Press Release

13th January 2011

Alabaré to support Armed Forces leavers across Salisbury Plain

Alabaré is to provide training to help Armed Forces leavers across Salisbury Plain avoid homelessness.

Salisbury-based charity Alabaré has been awarded a grant of more than £5000 by Plain Action to deliver the Alabaré Home and Money Programme – Take Control, a tenancy and housing related training programme, to those preparing to leave the Services.  The programme will also be available to their dependants, veterans and civilians living in the Salisbury Plain area.

Alabaré’s Home and Money programme will consist of a series of modules covering topics such as Housing Options, Welfare Benefits, Budgeting and Bills, Rent and Rent Arrears and Dealing with Debt.  The aim of the programme is easing the transition from military to civilian life for those about to leave the Services, and to support those who are finding it challenging setting up their own home for the first time.  It will be a 10 week course, dealing with a module a week, and will take place three times a year. 

It is planned that the courses will be in Tidworth, Wilton and Devizes, however locations could change depending on need.  The first course will be taking place in Tidworth, starting on the first Monday in February.

Alabaré’s experience and research in this area shows that many ex-Service personnel and those about to leave the Forces have little knowledge of the responsibilities that come with making the transition into civilian life and managing a tenancy.  For many, during their time with the Armed Forces, they have not had to deal with these issues and the sudden additional responsibilities can cause distress and result in a loss of confidence or even a family break down.

The charity will work with a range of local agencies, including Armed Forces Welfare Officers, to identify potential candidates who would benefit from the course.  Clients will also be referred to the course via local organisations and other Alabaré services.  Alabaré’s Home and Money Programme would equip those about to leave the Services and those struggling to set up home with the skills needed to successfully manage their tenancies and prevent eviction.