A schoolboy from Darlington has raised £155 for a homeless veteran’s charity after making and selling bracelets to his family, school friends and teachers.

Harry Gayles, aged 8, said he wanted to give back to veterans who have struggled with the transition to civilian life and chose Launchpad’s Hollyacre House in Durham to give his donation to.

Harry rallied family members to make 115 bracelets which are made of small beads and elastic and made them in various colours and sizes to appeal to everyone.

Harry attends West Park Academy in Darlington and is a popular primary school for service families who are based near Catterick. He said he was inspired by BBC 1 radio presenter Dean McCullough after he starred in last year’s series of the popular TV show I’m a Celebrity. His mother’s partner is also a veteran. He joined the Army when he was 17 and served five years as a mechanic.

Harry said,

“I wanted to give back to veterans and I was pleased when all my friends and even teachers bought a bracelet and supported my idea. I hope the money will help those veterans who are struggling. I have a lot of friends at school whose parents are serving in the Army so I was keen to support them in some way.

 

“There was a lot of bracelets to make so I’m pleased all my family and Nana helped me. I found it very therapeutic but annoying when the beads sometimes fell off the elastic and then I would have to start all over again. I’m glad my donation will help the veterans at Launchpad.”

Sharon Hudson, Deputy Manager at Launchpad’s Hollyacre House, said:

“It was lovely to meet Harry and his family and invite them into Hollyacre House so we could thank him personally but also show him how his donation can help us to deliver the services we do to homeless veterans. What a lovely caring little boy who has a heart of gold. Donations like this mean so much to our charity.”

Staff from Launchpad’s Hollyacre House invited Harry into the house to meet some of the staff and residents and was treated to pizza for his lunch as a thank you. He was also given a tour of the house and was pleased with his visit.

Launchpad is a homeless veterans charity and provides vital accommodation and targeted support to UK Armed Forces’ veterans who have struggled with their transition to civilian life. The charity manages three houses in Liverpool, Newcastle, and Durham and accepts veterans from all over the UK providing accommodation for 98 homeless veterans.

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

A grant of £130,000 from Greenwich Hospital will help homeless veterans’ housing charity Launchpad continue its vital support for unemployed former Royal Navy and Royal Marines facing a housing crisis.

Since its establishment in 2013, Launchpad has assisted over 745 homeless veterans, providing housing and wraparound, person-centred support to former personnel often at critical times in their transition from military life. The Charity supports veterans across the North West and North East of England with housing accommodation based in Durham, Newcastle and Liverpool.

Launchpad understands the detrimental effects that a lack of stable housing can have on individuals during vulnerable periods in their lives. The team works to reduce homelessness, unemployment, and social deprivation among veterans by offering housing and ongoing support. Once veterans are housed, they receive help with training, employment opportunities, and securing permanent housing.

Launchpad helps veterans stabilise their lives and successfully transition from military to civilian life through its ongoing partnerships with specialist providers. In the last five years, 50% of veterans have gained employment during their time with the Charity, and 61% have successfully moved on to live in safe and secure housing elsewhere.

Veterans like Nicholas, photographed, who served in the Royal Navy from 1985 to 1999, rising to Leading Weapons Engineer and took part in conflicts during the First Gulf War and Bosnia. Diagnosed with glaucoma and PTSD while serving, his vision deteriorated in civilian life, leading to job loss as a paramedic, homelessness, and mental health struggles. After contacting OP COURAGE, he was referred to OP FORTITUDE and found stability at Speke House in August 2024. Nic now aims to secure over-55s housing with Anchor Housing, prioritising transport links to maintain his support network.

Supporting housing initiatives for former Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel aligns with Greenwich Hospital’s core funding principles. Greenwich Hospitals previous support for Launchpad has strengthened aid for homeless Royal Navy veterans, ensuring critical assistance when it’s needed most.

Deirdre Mill, Director of Greenwich Hospital, said:

“The team at Launchpad understand that secure and sustainable housing is often the first step in helping former RN personnel transition to civilian life. Their long-term, proven approach is making a real difference and is effective. We want to support Launchpad to help meet the growing demand for safe and affordable housing for veterans in need.”

 

Jill Murray, Chief Executive, Launchpad, said:

“We are grateful to Greenwich Hospital for awarding Launchpad this grant. Our passion and determination drive us to achieve positive outcomes on behalf of the veterans we support. This funding award further strengthens our ability to operate on a sustainable footing, allowing us to keep focused on their long-term success and wellbeing. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Greenwich Hospital.”

We are pleased to publish our Impact Report for the financial year ending June 2024. To view a copy, please click here.

During the year, we supported 162 veterans across all three houses. 85% of our residents came from a homeless background, 49% with mental health issues and 98% from long-term unemployment.

