Liverpool City Council - Veterans Launchpad Remembrance Garden

Partners: Veterans Launchpad (AF&V Launchpad Ltd), Liverpool City Council

Customer/Contract: Aureos – Aligned to Liverpool City Council and its Queens Drive Highways Project

Event: Veterans Launchpad Remembrance Garden

• Location: Speke House, Heathgate Ave, Liverpool L24 7SH
• Date: Tuesday 12 May 2026
• Volunteering Hours: 4 hours x £17.48

Social Value Created: £69.92

(NT29 – Support for local community projects through volunteering)

On Tuesday 12 May 2026, we were proud to join our customer Aureos to support the Veterans Launchpad, a community interest company in Liverpool dedicated to supporting veterans post-service on their transition back into civilian life.

For most veterans, the transition will be smooth but those few who can’t resettle are faced with challenges such as homelessness, poverty, health issues, addictions, broken families and unemployment.

Launchpad exists to provide accommodation and other support, with the expertise of specialist providers, so veterans can stabilise their lives and make a successful transition from military to civilian life. For some, support may be a brief stepping-stone, giving them time to adjust quickly, eg they may have just left the armed forces but have left resettlement plans late, or are briefly in transit from one job to another or one location to another.

However, 90% of residents who come to the team have been homeless immediately before arrival and some come through release from prison.  Many of the residents have mental health issues, ranging from anxiety to service and non-service-related PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).  Some need help with addictions to alcohol and drugs.  Others have found themselves homeless because of relationship and family breakdowns or not being able to secure paid employment.

Since 2015, Speke House in Liverpool has supported up to 50 veterans at any one point in time with communal supported living. The outside space is essential for mental health and relaxation, and so Liverpool City Council, Aureos and it’s supply chain were asked to help with tidying up the overgrown and tired Remembrance Garden, making it a beautiful place to be again where veterans can remember and relax.

Our team spent four hours together, dodging the rain whilst cleaning and painting the outdoor furniture, sprucing up the fences and containers, cutting back shrubs and greenery and generally giving it some ‘TLC’.  The garden had a real new sense of life by the time we had finished.

“Yesterday was a real success and we do appreciate all of the work that went into the day.  Even the weather did not stop us!! Our outdoor space is essential for our veterans, and it makes us feel seen when people from the wider community are giving up their time up to make our outdoor space a better place to be. So, thanks to each and every one of you who gave up your precious time to help.” – Jan Buckley, Activities Coordinator, Speke House, Launchpad (AF&V Launchpad Ltd)

“We had a great day, and it was really appreciated by the staff from Veterans Launchpad.  It was really noticeable how everyone gave both time and energy to help with the work and support / engage / talk to the residents who came out to join in with us.  Whilst we’re all working hard on our routine jobs, these events allow us to give back to the local community, and in this case, those who have served their country.  Thank you for stepping forward and helping, it was great seeing everyone come together for what was an inspiring day.” – Stuart Culley, Customer & Social Value Lead