Launchpad has received a grant boost of £10,000 from Queen Mary Roehampton Trust (QMRT).

The grant will contribute towards the costs of providing safe, secure accommodation and rehabilitation for resident veterans living in two of its houses in Liverpool and Newcastle upon Tyne.

Trustees of QMRT awarded the grant to contribute towards routine expenditure and relief work for war pensioners and those in receipt of an Armed Forces Compensation Scheme award.

The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) provides compensation for any injury, illness or death during service on or after 6th April 2005. Any injuries before this time are compensated by the War Pension Scheme (WPS).

Launchpad provides accommodation and support, with the help of specialist providers, to help veterans stabilise their lives and make a successful transition from military to civilian life.

The charity provides accommodation for up to a total of 80 residents in Avondale House in Newcastle upon Tyne and Speke House in Liverpool. Last year, the charity supported 157 veterans across both houses and has helped 455 veterans since 2013. 80%-90% of residents who go to Launchpad are homeless on arrival.

David Shaw, CEO and Founder of Launchpad, said:

“We are very grateful to Queen Mary’s Roehampton Trust for making this donation, which will help our veteran residents currently residing with us and assist them with their transition.

“Last year, we supported ten war pensioners and those in receipt of an Armed Forces Compensation Scheme award. I am pleased to report that seven of those have since moved on successfully and we hope for the same outcome with this funding.”

Colonel Steve D Rowland-Jones, Clerk to the Trustees at QMRT, said:

“The Trustees meet the objects of the Trust by giving grants to charities that support ex-servicemen and women who have been injured or disabled during their service, and their dependants. Each year the Trust awards around £500,000 in such grants.

“AF&V Launchpad is one of those charities at the cutting edge of support to the veteran community and the Trustees welcomed the opportunity to award a grant.”

Garfield Weston Foundation donates grant of £30,000 to Launchpad.

Trustees of the Garfield Weston Foundation awarded the grant to contribute towards some of the running costs of two houses for homeless veterans.

The charity provides accommodation and support to help veterans stabilise their lives and make a successful transition from military to civilian life.

Last year, Launchpad supported 157 veterans across both houses and has helped 455 veterans since 2013. 80%-90% of residents who go to Launchpad are homeless on arrival.

The grant will contribute to helping veteran residents living at Avondale House in Byker, Newcastle which includes 32 self-contained one-bedroom flats and at Speke House in Liverpool, which comprises 48 self-contained flats.

The Garfield Weston Foundation is a family-founded charitable grant-making trust and has donated over £1 billion. In the most recent financial year, the Foundation gave away over £79 million to over 2,100 charities across the UK.

David Shaw, CEO and Founder of Launchpad, commented:

“As a charity, we rely on grants and donations to contribute towards some of our operating costs to run both houses in Newcastle and Liverpool. This £30,000 donation by the Garfield Weston Foundation is gratefully received and will make a significant difference to helping our homeless veterans on their transition to civilian life.

“On behalf of my staff and all residents, I would like to thank the Trustees for granting this funding.”

Launchpad ambassador James sets next challenge of climbing North Africa’s highest mountain this September.

James announced plans to climb to the summit of Mount Toubkal in Morocco this September. Even for able-bodied people, climbing to the summit which stands at 4,167m and is North Africa’s highest peak is challenging enough but this is something James, who is a double amputee, is relishing.

James will be accompanied by fellow veterans’ John Gilpin, Ray Priest and Gerry Garvey who are collectively hoping to raise £15,000 for two veterans’ charities, Launchpad and BLESMA who support limbless veterans.

James is no stranger to achieving extreme physical challenges and his passion for mountaineering really came to the test last year when he became the first double (above the knee) amputee to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, which is the highest free-standing mountain in the world.

James, 32, from Middlesbrough joined the British Army in January 2008 was in 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, formerly the Green Howards. He had a passion for football and fitness when growing up but opted for a career in the military.

During his time at Weeton Barracks, James found out that he would be deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 and it was during a mission in November that year when his life took a turn for the worse. James was on patrol when he stood on an IED. He heard the pressure plate click and knew for that split second, his life would change forever. As a result of the blast, he lost both of his legs, and suffered a broken pelvis and tail bone. He spent four years recovering in Headley Court and it was his family that helped him stay focussed and get through those dark, difficult times.

Not letting his injuries deter him, he decided to get back into fitness and started rowing. This gave him a new lease of life and in January 2014, he trained with Team GB Development Team. He also learned how to ride a hand cycle and cycled 65 miles in 2017.

In 2018, he was selected to represent Team GB at the Invictus Games in Sydney competing in the wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball, gaining silver and bronze medals respectively.

