We are working tirelessly during the pandemic to ensure extremely vulnerable people in Reading have the help they desperately need, and we are extending our support to the local community with our 'here for you' phone line.
It is easy to feel powerless and frustrated, particularly now we have all been told to stay at home - but you can still make a huge difference because we simply cannot deliver these crucial services without you.
Launchpad needs your help to raise £30,000 so we can continue to provide urgent support to local people in crisis over the coming weeks, and as the outbreak worsens. A kind donation will make a direct difference to your community, and help keep extremely vulnerable people safe and well.
Our clients are homeless or at risk of losing their home, and many are battling issues such as poor mental health, debt and addiction. Now, because of the COVID-19 outbreak, they are also isolated, afraid and at risk of serious illness due to underlying health conditions such as COPD, diabetes and hepatitis. Launchpad staff are key workers during this national emergency and we are pulling out all the stops to ensure vulnerable people receive the urgent support they need as the pandemic spreads - while keeping our teams, clients and members of the public safe.
Launchpad staff are still working from the charitys office and instead of providing our usual face-to-face support meetings, they are making urgent calls to our clients - over 160 vulnerable individuals, couples and families in Reading. Every day our teams are providing emotional support; checking clients are physically well and following the government guidance; assisting them to claim and manage their benefits; ensuring they are receiving any treatment and medication they require; and in line with support plans, continuing to help clients tackle their issues. Our staff deliver food, toiletries and cleaning supplies to those who cannot access what they need, and are able to offer resources such as white goods for clients who are unable to cook a hot meal or clean their clothes at home.
Launchpads housing solicitor is working hard to support vulnerable people being treated unlawfully by landlords, local authorities and housing associations during the pandemic - and our supported housing team are placing rough sleepers and those in housing need in Launchpad accommodation, so they have a clean, safe and stable place to live. Launchpad staff are also continuing to provide crucial information and support to anyone who contacts us with a housing or homelessness issue and we working in close partnership with Reading Borough Council and other local agencies, such as the police and probation services, to ensure people in desperate need of support get help quickly and efficiently.
Community is important to Launchpad and during these uncertain and unprecedented times, we want to do everything we can to support people in Reading. Our here for you telephone service is for absolutely anyone in need including those who are self-isolating or social distancing and feeling lonely; people who need support with practical issues; and those who feel concerned about the future and their loved ones. While we are unable to provide resources such as food packages and our staff are not trained counsellors, we can signpost to services in the Reading area and offer a listening ear at a difficult time. Please call our team on 0118 929 1111 or email support@launchpadreading.org.uk from 10.00am to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday.
NB: In the event that we dont raise enough money for this project or if surplus funds are raised, the money will go towards our general charitable activities to prevent homelessness in Reading.
* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.
