Launchpad

Just a reminder about our Work and Life Skills Centre in Cardiff Road.

We're closing registration for our Pancake Race on Monday at 10am. If you'd like to come and watch get to Broad Street for 12:30pm on Shrove Tuesday (Feb 17). launchpadreading.org.uk/get-involved...

For anyone running Reading Half Marathon on March 22nd, would you consider supporting Launchpad?
We'll send you one of our colourful technical t-shirts!
launchpadreading.org.uk/get-involved...

We’re proud to support students during the middle of their degree courses, giving them meaningful, real-life experience that helps them grow.
#homeless #charity #student #experience #workandlifeskills #support #RdgUK

Pancake race time in Reading - two weeks today! launchpadreading.org.uk/get-involved...

Our February timetable for activities at the Work and Life Skills Centre is out now. From cooking on a budget to mindfulness and employment support - there is something for everyone. 👨‍🍳

We are looking for new trustees who share our commitment to empathy, inclusion, and action - individuals who bring fresh perspectives and expertise, as well as a desire to make a difference.
Contact Kirsti.Wilson@launchpadreading.org.uk if you would like to know more. Closing date 31/1/26

Pancake Race 2026 Launchpad's Pancake Race is back! Will your team be the one to lift 2026’s Pancake Race trophy? Sign up today to find out.

We've got pancakes galore for our Pancake Race on Feb 17th - thanks to a donation from @McDonaldsUK 
in Reading who are also putting in a team to batter it out against other local businesses at lunchtime on Shrove Tuesday.

A wonderful women-only mindfulness and wellness session was held at our work and life skills centre today, rounding off the week nicely. Monday we'll be offering employment support, internet cafe, hairdresser and checks by nurses from the NHS outreach team.
launchpadreading.org.uk/preventing-h...

We may be in the midst of January, but it is the perfect time to think about your spring/summer team building experience at our allotments in Woodley.  Everything we grow is donated to to food bank or used at our work and life skills centre in Cardiff Road. Message if interested.

Pancake Race 2026 Launchpad's Pancake Race is back! Will your team be the one to lift 2026’s Pancake Race trophy? Sign up today to find out.

Flippin' heck! It's just four weeks to Shrove Tuesday and our fantastic Pancake Day Race which takes place on Broad Street, Reading at lunchtime on February 17. Sign up today for just £150 and batter it out against businesses in Reading! 🥞
launchpadreading.org.uk/get-involved...

Careers at Launchpad Join Launchpad and you’ll do meaningful work every day and see first-hand the difference your efforts make to vulnerable people in Reading.

New year, new job? We've an exciting new role at Launchpad! Could you be our community fundraiser working in the small but mighty Marketing and Fundraising Team! https://f.mtr.cool/ruhkwtktyc
 #Recruitment #WorkWithUs #CommunityFundraiser #support #charity #homelessness #RdgUK

Are you passionate about making a positive difference in Reading? We're looking for new trustees who have a wide range of expertise. Here's everything you need to know launchpadreading.org.uk/.../01/TRP_F... We look forward to hearing from you!

Secondly, collections took place in aid of Launchpad at the Christmas Eve services at Finchampstead Baptist Church which raised an incredible £1,872.21 for Launchpad. 🙏

Two great things happened on Christmas Eve. 🥰
First, every client at the Pods (self contained modular homes) received a wrapped Christmas gift, thanks to the generosity of shoppers in Primark, Reading.
Support staff are on site 24/7 so were able to give them to clients on Christmas Day. 🌲

If you have seen someone bedded down who you are worried about, please go to the Street Link website to notify the local Street Outreach Service of their location so that the teams can visit and offer support.

thestreetlink.org.uk

#coldweather #SWEP #homeless

Reading Borough Council has today extended the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) until Wednesday when it will be reviewed again. It has been in place since New Year’s Eve to prevent people sleeping on the streets when conditions are unsafe to do so.

Our work and life skills centre is open on Monday from 10am - take a look at the new timetable for January 2026. 
Is there something you would like to get involved in? Come and see our friendly team at Cardiff Road.

In 2026 we will continue to create lasting change for people who find themselves homeless in Reading. We will invest in properties, securing safe and stable homes for those who need them the most. Our homes are the foundation for recovery, independence and hope.

Meet Nonde Nonde is our Assessment & Information Coordinator in the Supported Housing team.

Meet Nonde, who works in our supported housing team. 👋
https://f.mtr.cool/yftivadcah
#SupportedHousing #charity #HomesslessnessPrevention #RdgUK

Launchpad's 2025 Christmas appeal - read Mark's story Read about Mark's experience of being homeless at Christmas - and how Launchpad was able to make a difference.

A huge thank you to EVERYONE who has donated to our Christmas Appeal which featured the story of *Mark, who, for the first time in a while, will be spending tomorrow at home with his family. 🎄

Thank You Thank you Thank you! 🙏🙏🙏

Thank you for supporting Launchpad in 2025. 

Your continued support has allowed us to achieve so much. Take a look at our latest Impact Report. https://f.mtr.cool/zcnxvbgvig

#OurImpact #support #homelessness #homelessprevention #DropIn #SupportedHousing #RdgUK

Information about our opening times over the festive period. 

If you need help, please email support@launchpadreading.org.uk

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

On this damp and chilly shortest day, we'd like to say thank you to everyone who has supported us, either during the year, or through our Christmas appeal. It really does mean the world to us. 🙏🎄

This is Mark's story. 

Hats off to the Mini Vinnies! We were delighted to host a visit to our work and life skills centre with children from the English Martyrs Primary School in Reading who are known as the Mini Vinnies! We were delighted to host a visit to our work and life skills centre with children from the English Martyrs Primary School in Reading who are known as the Mini Vinnies!

Ending the school term with a lovely story from English Martyrs Primary School who are one of many schools in the area showing their support for Launchpad. ❤️

Picture shows a row of gingerbread houses

Thanks to the pupils from Downsway Primary School who have once again supported Launchpad this Christmas with their Gingerbread Street delights! Their efforts have raised a brilliant £302.50 which will go towards helping people who Launchpad are supporting with their housing

Reading among the UK’s most generous places of 2025 Reading has been named the fifth most generous place in the UK, according to charity donation data from 2025.In a

Reading among the UK’s most generous places of 2025 rdg.today/reading-amon...

We already kind of knew this! But let's get to 4th most generous next year. Visit our website to see our Christmas appeal featuring Mark.

We'd like to say a HUGE thank you to shoppers in @Primark Reading for donating more than 100 items as part of their in-store Giving Tree initiative which Primark have generously matched. Items include thermal items, socks, jumpers, duvet covers, underwear, pyjamas and slippers.

Extinction Rebellion to hold ‘Crisis Carols’ event in aid of Launchpad SUPPORTERS of Extinction Rebellion will be singing ‘Crisis’ carols in Reading in aid of a local charity tackling homelessness.Supporters of

Extinction Rebellion to hold ‘Crisis Carols’ event in aid of Launchpad on Saturday rdg.today/extinction-r... and we will be holding a tombola in @BroadStreetMall while Rivarate Choir will sing and collect for us at Caversham Precinct at 10:30am.

If you're Christmas shopping in Primark, Reading, please have a look at the Giving Tree which will support vulnerable people in the town.  Pick a gift to donate as you shop, take it to the till to pay, drop it at the donation point and Launchpad will distribute to clients. 🎁