During his time at the Invictus Games, he became friends with Darren Young and together they decided to raise money for veterans with depression and PTSD. Their chosen challenge was to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, which they completed in September 2019.

Now, he has set his sights on his next challenge by tackling Mount Toubkal – North Africa’s highest mountain. James said:

“After reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro last year, I wanted to set myself another challenge. We have spent a lot of time planning this and are all very much focused on the task ahead of us. I have been training for this for months and yes, it’s about a personal challenge but it’s also about raising awareness of mental health and funds for two fantastic veterans’ charities.

“These challenges are extremely physical and painful but if you have a positive mindset and stay strong, you will get through it. You need to keep strong in your head – it’s about mind over matter.

“The intensity of the training will increase over the next few months and it will be hard, but if I can make a difference by raising money for these two fantastic charities, then it will be worth it.”

David Shaw, CEO and Founder of Launchpad, said:

“We are delighted James has chosen Launchpad as one of his charities to raise much needed funds. My staff and our residents are very grateful for this kind gesture. I would like to wish him and the other veterans joining him, all the very best for their training over the next few months and good luck with the challenge – we’ll be keeping a close eye on their progress.”

To donate, please visit Just Giving here.

Launchpad provides accommodation and support to help veterans stabilise their lives and make a successful transition from military to civilian life. Last year, the charity supported 157 veterans across two houses in Liverpool and Newcastle upon Tyne and has helped 455 veterans since 2013. 80-90% of residents who go to Launchpad are homeless.

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust has awarded two grants worth £140,000 to Launchpad, as part of its Positive Pathways programme.

The charity provides accommodation and support to help veterans stabilise their lives and make a successful transition from military to civilian life.

Launchpad was successful in securing two of the 36 grants which were awarded in the first round of the programme as part of the Veterans’ Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund. In total, over £2.5m was awarded with each beneficiary receiving a grant worth £70,000.

The two grants will be allocated to two of Launchpad’s houses to benefit resident veterans. The charity provides 32 self-contained one-bedroom flats at Avondale House in Byker, Newcastle and 48 self-contained flats at Speke House in Liverpool.

A diverse programme of mental health and wellbeing activities will be delivered to resident veterans living at Avondale House, which is located on the iconic Grade II* Listed Byker Estate. Veterans who have moved on from Avondale House will also offer peer-support.

At Speke House, the grant will provide outdoor wellbeing activities for 150 current and previously homeless veterans in Liverpool. Participants will grow vegetables and raise poultry at two allotments as well as creating a sensory garden to help veterans overcome PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and depression. Veterans will also be able to take part in veteran-organised outdoor sports.

The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund has two programmes, the Positive Pathways Programme and the Strategic Pathways Programme. During the 2018 Autumn Budget, the Chancellor announced £10m to support Veterans’ Mental Health and Wellbeing needs.

David Shaw, CEO and Founder of Launchpad, commented:

“Launchpad encourages residents to participate in projects that will not only support their mental wellbeing but also help the local community. Taking part in social, sporting and skills activities brings enjoyment, develops positive and helpful approaches.

“All residents will benefit from these grants but in particular, those residents living in both our houses who have mental health issues, ranging from anxiety to service and non-service-related PTSD while some need help with addictions; these residents will benefit particularly.

“We are very grateful to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust for awarding these grants to Launchpad, which will help our residents in a diverse range of programmes over the next two years.”

Last year, Launchpad supported 157 veterans across both houses and has helped 455 veterans since 2013. 80-90% of residents who go to Launchpad are homeless.

Work has commenced on the refurbishment of Launchpad’s Speke House in Liverpool thanks to a donation from leading bereavement and veterans’ support charity, Forces Support.

Launchpad is the city’s largest veterans’ accommodation facility providing safe, secure en-suite bedsits and flats for up to 48 veterans to help them stabilise their lives and make a successful transition from military to civilian life.

Forces Support has awarded Launchpad £73,000, which will be used for both internal and external projects. Internally, all flats are set to benefit from the installation of new windows and communal areas such as the social and training area, kitchen, IT suite, laundry, corridors and toilet facilities will be fully redecorated. Externally, new gates and fencing will be erected, and a bike storage area will also be built for residents to store their bikes.

Forces Support plays an active role in supplying funding to assist with homes for veterans to address problems of homelessness, financial disadvantage and poor mental and physical health among veterans.

In addition, Forces Support helps families of men and women killed while serving in the British Armed Forces, as well as former service personnel and their families who are in need through financial hardship.

