Chris Longstaff has been appointed as Deputy Manager at Avondale House in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Veteran Chris joins the charity after taking some time out of his working career and is responsible for providing cover while the manager is not on site but also oversees the running and financial aspects of the house, liaises with many of the partners that engage with Launchpad and works closely with the residents to develop their personal development plans.

Chris joined the Army in 2008 and served 6 years in the Royal Artillery. He left service in 2014 and worked as an HGV driver for 8 months before joining BT Openreach where he joined as an apprentice engineer and worked his way up to regional manager. He enjoyed a successful 10-year career at the company before deciding to have a short career break.

As a veteran, Chris understands the difficulties the resident veterans have when leaving service and for those who have fallen on hard times but he is looking forward to supporting the residents living at Avondale House to secure employment and to move on to a successful independent life.

Launchpad opened Avondale House on the Byker estate in Newcastle upon Tyne in 2013 providing 33 self-contained one-bedroom flats and communal areas for former serving personnel and their partners. The charity has three houses in the North of England in Liverpool, Newcastle and Durham, providing accommodation for up to 98 homeless veterans who come from all over the UK.

Commenting on his new role, Chris said:

“Helping people has always been at my core and in this wonderful new role I now find myself, what better way to make that a reality. I am so excited to get started and support the residents.”

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

“I’d like to welcome Chris to the team and his enthusiasm and determination for the role is clear to everyone. He will be a great asset and I look forward to working with him.”

Demand for specialist veteran’s accommodation and services is increasing, with 361 homeless veterans’ approaching, or being referred to Launchpad in 2024 alone. Last year, Launchpad accommodated 171 homeless veterans during the year – an increase from 135 just 18 months ago.

Launchpad is going through a significant period of transformational change with a new strategy and business plan being developed.

Jill Murray took on the role as chief executive in August 2024 and is leading the charity through its biggest transformation to date.

The charity manages three supported housing schemes in Newcastle, Durham and Liverpool providing self-contained apartments for 98 homeless veterans. Demand for specialist veteran’s accommodation and services is increasing, with 361 homeless veterans’ approaching, or being referred to Launchpad in 2024 alone.

In 2023, the government launched the Op FORTITUDE / Reducing Veterans Homelessness Programme – a dedicated pathway for veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Launchpad is one of nine funded organisations who were tasked to deliver the programme. The new Labour government has committed a further £3.5m funding to extend this programme up until April 2026, to ensure organisations such as Launchpad can continue to provide valuable specialist support to homeless veterans, with the ultimate aim of supporting them to secure employment, and to move on to a successful independent life.

Since it was established in 2013, Launchpad has evolved and grown, Jills appointment in August 2024 recognised the need for change and to put in place a new good governance and business assurance framework, a comprehensive business plan and a new strategy which puts the voice of veterans lived experience at the centre of it.

Changes have already been implemented commencing with an independent governance review. Four new Trustees were appointed to the Board in January and each bring with them extensive experience, qualifications, knowledge and the leadership qualities required to strengthen the charity and drive it forward.

At the end of 2024, the charity appointed a new Head of Finance. Work has commenced to develop a new performance framework and a comprehensive business plan. Since the turn of the new year, staff and residents (past and present) from all three supported housing schemes have also been engaged in a consultation process, as part of this bottom-up approach to strategy meaning, their views, ideas and experiences, will be listened to, considered and will become an important part of a new three year strategy for the organisation.

Jill Murray, Chief Executive at Launchpad, said:

“As a supported housing provider to homeless veterans, we are adapting our business model and developing a strategy to ensure that their [the residents] voice of lived experience is at the centre of our future decision making. Our aim is to harness the strength of our people and partnerships, both locally and nationally, to continue and enhance the important work which we do to support our homeless veterans, thus enabling them to live independently and to thrive.

 

“This is a really exciting time for Launchpad as we co-create our new strategy, build upon all of the good work done to date and drive the charity forward to achieve improved performance and outcomes for Armed Forces Veterans.”

Homeless veteran’s charity Launchpad has been awarded a grant of £75,000 from the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) to enable it to continue to provide vital accommodation and wraparound support to Army veterans living in all three of its houses.

The funding, approved on behalf of all the Regiments and Corps of the Army, will support at least 130 homeless Army veterans and 50 veterans in the community, once they have moved out of Launchpad to live independently.

The ABF has been a long-standing supporter of the charity since it was founded in 2013 and 90% of the residents that live in the houses in Newcastle, Liverpool and Durham are ex-Army.

Demand for specialist veteran’s accommodation and services is increasing, with 361 homeless veterans’ approaching, or being referred to Launchpad in 2024 alone. Last year, Launchpad accommodated 171 homeless veterans during the year – an increase from 135 just 18 months ago.

In addition to providing the veterans with furnished, one-bedroom flats, they are supported by wraparound support tailored to their individual needs. This includes helping them to resolve mental health/addiction problems including psychotherapy for those needing it, a programme of diversionary/health-inducing activities to keep the veterans focussed on their recovery, support with skills development and employment, help with finding long-term accommodation and continued support when living independently.

Jill Murray, Chief Executive of Launchpad, said:

“We are very grateful to Darren Doherty and his team at the Army Benevolent Fund, who have worked closely with us, listened to our challenges and really heard what we have said, then responded by supporting us with a grant that will enable Launchpad, to continue to offer vital accommodation and tailored support services to homeless ex-Army veterans.

 

“The grant will help to make a big difference to the lives of homeless veterans with complex needs and give them the chance of a better life. This is especially pertinent at a time when 85% of our current residents are ex-Army and demand for Launchpad Homeless Veterans Charity has more than doubled.”

Brigadier (Ret’d) Peter Monteith, Chief Operating Officer, Army Benevolent Fund, added:

“We are delighted to be helping Launchpad provide vital wraparound support for veterans in need. By offering assistance throughout the entire process, their services make a huge and positive impact on the quality of life of former soldiers as they reintegrate into wider society.”

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. 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.

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.