Wayne was homeless before he became a resident at Launchpad’s Speke House in Liverpool. In 2025, the ABF awarded a £75,000 grant to Launchpad to fund its vital work supporting homeless Army veterans.

Wayne grew up in the West Midlands. His father served in the Irish Guards and his brother was with an infantry unit. His choice when leaving school was to go to university or serve in the Army. In 2003, aged 18, Wayne joined the Royal Engineers.

Wayne only spent two years in uniform due to tragic events. During this period both his brother and mother died. He says, “To this day, I am still grieving.”  In the past 20 years, Wane has struggled profoundly. He has been in and out of jobs, in different relationships, married, and tried to commit suicide several times; never feeling able to settle.

In 2024, Wayne was living in Ireland and had, for many years, often been on the streets. He was experiencing suicide ideation and knew he needed to make a change. He was not getting any help, and friends told him to come back to England. He stayed with friends, but this did not work out and, again, he found himself on the streets. Wayne was also struggling to find somewhere to take his dog, Willow. When Wayne applied to go to Speke House, he was desperate to have Willow with him.

Wayne received a phone call from the support team at Speke House informing him that he had been accepted. He undertook a risk assessment while on the phone and said he had a dog. Initially, he was informed dogs were not allowed in the house. But, within a few days, Willow also was accepted to live at Speke House, as Wayne’s emotional support. This was a game changer for Wayne. He says, “He knows when I am down. For the first time in 20 years, I feel as if I am getting somewhere.”

In February 2025, on arrival at Speke House, the ABF provided a welcome pack including a toothbrush, bedding and towels. Wayne has a roof over his head and needs time to adjust from being on the streets. He says, “It still feels overwhelming. I am less vulnerable now, but it still is surreal, and I don’t know how to deal with it. Launchpad has saved my life. I was starting to give up; I never trusted anyone before.”

Wayne has debts and is engaging with mental health support services. He also is participating in activities, including attending an outdoor pursuits course with CatZero, a charity the ABF funds. Being with others on this course has helped Wayne’s confidence. He says, “I am absolutely buzzing from this course; team building, hiking, learning about knots for when I go sailing on the next course. We all chipped in together. Banter was flying and it just reminded me of Army life; no one gets left behind, work as a team.”

Aged 40, Wayne says, “Being at Speke house has enabled me to trust. The staff here are fantastic. In due course I would like to be self-employed as a car valet. I have lost 20 years of my life but now have many more years to enjoy.”

Since being established in 2013, Launchpad has helped over 700 homeless veterans rebuild their lives across its three houses in Liverpool, Newcastle, and Durham. Over 90% of veterans supported are from the Army, and the ABF is a longstanding funder.