How long have you been at Launchpad?
Since January 2020 – just before lockdown! It was the strangest probation period ever.
What brought you to Launchpad?
From 2016 – 2019, I was the managing director of Connect Reading, the Reading business community partnership that brings together charities that need help and businesses that want to support them for positive social change. Launchpad was a member of the partnership, and for the first few months at Connect Reading, I was also renting space in the Launchpad office so I got to know the team very well.
Launchpad is incredibly well known across town, and I loved the passion and dedication of the staff and the holistic approach that Launchpad has, working with each client as an individual and creating bespoke plans with them to get them back on their feet and rebuild their lives. So when the job was advertised, I jumped at the chance to apply.
What does your role entail here?
I manage the marketing and fundraising teams at Launchpad, present and network externally to promote what we do and ensure people know we are here. I also manage the relationships with our corporate supports, major donors and patrons, and work as part of the senior management team on the day-to-day challenges and the organisational strategy.
What is your career background?
I worked in marketing within the IT channel for 9 years, before joining the University of Reading as part of their business development team where I stayed for 11 years, laterally working back in the marketing department. I was then privileged to be asked by Artangel to project manage the opening of Reading Prison for their exhibition in 2016, which saw 45,000 visitors come to Reading, before joining Connect Reading.
What are the challenges of your job?
As you can imagine, fundraising has been a real challenge for the last few years as everyone recovered from COVID and then were hit with the cost-of-living crisis. However, local support and donations from individuals and businesses in Reading are needed more than ever as demand for our help is only growing.
What do you particularly like about the role you have?
I’m a people person, so I love being out and about meeting donors and businesses, and talking to them about what we do and how they can get involved. I also have a great team who are very creative and passionate about promoting our cause, and busting some myths about what homelessness looks like.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I’ve been taking Rabble Theatre’s ‘Get up on stage’ adult acting classes for a few years and was lucky enough to perform with them in their production ‘The Last Abbott’ at the Abbey Ruins a couple of summers ago. I was in 13 shows and loved every minute of it! It was very exciting when Rabble started working with clients at Launchpad 135 as I know for myself that the confidence and skills that you gain can have an amazing effect on your wellbeing. My Monday nights acting are my happy place!