Veterans’ charity Launchpad has continued to invest and make improvements to one of its houses in Liverpool.
A small area in front of Speke House leading to the main entrance has been tarmacked providing car parking facilities, which will also accommodate disabled residents and visitors.
Improvements to the car park are part of a wider refurbishment programme of works that the charity has undertaken at the house, which has also seen the replacement of windows in communal areas, replacement of storage heaters, repairs to water heaters in residents’ flats, replacement of four fire doors, the upgrading of CCTV and an upgrade of security.
Launchpad purchased Speke House in 2014, which previously operated as an old people’s home and was in a poor state of repair. The aim was to make sure all 50 self-contained flats were habitable and functional however, the charity was unable to complete all the capital works needed until further funding became available.
The management team, working alongside residents, identified eight improvements they would like to make by December 2022. The car park was the penultimate improvement with the installation of carpets throughout all communal areas as the final piece of the jigsaw.
The new car park has not only improved the aesthetics of the front of the building but practically, it will hugely benefit residents living at the scheme and their visitors. Previously, the area was loosely surfaced and inaccessible for wheelchair users. One former resident, a wheelchair user who is an amputee, found it difficult to get from the door to his car without significant support.
Sam Jackson, Manager of Speke House, said:
“The house has undergone significant works since we took over and these improvements will benefit our existing and future residents.
“Almost 90% of the veterans who arrive at Launchpad are homeless so our aim is to provide them with a safe and comfortable environment and place they can call home. The communal areas are particularly important to our residents as this is where they meet other residents and provide peer support, which enhances their recovery so it is vitally important we invest and improve these areas.”
The house comprises 50 self-contained flats for veterans and Launchpad staff provide the necessary support, with the help of specialist providers, each veteran needs to help them to move on and live independently.