The statistics that most indicate positive outcomes, ‘Employment’ and ‘Successful Move-on’ were 42% and 62% respectively.

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

Occupancy of Launchpad’s houses continues to be high and there is no doubt Launchpad helps reduce homelessness among veterans, particularly in the north of England.

The Charity benefitted enormously from Op FORTITUDE, the then-Government’s initiative to end homelessness among veterans. Launchpad received nearly £650K over two years to help in five areas: psychotherapy support in each house, funds for activities, salary funds for staff in each house to focus on veterans’ training and employment and again, salary funds for an independent living coordinator in each house, to ensure alumni of Launchpad can access support if needed.

We’d like to thank the many funding organisations and volunteers that have and continue to support Launchpad. We’d also like to thank our wonderful staff, who, without them, means we couldn’t deliver the fantastic services we do to support our resident veterans.

Homeless veterans’ charity Launchpad has appointed four new Trustees to its Board.

Chris Smith, Aaron Sahota, Ian Dormer CBE and Katherine McGough have been appointed as Trustees of the charity, following interviews with existing Board members and chief executive.

The appointments were approved by existing Trustees at their last meeting in November and it now takes current membership to ten.

The charity provides vital accommodation and targeted support to UK Armed Forces’ veterans who have experienced homelessness and have struggled with the transition into civilian life.

Launchpad manages three houses in the North of England in Newcastle upon Tyne, Liverpool and Durham and accepts veterans from all over the UK. It provides accommodation for 98 homeless veterans at any one time. Demand for specialist veteran’s accommodation and services is increasing, with 361 homeless veterans’ approaching, or being referred to Launchpad in 2024 alone.

Ian Dormer CBE has a diverse background in public service, education and engineering. He serves as an independent member of the Audit & Risk Committee for Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council and is Director of Herbert Dove Trustees, overseeing JT Dove – a significant builder’s merchant.

Ian is also the managing director and owner of Rosh Engineering Ltd which specialises in high-voltage equipment across the UK and Northern Europe.

His previous leadership roles extend to the educational sector as Chair of the Primary Science Teaching Trust and Non-Executive Chair of Newcastle College. With experience on various boards, including the Institute of Directors and Regional Development Agency ONE North East, Ian combines strategic oversight with entrepreneurial acumen, making him a prominent figure in both for-profit and non-profit sectors.

Katherine McGough is a highly experienced professional with Human Resources and Organisational Development experience, particularly in the housing sector where she is currently Director of People Services at North Star Housing Group, a role she has held for almost 13 years.

She has also owned her own business offering HR, coaching and training to North East businesses and held various senior roles. Katherine’s expertise encompasses strategic change management, policy development and performance management and this will be her first non-executive role.

Aaron Sahota currently works as a senior manager at PwC – a leading global firm in professional services and consulting. His experience encompasses managing significant accounts in the financial sector, particularly with a UK retail bank, and implementing large-scale transformations.

He specialises in internal audits and health & safety and has worked in regulated environments in the public sector. His appointment as a Trustee of Launchpad is his first non-executive role.

Chris Smith is an accomplished executive with over 38 years’ experience in the social housing sector, 20 of which have been at a senior level as Director of Service in various functions. Chris is currently employed as Deputy Chief Executive of Thirteen Housing Group and has a very impressive track record in business development and community regeneration.

Lucy Perriam, Chair of Launchpad, said:

“I am delighted to welcome our four new Trustees who each bring extensive experience, knowledge and the leadership qualities that will hugely benefit this wonderful charity, our staff and veterans.

 

“I’m really pleased with the quality and strength of each appointment who, together with our existing Trustees, chief executive and leadership team, will enable us to further develop Launchpad nationally and to help reduce veterans homelessness.

 

“I’d also like to put on record my thanks to Philip Mixer who has resigned from his position on the Board for personal reasons. Philip served as a Trustee of Launchpad for almost eight years.”

Launchpad has partnered with housing provider Anchor Housing to empower veterans in their transition to independent living.

In 2024, the partnership supported 14 veterans to transition from supported accommodation from Launchpad’s Speke House to independent, permanent housing.

Speke House in Liverpool is one of three houses offering temporary housing and holistic support to vulnerable veterans, many of whom arrive at Launchpad after experiencing homelessness, addiction, mental health challenges, or family breakdowns. Through tailored care and support, veterans regain stability and prepare to reintegrate into civilian life. But what happens when they’re ready to move on?

This is where Anchor Housing steps in, offering a seamless transition to ‘forever homes’ in one of their 1,700 locations across the UK.

Jim Riley, Launchpad’s Independent Living Coordinator at Speke House is working closely with Anchor Housing’s Operations Manager Dawn Brown and Community Partnership Manager Rebecca Heede who together, have played a vital role in helping residents take this transformative step.

