
Our services during the pandemic
Launchpad staff are key workers during this national emergency and we are pulling out all the stops to ensure our clients and members of the public receive vital support during the pandemic – while keeping our teams, clients and the community safe.

Launchpad open ‘here for you’ telephone service
Following the COVID-19 outbreak, we are aware that many members of our local community are in self-isolation and feeling lonely, need support with practical issues,

Over £6,000 raised for work and life skills centre at Launchpad’s Pancake Race
A total of £6,299 and counting has been raised at our annual Pancake Race, which saw 37 teams batter it out on Broad Street on

Calling all local businesses – batter it out on Broad Street at Launchpad’s Pancake Race!
Our annual Pancake Race will take place on Shrove Tuesday, 25 February 2020 and we are inviting local businesses to batter it out at this egg-citing lunchtime event – all to raise vital funds to open the town’s first work and life skills centre.

Launchpad calls on local community for help to raise £80,000 and open Reading’s first work and life skills centre
In celebration of the Launchpad’s 40th birthday, we are asking for the local community to help raise £80,000 to open Reading’s first work and life skills centre – so vulnerable people can leave homelessness behind for good.

A record amount raised at Carols by Candlelight 2019
A total of 700 people attended Launchpad’s sold-out annual carol service, Carols by Candlelight, at the Reading Minster on Thursday 5 December 2019 – and the event raised a record £10,800 for the homelessness prevention charity.

How does Launchpad support clients at Christmas?
Christmas can be a difficult time for our clients – whether they’re the individuals living in our supported housing or those we support in the community who are at risk of homelessness. How does Launchpad help over the festive season and what can you do to ensure we can continue supporting vulnerable people, both over the festive season and all year round?

Find out what prospective parliamentary candidates in Reading West plan to do about the housing crisis
Launchpad is hosting a housing and homelessness question and answer session with prospective parliamentary candidates in Reading – and you are invited.

“More rain, heavier this time. It sounds very loudly in my ear as it falls on the tarpaulin which I’ve pulled over my head.”
Big Sleep Out participant, Michele, gives an honest account of a night spent sleeping in the grounds of Reading Abbey Ruins last month.

Launchpad is a Charity of the Year finalist for Thames Valley Business Magazine Awards 2019
We are excited to announce Launchpad is one of four finalists for a Thames Valley Business Magazine Award in the Charity of the Year category, – which is sponsored by James Kowper Kreston, a firm of accountants and business advisers.