Alabaré Chief Executive Andrew Lord has been awarded an MBE today in the Queen’s honours, in recognition of his incredible contribution to the support of homeless and vulnerable adults and young people over the last 20 years.
Andrew became Chief Executive of the Veterans’ charity in May 2000, and has guided the charity to now reach those in need across the south and south west, and north and south Wales. In that time the charity has helped thousands of vulnerable and marginalised people who are homeless or have been in urgent need of support, transforming their lives and giving them new skills and bright futures.
This year publication of the Queen’s Birthday Honours was delayed from June to give the opportunity to recognise those who have played a significant part in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic. The announcement comes today on Saturday 10 October, the date which marks both World Homeless Day and World Mental Health Day, and is highly significant for Andrew and Alabaré.
Andrew says;
“It is a great honour to receive this award. I have fully enjoyed my 20 years at Alabaré, seeing a wonderful team deliver care and support to vulnerable people in Wiltshire and further afield. With the team at Alabaré we have made vast strides in helping more and more people in need across our region, giving them the skills and support they need to rebuild their lives. But our work in ending homelessness is not finished. So whilst the award marks what we have achieved, there is much to do.
COVID -19 has brought challenges to all. At Alabaré we were determined to continue to deliver the vital support in our homes at a time when we were in lockdown and when there was much concern and anxiety. It is testament to the incredible team here at Alabaré that we have been able to keep our clients safe, well and supported throughout such unprecedented times.
This winter could be one of the hardest yet, with COVID still dominating our lives, and more people at risk of homelessness as a result of the economic turmoil from lockdown. I am proud and glad to be here with our staff team, our supporters and partner agencies to support all those in crisis and need in the coming months and years, and help each towards a new, independent and fulfilling.”
Under Andrew’s leadership Alabaré has developed many new services such as its dedicated Homes for Veterans programme, which now houses over 100 ex-Armed Forces personnel every night, who otherwise could be forced to sleep on the streets. This year Alabaré have opened a mental health service, Riverside Sanctuary, which had been providing invaluable support to people struggling with their mental w ell-being, especially in current times.
Malcolm Cassells is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Alabaré. He says;
“I am delighted that Andrew Lord has been named in the Queen’s honours. Andrew has worked tirelessly over the past twenty years as the Chief Executive of ‘Alabaré Christian Care and Support’ to provide care and facilities for the most disadvantaged people in our society. It is an area of work which often doesn’t get acknowledged and yet without the commitment of people such as Andrew there would be many more homeless people on the streets. I also believe that this honour will be welcomed by the many staff and volunteers within Alabaré, who provide care in often very difficult circumstances, as a recognition of their work.”
This year, the charity like many others, has faced huge challenges from the Covid-19 pandemic. Staff across the Alabaré worked tirelessly to keep residents safe and well, and the charity has been reaching out to supporters to help them overcome the financial challenges that have come from postponing fundraising events.
To find out more Alabaré and how you can get involved, go to www.alabare.co.uk
