We were truly honoured to welcome HRH The Princess Royal to Speke House in Liverpool on Thursday 9 April 2026, where she met residents and staff and heard first-hand about the work Launchpad does to help homeless veterans rebuild their lives.
During her visit, HRH toured the house and spent time with two residents, Wayne Hamilton and James Millea, listening to their stories with warmth and genuine interest. Their experiences reflect both the breadth of need Launchpad exists to meet, and the difference the right support at the right time can make.
Wayne’s story
Wayne grew up in the West Midlands and joined the Royal Engineers in 2003, following in his family’s military footsteps. After just two years in service, he left the Army following the deaths of his brother and mother, a loss he carries to this day. The years that followed were marked by instability, homelessness and serious struggles with his mental health.
By 2024, having spent long periods on the streets in Ireland, Wayne knew he needed to make a change. He arrived at Speke House in February 2025, alongside his dog Willow, whose presence he describes as a lifeline, and for the first time in two decades feels he is moving forward. Now engaging with mental health support and outdoor activities through CatZero, Wayne is rebuilding his confidence and looking ahead to a future of his own making.
James’s story
James joined the Army in 2001 at 19, serving as a Ranger and completing tours in Iraq and Northern Ireland. He describes it as the best experience of his life, but after leaving he struggled with PTSD, and in his thirties fell into cocaine use for several years. His marriage broke down, he isolated himself from friends and family, and his mental health reached a crisis point.
Having heard about Speke House through a friend who had lived there, James came to Launchpad in need of a safe place to rebuild. In the ten months since, he has engaged in therapy for his PTSD, grown in confidence and rekindled his relationship with his children. He has recently secured work in construction and is registered for his own home through South Liverpool Homes.
A moment that meant a great deal
Jill Murray, Chief Executive of Launchpad, said: “We were truly honoured to welcome HRH The Princess Royal to Speke House today. She showed such warmth and interest in everyone and clearly possesses genuine empathy with the challenges that many veterans face when returning to civilian life. Special moments like this shine a light on the homeless veterans we support and the staff who work tirelessly to help them. Every veteran who walks through our doors has served our country on behalf of the Royal Family. It’s an honour and a privilege to play a small part in helping them find their feet again.”
The need has never been greater
Speke House first opened in 2015 and has since welcomed 489 veterans, offering 50 self-contained flats alongside targeted, specialist support for as long as it takes. In 2025 alone, 134 homeless veterans approached or were referred to Speke House, a reminder that demand continues to grow.
Since opening, 63% of residents at Speke House have received training, 46% gained employment during their stay and 60% achieved a positive move-on. Launchpad is also one of a small number of organisations selected to deliver the government’s Op FORTITUDE Reducing Veterans Homelessness Programme, through which 56 veterans have been supported at Speke House, with 45% securing employment during their time with us.
Across its three houses in Liverpool, Newcastle and Durham, Launchpad is currently providing a home for 98 veterans. For many, it is the first safe place they have slept in months, or years.
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