A new campaign has been launched this week to raise awareness of homeless veterans and support the work a national charity provides to veterans.
Launchpad, which offers accommodation and support to veterans to help them stabilise their lives and make a successful transition from military to civilian life, has unveiled the campaign in the lead-up to Christmas.
The fundraising campaign features residents living at Avondale House in Newcastle upon Tyne and Speke House in Liverpool, and they were more than happy to show their appreciation of the support they have received from the charity.
For most veterans, the transition from the armed forces to civilian life is smooth but those few who can’t resettle easily face challenges such as homelessness, poverty, mental and physical health issues, addictions, broken families and unemployment.
Launchpad was created to help veterans overcome these challenges and to live positive and rewarding lives thereafter. Around 90% of the veterans who arrive at Launchpad are homeless and are supported normally for up to two years.
Since it was established in 2013, the charity has supported over 525 veterans within its two houses. Speke House in Liverpool includes 48 self-contained flats while Avondale House in Newcastle, comprises 33 self-contained one-bedroom flats. 62% of residents successfully moved on to settled accommodation and 36% left in paid employment.
Launchpad needs £5,756 in voluntary income to support each veteran for 12 months. David Shaw, CEO and co-founder of Launchpad, said:
“Like all charities, we rely on personal and corporate donations to contribute towards the running costs of both houses and enable us to provide the support our residents need. Over the next 12-months, we’ll be supporting up to 120 residents and any donations received from this Christmas campaign will significantly contribute towards ensuring we continue to deliver this vital service to our veterans.
“We are very grateful to the organisations and partners who continue to support us. If you’re thinking of giving a donation to a charity this Christmas, please consider supporting Launchpad – your donation will make a huge difference to veterans’ lives.”
There are other ways to support the charity, either in kind or by providing volunteering opportunities for our veterans. Please contact us if you’d like to hear about how Launchpad supports veterans.
To support Launchpad this Christmas, please visit: https://veteranslaunchpad.org.uk/campaigns/christmas/
