The Royal British Legion (RBL) invited Launchpad to their Battle Back Centre in Lilleshall, over the summer.

The week-long residential was an opportunity for staff and the 12 residents from all three houses to benefit from the facilities and activities Battle Back provides.

Battle Back is an adaptive sport and adventurous training programme for wounded, injured and sick personnel from across the Armed Forces, including mobilised reservists. It is a Ministry of Defence initiative, delivered in partnership with Help for Heroes and the RBL.

The centre creates a dynamic and enjoyable learning environment that promotes success at the personal, interpersonal and organisational levels. Participants in the programme will increase their self-confidence, gain motivation, improve their ability to deal with stress and develop a positive mental attitude. The aim is to learn to focus on what they can do – not what they cannot do.

It was also the first chance residents from Avondale House, Hollyacre House and Speke House all came together and participated in activities and supported each other.

Throughout the week, they participated in one-to-one and group activities and coaching sessions. Activities included indoor climbing, wheelchair basketball and badminton, archery, green bowls, walks, mountain biking and cycling and they also got to see the Great Britain Olympic gymnastics team going through their final preparations before heading to Paris.

Hollyacre House resident, Reece said: “The week away at Battle Back has been an inspiring and eye-opening time for myself helping me get out of my own shell communicating and expressing issues I deal with making me feel welcome. The staff were amazing with activities making it accessible with everyone; this has helped and benefitted me for the better.”

Aaron from Avondale House, said: “I know this might sound extreme, but this course has honestly been life-changing for me and the fact that staff came with us and completed the course has only made my respect for these guys go through the roof. But I would also 100% be comfortable confiding in them in the future, which is a big thing for me as I do not open up all normally. I have been blown away by this week. It has given me so much more than I could have wished for.”

Richard from Speke House, said: “My time at Battle Back has been absolutely amazing. It has brought me out of my comfort zone because I was scared of heights and doing the wall climb has made me feel that I am better with heights and the whole week has been the best thing I have done in a long time.  I would recommend others to do Battle Back.

“I have met some great friends and would love to thank all the staff members for an amazing week and for them helping me get over my fear of heights and 100% would love to come back. Thank you.”

Rob Lockyer, Facilities Co-ordinator at Speke House attended. He said:

“The fact that all Launchpad staff partook in every single evolution as a course member rather than standing back as an observer, was a key element of what made it work so very well. This helped the Battle Back coaching staff immeasurably and very much helped residents relax and feel at ease opening-up. This was particularly noticeable when Launchpad staff joined in the physical elements and contributed a great deal when the emotive elements were brought to the fore.

 

“The Battle Back coaches were outstanding throughout, kept the course safe, well briefed and always remained professional and non-judgemental.”

Phil Thompson, Manager of both Avondale House and Hollyacre House also attended Battle Back. He said:

“It was a great week. All of the residents have expressed how grateful they are to Launchpad and Battle Back, it was the first time residents from all three houses participated in an activity and jelled well, supporting each other throughout the week.

 

“The organisation, administration, briefs, liaison with RBL, and the co-ordination between all three houses worked well. The activities provided by Battle Back were a vehicle for conversation around mindfulness, self-esteem, self-awareness and purpose which were professionally delivered.

 

“I personally gained a lot from the week and I hope this will be the first of many visits to Battle Back for Launchpad’s staff and residents.”

We are delighted to be shortlisted in the UK Housing Awards for Best Supported Housing Landlord.

The awards identify social landlords, charities, and partners, who work with their communities to deliver great outcomes for tenants and residents. Judged by experts from individual fields, they are designed not just to celebrate success, but to help other landlords learn from it and replicate it, helping to improve services across the sector.

The winners will be announced on 26 November in Manchester. Wish us luck!

Congratulations to all those shortlisted. You can view the full shortlist here.

Launchpad has been awarded the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (DERS) Gold award.

The charity is one of 193 organisations throughout the UK that has been recognised by the UK Government with the highest badge of honour for supporting the Armed Forces community.

The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (DERS) Gold award recognises the positive role that employers play in supporting defence and inspiring others to do the same.

To win a gold, an organisation must demonstrate exceptional commitment to supporting the armed forces community. All the winners are recognised as powerful advocates for the Armed Forces Covenant by actively engaging with their peers, encouraging them to employ armed forces personnel, veterans, and their families, and providing robust and sustained support for reservists.

Gold status is also awarded to those who implement HR policies that accommodate the needs of the armed forces community, while continuously promoting this advocacy within their own networks and industry.

Launchpad received the bronze award in February 2021, subsequently followed by silver in May 2023 and has continued to demonstrate its commitment to the military community.

Since achieving the silver award, Launchpad was selected by the government as one of nine funded organisations to reduce veterans’ homelessness. The two-year £8.5 million Op FORTITUDE programme provides a dedicated pathway for veteran rough sleepers. This grant has enabled Launchpad to provide combined addiction and mental health psychotherapy services, intensive training and employment support, greater access to community activities and focussed support to help the veterans transition to live independently.

Jill Murray, Chief Executive of Launchpad, said:

“This is wonderful news and is testimony to the hard work and dedication of our Trustees and staff. To achieve gold within 12 months of receiving silver is incredible. Not only does it demonstrate our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community, it also highlights that our workplace policies and procedures support all members of the Defence community.

 

“We have two reservists within our team and we proactively promote their support to the Armed Forces including invitations to veterans, other veteran charities and reservists to visit the houses and look at ways we can work together proactively to support vulnerable veterans. We have also worked with the Career Transition Partnership to actively encourage and promote positions/roles within the charity.”

