Tag: Homelessness

Urgent Appeal To Support The Homeless

Homelessness charity Alabaré have launched an emergency appeal to support those affected by homelessness after the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic…

With the virus known to be particularly dangerous to the vulnerable, the charity have warned of the danger it poses to those it supports with roughly 75% of its service users suffering from an underlying health condition.

Sue Gumbleton, Operations Manager for Alabaré’s Homeless Services said: “Rough sleepers do not have access to the soap and water we are all using to help protect ourselves. They do not have the means to self-isolate. The vast majority are more susceptible to illness and many have complex underlying health problems. If the virus does spread, homeless people could be amongst the first to die.

“Our dedicated teams are on the front line, working around the clock to try and make sure this doesn’t happen. We are getting people into our homes where we can support them if they fall ill, helping vulnerable and scared people to self-isolate, making sure they have a safe home, food and medication in this time of urgent need.”

The Coronavirus pandemic is not only threatening Alabaré’s residents and staff but is also putting huge strains on the charity financially. The charity’s services are facing unprecedented challenges and are putting emergency procedures into place. They have also incurred significant additional costs including adapting communal living spaces for self-isolation, providing food and supplies, and covering staffing costs when colleagues are off sick or in isolation.

Rebecca Mullen, Alabaré’s Fundraising and Development Manager added: “We have been severely financially impacted by the outbreak. At a time when we are spending money to save lives, we have had to postpone all our fundraising events for the next six months. We urgently need to raise £100,000 and have launched our emergency appeal in order to raise the funds we need to be able to continue to support the homeless and vulnerable through these uncertain times.’

Alabaré are appealing to the public to support them. Find out more about the emergency appeal here.

23rd March 2020
200 Take Part In The BIG Sleep

200 fundraisers swapped the comfort of their own beds and bedded down for the night at Salisbury Cathedral to raise funds and awareness for the charity Alabaré…

This was the 14th time the charity have hosted the event which raises vital funds for their work with the homeless and vulnerable within the local community. The evening saw support from a number of local schools including Godolphin, Stonehenge and St. Joseph’s, who braved the event despite the cold and damp conditions.

As well as schools, there was also support from local corporates including the Radian Group and Aspire Defence. Catering came from Sodexo, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Greggs, and Boston Tea Party, who helped out by providing much needed refreshments and snacks for the participants as well as a hot breakfast in the morning.

Rebecca Mullen, Alabaré’s Fundraising and Development manager said: “We are incredibly grateful for the people of Salisbury coming out to join us for our 14th BIG Sleep event at Salisbury Cathedral. The devastating consequences of those facing homelessness become all too stark in the current weather conditions.

“Raising funds and awareness becomes even more important. We would like to say a huge thank you to all of those who took part and the local businesses who supported the event.”

13th February 2020
Welfare Minister Visits Homeless Veterans Project

Homeless charity Alabaré welcomed Minister for Welfare Delivery and MP for Colchester Will Quince to their 41 bed supported accommodation project in Salisbury…

Upon his visit to Alabaré, the Minister was able to learn about the charity’s work in providing housing and support to homeless and vulnerable people. In the time he spent there, Mr Quince was able to speak with a number of service users and staff members regarding their experiences with Universal Credit, for which he holds responsibility in the Department for Work and Pensions.

Mr Quince was also able to learn more about Alabaré’s work with different marginalised groups in society including ex-service personnel and their Veterans Self Build programme. The pioneering scheme enables homeless and vulnerable Armed Forces Veterans to assist in the construction of housing projects in which they are able to live upon completion.

Minister for Welfare Delivery Will Quince said: “This government is determined to help anyone experiencing homelessness or rough sleeping into stable accommodation and employment. This is not solely a government issue though and it is vital we work alongside organisations such as Alabaré, who do such fantastic work to support vulnerable people across England and Wales.

“I recently announced a £3 million fund, which will allow Jobcentre staff to get out on the streets to directly support those most vulnerable, helping with challenges such as benefit claims and directing them to additional support. This is in addition to £6 million to fund more than 100 Armed Forces Champion posts at Jobcentres across the country.”

