The City of Liverpool played host to the Royal Navy’s largest and newest aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, during its week-long visit to its affiliated city.

On Tuesday, Launchpad hosted a Veterans Networking Conference aboard HMS Prince of Wales. This event was coordinated by Launchpad’s Facilities Coordinator, Rob Lockyer, who served in the Royal Navy for over 42 years. Representatives from key organisations supporting veterans attended, including Tom Harrison House, Riverside, CE3 Enterprises, Beacon Counselling, the Royal British Legion (RBL), The Battle Back Centre, Veterans HQ, and NHS Op Courage.

The support and contribution of the organisations attending the day are invaluable to the service the team at Launchpad provide. Tom Harrison House offers a 12-week rehabilitation program and ongoing support for veterans while referring clients to Launchpad for additional assistance. Riverside manages referral teams for Op FORTITUDE, funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, which delivers centralised referral pathways into veteran-supported housing and works closely with Launchpad to ensure veterans are off the streets and housing vacancies are filled. CE3 Enterprises has provided vital IT literacy training to residents, with over 15 veterans completing the course and receiving a computer tablet upon graduation.

Other key contributors included:

Beacon Counselling: Currently equipping Launchpad staff with Level 2 Bet You Can Help and Battle the Odds training to enable them to further support veterans facing gambling addictions. This training will soon be extended to residents.

Royal British Legion (RBL): Mark Robinson, National Programmes & Partnership Lead, and Sarah Hulme, Manager of RBL’s Battle Back Centre in Lilleshall, together have facilitated residential courses at Battle Back for Launchpad veterans, offering outstanding mental health support and personal development resources.

Veterans HQ: Continues to support with general and housing support to veterans across Merseyside.

NHS Op Courage: Referring clients to Launchpad and supporting residents with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), counselling, and addiction recovery services.

The conference provided an invaluable platform to discuss shared challenges and foster stronger collaboration for 2025. Attendees were treated to an exclusive tour of the ship led by Lt. Oliver Rich RN, Flight Deck Officer 2, who guided the group through the flight deck, bridge, and galleys named after Liverpool’s famous streets. The scale and sophistication of the ship left many in awe, serving as a humbling reminder of the Royal Navy’s capabilities.

Later that evening, Launchpad representatives joined 600 guests for the Regional Capability Demonstration in the ship’s aircraft hangar. The event showcased HMS Prince of Wales’s advanced systems and mission readiness, leaving a lasting impression. It also provided an opportunity for Launchpad to engage with supporters and businesses eager to learn about the charity’s mission and explore ways to get involved.

On Wednesday, the crew of HMS Prince of Wales extended their support onshore. Leading Air Engineering Technician Ryan Boase and AETs Matthew Green and Rory Miller volunteered their time at Launchpad’s Speke House, redecorating a flat for an incoming homeless veteran. Their efforts ensured a warm and welcoming environment for the new veteran, highlighting the importance of community involvement in helping veterans rebuild their lives.

Over the weekend, as HMS Prince of Wales prepared to welcome 10,000 visitors, Launchpad representatives set up at the cruise terminal to greet attendees and share information about their work. Despite interruptions from Storm Darragh on the Saturday, enthusiastic crowds on Sunday engaged with Launchpad’s team to learn how they could support veterans transitioning to civilian life.

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

“Launchpad is proud to have been part of HMS Prince of Wales’s visit to Liverpool, which demonstrated the strong affiliation between the Royal Navy and the city. This week-long event not only celebrated the ship’s role in serving and protecting but also highlighted the power of collaboration in supporting veterans.

 

“I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the crew of HMS Prince of Wales and all participants for their ongoing commitment to helping those who have served.”

Launchpad was one of four charities to receive a generous donation from Durham Freemasons.

Phil Thompson, Manager of both Avondale House and Hollyacre House in the North East attended the Durham Armed Forces Network – Charity Walk Presentation evening held at Sanctuary Lodge in Durham.

On Saturday 8 June, 16 walkers set off on a 22-mile walk along the Durham Coastal Path, starting at the Military Museum show piece at the Heugh Gun Battery in Hartlepool, passing directly by the Tommy World War One Sculpture at Seaham and then on to the Sunderland War Memorial in Mowbray Park, Sunderland.

The walkers raised an incredible £10,000 and this was generously matched by Durham Freemasons Charity which means including Gift Aid, over £21,000 was raised and distributed to veterans charities in the North East.

Durham Freemasons has established an Armed Forces Committee (AFC) with the purpose of engaging with and enhancing the lives of the Armed Forces community across its Province.  Since its inception, the AFC were keen to organise a charitable event with the purpose of raising funds through the Durham Freemasons Charity specifically to support veterans charities.

Launchpad received a donation of £6,000 which was greatly received and will be used to purchase and install outdoor gym equipment and an awning at Hollyacre House for residents to stay active and to manage their mental health and wellbeing.

Phil Thompson said:

“We are very grateful to Durham Freemasons and the Durham Freemasons Charity for their generous donation and congratulate all the walkers who participated in the charity walk this summer. This money will be invested into installing outdoor gym equipment for our residents to use which will encourage them to be outdoors and exercise and help with their mental health and wellbeing.”

Housing support for UK veterans has been guaranteed after the government committed new additional funding for veterans’ homelessness support programmes.

Jill Murray, Chief Executive of Launchpad, said:

“This is fantastic news for our UK Armed Forces veterans who have experienced homelessness and we welcome this decision by the government to provide additional, much-needed funding, to be extended until 2026.

“Launchpad, alongside Healthier Heroes CIC, was selected as one of nine funded organisations to deliver the Op FORTITUDE programme, which aims to reduce veterans’ homelessness.

