The BBC Panorama programme on 9th February raised significant issues of the difficulties facing veterans leaving our Armed Forces.  Each year around 20,000 individuals leave the Services and whilst the majority are able to readjust to their civilian lives successfully, a significant minority encounter problems as highlighted by Colonel Tim Collins.

Alabaré is already answering this need, and is the leading provider of dedicated support for homeless and vulnerable veterans in the South and South West.  Working closely with Forces charities, our charity already operates 5 homes specifically for veterans, as well as a 10 week programme of seminars for those who are leaving or have recently left the Forces, aimed at preventing homeless in the first place.

Alabaré is also working with local prisons to support veterans when they are released.  (Some 3.5% of the prison population are ex-military).

Recognising the need for support for ex-Services personnel, Alabaré is in the process of expanding its veterans’ programmes to other areas in the South and South West.

Press Release

10th Feb 2011

Alabaré – a charity expanding to meet the needs of struggling veterans

Adjusting to civilian life can prove difficult for some veterans.

Alabaré is a regional charity that is tackling this head on, working in partnership with a number of major Forces welfare charities to ensure a collaborative approach to the support on offer to veterans.  It is the leading provider of supported housing dedicated to veterans in the South West.

Thanks to funding from, amongst others, The Royal British Legion, ABF The Soldiers Charity and the RAF Association and The Society of Merchant Venturers, Alabaré now has a total of five Homes for Veterans – one in Plymouth, two in Bristol and two in Weymouth, and there are plans to expand even further with more houses across the South and South West – including some with part funding already secured from Seafarers UK.

Alabaré’s Homes for Veterans provide a unique combination of accommodation and support, helping residents to access specialist help with a wide range of issues, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or drug and alcohol addiction.  Residents also work on developing independent living skills to help them move on successfully.

For the first time since leaving the Services I was around people who thought the same way as me.  It is extremely difficult for some ex-Service men and women to fit into civvy street…..here we all had something in common”.  Resident at Alabaré’s Plymouth Home for Veterans.

Alabaré is also actively equipping clients with the skills they need to manage a tenancy, fundamental in preventing eviction and avoiding homelessness.  Alabaré Home and Money Programme is a series of ten workshops focusing on tenancy and housing related issues which will run three times a year from centres across Salisbury Plain, specifically targeting those leaving Military Service and their dependents.  This project has been made possible thanks to funding from Plain Action.

Alabaré recognises the rising need for support for veterans and is committed to expanding its Veterans’ Programme accordingly.  They have a dedicated Project Development Manager in place, a post created with funding from The Veterans Challenge Fund, to ensure they are responding to the need in the most effective ways possible.

To find out more about the work being carried out by Alabaré click here or contact Project Development Manager David Millward on 01722 322882.