepts veterans from all over the UK. It provides accommodation for 98 homeless veterans and their partners where relevant. The houses often provide the first safe place in which the veteran has slept for months or even years.

Demand for specialist veteran’s accommodation and services is increasing, with 361 homeless veterans’ approaching, or being referred to Launchpad in 2024 alone.

We’re delighted to be shortlisted in the Best Initiative for Tackling Homelessness category of this year’s Northern Housing Awards 2025.

Congratulations to all other companies and projects shortlisted and we look forward to seeing everyone at the awards ceremony in May.

#NorthernHousingAwards

Launchpad is celebrating ten years at one of its houses in Liverpool.

The charity opened Speke House in 2015 and has supported 446 homeless and unemployed veterans to help them move on successfully and live independently.

The house comprises 50 self-contained, one-bedroom flats, providing vital accommodation and targeted support to UK Armed Forces’ veterans who have struggled with their transition to civilian life. Residents are supported for up to two years (longer if necessary) and then offered additional support once they move on to independent living.

Launchpad Trustees and staff invited guests to the house to celebrate this important milestone to have a tour and meet residents. Those attending the visit included Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside, Mark Blundell, High Sheriff of Merseyside, Professor John Mohin OBE, The Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Richard Kemp CBE and Lady Mayoress, Alderwoman Erica Kemp CBE.

Launchpad purchased Speke House from Johnnie Johnson Housing Trust and have spent over £2 million refurbishing the property since it opened in March 2015.

Since then, Speke House has received 804 referrals. Of the 446 veterans living at Speke House, 57% received training, 44% gained employment whilst living at the house, 77% engaged in some form of house activity during their stay, 59% had a positive move on and 31% left with a job.

Richard moved into Speke House in early 2024 and served over sixteen years in the British Armed Forces as a Rifleman in the 1st Battalion, Staffordshire Regiment. During his service, he was deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, Northern Ireland, and Hong Kong. He said:

“I can’t thank the team at Speke House enough for everything they’ve done. Their belief in me has helped me believe in myself again.”

Ryan served four years in the light dragoons – Royal Armoured Corps. He said:

“My life is a massive improvement, and I am much happier now. Things are more in perspective, and I can look forward. After regaining my qualifications, I’ve secured a job in groundswork. If anything, Speke House has made me more resilient”.

A former resident of Speke House, said:

The angels from above had brought me to Speke House to save my life. You have brought hope in my life and a sense of belonging again. I finally have support, salvation, freedom and a new beginning which is more valuable than anything anyone can ever offer me. You all mean the world to me and I hope you will see how far I will go as I finally believe in myself again.”

Sam Jackson, who has been Manager of Launchpad’s Speke House since it opened, said:

“Demand for specialist veteran’s accommodation and services is increasing. Last year, we supported 92 homeless veterans here at Speke House and as a charity across all three of our houses, 361 homeless veterans’ approached us or were referred to Launchpad in 2024 alone.

 

“No veteran should be homeless and we are proud of the service and support we provide here in Liverpool and it was my pleasure to welcome key dignitaries into the house for a visit and tour and to spend time speaking to our Trustees, staff and residents.”

Launchpad manages three houses in Liverpool, Newcastle, and Durham and accepts veterans from all over the UK. It provides accommodation for 98 homeless veterans and their partners where relevant. The houses often provide the first safe place in which the veteran has slept for months or even years.

In 2023, the government launched the Op FORTITUDE/Reducing Veterans Homelessness Programme. Op FORTITUDE is a dedicated pathway for veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness to get into supported housing or to keep them in their current home.  Launchpad was selected as one of nine funded organisations to deliver the initial two-year programme. As part of the programme, Launchpad has supported 187 previously homeless veterans, with 71 successfully moving on to independent living and 63 securing employment within the first year.

The Labour government committed a further £3.5m funding to extend this programme and to ensure wraparound services, to support homeless veterans, through organisations like Launchpad who provide valuable specialist support to veterans by securing employment, independent living and dealing with mental health challenges.

Residents living at Launchpad’s Hollyacre House in Sacriston, Durham will be busy in the garden this summer thanks to grant funding and support from local businesses.

Homeless veterans’ charity Launchpad received a donation of £5,000 from the Newcastle Building Society Community Fund at the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, to contribute towards the costs of purchasing a greenhouse and associated equipment for residents to use.

The greenhouse will support the veterans’ recovery by providing regular outdoor wellbeing activities, enabling the veterans to grow their own food and build their mental health.

Launchpad’s Hollyacre House opened in May 2022 and since then, the charity has renovated and landscaped the garden area and created a sensory garden. The garden has been maintained by residents throughout the year and they have taken pride in keeping it tidy and presentable. They have learnt how to grow plants and shrubs, which have also attracted wildlife.

Launchpad also has a partnership with Sunderland University working with Occupational Therapy students who work with the residents and involve them in activities including gardening, cooking and baking.

Construction company Kier is a valued supporter of Launchpad and, through its social value commitments, the Tier 1 contractor has laid a base for the greenhouse and provided labour free of charge to build it for the residents. Newly named by residents as ‘Kier corner’, Graeme Cassidy and David Marshall from Kier Construction’s North & Scotland business, were invited to officially unveil the new greenhouse for the residents to use.

Phil Thompson, manager of Launchpad’s Hollyacre House, said:

“We are so grateful to Newcastle Building Society and to the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland for providing this grant. We always encourage our residents to be outdoors and get active and this greenhouse is a great addition to the garden.

