Legion grant helps Alabaré support homeless veterans in Weymouth
13 August 2010
Alabaré, a charity that works with homeless and vulnerable people, is to open an innovative supported housing project exclusively for veterans in Weymouth, thanks to a grant from The Royal British Legion.
Alabaré has been awarded £180,000 over
three years by the Legion to open a home that provides
specialist support to ex-Service men and women who are struggling
to cope after leaving the Military.
The proposed new veterans' house will provide a safe and supportive environment enabling service users to make life changes and develop new skills whilst working towards living independently again. Staff will offer advice and guidance on employment, education and housing matters and can provide life skills training where needed. Life skills include things like budgeting, maintaining a home and cooking; skills that some veterans may never have needed to develop whilst in the Armed Forces. They will also signpost veterans to other professional agencies that can provide specialist support with issues such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, mental health problems and drug and alcohol dependency, all of which may have occurred as a result of serving in conflict overseas.
Veterans can be referred to the service via a number of agencies, including the four prisons in the surrounding local area.
"I am delighted that Alabaré has been awarded this generous grant enabling us to open a supported housing project for veterans and I would like to thank The Royal British Legion for their support," said Andrew Lord, Alabaré Chief Executive. "The new house will provide invaluable support to the many vulnerable ex-Service men and women living in and around Weymouth."
The new veterans' house in Weymouth will be based on the model of Alabaré's veterans' house in Plymouth, called Mon Abri. Mon Abri was opened in partnership with The Royal British Legion in February 2009 and was the charity's first house specifically for ex-Service personnel. It provides a unique combination of accommodation and specialist support to up to seven residents. Within the first week of opening the veterans' house in Plymouth was full and in its first year of operation supported 20 veterans. Demand for places has remained extremely high.
Alabaré has been supporting veterans within its projects for a number of years, but recognises that they make better progress when surrounded and supported by people who have a shared experience and understanding of Service life.
Figures from The Royal British Legion highlight the urgent need that exists in the Weymouth and Dorset area for veterans' support. In 2009 in Dorset alone the number of veterans sleeping rough or in emergency temporary accommodation increased by almost 50% and in the last two years the Legion assisted 21 individuals who were former inmates at prisons across the county, and that many of them needed support in setting up home in the area.
The Legion's Director of Welfare, Sue Freeth said:
"Support to homeless veterans has been a priority for us for some time and this marks another step in increasing vital services in local hot spots."
Alabaré wants to build on the success of its Plymouth veterans''house and open more homes across the South and South West. The house in Weymouth is one of the first of these homes, with another opening in Bristol later in the year. Portsmouth has also been earmarked as potential future location.
Alabaré already has one project in Weymouth - Charis House, a supported housing project for men recovering from drug and alcohol dependency.
For more information or to arrange an interview:
Call Claire Sime, Albaré, on 01722 322929
Alabaré Christian Care and Support is a charity that works with homeless and vulnerable people. They have more than 40 projects across Wiltshire, Hampshire, Plymouth, Bournemouth, Devon, Dorset, Bristol and North Somerset providing a range of services including drop-in centres, supported accommodation and advice and training. They work with the homeless, those at risk of becoming homeless, ex-offenders, ex-Service personnel, people with drug and alcohol issues, young people, vulnerable women, individuals with learning disabilities and people with mental health conditions. Their vision is a society where everyone has the opportunity to enjoy a fulfilling life. www.alabare.co.uk
Alabaré Christian Care Centres is now operating under the new trading name of Alabaré Christian Care & Support. This new name has been chosen by their Board of Trustees to better reflect the work that they do in their projects and the services that they offer. A new logo has also been created to incorporate the new name. Their legal and Registered Charity name remains Alabaré Christian Care Centres (Registered Charity No 1006504).
Legion media contact:
Jenny Keeling, PR Officer, The Royal British Legion
T: 020 3207 2238 M: 07990 774 390 E: jkeeling@britishlegion.org.uk
