Alabaré faces increased demand in supporting homeless veterans

Salisbury-based charity Alabaré is warning of an increasing crisis in veterans’ homelessness, as Government figures show one in every 400 former military personnel is classed as homeless.

An estimated 6,000 veterans across the UK require urgent support for accommodation, with concerns that many more could be ‘hidden homeless’.

Alabaré has received more than 350 referrals in the last year, representing a 122% increase in demand compared to 2024, while across England, the overall number of people sleeping rough has risen by 91% in the last three years.

Alabaré’s Homes for Veterans programme offers supported living in several locations across the South West of England and Wales.

They provide homes, restore hearts, and empower minds through access to safe, stable accommodation, mental health support, and pathways to independence for veterans in crisis. 

Sleep Out to Help Out

Alabaré says that support is needed more than ever, and the charity is calling on the community to join them at their latest BIG Sleep event to show solidarity and compassion for those who’ve served and are at a crisis point.

Supporters are asked to experience just a taste of what it’s like to sleep rough by spending a night at the iconic location of Stonehenge on Friday, 14th November.

Places are limited to 200 people, and it’s also the first time an event of this kind has been open to the public at the ancient monument. 

Each participant is asked to commit to raising at least £175 to help break the cycle of veterans’ homelessness.

Where the Money Goes: 

• £25 = A warm welcome pack for a veteran entering Alabaré’s supported housing 

• £50 = One-to-one mental health support session 

• £100 = A week of food and essentials 

• £175 = A full week of supported accommodation and care 

Bryn’s story

Bryn came into Alabaré’s services after serving 14 years in the RAF Regiment and becoming homeless following the breakdown of a relationship.

He sofa-surfed for a while, used his savings on hotel accommodation and ended up sleeping rough under a bridge during a cold winter. He said, “You don’t really sleep. You’re constantly watching whether anybody is going to try and steal your stuff. You have people calling you names, although I wasn’t begging.

“I didn’t have anything. I couldn’t even buy any water because I couldn’t go into a shop or supermarket with all my stuff.  I planned how I was going to end it all. The only thing that stopped me was the thought of my kids and grandkids.”

After making contact with Alabaré, the change in Bryn was almost instant. “When I got to the house, lay on the bed, I finally felt I could breathe again. That day changed my life. I’m focusing on the future and my family.”

He also says living with other veterans has made a profound difference. “It’s the banter, the shared language, the understanding. You don’t have to explain yourself. They get it. When I went to the council, they didn’t understand a word I was saying. But with Alabaré, they knew exactly what I meant.”

Sign Up to the BIG Sleep Stonehenge and Save Lives

Join Alabaré at one of the country’s most iconic locations for a powerful and symbolic night that could make a world of difference to a veteran in need of support.

Alabaré say they are delighted to have partnered with English Heritage to host the event on the edge of Salisbury Plain – an area synonymous with the military and home to a quarter of the British Army’s forces.

Visit https://alabare.co.uk/events/the-big-sleep-stonehenge-wiltshire/ to find out more and secure your place.