Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester visited Launchpad’s Avondale House yesterday to find out more about the charity and to meet staff and residents.

Their Royal Highnesses received a tour of the house, which provides vital accommodation and targeted support to UK Armed Forces’ veterans experiencing homelessness and unemployment.

They also spent time talking to staff, residents and partners who the charity works with, and visited one of the residents’ flats to meet Tony Pallister who moved into Avondale House in August 2023 after he became unemployed and homeless.

Tony served in the Coldstream Guards between 2007 and 2009 and his duties included Guard Duty at Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace and the Tower of London. He was part of the last march from Chelsea Barracks to Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guard and in 2007, he was involved in the Trooping of the Colour and the state opening of the Houses of Parliament.

Tony said:

“Launchpad has been a godsend. I don’t know what would have happened if I had to live on the streets. Not only have they provided me with a comfortable flat, it’s all the wraparound support that they have provided, which has helped me to prepare and move on. I hope to be able to move on and live independently but also able to spend more time with my daughter”.

David Shaw, CEO of Launchpad, said:

“It was our pleasure to welcome Their Royal Highnesses to Avondale House to learn more about Launchpad and the work we do to support our UK Armed Forces’ veterans who have experienced homelessness. It was nice for our staff, partners and residents to meet TRH The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and to talk to them about their experiences and support they have received from us.”

The Duke of Gloucester is Colonel-in-Chief for the Royal Auxiliary Air Force and has been Patron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force Foundation since 2012. The Duchess of Gloucester is Colonel-in-Chief, Adjutant General’s Corps and has held the appointment of Deputy Colonel-in-Chief, Adjutant General’s Corps, since 1992.

Avondale House was one of three projects they visited in Newcastle and they were warmly greeted by Year 6 children from Byker Primary School and St. Lawrence’s RC Primary School who waved Union Jack flags upon their arrival.

A programme designed to support veterans by increasing their self-belief, confidence and motivation has benefitted three of our residents living at Speke House.

The residents were part of an 9-person team that has recently completed an 8-day sailing trip around the Orkneys and successfully achieved their competent crew member certificates.

The programme, delivered by CatZero, is designed to give veterans the opportunity to meet new friends and people and support one another in team building and group activities.

Each resident secured funding for the programme from the Army Benevolent Fund and they were required to attend at least two residentials to qualify for the big sail.

As part of the 8-day voyage on the 72-foot challenge yacht, CatZero, they learned how to navigate and gained a lot of information about the yacht, what each area was called and why. They also had lessons on when to sail, weather reading and predictions.

Jan Buckley, Activities Coordinator for Launchpad’s Speke House organised the trip for the residents and said:

“This has been a brilliant trip for our residents – they have gained so much from this and have become better people for it. For me, working with CatZero has been a pleasure. Pete, Fiona and Neil who run the programme are very professional and have made the whole process understandable and straightforward. They tailored the programme for the guys to understand and get used to living in close proximity to each other.”

In addition to the three residents from Speke House, the 9-person crew included three veterans from Hull and three residents from Healthier Heroes CIC, who is partnering with Launchpad as part of the government’s Op FORTITUDE programme which aims to reduce veterans’ homelessness.

Launchpad’s residents were very grateful and upon reflection after the programme, one said:

“When I agreed to sign up to the programme, I had something to focus on and it got me through Christmas, which I find an extremely hard time. I’d give the programme a 10 out of 10 for the way it has been executed and I met people I wouldn’t have in normal walks of life.”

Another resident commented:

“I have gained so much confidence in myself. I’ve now signed up to do a computer course and I’m having a positive attitude towards life in general. I never missed a shift on the sail and I learnt the importance of teamwork and supporting people when they need it. Thanks to CatZero, I’m 100% more confident and sociable and I’d like to thank them for helping me make the change.”

Another Speke House resident said:

“I’ve made friends for life and I’m proud of myself for getting through such a challenging programme.”

Pete Tighe, CatZero Manager, said:

“CatZero’s motto is ‘Delivering Lasting Personal Change’, and I believe this veterans’ programme has delivered that.

 

“As well as sailing, the group undertook three different residentials in the Yorkshire Wolds, the Peak District, and Northumberland. Activities that took place were caving, hiking, and water sports, as well as cooking and communal living, all of which were designed to prepare individuals for the sailing voyage.

 

“Sailing from Hull to the Orkneys and back is an arduous challenge, however, the group rose to the challenge and should be really proud of their efforts; we are certainly proud of them!”

Catzero has another veterans’ programme starting in July. If you are an Army or Marine veteran who would like to be considered, please contact [email protected]

Veterans’ charity Launchpad provides vital accommodation and targeted support to UK Armed Forces’ veterans experiencing homelessness and those who have struggled with transitioning from the military into civilian life.

In addition to providing residents with housing and financial advice, each Launchpad house has an activities co-ordinator who organises and facilitates a range of diversionary projects and activities. Residents are encouraged to participate in the activities such as mindfulness, arts projects, gardening and outdoor activities, to improve their mental health and wellbeing.

The theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week (13-19 May), run by the Mental Health Foundation, is ‘Movement: Moving more for our mental health’ and Launchpad is backing the campaign to raise awareness with its residents and encourage them to keep moving and be active.

Launchpad’s staff work with residents to find out what activities they would like to participate in and then aim to deliver them. The charity runs three houses in Liverpool, Newcastle and Durham and provides a range of diversionary activities that encourage them to keep moving.

Gardening, cycling, fishing, clay pigeon shooting, ten-pin bowling, golf and boxing are just some of the regular activities that have already been organised for Launchpad’s residents this year. Some of the activities have been funded through the government’s Op FORTITUDE programme, which aims to reduce veterans’ homelessness and Launchpad is one of nine funded organisations to help deliver the programme for the government.

Through the programme, Launchpad provides 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.

In addition to those activities, residents living at Launchpad’s Speke House in Liverpool have also benefitted from an 8-day sailing trip around the Orkneys, which was organised by CatZero and in a separate agreement, Bearded Men Adventures, based in Llangollen, enable residents to participate in activities such as white water rafting, coasteering, river tubing, mountaineering and paddleboarding.

Jan Buckley, Activities Co-ordinator at Launchpad’s Speke House, said: “Being outdoors and keeping active provides a positive and stimulating experience for our residents and is a good way for them to manage their mental health and wellbeing.

 

“By accessing funding through the Op FORTITUDE programme and forming unique partnerships with organisations such as CatZero and Bearded Men Adventures, has enabled us to deliver a wider range of activities for them to engage with. Mental Health Awareness Week is a great way to raise awareness although it is something we aim to do all year round, working with and supporting our residents.”

At Avondale House in Byker, Newcastle this week, residents are working in the garden to tidy it up and get it ready for the summer. Sam Hughes, Projects Manager for the house, said:

“Many of the residents have mental health issues, ranging from anxiety to service and non-service-related PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). They enjoy participating in the activities we provide for them and recognise that being active is a great way to stimulate their mental health. We’re always keen to support campaigns such as Mental Health Awareness Week.”

At Hollyacre House in Sacriston, Durham, residents will be participating in their gardening club.

For more information about this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, please visit www.mentalhealth.org.uk/get-involved or join the conversation on social media using #MomentsForMovement and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

As a charity, we rely on personal and corporate donations to enable us to provide the services we do. All money that is donated, contributes towards supporting our veterans, improving our facilities and providing activities that will help to rehabilitate our veterans.

We are pleased to publish our fundraising brochure highlighting some of the events and activities you may wish to support. If you would like to fundraise for Launchpad by organising your own event or campaign, please get in touch as we’d love to support you. We can also promote your event(s) via our social media channels.

To view a copy of this year’s fundraising brochure, please click here.

Your support is vitally important to our veterans – thank you from all of us!

Supporting specialist care for homeless Army veterans

We are delighted to award a £35,086 grant to Launchpad towards its work helping homeless veterans.

Our charity promotes the health and wellbeing of former soldiers as a priority. Founded in 2013, Launchpad provides accommodation and support to homeless and unemployed veterans of the UK’s Armed Forces as they transition back to civilian life. It runs three houses in Newcastle, Liverpool and Durham, which accommodate 100 veterans at a time. Many experience complex mental health and substance addiction problems, are recovering from broken family relationships or are unable to find paid employment.

Our grant will fund the costs of the charity’s Specialist Case Worker based at Avondale House in Newcastle, which will help around 60 beneficiaries in the Newcastle and Durham areas.

Major General David Shaw CBE, CEO and Founder of Launchpad, said:

“We are very grateful to the Army Benevolent Fund for this grant, which will ensure we can continue to provide the support our residents need. When the veterans move into our houses, they have access to an experienced Specialist Case Worker who will help them to overcome any complex issues they have faced and to help them move on to stable and independent lives.”

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

“We are always proud to support Launchpad and admire its award-winning work with Army veterans who find themselves homeless and vulnerable, and need specialist support.”

Read more about Launchpad’s award-winning work here: https://veteranslaunchpad.org.uk/

We are pleased to publish our Impact Report for the financial year ending June 2023. To view a copy, please click here.

During the year, we supported 137 veterans across all three houses. 88% of those from homelessness, 96% with mental health issues and 86% from long-term unemployment.

The statistics that most indicate positive outcomes, ‘Employment’ and ‘Successful Move-on’ were 32% and 60% respectively.

This year, the charity celebrated its 10th anniversary, and we organised a series of events and activities to raise vital awareness and funding. We were also delighted to be selected by the government as one of nine funded organisations to reduce veterans’ homelessness. As part of a two-year £8.5 million programme, vulnerable veterans across the UK can access Op FORTITUDE, a dedicated pathway for veteran rough sleepers.

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.