 

“We have greenhouses at our two other houses which are regularly used by residents to grow and cook their own food. The residents have already started to use the greenhouse to start preparing produce and I’m looking forward to seeing the garden during the summer.

 

“I’d also like to say a huge thank you to Graeme and David from Kier who have very kindly offered their skills and time to build the base and erect the greenhouse and our residents wanted to show their appreciation by naming this area after the company.”

Steve Lynn, operations director for Kier Construction’s North & Scotland business, said:

“I’m really proud of the part Kier has played in helping to build a new greenhouse for the residents at Hollyacre House. The brilliant work carried out by Graeme and David from our aftercare team is just one example of how we are committed to leaving lasting legacies for the local communities in which we work. I look forward to seeing all the fresh produce grown by the residents.”

Hollyacre House resident and keen gardener, Graham French, moved into Hollyacre House in June 2024. He said:

“I’ve already started planning what we’ll grow. Some onions are already sown and then perhaps tomatoes come next. I’ll be glad to pass along what knowledge I have to the other veterans and show them how it’s done.

 

“The charitable donation made it possible and we’ve got a real space, a solid chance to grow food and pass on what we know collectively and it’s something we can build on going forward.”

Sue Legg, Senior Philanthropy Advisor at Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, said:

“It’s great to know that this grant has enabled such a positive effect on veteran’s wellbeing. It’s a perfect example of how philanthropy can make a difference in tackling health issues for people who are most at risk of social exclusion.”

Hollyacre House is one of three houses the charity manages, with others located in Newcastle and Liverpool and the charity accepts veterans from all over the UK. These projects often provide the first safe space in which veterans have slept for months or years.

The house comprises 15 self-contained, one-bedroom flats, providing vital accommodation and targeted support to UK Armed Forces’ veterans who have struggled with their transition to civilian life.

Demand for specialist veteran’s accommodation and services is increasing, with 361 homeless veterans’ approaching, or being referred to Launchpad in 2024 alone.

Last month, Avondale House resident Arron achieved his ITC Level 3 Award in Outdoor First Aid through Adventure Training North East. This is the first of many awards he hopes to achieve to pursue a career as an Outdoor Pursuits Instructor.

He would like to work locally in the Newcastle area and he recently spent time working with Launchpad Ambassador, Dan Smith of Northern Outdoor to gain experience.

This course and award were made possible through support, advice, and guidance from Ian our Employment and Training Coordinator at Avondale House and a funding grant from the Royal Navy Benevolent Trust that Ian set up for him through an RBL Case worker.

The grant will allow Arron to complete further courses in mountain bike leader, lowland leader, and paddle sports instructor.

It is hoped that further funding can be granted for him to complete specific courses as an archery instructor, climbing wall instructor and camping leader.

Arron is very ambitious and determined to succeed in this field and if any other charities would like to offer Aaron support, please do get in touch.

He is pictured receiving his certificate from Dan Smith.

Veteran, entrepreneur and Launchpad ambassador, Dan Smith is set to embark on one of his biggest adventure challenges to date by aiming to become the first person from the UK to paddle 500km solo along the Hess River in the Northern Yukon, Canada.

He will set off on his Sub-Arctic Odyssey in July 2025 and will be flown into the Yukon – one of Canada’s remotest regions, faced with relentless wilderness, fending for himself armed with only his canoe, bear spray, a shot gun to protect himself from apex predators and enough food and supplies for last him two weeks.

The Hess is considered to be the most remote and challenging canoe-able whitewater rivers in Yukon and while Dan aims to become the first person from UK to complete the challenge in just 14 days, he is also doing it to raise awareness and money for two UK veterans’ charities, Launchpad and Team Forces.

Veteran Dan, 45, from Belford in Northumberland is no stranger to setting himself personal challenges. In 2018 and to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War, he kayaked solo the length of Britain. He successfully completed the 998-mile ‘Paddle of Britain’ challenge, setting off from the top of Scotland and paddled via inland waterways to the south coast of England in just 53 days, raising a staggering £27,000.

He is now in full training with paddling and functional strength training and is looking forward to the challenge ahead when he sets off on 14 July 2025.

Launchpad is a homeless veterans charity providing vital accommodation and targeted support to UK Armed Forces’ veterans experiencing homelessness and unemployment.

The charity has three houses in the North of England, in Newcastle, Durham and Liverpool providing accommodation for up to 98 veterans who come from all over the UK. Dan became an ambassador of the charity in 2019.

A GoFundMe fundraising page has been set up and he aims to raise £30,000. All monies raised will be split between two charities, Launchpad and Team Forces. Click here to access his page and place a donation.

Dan said:

“I’m really looking forward to this challenge, it has always been a dream of mine. I can’t wait to experience the feeling of being flown into the Yukon and be dropped off on Keele Lake. It’s going to be a challenge to navigate remote rapids and the alpine wilderness with only remote back up support but I’m super excited. Yes, there is a lot of feeling of anticipation as there will be some big rapids to tackle by myself and to keep an eye out for bears and other apex predators.

 

“But, this is something I’ve always wanted to do. My motto is to explore, inspire and support. I’ve always wanted to explore as a kid and I want to try and inspire others and the next generation to be outdoors and go on an adventure – it can be life changing. Finally, I’m really proud to be supporting two brilliant veterans’ charities that are close to my heart.”

Jill Murray, Chief Executive of Launchpad, said:

“What an incredible challenge and one not for the faint hearted. Dan is a great ambassador of Launchpad and I’d like to wish him a safe and enjoyable adventure. We’ll be keeping a close eye on his progress and encouraging and supporting him all the way.”