“Within the first 11-months of the programme, 259 homeless veterans were referred from Op FORTITUDE, which not only demonstrates the scale of veterans’ homelessness across the UK, but is also far more veterans than we can collectively accommodate across our four houses.

“However, we have seen the positive impact this programme has delivered to Launchpad’s veterans, with 187 previously homeless veterans benefitting, 71 successfully moving on to independent living and 63 securing employment.

“Myself and my staff are looking forward to continuing to work with the government to deliver the additional support and wraparound service for veterans at risk or those experiencing homelessness.”

You can read more here.

Up to 170 guests celebrated the work of homeless veterans’ charity, Launchpad by attending a glittering Armed Forces’ Dinner last week.

The event, which was held in the Great Hall at the Discovery Museum in Newcastle upon Tyne, celebrated the work the charity provides to UK Armed Forces’ veterans who have experienced homelessness and have struggled with the transition into civilian life.

Guests were entertained by host Alfie Joey and the evening commenced with a 10-minute performance by the Tyne Electrical Engineers Association Pipes and Drums band.

Royal Marines veteran, Andy Grant who served with 45 Commando fighting the Taliban in Helmand Province in Afghanistan was invited as a keynote speaker and gave a funny yet moving and honest speech about his experience of serving and getting critically injured during an expedition, being medically discharged, facing life as an amputee and then how he has overcome adversity.

A live auction followed a delicious three-course meal and the evening was concluded with a performance by singer, Claire Louise who performed a selection of 40s wartime and Postmodern Jukebox hits.

One of the stars of the night was 6-year-old Jevindu Senyuth Dissanayake who donated a selection of hand paintings to the charity to auction off and raise some funds.

Jill Murray, CEO of Launchpad, said:

“It was a fabulous evening and it was great to see so many organisations and people attend to learn more about the charity and the work we do to support our homeless veterans. Thank you to all our sponsors and those who purchased a table, your support is greatly appreciated.”

The sponsors of the event included Esh Construction, Hydrock, now Stantec, believe housing, Northumbrian Water and Mode Rehabilitation.

Launchpad provides vital accommodation and support, with the help of specialist providers, to support homeless veterans who have fallen on hard times and have found the transition from military to civilian life difficult.

The charity manages three houses in the North of England and accepts veterans from all over the UK. It provides accommodation for 98 homeless veterans at any one time.

Homeless veterans charity Launchpad has praised the impact of the government’s Op FORTITUDE programme after 187 previously homeless veterans have benefitted with 71 successfully moving on to independent living and 63 securing employment within the first year.

Launched by the government in 2023, Launchpad was selected as one of nine funded organisations to deliver the two-year £8.5 million programme, which aims to reduce veterans’ homelessness.

Over the last 12 months, the charity has been providing additional, sustained support to homeless veterans across its three houses in Newcastle, Liverpool and Durham. In addition, Launchpad partnered with Healthier Heroes CIC based in Burnley and together, 230 veterans will be supported over the two years.

Residents have benefitted from psychotherapy sessions, engaging in activities to boost their confidence, support with training and employment and follow-on support into independent living once they have moved on.

In the first 12 months across all locations, Launchpad has delivered 1,480 psychotherapy sessions to residents which were delivered on a one-to-one basis and tailored to their individual needs. The sessions are proving to be popular, and feedback from those attending scored the helpfulness of psychotherapy as 8 of out 10.

Since last September, 144 residents have engaged in training and work experience and 63 have secured paid employment. Funding from Op FORITIDE has enabled the charity to employ dedicated Employment and Training Co-ordinators in all locations.

Regular breakfast clubs, gardening, hiking and walking, cycling, cooking, fishing and organised trips and visits to various attractions are just some of the wider programme of organised activities residents have been able to participate in and enjoy. Engaging in diversionary/skills-building activities helps to reduce isolation and improves their communication skills and mental health and wellbeing.

Once the residents move on to live independently, they are supported by our dedicated Independent Living Co-ordinators who support them to move on, help them build support networks so they sustain their recovery and do not return to homelessness. Since last September, 84 residents have been supported.

Jill Murray, Chief Executive of Launchpad, said:

“We have been surprised at the scale of demand for this service. Between all three Launchpad houses and Bancroft House in Burnley, managed by Healthier Heroes CIC, we have capacity to collectively accommodate 127 homeless veterans. In just 11 months, 259 homeless veterans were referred from Op FORTITUDE which is unfortunately more than we can accommodate.

 

“However, the impact of those who we have been able to support has been immeasurable. No veteran should be homeless and this programme demonstrates that more needs to be done to support our UK Armed Forces veterans who have fallen on hard times. We will continue to support our veterans and hopefully, the new government will allocate funding to similar programmes.”

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

“There has been really good team collaboration and sharing information. We have multi-agency and forum meetings with other providers. The activities programme we can now run thanks to Op FORTITUDE is amazing – engagement and motivation is now at an all-time high!”

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

“The Op FORTITUDE funding has raised morale and confidence, it has stopped isolation and helped with engagement and social skills. The funding has given residents the opportunity to see a psychotherapist straight away, without long NHS waiting lists which were always a source of negative feedback.”

Andrew and Rio Powell, Co–founders of Healthier Heroes CIC and Bancroft House, said:

“All our roles are in place and the new staff members are doing incredible work. Overall, the Op FORTITUDE referral process is easy, and we can now submit how many beds we have available, which has improved the process.”

Launchpad provides accommodation and support, with the help of specialist providers, to support homeless veterans who have fallen on hard times and have found the transition from military to civilian life difficult.

The charity manages three houses in the North of England and accepts veterans from all over the UK. It provides accommodation for 98 homeless veterans at any one time.