The scheme aligns with the new government’s manifesto promise to strengthen support for armed forces communities, including putting the Armed Forces Covenant fully into law and a commitment to create a new Armed Forces Commissioner to improve service life and be a strong, independent voice for service personnel and their families.

Alistair Carns, Minister for Veterans and People, said:

“Our Armed Forces community make incredible sacrifices to keep the nation safe, and it is only right that they are welcomed and valued in the workplace when they leave service. This scheme aligns with this government’s determination to renew the nation’s contract with our Armed Forces.

 

“I would like to thank the nearly 200 organisations that have been recognised with a gold award this year. Their continued support ensures that our Armed Forces community are given opportunities needed to flourish.”

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 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.

Phil Thompson, Manager of our two houses in the North East, has been awarded the Armed Forces in the Community Award at this year’s Gateshead Awards.

The awards celebrate people and organisations that have had a positive impact on people living and working in Gateshead.

The Gateshead Awards are presented annually by the Mayor of Gateshead and there are ten categories including:

Voluntary Organisation of the year
Volunteer of the year
Carer of the year
Young Achiever of the year
Sports Club of the year
Musician/Music Group of the year
Maureen Chaplin Sports Achiever Award of the year
Armed Forces in the Community award
Business in the Community award
Tackling Climate Change

Phil enjoyed a visit and tour of Komatsu where he collected his award from Gemma Brotherton.

Thank you to Lisa McFadyen and Abigail Smith for nominating Phil.

We are delighted to announce that the Newcastle United Armed Forces Supporters Club (NUAFSC) has chosen Launchpad as their chosen charity.

The club is made up of serving and veteran members of the Royal Navy, Army, and RAF and was set up to make sure ex-service personnel did not feel isolated or alone.

It was founded in December 2023 by Army veteran Mickey Warke and now boasts more than 2,000 members.

A Facebook group has been created where members can arrange to get together and ‘share’ their love for the forces and Newcastle United.

Phil Thompson, Manager of Launchpad’s Avondale House met members of the group at the weekend where they shared stories and he told them more about the work we do to support homeless veterans.

He said: “We are very grateful to all members for choosing Launchpad as their charity partner and we look forward to working together in future. We are looking forward to supporting each other.”

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Jill Murray as our new Chief Executive Officer.

Jill commenced her role on 1 August after current CEO and Co-Founder, Major General David Shaw announced his decision to step down from the charity after serving for eleven years.

Jill is no stranger to Launchpad and was instrumental in helping to form the charity. In 2012, she had a vision to start a homeless veterans project and invited David Shaw and Ken McMillan to Byker to discuss her plans. With support from Newcastle City Council, she applied for and successfully secured £250,000 grant funding from the Armed Forces Community Covenant.

At this time, Jill was Chief Executive of Byker Community Trust (BCT) Housing Association, who owned the Grade II* Byker Estate in Newcastle upon Tyne, and her Board agreed to prioritise the refurbishment of Avondale House which was then a vacant sheltered housing accommodation scheme for older people. The plan was to refurbish the facility into a homeless veterans’ scheme for former serving military personnel who were struggling with the transition from the military to civilian life and to tackle veterans’ homelessness by helping to reduce the city council’s waiting list.

She brings with her over 40 years’ experience working within the housing sector including nine years as chief executive of BCT.

In 2022, she was elected as Vice-President of the CIH before becoming the President following CIH’s annual general meeting last year. As part of her presidential campaign, her ambition is to ensure housing is more widely recognised as a vital and valuable sector – linked with individual values such as professionalism and excellence.

Jill is also a Non-Exec Director of Tees, Esk and Wear Valley Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, where she chairs the People, Culture and Diversity Committee and is the NED Wellbeing Guardian. During the last year, Jill has worked alongside a Child Poverty Charity, Action For Children, to raise awareness and valuable funding to help support the most vulnerable children/young people and their families throughout the UK.

On joining Launchpad, she commented:

“Home is the place where everything begins, when you have a safe home, you then have a foundation and launchpad to build a fulfilling and successful life. This is why I’m delighted to be appointed the new CEO of this wonderful homeless charity, and especially because of my instrumental involvement in the initial setting up of the veterans housing project in Byker back in 2012. Supporting our UK Armed Forces’ veterans, especially those who need housing and support to help them transition successfully into civilian life, has always been important to me.

 

“I have admired how Launchpad has grown over the last ten years and is now recognised nationally as a key charity in supporting veterans. I’m pleased to be taking over the reins from David and I’m looking forward to working with the staff who all do an amazing job assisting the residents.”

Jill replaces David Shaw who will continue in his role as CEO and founder of the Veterans’ Foundation, as well as co-founder of the Veterans’ Lottery.

He said:

“Jill has been involved with Launchpad since day one and has always been an advocate for tackling veterans’ homelessness. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience in housing and mental health, which combined with her leadership and pursuance of excellence, make me very confident she will develop the charity further.

 

“As co-founder of this wonderful charity, I’m extremely proud of what we’ve achieved in the last ten years. We have supported over 700 veterans who have needed our help while they struggled with the transition into civilian life. I’d like to congratulate Jill on her appointment and thank the trustees and staff, the staff particularly for the dedication and commitment they have shown to our residents. Although my focus now lies with the Veterans’ Foundation, Launchpad will forever be close to my heart.”

Launchpad provides vital accommodation and targeted support to UK Armed Forces veterans experiencing homelessness and unemployment. The charity manages three houses in the North of England in Liverpool, Newcastle upon Tyne, and Durham and accepts veterans from all over the UK. It provides accommodation for 98 homeless veterans at any one time.