Alabaré provide supported housing and drop in facilities to homeless and vulnerable people across the South, South West of England and Wales. In addition to providing services for those suffering from homelessness, Alabaré also has specialist projects for young people, Armed Forces Veterans and adults with learning disabilities.

3rd February 2020
Generosity Served To Homeless Veterans

Throughout the month of December, French restaurant chain Aubaine teamed up with leading veterans’ charity, FirstLight Trust, to run a campaign in support of homeless veterans of the armed forces and blue light services…

For one month only Aubaine customers were given the option to include a £1 donation on their bill in support of this vital cause, from which a very generous £6,000 was raised.

The Aubaine campaign has come at a crucial time for FirstLight Trust, as homelessness and suicide rates are on the increase, which is familiar at this time of year. The winter months are difficult for many veterans, starting with Remembrance Day which can be a stark reminder of so many lost lives. Many also face loneliness and intensified feelings of isolation in the build up to Christmas.

Over the last year, FirstLight Trust has supported more than 40 street sleepers and homeless veterans into quality housing and prevented 18 suicides; The donations received from the Aubaine campaign will be a tremendous contribution towards their crucial work.

“It’s a fantastic start to the New Year, and a push in the right direction,” says Dorinda Wolfe Murray, the founder of FirstLight Trust. “The campaign has not only generated much needed donations, but it has also granted exposure on the issue of homelessness within the veteran community. Thank you to Aubaine and their wonderful customers for such amazing care and generosity!”

FirstLight Trust works at a local level within communities, creating safe and welcoming spaces for veterans and helping them to adjust to civilian life, whatever that looks like for each individual. Their café hubs are currently based in Gosport, Hawick, Hereford, Lancaster, Redcar and Scarborough open to veterans and the public alike.

Aubaine has establishments in Brompton Road, Kensington, Marylebone, Mayfair, Notting Hill, London Selfridges, Covent Garden and The Dubai Mall, serving delicious French food all year round.

28th January 2020
Will You Brave The BIG Sleep?

Veterans’ charity Alabaré will be taking their flagship fundraising event, the BIG Sleep, to the historic Woodchester Mansion on Friday 27th March…

The event will see participants bed down for the night at the historic gothic mansion in the Cotswolds all whilst raising vital funds and awareness to support homeless and vulnerable ex-service personnel.

Alabaré support over 300 homeless Veterans every year and have two homes in the Gloucestershire area which provide not only accommodation but the support required to assist Veterans with a successful transition back in to civilian life.

By sleeping out at Woodchester Mansion, those taking part pledge to raise a minimum of £100 which will go towards supporting the Armed Forces Veterans that Alabaré help.

Liz Davenport, trustee at Woodchester Mansion said: “We’re delighted to be able to host Alabaré’s BIG Sleep at the Mansion. It’s a great venue and we hope lots of sleepers come along to enjoy the wonderful, unusual house. We are also pleased to be able to follow in the footsteps of the Mansion’s builder, William Leigh, who was known throughout his life for his generous Christian charity.”
Woodchester Mansion has been used as a set in recent TV Productions The Crown (Netflix) and His Dark Materials (BBC). The grounds were also used during WWII to train Allied troops in bridge building for the invasion of Europe after D-day.

If you would like to sign-up to the event, please go to www.alabare.org.uk

14th January 2020
Third Sector Support For Homeless Veterans

A newly refurbished dining area for homeless veterans at Edinburgh’s Whitefoord House has been opened by the charity Scottish Veterans Residences which has invested over £160,000 in the project…

Scottish Veterans Residences made the investment with the support of donors including ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, BlackRock UK, The MacRobert Trust, Poppyscotland, The RAF Benevolent Fund and Trinity House Maritime Charity.

Frank Ross, Edinburgh’s Right Honourable Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost joined residents at Whitefoord House, which provides housing support services for 85 homeless veterans, to formally open the new facilities.

