Our brand-new fundraising event – Swim 68 – will see 8-16 year olds take on the challenge of swimming 68 lengths of a pool throughout June, all to raise vital funds for homeless people in Reading.

At Launchpad 135, our clients attend weekly job shop sessions to build their confidence, learn new skills and hear about the range of jobs available – and last week they were joined by Tom from local water services company, Thames Water, who talked about his career journey and facilitated a lively question and answer session.

A pan-tastic total of £7,450 was raised at our annual Pancake Race, which saw 32 teams batter it out on Broad Street on Shrove Tuesday, 1 March 2022 and accountancy firm, Crowe UK, take home the coveted frying pan trophy.

Launchpad supporter, Liz Real, is a well-known Reading artist and over the last two years has been using her talent to raise vital funds for Launchpad – most recently exhibiting her work at the Geo Café in Caversham and donating 10% of the sales to us.

We are delighted to announce Launchpad has been awarded funding from the National Lottery Community Fund to support the maintenance of Launchpad 135, our life and work skills centre.

Appearing on Beat the Chasers in October 2021 and Weakest Link in December 2021, Matt has won over £85,000 for Launchpad.

Wherever you work in Reading, join Launchpad’s Pancake Race! Put a hard-to-beat team of colleagues together, get egg-cercising, and prepare to batter it out against other local businesses for the adoration of Reading, flipping great prizes and the coveted frying pan trophy.

Launchpad has announced the appointment of Sean Sutcliffe as its new chair of trustees. Sean, who has been a trustee at Launchpad for seven years, pledges to bring his experience in leadership for growing businesses to the role, and aims to continue developing Launchpad’s services and reaching more people in need.

Nine Launchpad clients who are part of the art therapy group at Launchpad 135 have curated an art exhibition of their creations – which was held this week from 13 – 15 December at the work and life skills centre.

Launchpad were delighted to see nearly 700 people join us on December 8 for our 13th annual Christmas celebration – when this year we partnered with Reading UK and Abbey Quarter BID to present Twilight Trail & Carols at the Abbey!