Homelessness charity ALABARÉ has secured £20,000 in new funding to continue and expand its Boots on the Ground wellbeing programme for veterans across the South West of England and Wales.
The grant, awarded by the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF), will support outdoor and activity-based sessions designed to improve mental health, physical fitness and social connection among former Armed Forces personnel who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Outdoor support alongside housing services
Boots on the Ground operates in areas close to ALABARÉ’s Homes for Veterans and is open to ex-service personnel accessing the charity’s accommodation and homelessness services, as well as veterans living in the wider community.
Activities include guided walks, gardening, kayaking, bushcraft and practical skills, alongside heritage and volunteering projects in the UK and overseas. The programme is built around the principles of the NHS Five Ways to Wellbeing, encouraging participants to stay active, learn new skills and build connections with others.
Over the last financial year, ALABARÉ delivered more than 200 sessions through Boots on the Ground, with 88% of participants reporting an improvement in their wellbeing.
Supporting recovery and stability
The charity says the programme plays a key role in supporting veterans with complex needs, particularly those rebuilding their lives after periods of homelessness, addiction or social isolation. Participants often engage with the activities alongside supported accommodation, creating a more structured route towards stability and independence.
One veteran supported through the programme described how regular outdoor activity helped rebuild confidence and motivation during recovery, laying the foundations for improved health, relationships and future training opportunities.
Plans to expand access
ALABARÉ hopes the ABF funding will allow it to increase participation and widen the range of activities on offer. There are also plans to explore extending sessions to other client groups supported by the charity, including young people and non-veteran adults experiencing homelessness.
The Army Benevolent Fund described ALABARÉ as a valued partner charity, highlighting the role of Boots on the Ground in providing structured, positive support for homeless veterans alongside accommodation services.
ALABARÉ said the funding would help ensure more veterans can benefit from outdoor, skills-based support as part of their journey away from homelessness and towards long-term independence.