Launchpad took possession of, and carried out partial refurbishment of Speke House, just off Heathgate Avenue, in 2015 based on the success of another project the charity runs in Newcastle. Residents usually stay at Launchpad for up to two years and receive additional support, through the expertise of specialist providers to help them make a successful transition from military to civilian life.

In the 12 months to June 2019, Launchpad’s Speke House accommodated 90 residents – 80 of which came from a homeless background. 45% of residents left Speke House with employment and 74% successfully moved on to settled accommodation, either living independently, reunited with family or with the support they need.

Prior to Launchpad, the 1960’s building provided accommodation for people aged 55 and over and was managed by Johnnie Johnson Housing Trust. In 2014, the charity was looking for a site in the North West area and Speke House proved to be an ideal base to provide accommodation for veterans.

Carol Reynolds, Chief Executive of Forces Support, said:

“Forces Support is delighted to be going into partnership with Launchpad’s Speke House and we look forward to funding more projects in the future.”

Sam Jackson, Manager of Launchpad’s Speke House said:

“Last year, 80 (out of 90) veterans came to live with us because they were homeless. For some, Launchpad is the first safe place they have slept in for months, even years, so it is vitally important we provide a warm, welcoming and friendly environment that will help them to re-engage and transition successfully back into civilian life.

“Our Trustees, staff and residents are extremely grateful to Forces Support for this financial contribution, which will significantly improve the living environment of Speke House and will have a long-lasting effect for our current and future residents.

“Our charity relies on personal and corporate donations to enable us to provide the services we do. With additional financial support from organisations such as Forces Support, we are able to improve our facilities and provide activities that will help to rehabilitate our veterans.”

The first phase of work to install double-glazed windows in all flats will be completed this week. In addition to the support received from Forces Support, funding has also been secured to remodel part of the garden area at Speke House to create a sensory garden for residents to relax and refocus.

Last year, Launchpad supported 157 veterans across both houses in Liverpool and Newcastle and has helped 437 veterans in total since it was established in 2013.

Fishing helps veterans’ mental health.

Veterans living at Launchpad’s Avondale House in Byker used fishing as a way to get outdoors and help take their mind away from life’s daily stresses.

The day-trip was organised by the Angling Trust, the sport’s governing body in England, to help residents relax and disconnect from everyday anxieties.

All essentials were provided, including the tackle and bait, licence and transport and despite the cold conditions, a good day was had by all.

The veterans visited Derwent Reservoir near Consett in County Durham where they learned to fish for trout. The lesson was facilitated by Dave Munt, Club & Fishery Development Officer at the Angling Trust who is also a Level 2 qualified coach.

Dave said:

“The Angling Trust supports a campaign called We are Undefeatable, which was launched by Sport England to encourage groups of people with health conditions to become more active in sport. Fishing provides a positive experience and it is a great way to relax and unwind.

“We work in partnership with the Environment Agency and Northumbrian Water to take groups of people such as those with disabilities or veterans and provide a different experience. The trips are very well received by all groups.”

Andy Hardy, Facilities Manager at Avondale House also attended the trip to Derwent Reservoir. He said:

“We work with a range of different partners and organisations that provide support to our residents. A high percentage of our residents have severe mental health issues, ranging from anxiety to service and non-service-related PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).

“We found out that Dave was working with other veteran groups in the North East so we asked if it would be possible to engage with our residents. It was a good day, we all got to sit together, have a chat, relax and let all those every day stresses pass us by. The lads were thrilled to catch a rainbow trout and one brown trout which we released back into the water. The feedback from those who attended was very positive and we are making plans to do it again soon.”

One of the residents attending the trip was Dave. He said:

“Having grown up in Scotland where I used to fish, this trip gave me the opportunity to relive my childhood days. As a recovering alcoholic, it gave me time to reflect on my past history of my drinking into oblivion and consequently near death. It was a really good day out – even if you weren’t a fisherman.

“I was probably 14 last time I caught a fish so you can imagine the feeling of landing this beautiful Rainbow Trout on the shore of Derwent Reservoir. This trip had such a beneficial tribute to my recovery and I’d like to thank everyone who made the day so special. I would like to go on the next trip if it comes along.”

Don Coe, Leisure Operations Manager at Waterside Parks, Northumbrian Water, said:

“We are delighted to be able to work in partnership with the Environment Agency and the Angling Trust by providing excellent venues in stunning locations across the region.

“Data from surveys commissioned by the medical profession state that angling ‘actively promotes and encourages socialisation, social inclusion and social interaction’. It also ‘strongly promotes health in many ways from mental health to physical health and wellbeing it is also a powerful recovery aid that benefits patients.’

“As a company, we are both proud and delighted to support a wide variety of schemes of this nature in our region by providing partners and participants with an all-round positive beneficial experience.”