They include a whole new servery area as well as upgraded decoration, flooring, furniture and fittings and the provision of a variety of seating areas and options. The new decoration includes large monochrome portraits of eight residents which will form a key feature of the dining room walls, highlighting how veterans are at the forefront of the work carried out by Scottish Veterans Residences.

The Whitefoord House dining room is used by residents three times a day and, for many, it provides a place for social interaction. The improved security that accompanies this refit will now enable 24 hour access to the space as a new, comfortable social area.

Martin Nadin, CEO of Scottish Veterans Residences, said: “This newly refurbished and modernised dining room is designed to appeal to the wide age range of our residents making it more suitable for individuals with mobility difficulties and those dealing with mental health issues.

“The re-design brings a more flexible approach to dining and creates a relaxing community space outside of meal times which will encourage further social interaction and better suit the overall needs of our residents.”

6th January 2020
Major Refurbishment For Liverpool Veterans’ Scheme

Work has commenced on the refurbishment of Launchpad’s Speke House in Liverpool thanks to a donation from leading bereavement and veterans’ support charity, Forces Support…

Launchpad is the city’s largest veterans’ accommodation facility providing safe, secure en-suite bedsits and flats for up to 48 veterans to help them stabilise their lives and make a successful transition from military to civilian life.

Forces Support has awarded Launchpad £73,000, which will be used for both internal and external projects. Internally, all flats are set to benefit from the installation of new windows and communal areas such as the social and training area, kitchen, IT suite, laundry, corridors and toilet facilities will be fully redecorated. New gates and fencing will be erected, and a bike storage area will also be built.

Forces Support plays an active role in supplying funding to assist with homes for veterans to address problems of homelessness, financial disadvantage and poor mental and physical health among veterans.
In addition, Forces Support helps families of men and women killed while serving in the British Armed Forces, as well as former service personnel and their families who are in need through financial hardship.

Launchpad took possession of, and carried out partial refurbishment of Speke House, just off Heathgate Avenue, in 2015 based on the success of another project the charity runs in Newcastle. Residents usually stay at Launchpad for up to two years and receive additional support, through the expertise of specialist providers to help them make a successful transition from military to civilian life.

In the 12 months to June 2019, Launchpad’s Speke House accommodated 90 residents – 80 of which came from a homeless background. 45% of residents left Speke House with employment and 74% successfully moved on to settled accommodation, either living independently, reunited with family or with the support they need.

Sam Jackson, Manager of Launchpad’s Speke House said: “For some, Launchpad is the first safe place they have slept in for months, even years, so it is vitally important we provide a warm, welcoming and friendly environment that will help them to re-engage and transition successfully back into civilian life. We are extremely grateful to Forces Support for this financial contribution, which will significantly improve the living environment of Speke House.”

The first phase of work to install double-glazed windows in all flats will be completed this week. In addition to the support received from Forces Support, funding has also been secured to remodel part of the garden area at Speke House to create a sensory garden for residents to relax and refocus.

2nd January 2020
Fresh Honest Support At Christmas

In this most festive of months, a group of French restaurants is encouraging their guests to help homeless veterans by donating £1 when they dine…

Aubaine runs six restaurants and a deli concept across London and even in Dubai. They have teamed up with leading veterans’ charity FirstLight Trust to ensure those that served in the armed forces or emergency services have a roof over their heads.

“At Aubaine, we have always been proud to demonstrate our core values and uphold our social responsibility by collaborating with great charitable organisations,” says Aubaine’s founder and CEO Hani Nakkach. “Our goal in working with FirstLight Trust is to raise awareness and vital funds to support UK veterans of the armed forces and emergency services.”

FirstLight Trust finds housing for veterans who are on the streets, or on the verge of being made homeless. Securing their place on the GlobalGiving donations platform this autumn has led to some notable successes. They helped a 29-year-old homeless veteran in Hereford with food and a week-long stay in a B&B whilst they arranged permanent housing. FirstLight Trust also secured accommodation in Liverpool for a homeless, with help from two other charities.

