Launchpad Reading Impact Report 2022–23

Launchpad Reading is Reading's leading homelessness prevention charity, founded in 1979, helping 1,473 people in 2022/23 — a 30% year-on-year increase driven by the cost of living crisis. Services span drop-in housing advice, floating support, supported housing for 100+ people, legal advice through Turpin & Miller, and Launchpad 135 — Reading's first work and life skills centre. Total income grew 12% to £3.67 million. The charity plans to invest in 11 additional bedspaces through property purchase and has 100+ volunteers contributing over 3,700 hours annually. Reading is the second highest area in the South East for rough sleepers.

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About

Drop-in service (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, central Reading) for anyone in housing crisis; Floating Support for individuals and families at risk of homelessness (up to 6 months); Supported Housing (100+ people housed, temporary 6–24 months); legal housing advice in partnership with Turpin & Miller; Launchpad 135 work and life skills centre (cookery, digital skills, DIY, art, work-readiness); weekly South Reading Community Hub drop-in; resettlement support; affordable long-term housing for individuals, couples and families Custom geography from upload: Reading, Berkshire, UK

Key Metrics

Key Metric 1 1,473 people supported — a 30% increase on the previous year; 901 through drop-in services; 213 through floating support; 186 through supported housing and removals service

Key Metric 2 £3,671,638 total income — 12% increase on previous year; 3,721 volunteer hours given — equivalent to over £51,600 in donated time; 100+ volunteers aged 19–70

Key Metric 3 8 Launchpad 135 clients found a job; 7 found voluntary placements; 25 supported with resettlement; 148 supported at Launchpad 135 work and life skills centre

Key Outcomes

Reading is the second highest area in the South East for rough sleepers; Cost of living crisis drove 30% increase in people seeking support including many facing homelessness for the first time
Planned property purchases to provide 11 additional bedspaces at affordable rents; surplus reinvested into property to help more people long-term; contract income static for six years while costs have grown year on year
65% male, 32% female clients; 11% Black, 5% Asian, 49% White, 2% mixed ethnicity; 22% aged 25–34, 25% aged 35–44; fundraising income fell 23.4% to £380k due to cost of living pressures on donors