ALABARÉ Supporting Previously Homeless Young People into Further Education

As students step into the classroom for the new academic year, leading homelessness charity ALABARÉ is helping previously homeless young people to embrace further education.

The charity supports 16- to 25-year-olds who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness across 70 supported living bedspaces in Wiltshire and Hampshire, which includes those who have left the care system.

ALABARÉ provides more than just accommodation, with further services offering pastoral and holistic support to build life skills, develop trusted relationships, boost self-confidence, and support their journey to sustainable independence, breaking the cycle of homelessness.

That support includes encouraging engagement with education and training that suits individual interests and helps towards longer-term goals and aspirations.

Many young people staying with the charity in Salisbury, Devizes, Trowbridge, Chippenham and Andover have had a difficult relationship with education in the past, struggling to stay motivated and dedicated to their studies.

For the current academic year, 40% of the young people supported by ALABARÉ are now enrolled in education or training, in full-time or part-time studies, or apprenticeships.

This represents a modest increase from last year, up from 35%, highlighting the growing number of young people taking positive steps towards their future.

Ellie’s Story

19-year-old Ellie has been staying with ALABARÉ following a period of instability at home and exposure to substance misuse.

Although she sat her GCSEs, she didn’t pass any, which affected her confidence and willingness to engage in education.

Following support from ALABARÉ and partner organisations, Ellie has now begun a course in animal husbandry, along with classes to finally gain her English and Maths qualifications, at Sparsholt College in Hampshire.

She says that without the charity’s support, she might not have gone through with taking part: “(Colleagues) helped me do the sign-up, helped me work out the buses and get into a routine. I’ve just completed my first full week, and I loved it.”

She says that working with creatures including lemurs, meerkats and porcupines is already giving her a sense of purpose and drive.

Learning through Wellbeing

ALABARÉ services also offer young people the opportunity to increase skills, employability and gain qualifications through wellbeing activities.

For the last two years, groups of clients have taken part in a cultural exchange programme to Gran Canaria, in partnership with the education organisation, Eat That Frog CIC.

In the lead-up to the 10-day visit, participants took part in courses with Wiltshire Council’s community learning team to demonstrate their commitment and provide reassurance in their own capabilities.

The programme culminated in the young people being awarded an Entry Level 3 qualification in personal development, which can support applications for work or further training.

Paula Jenkins, Head of Young People Services, said: “At ALABARÉ, we’re focused on helping our young people to break the cycle of homelessness and, in some cases, education can be the key to unlocking more positive outlooks and outcomes.

“It’s fantastic to see an increase in the numbers enrolled in further education this year, and it’s a testament to colleagues within the supported living accommodation that clients have the confidence, ambition and overall stability in their lives to feel able to take on new courses and experiences.

“We’re also keen to continue the strong participation in our wellbeing activities across ALABARÉ’s young people as a potential gateway to further learning, as we’re finding that building skills in teamwork, problem-solving and boosting self-esteem are all vital in supporting a young person’s journey to independence.”