Ex military personnel take part in Veteran Build Experience

The scheme is a collaboration between Alabaré, leading developer Lovell and affordable housing provider Stonewater who have teamed up to give ex-military personnel, who were once homeless, workplace training, mentoring and the opportunity to secure a new affordable home. 

The Vice Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Lieutenant General Sir Andrew Gregory, met with the veterans on the scheme and heard how the programme is supporting them into new careers, and a new home which they have had the chance to help build. 

Sir Andrew said: "It was an absolutely inspiring afternoon, witnessing how a major house builder, a veteran's charity, and wider initiatives can support service leavers, especially those who need extra help to build skills and find a future direction in life.

READ MORE: Developer raises £500 for charity from Macmillan Coffee Morning'This program has saved my life' (Image: John Rose) "The work being done by Veterans Self Build, along with the support of Lovell, is creating that very environment. I believe we should consider how this model can be expanded regionally and even nationally, especially given the government's new housing targets and the valuable skills veterans possess.

"Wearing both my vice lord-lieutenant hat and as chief executive of SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity, I see tremendous opportunities here."

Chris, one of the veterans who is approaching the end of his year on the scheme, served in The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Rifles for four years, and saw service in Northern Ireland, Kosovo and Afghanistan. 

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He first sought help from Alabaré after his relationship broke down and he lost his home.

He said: “This program has saved my life, I was living in the woods at my lowest Eb and now I am about to move into my house and start work.  It has been really hard but amazing.”

Each veteran has the opportunity to join the Lovell workforce, learning valuable, transferable skills to increase long-term employment.  At the end of the programme, each has the opportunity to live in one of the homes managed by Stonewater that they have helped to build.

Andrew Lord, CEO at Alabaré, said: “I am very proud of the achievements of the veterans who have taken part on the community build scheme. It is wonderful to see Chris and Jack overcome issues they have faced in the past and gone onto gain new skills, employment and their own rented home.​

“The third cohort of participants have just started, and the initiative continues to provide real opportunities for veterans in the construction industry."