Press Release

Helping more young people in North Wilts

Alabaré is doing its bit to help cut the number of young people in North Wiltshire ending up in B&Bs and emergency accommodation.

The charity, which supports homeless and vulnerable people, has taken on the management of three new properties in the area.  The three properties will offer accommodation to a total of six people aged between 16 and 25. 

The aim is to cut the number of young people having to go into Bed and Breakfasts or other unsuitable accommodation because there is nowhere else for them to go.

The new properties are owned by Westlea Housing Association, but the services provided in them will be managed by Alabaré staff.  Service users will benefit from a range of support in areas such as practical living skills, benefits and education.

Alabaré already has two Supported Housing projects for young people in North Wiltshire – Hope House and The Summit.

Hope House and The Summit are Supported Housing projects for young people aged between 16 and 30.  They offer a total of seven bed spaces and service users can stay for up to two years.  Staff and volunteers visit both houses regularly to offer support with both practical and personal skills, encouraging them to make a positive contribution to the community and enabling them to move successfully on to independent living. 

The addition of three new properties means that in North Wiltshire Alabaré is now able to provide accommodation for a total of 13 young people, meaning that even less will end up in emergency Bed and Breakfast.

Alabaré’s Chief Executive Andrew Lord said “I am thrilled to announce the addition of a further three properties to our young people services in North Wiltshire.  Being able to provide a further six bed spaces will mean that fewer young people end up in B&B or other unsuitable accommodation.”

He added “Not only will we be providing them with stable high standard accommodation, we will also be equipping them with the skills they need to move on to living fully independently.”

Mark Lake, Neighbourhood Housing Manager at Westlea Housing said:

"We're really pleased to be working in partnership with Alabare to provide some much-needed short term accommodation for young people in the area, keeping them out of unsuitable bed and breakfast accommodation. We know this scheme will make a real difference to these young people suddenly faced with the difficult and stressful reality of having no home of their own. In particular, the visiting support staff will ensure that we don't just provide a temporary home but also give a helping hand to those who need to develop new skills for independent living."

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For more information or to arrange an interview call Lara Higgins on 01722 344484

Alabaré Christian Care Centres is a regional charity, providing a range of services including supported housing, floating support services, drop-in centres, information, advice and training services and a registered care home.  The charity works with the homeless, ex-offenders, young people, individuals with a learning difficulty, vulnerable women and people with drug and alcohol problems, aiming to assist them with realising their potential and becoming valued members of society.  www.alabare.co.uk