Our Homes For Veterans service in Wales is set to be boosted by a grant we have we have received from the Big Lottery Fund. It will increase the support veterans receive within accommodation centres across Wales and work in partnership with other support agencies to provide a wrap-around service.
The sum of £497,758 will be given over the course of three years in order to fund two part time roles as well as eight full time positions to help provide support for veterans in Wales. The allocation of this grant is essential in allowing Alabaré to continue to help the lives of those who have served in the British Armed Forces but since fallen on hard times.
In addition to helping with the costs of staffing, the grant will go towards providing a vital support network that will help veterans in Wales to learn the necessary skills to get back in to employment and live independently once again.
Andrew Lord, Alabaré’s CEO, says;
“Alabaré are delighted to welcome this grant from the Big Lottery Fund as the financial support on offer will help us to continue our dedicated support for veterans across Wales. Our tailored programmes not only provide accommodation but also allow us to help vulnerable veterans learn the required skills to make the transition back in to civilian life.”
Alabaré provide housing support and services to ex-service personnel and over the last year helped around 240 Veterans across the UK. Our services include dedicated support to Veterans in North and South Wales – specifically; Cardiff, Pontypridd, Swansea, Carmarthen and Conwy.
The funds from the Big Lottery Fund will directly help to improve the lives of vulnerable veterans such as Stuart.
Having served as a chef in the Royal Navy, during which he served a tour of the Falkland Islands, Stuart began to work as a chef once again once his naval days came to an end. However his life saw a tragic turn of events as his fiancée Sally unexpectedly passed away. In order to cope with the pain, Stuart turned to alcohol but was helped by his long term friend Wayne. However tragedy struck once again as Wayne suddenly died from a heart attack. With nobody to support him, Stuart’s alcohol abuse spiralled out of control and he lost his job and home. After being forced to live in a garden shed, Stuart suffered a seizure and was hospitalised. It was then that Stuart was referred to our Homes For Veterans, where he was moved in to one of our specialist homes for ex-service personnel.
Since then Alabaré have been able to improve Stuart’s wellbeing and he now volunteers in his spare time, adding a much needed structure to his life.
“Alabaré’s Homes for Veterans have literally saved my life. I owe them so much. I am now looking forward to the future.”
For more information about Alabaré’s Homes for Veterans email: veterans@alabare.co.uk
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For more information or to arrange an interview call Harvey Taylor on 01722 344485.
Notes
At Alabaré we support people to overcome the barriers of homelessness, mental ill-health and learning disabilities in-order to have a home, health, choice and independence.
Alabaré Christian Care and Support provide the highest standards of accommodation and support to disadvantaged and vulnerable people in our communities in order that they can have a home, health, choice and independence. Since 1991, Alabaré have been working with people facing disadvantage through homelessness, mental ill-health, learning disability or a combination of these. We provide housing and personalised support based on the individual needs and aspirations of each person, tackling underlying causes and giving them the skills and confidence to move forward with their lives. www.alabare.co.uk
