ALABARÉ thanks Veterans’ Foundation for helping to break the cycle of homelessness for 170 veterans

Salisbury-based charity ALABARÉ has supported more than 170 former military personnel facing homelessness, thanks to a generous grant from the Veterans’ Foundation.

The £133,000 grant was announced in October 2024 and has enabled ALABARÉ to fund 30 Homes for Veterans services across the South West and Wales.

As well as being a safe and secure place to stay, ALABARÉ supports veterans with financial budgeting, signposting to drug and alcohol recovery services, and reinforcing and expanding employability skills and opportunities. 

Thanks to the Veterans’ Foundation’s funding, ALABARÉ has supported 170 veterans, 75 of whom have successfully moved on to independent living.

Arron – Building Confidence, Community and a New Future

Arron joined the Army at the age of 17, serving for four years with the Green Howards, including two tours in Afghanistan, on Op Herrick.

He was medically discharged following an IED incident, which left him with physical and mental health challenges.

Arron was referred to ALABARÉ, moving into the charity’s supported living accommodation, before taking part in the charity’s Boots on the Ground wellbeing programme, designed and inspired by veterans.

Funding from the Veterans’ Foundation is critical to ALABARÉ’s commitment to restore hearts and empower minds. These nature-based activities have led to veterans reporting improvements in their confidence, fitness, sense of community, and purpose.

69 veterans have taken part in ALABARÉ’s Boots on the Ground activities over the last year.

Arron describes the impact as transformative, saying that being part of the group has helped to reduce his anxiety and remind him of the camaraderie and banter he’d missed since leaving the forces.

That momentum and the support of ALABARÉ colleagues and peers led him to secure part-time employment, creating a daily structure and making friends outside the veteran community.

Arron said, "ALABARÉ and its Boots on the Ground programme has helped me build trust and form bonds without the pressure of a formal session. I can open up more outdoors than I ever could sitting across a desk.

“Being in nature helps me regulate my mood and reinforces teamwork, while giving me the chance to connect with other veterans and grow my support network.

"Through ALABARÉ, I've gained the confidence to move forward with my life. I now have a girlfriend, a home of my own, and a job. Without their support, I don't know where I'd be."

His future plans include stepping up towards full-time work, undergoing an operation on his knee, and continuing his recovery and independence.

Impact Stats:

• 44% saw a positive change in ‘My Health’
• 49% felt an enhancement in ‘How I Feel’. 
•  6,000 homeless veterans across the UK
• 1 in every 400 veterans experiences homelessness
• ALABARÉ has seen 122% increase in veterans’ referrals

Support from the Veterans' Foundation has also played a pivotal role in strengthening ALABARÉ’s ability to raise awareness of veterans’ homelessness, build partnerships with other organisations, and promote improved outcomes for the armed forces community.

Andrew Lord, Chief Executive of ALABARÉ, said, “We are grateful to the Veterans’ Foundation for their support of our Homes for Veterans service.  The transformation of many of the veterans who come into our services is simply incredible – some find it extremely hard to open up about their life experiences; however, with the support of our colleagues, often with shared experience of the forces, they’re engaging with the help offered and are turning their lives around.”

Jane Gurney, CEO of the Veterans' Foundation, said, “We are delighted to award this grant to ALABARÉ, whose work is helping to break the cycle of homelessness for veterans. Through safe housing and tailored support, they are enabling former service personnel to rebuild their lives, restore confidence, and move towards independent living.”