The transition from a safe space like Speke House to independent living can feel overwhelming for veterans. Recognising this, the teams at Anchor and Launchpad collaborate to identify housing solutions tailored to each veteran’s needs. Whether it’s staying close to Liverpool to remain part of the community, starting afresh in a new location, or returning to a familiar home, Anchor Housing ensures veterans feel supported every step of the way.

Anchor’s housing model aligns closely with the supportive environment at Launchpad, offering independent living with private homes, community facilities, and access to activities as needed. To ease the transition, Anchor also provides funding to help veterans purchase essentials such as white goods and carpets.

Life-Changing Impact

In 2024, 14 residents from Speke House have transitioned to homes within the Liverpool City Region, allowing them to maintain connections with the Launchpad team. Two others moved to locations further afield, realising their dreams of a fresh start in new communities. In one exceptional case, Anchor directly rehoused a veteran without requiring him to stay at Launchpad, enabling a smooth and immediate transition into his forever home.

The veterans’ testimonials highlight the profound impact of this collaboration:

• “As a veteran, the thought of leaving supported veteran accommodation and moving on to living independently was quite daunting. However, after day one in my Anchor property, I wish I had made the move sooner.” – Dave, Ex-Army
• “I have a fantastic apartment in the most beautiful county in England. Anchor actively encourages pet companions, and now I have Beau, the yellow Labrador, as a companion. How different is that from sleeping on a Domino’s Pizza box in Edinburgh.” – Deane, Ex-Army
• “The transition from military life to civilian life is one of the hardest things I have ever done. My journey has now led me to a place I can finally call ‘home’ and the start of a new chapter in my life.” – Michael, Ex-Navy

A Growing Collaboration

The partnership continues to evolve, with Rebecca Heede now working to expand support for veterans at Launchpad’s other locations in the North East. Together, Launchpad and Anchor Housing are creating a brighter future for those who have served, providing not just homes, but the foundation for independence and a new beginning.

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

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Anchor for providing not just housing, but a true sense of home for our residents. Your dedication to creating safe, supportive, and welcoming communities makes a profound difference in their lives, and we deeply appreciate your partnership.”

Residents at Speke House enjoyed a joyful Christmas this year, thanks to the overwhelming generosity of local businesses and organisations that donated gifts, food, and essentials. These contributions brought festive cheer and lasting support to veterans rebuilding their lives.

Throughout 2024, Speke House partnered with organisations including AstraZeneca, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Morrisons, and New Beginnings Tiling Academy, creating life-changing opportunities for residents to gain confidence, learn new skills, and find a sense of belonging. From adventurous activities such as sailing and coasteering to hands-on training in IT, gardening, and trades, these collaborations transformed lives and prepared veterans for employment. Some of these activities were partially funded through Op FORTITUDE, which is supported by The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust to deliver a centralised referral pathway into veteran-supported housing.

Christmas Cheer, Community Spirit
The festive season, often a tough time for veterans far from family, was made brighter with the help of AstraZeneca, Yodel Speke, and Everton in the Community, whose donations brought smiles, laughter, and joy to residents.

A Year of Transformation
This year marked a turning point for many veterans at Speke House, driven by the transformational support of the Government’s Reducing Veterans Homelessness and Op FORTITUDE Programme. These initiatives provided critical resources and centralised pathways to stable housing, empowering veterans to rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose.

Thanks to the additional support of organisations including CatZero, Models for Heroes, and Bearded Men Adventures, veterans also enjoyed a packed calendar of activities, volunteer opportunities, and training.

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

“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of the incredible organisations, who have made such a difference to our residents’ lives. Their support is a cornerstone of their journey toward stability and success.

“For those inspired to get involved in 2025, opportunities abound to make a difference—whether through volunteering, donations, or team-building activities that support residents directly. Please join us in creating brighter futures for the veterans who have given so much for our country.”

Organisations Supporting Speke House in 2024:

AstraZeneca | Morrisons Speke | Asda Hunts Cross | Tesco Woolton | Yodel Speke – Gemma | Haleon Health Partners | The Brick (Wigan) | Local Neighbourhood Fund (Liverpool City Council) | The Battle Back Centre Royal British Legion | CatZero | Army Benevolent Fund | Bearded Men Adventures | Leonardo Hotels | Northwest Angling Academy CIC | Offshore Painting Services | Ladies Friendship Group (Childwall) | Models for Heroes | St Aiden’s Church | Everton in the Community | Liverpool John Lennon Airport | Hays Recruitment | Royal Navy | Speke Hall Liverpool (National Trust) | Donkey Sanctuary | Seascope Maritime Training | New Beginnings Tiling Academy | CE3 | Op Fortitude | Liverpool foodbank +plus.