Veterans’ Self-Build cohort graduates from Ludgershall scheme

A group of veterans at risk of homelessness, who have been supported by ALABARÉ, have successfully moved into new homes they’ve helped to build - just in time for Christmas.

For the last 12 months, four veterans have been learning various construction trades, with the support of industry partners Lovell Homes at the Drummond Park development in Ludgershall, Wiltshire, as part of ALABARÉ’s Veterans’ Self Build scheme.

In the final six months of the scheme, the veterans choose their trade for which they are nationally accredited, ahead of securing a permanent role in the industry in the New Year.

What is Veterans’ Self-Build?

The award-winning scheme has so far transformed the lives of 50 former military personnel by helping them acquire new skills and secure employment in an industry facing a significant skills shortage.

The scheme has been a great success across the South West, with similar programmes running in Plymouth and Herefordshire in recent years.

97% of participants have secured employment within the construction industry.

The scheme positively impacts the taxpayer, as well as the participants, with positive contributions being made to the public purse of £85,000 for every individual taking part.

The initiative also promotes sustainable housing solutions, helping to solve a skills crisis within the construction industry, and supports the Government's house building and affordable home creation targets.

A Lovell spokesperson said, “Lovell continues to see a decline in skilled labour to support the delivery of good quality homes, which was a real benefit of having the Veterans’ Self-Build at Drummond Park.

“Lovell works routinely with local schools and offers graduate and trainee programmes to help develop new staff. The Veterans’ Self-Build is another opportunity for Lovell to not only provide social value in the case of Ludgershall, but also to explore further areas of the working population to fill the skill shortage gap.”

Breaking the cycle of homelessness in action

This year’s cohort on the Veterans’ Self-Build scheme at Ludgershall has made huge progress since first joining the programme.

ALABARÉ’s Head of Veterans Services, Gary Chapman, explains, “As a veteran myself, I can see that these guys didn’t transition correctly into civilian life. For whatever reason, they ended up in the worst place they could be. One of the cohort that’s graduated was living in his car, and moved into one of our homeless houses, and twelve months later, he’s qualified as a tradesperson, he’s just moved into his new flat, he’s got the pick of the jobs, and he can see a future. For him, this is life-changing.

“Another of them says he wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for this scheme. It’s given him purpose. It’s no mean feat coming onto a building site five days a week, and keep that vision in their head that they’ll get that job and that property at the end of the scheme.

“This epitomises ALABARÉ’s mission to break the cycle of homelessness – we take guys from being homeless, through supported living, they engage with our Boots on the Ground well-being programme and complete the circle by learning a trade and moving into independent living.”

Frank Nelson is the Project Manager for the Ludgershall Veterans’ Self-Build site and said, “It’s a really proud day, a lot of work goes into it, and they’re changed people from where they’ve started. Self-Build is about building lives, and they’re all ready for independent living. Three of the four have moved into their new homes here, and the fourth is moving into work and going his own way in Salisbury. I’m really proud to watch how they’ve developed.

“To stop that revolving door of homelessness, we’ve actually provided them with the tools to succeed. They’ve all gained national qualifications – one’s a trained scaffolder, one’s a qualified landscaper, one’s got his HGV1 and CPC licences, so he’s going into driving, and the last one’s a fully trained pest controller. They’ll all walk into work in January, and it’s great for them and their futures.”

As the Drummond Park development is reaching completion, ALABARÉ is now looking to expand the Veterans’ Self-Build scheme to more locations, in proximity to the charity’s existing Homes for Veterans service across the South West and Wales.