Story

Vivace Voices Charity Spring Concert

DATE: Wednesday March 25th

TIME: 14:30-15:30 followed by a delicious buffet tea.

PLACE: Kennet Valley Free Church, Fords Farm, Carters Rise, Calcot, Reading RG31 7YT

TICKETS: £8 on the door - cash, card & contactless

PARKING: There is plenty of parking on site at the church.

Join us in making this event memorable while supporting an incredible cause!

Thank you ...

for taking the time to visit our Just Giving page.

Vivace Voices is a Tilehurst-based choir for female voices. We enjoy singing a very eclectic range of music, and every term we perform a concert at which we raise money for charity.

This term our chosen charity is Launchpad Reading. This phenomenal charity started life a soup kitchen in 1979, founded by students at the University of Reading. Launchpad now provides a holistic service for anyone in Reading who is at risk of becoming, or has become, homeless. Launchpad helps vulnerable people in the town tackle their housing-related problem, to obtain and sustain a long-term home, and lead full and independent lives

We need your help to raise money for Launchpad so they can continue their vital work helping some of the most vulnerable people in our community. Your generosity can be the difference between someone being improperly evicted from a property versus understanding their rights; or suffering from mental illness alone compared to getting vital professional help; or being cold on the street rather than warmed by a nice shower and clean laundry at Launchpad’s Work and Life Skills Centre. Put simply, your support can help shape and change lives in so many meaningful ways.

Doug's Story

Doug (not his real name) had been living in his rented home for 10 years when, after the death of his landlord, he was handed a Section 21 (no fault) eviction by the landlord’s family who wanted to sell the property. To make matters worse, Doug was then diagnosed with cancer.

Doug’s fortune began to change when he found Launchpad. Launchpad’s drop-in team was able to help him fill forms, present medical records, and gain access emergency temporary accommodation. Ultimately, this help ensured that he didn’t end up homeless.

However, this was just the start of Doug’s interaction with Launchpad, as, one year later he returned to the team in serious rent arrears. He’d been having chemotherapy and was suffering with brain fog and things were getting on top of him.

Launchpad were able to step in again and help him apply for a discretionary housing payment (DHP) which was thankfully granted and covered his rent, thus avoiding eviction.

The charity is still supporting Doug today, helping him with a Homechoice application that would allow him to sustain his tenancy by being granted permanent social housing.

It’s with your support that Launchpad are able to keep people like Doug in safe and warm homes- thank you!

Vivace Voices Spring Concert