Sue's story
Sue had lived and worked in Reading most of her life and when she needed support, was pleased to have found Launchpad’s work and life skills centre.
Following the breakdown of her marriage 13 years ago, Sue decided to buy a motorhome, leave the area and travel around the country.
She returned to Reading in July 2024 but struggled to find somewhere more permanent to live.
Her former job as a sheltered housing warden came with accommodation and because she had her motorhome, she was not seen as a priority for the local authority to house.
“It was fine coming back to Reading in the summer,” said Sue, who’s in her early 60s “but when it started getting colder, living in the motorhome was starting to affect me mentally and physically, so I knew I had to find somewhere to live.”
It was Sue’s GP who first told her about Launchpad, and she came to see us, first to use the showers and laundry facilities at our work and life skills centre; then she started to take an interest in the activities on offer.
Being in the van all day with no TV and nothing to do was taking its toll, so coming to our work and life skills centre was a lifesaver for Sue. She took part in gardening sessions, sewing and music, boosting her confidence and meeting new people which have evolved into friendships.
This also gave her the confidence to start bidding on lots of properties herself and she was offered a bedsit in sheltered accommodation, which came with a parking space for her motorhome and a place where she could also bring her beloved cat Jess.
“I feel so blessed. Living in a bedsit is not an issue for me as someone who has spent so long living in a motorhome.”
Sue has been sprucing up the garden at her accommodation and is meeting residents weekly in the communal lounge for sewing and crochet sessions.
Now she is one of our regular lived-experience volunteers at our work and life skills centre and runs the weekly sewing club.
“Next step is to find a part time job, something like a support worker with adults, but I would still like to continue volunteering at Launchpad.”