Residents living at Launchpad’s Hollyacre House in Sacriston, Durham will be busy in the garden this summer thanks to grant funding and support from local businesses.
Homeless veterans’ charity Launchpad received a donation of £5,000 from the Newcastle Building Society Community Fund at the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, to contribute towards the costs of purchasing a greenhouse and associated equipment for residents to use.
The greenhouse will support the veterans’ recovery by providing regular outdoor wellbeing activities, enabling the veterans to grow their own food and build their mental health.
Launchpad opened Hollyacre House in May 2022 and since then, the charity has renovated and landscaped the garden area and created a sensory garden. The garden has been maintained by residents throughout the year and they have taken pride in keeping it tidy and presentable. They have learnt how to grow plants and shrubs, which have also attracted wildlife.
Launchpad also has a partnership with Sunderland University working with Occupational Therapy students who work with the residents and involve them in activities including gardening, cooking and baking.
Construction company Kier is a valued supporter of Launchpad and, through its social value commitments, the Tier 1 contractor has laid a base for the greenhouse and provided labour free of charge to build it for the residents. Newly named by residents as ‘Kier corner’, Graeme Cassidy and David Marshall from Kier Construction’s North & Scotland business, were invited to officially unveil the new greenhouse for the residents to use.
Phil Thompson, manager of Launchpad’s Hollyacre House, said:
“We are so grateful to Newcastle Building Society and to the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland for providing this grant. We always encourage our residents to be outdoors and get active and this greenhouse is a great addition to the garden.
“We have greenhouses at our two other houses which are regularly used by residents to grow and cook their own food. The residents have already started to use the greenhouse to start preparing produce and I’m looking forward to seeing the garden during the summer.
“I’d also like to say a huge thank you to Graeme and David from Kier who have very kindly offered their skills and time to build the base and erect the greenhouse and our residents wanted to show their appreciation by naming this area after the company.”
Steve Lynn, operations director for Kier Construction’s North & Scotland business, said:
“I’m really proud of the part Kier has played in helping to build a new greenhouse for the residents at Hollyacre House. The brilliant work carried out by Graeme and David from our aftercare team is just one example of how we are committed to leaving lasting legacies for the local communities in which we work. I look forward to seeing all the fresh produce grown by the residents.”
Hollyacre House resident and keen gardener, Graham French, moved into Hollyacre House in June 2024. He said:
“I’ve already started planning what we’ll grow. Some onions are already sown and then perhaps tomatoes come next. I’ll be glad to pass along what knowledge I have to the other veterans and show them how it’s done.
“The charitable donation made it possible and we’ve got a real space, a solid chance to grow food and pass on what we know collectively and it’s something we can build on going forward.”
Sue Legg, Senior Philanthropy Advisor at Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, said:
“It’s great to know that this grant has enabled such a positive effect on veteran’s wellbeing. It’s a perfect example of how philanthropy can make a difference in tackling health issues for people who are most at risk of social exclusion.”
Hollyacre House is one of three houses the charity manages, with others located in Newcastle and Liverpool and the charity accepts veterans from all over the UK. These projects often provide the first safe space in which veterans have slept for months or years.
The house comprises 15 self-contained, one-bedroom flats, providing vital accommodation and targeted support to UK Armed Forces’ veterans who have struggled with their transition to civilian life.
Demand for specialist veteran’s accommodation and services is increasing, with 361 homeless veterans’ approaching, or being referred to Launchpad in 2024 alone.
