Drop-in

Our drop-in service is for anyone in Reading who needs housing or homelessness-related information and support.

Whether you’re sleeping on a friend’s sofa, worried about how you’re going to pay your rent, concerned about your landlord’s actions, need guidance on how to claim benefits or would like help with drug or alcohol misuse, we are here to help.

You don’t need to be referred or book a time to come along – simply visit our offices in central Reading (down the alley on Friar Street at the side of Nando’s) during the drop-in service’s opening times and speak to one of our friendly, trained advisors.

Monday, Wednesday, Friday – 10.00am to 2.00pm

Launchpad
The Stables
1A Merchants Place
Reading
RG1 1DT

Alternatively, call or email our team – who are available Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm.
Telephone: 0118 929 1111
Email: support@launchpadreading.org.uk

Floating support

Sometimes people need more help to overcome a serious housing-related challenge. Our floating support service works with individuals, couples and families to address the root of their housing problems so they are able to obtain and sustain a long-term home and lead full and independent lives.

We provide tailored support for periods of three to six months for people who have special educational needs or disabilities, are victims of domestic abuse or are leaving care or prison, and people who are struggling with issues such as addiction, debt management, poor mental health and numeracy and literacy.

The floating support team works with clients  to tackle whatever is holding them back or having an impact on their housing situation, which often involves joint-working with other agencies and community groups across Reading. Our work aims to build confidence, develop new skills and help the client achieve long-term stability and independence.

Our support plans address areas such as a client’s wellbeing, socialisation, self-esteem, personal safety, budgeting capabilities, and education, employment and training – and we also advocate for and represent clients at meetings where necessary.

You can access our floating support service via a referral from Reading Borough Council, the Probation Service or a social worker. If you think you or someone you know may need this service, you can also come along to our drop-in and speak to one of our friendly, trained advisors.

Making Every Adult Matter (MEAM)

We host the MEAM Coordinator on behalf of Reading Borough Council to ensure people facing multiple and more complex issues get flexible and integrated support from all agencies across the town.

People in a difficult housing situation with a number of deep-rooted and complicated issues – including very difficult childhoods, abuse, chaotic experiences in care, addictions, mental health issues and a history of offending – can find it particularly difficult to break the cycle of homelessness.

Our MEAM Coordinator works with partner organisations to ensure we collectively meet their multiple needs and give them the best possible chance of living full and independent lives.

Legal advice

Working in partnership with Oxford-based law firm Turpin and Miller LLP, we jointly fund access to a solicitor. They work in our office and provide crucial housing and homelessness-related legal advice for the individuals, couples and families we support – and often take legal action on behalf of people who are at risk of losing their home or who don’t have a place to live.

Our solicitor works with our clients to ensure they are treated lawfully by landlords, housing associations and other agencies across Reading by educating people who come to us for support on their legal rights, helping them navigate complicated legal proceedings and acting as an advocate when they are too vulnerable to use their voice.

Offering this type of support is vital – and through our solicitor, we have helped many clients avoid unlawful evictions, with defending possession proceedings so that they can remain in their home, or obtain clean, safe and stable accommodation when it’s needed the most.

Severe Weather Emergency Provision (SWEP)

If the Met Office forecasts that temperatures will drop below -1°C for three or more consecutive nights,  SWEP is activated and rough sleepers have access to an emergency bed at The Salvation Army hostel in central Reading.

As part of our work to prevent street homelessness and partner with organisations across Reading to help those in housing need, Launchpad provides two volunteers for each SWEP night who welcome people off the streets, and get them a hot drink and some food. We also provide beds, sleeping bags, towels and other resources whenever SWEP is activated.

*Launchpad is committed to the privacy and confidentiality of the information provided to us by our clients. Read our privacy statement for more details.*