There are less than four weeks to go until Heroes at Highclere, where Launchpad are hosting a Great War Café serving Cream Tea supported by Warings Bakery.
Warings are kindly donating 1,000 scones and Daniel Carr great-grandson of Warings’ founder is helping out on the day along with his mother Warings Managing Director Janet Carr, who will be judging the Great War Baking Competition.
Anyone can take part in the Great War Baking Competition for a chance to win:
- four tickets to Highclere Castle
- signed book by Lady Carnarvon
- Warings Masterclass Gift Certificate
- Highclere Castle goody bag
Simply bake your best two 6 inch fruit cakes. One will be judged on Monday 28 July and the top ten entries will be put forward to the final judging at Heroes at Highclere on Sunday 3 August. Top ten entries will receive two adult tickets for Heroes at Highclere worth £50.
More information about the event and the Great War Baking Competition entry form can be found here:
Great War Café Baking Competition >
Daniel from Warings said ‘We’re supported every day by the local communities in which are shops are based and having the opportunity to help people in those communities in return has always been important to us. Supporting Heroes at Highclere is a fantastic opportunity to highlight the amazing work Launchpad do and an opportunity for us to help raise funds to continue Launchpad’s excellent work."
You can buy tickets and find out more about Heroes at Highclere here >
|
|
|
Reading and Writing
Homeless people are being failed as children and adults when it comes to reading and writing...
The charity St Mungo's Broadway conducted a survey of homeless people's literacy and numeracy skills. 51% wouldn't achieve GCSE grade D-G and lack the basic literacy skills needed for everyday life. Read more >
Launchpad believe everyone deserves a good education. But not everyone’s fortunate enough to get that opportunity.
The people we support have aspirations, just like anyone else. Our Education, Training and Employment (ETE) project gives them the opportunity to work towards achieving those aspirations. Ultimately, education and training enables our clients to get out there, get working and get on with supporting themselves.
Find out more about Launchpad's ETE service here >
|
|
|
Reading Buses Open Day
A marvellous day! Thousands of people enjoyed the annual Reading Buses Open Day at the Great Knollys Street Depot. The sun filled event was opened by Reading’s Deputy Mayor Councillor Sarah Hacker. Families came in their droves and there was something for everyone: individuals, couples, families, enthusiasts, bus users and non-buses users.
The ever popular behind the scenes tours once again sold out, the bus wash ride-through was full from the start to the finish of the day and Launchpad's treasure trail around the Open Day site was a resounding success.
A staggering £4,482.85 was raised on the day, thank you to everyone who supported the day: sponsors, volunteers and all those who attended.
Read more about the Open Day here >
|
|
|
We're very lucky indeed
We couldn’t have wished for a better start to our 35th anniversary year by winning the Pride of Reading Charity of the Year award, last November.
Winning was amazing and nominations we received from volunteers, clients, supporters and staff really were the icing on the cake – really humbling to be appreciated by everyone that is involved with Launchpad.
Winning was also testament to all the hard work the people we support put in to change their lives addressing their issues.
Our feet literally haven’t touched the ground since winning – so much has happened and it’s hard to pick out the highlights as there have been so many. You can read about just some of the highlights here >
The Pride of Reading Awards are a celebration of the exceptional people of our town who make Reading a unique place to live and work. Do you know an exceptional person, business or charity? Nominate them here >
|
|
|
CEO's blog
Sanctions sounds such a clean word, it is defined as 'a threatened penalty for disobeying a law or rule'. A strong word but what does this mean to Launchpad and its tenants?
Anyone receiving benefits such as Job Seekers Allowance from the Government can be sanctioned for failing to carry out instructions. Understandably the Government wants to see value for money and get people back into employment. Nationally just over 5% of claimants have been sanctioned, loss of all benefits, whilst 38% of homeless clients have been sanctioned. If you are homeless and vulnerable you are eight times more likely to be sanctioned. Read more
|
|