“We are very grateful to Aubaine and their customers for getting in the Christmas spirit and giving us their support,” says Dorinda Wolfe Murray, the founder of FirstLight Trust. “Every pound donated will go towards giving practical help to former members of the military and blue light services. Aubaine offers fresh, honest food. We offer fresh, honest support. This partnership really is a match made in Father Christmas’s workshop!”

6th December 2019
The Big Give Christmas Challenge

Supporters of Veterans’ charity Alabaré can see their donations doubled this Christmas as the charity takes part in the UK’s biggest match funding campaign, The Big Give’s Christmas Challenge 2019…

The Christmas Challenge launched at midday today and runs for just seven days, until 10th December 2019. Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics showed a total of 726 homeless people died in in England and Wales in 2018, highlighting the urgent need to support those suffering from the most extreme forms of homelessness.

Throughout Christmas, Alabaré need to raise additional funds to support those facing this desperate situation. Through their services, Alabaré help Veterans who are either homeless or at risk of becoming so, come off of the streets and into a supportive environment. As well as providing accommodation, they also provide the support and guidance to break the cycle of homelessness once and for all.

Between the 3rd and 10th December, donations to Alabaré via the BigGive website can be doubled up to the value of the pledge pot, meaning supporters wanting to give this Christmas can have twice the impact.

Andrew Lord, Chief Executive of Alabaré, said: “We are delighted to once again have the opportunity to be involved in the Big Give’s Christmas Challenge. This will enable our supporters to make an even greater difference to the lives of the homeless and vulnerable Armed Forces Veterans in our communities.”

Jonathan Frank, Director of The Big Give, adds: “The Christmas Challenge is a great opportunity for the British public to maximise the impact of their charitable gifts. Launching on Giving Tuesday, we’re encouraging everyone to consider the causes closest to their heart and to donate, enabling us to help ensure those donations go even further.”

To find out more about Alabaré’s Big Give campaign, please visit www.alabare.co.uk.

3rd December 2019
Support Homeless Veterans This Christmas

Veterans’ charity Alabaré have launched their Christmas Appeal as they desperately look to address the number of homeless Veterans this Christmas…

Alabaré wants to ensure that no Veteran be forced to sleep rough as they look to raise additional funds to support those facing homelessness. Through their services, Alabaré help ex-service personnel who find themselves in the desperate situation of having to call the streets home. They not only provide them with a roof over their heads, but the support, guidance and advice they need to make the successful transition to civilian life.

Andrew Lord, Chief Executive of Alabaré, said: “Whilst many will be enjoying the Christmas period, the stark reality for the Veterans that we support, is that it can be an incredibly difficult time of year. We want to be able to ensure that nobody who has served our country is faced with the prospect of sleeping rough and that we are able to continue to be there for those needing our support.”

Through their Homes for Veterans service, Alabaré can provide accommodation for up to 115 Veterans at any one time. The 23 homes are located throughout the South West of England and across Wales. Amongst the total of 328 Veterans supported by Alabaré last year was Martin.

After joining the army shortly before his 18th birthday, he served for over 12 years and was involved in tours of duty to the Falkland Islands, Northern Ireland and in the first Gulf War. Unfortunately due to cost cutting, he was made to take redundancy. Martin was able to get back in to employment working in security before then getting a job at a local steelworks.

Martin spent six years working there but a change of contracts meant that Martin once again faced the prospect of redundancy. With a mortgage to pay, Martin’s loss of job meant that he was struggling to keep up with his repayments. As much as he tried to make ends meet, it was to no avail as he eventually lost his home and was faced with the prospect of being made homeless.

Fortunately for Martin support was at hand when local authorities made him aware of Alabaré’s services and he would be able to access dedicated accommodation for ex-service personnel. In his time living with us, Martin has been access support with a variety of issues and is now working with staff to explore his opportunities in getting back in to the workplace.

To support more Veterans like Martin this Christmas, give to Alabaré’s Christmas Appeal at www.alabare.co.uk

29th November 2019