“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.
A record £60k raised at Big Sleep Out
A total of 150 people took part in our Big Sleep Out at Reading Abbey Ruins on World Homeless Day (Thursday 10 October) and raised a huge £60,000 – a record fundraising total for the event.
Brave souls take the leap for Launchpad
A team of brave souls took the leap to freefall from 10,000ft in August and September and raised a huge £5,853 for Launchpad.
Launchpad receives £2,500 as Mayor’s Charity of the Year
Cllr Debs Edwards, Reading’s Mayor during 2018-19, presented cheques to her chosen charities on Tuesday 10 September – and Launchpad received almost £2,500. During her Mayoral year, Cllr Debs Edwards fundraised £9,861.82 which was equally split between her chosen charities – Launchpad Reading, YMCA Reading, Berkshire West Your Way and Berkshire Womens’ Aid.
CEO and volunteer team shortlisted for prestigious national awards
We are delighted to announce that Launchpad’s CEO, Ian Caren, and the charity’s volunteer team have been shortlisted for Third Sector Awards in the Charity Chief Executive and Volunteer Team of the Year categories respectively – and winners will be revealed next month!
Why is the LGBTQ+ community so over-represented in the youth homeless population?
In the UK, LGBTQ+ young people are more likely to find themselves homeless than their non-LGBT peers. Hatty, our Activities Coordinator, was part of a panel Q&A after Alexis Gregory’s play ‘Safe’ – which discussed the complex issues the LGBTQ+ community faces concerning homelessness. We sat down with Hatty to find out more.
Launchpad to open Reading’s first work and life skills centre
Launchpad has announced exciting plans to open Reading’s first work and life skills centre to help rebuild the lives of people who are homeless or at risk of losing their home.
Launchpad’s drop-in service achieves RAN Quality Standard
Launchpad has been awarded the Reading Advice Network (RAN) Quality Standard – meaning the information and advice we offer at our drop-in service meets the very highest standards.
University College of Estate Management (UCEM) hold sustainable housing solutions event in aid of Launchpad
University College of Estate Management (UCEM) is hosting ‘Housing for Good’ at Reading Town Hall in September as part of its centenary activity – and the event will be in aid of Launchpad.
