Toggle menu

Notice

The parent portal is currently unavailable. We are working with our service provider to resolve the issue.

Renewed partnership will provide support for homeless people in Wiltshire

Wiltshire Council has renewed its housing partnership with the charity Alabaré, to give people in Wiltshire who find themselves homeless, support and accommodation.

Published 7 February 2024

Wiltshire Council has renewed its housing partnership with the charity Alabaré, to give people in Wiltshire who find themselves homeless, support and accommodation.

With funding from the council, the charity not only provides a safe home for those Wiltshire residents who find themselves homeless, but crucially, it gives help to each resident to allow them to overcome the personal challenges that have led them to become homeless in the first place. 

The council's Housing Options Team and Rough Sleeper Team work closely with Alabaré to help those in need of urgent support into safe and supported accommodation. Now this partnership has been renewed following a tendering process.  Alabaré will be continuing to provide their professional support for at least the next five years.

Cllr Phil Alford, Cabinet Member for Housing at Wiltshire Council said: No one sets out in life wanting to be homeless. There can be a whole host of reasons why this happens. Our teams are there ready to help and provide support to help get off the streets and into a warm home. We don't do this alone. We value partnership working and the positive impact this can have. I'm very pleased we are continuing to work and build on our long-established work with Alabare. We have commissioned them to work with us. Within this package we are including a specific approach to targeted support for young people who are homeless to help them get back on their feet. This is a vitally important area and I look forward to hearing positive stories from this important piece of work.

Within the support and housing available, specialised help is available for young people aged between 16 and 21 years who are homeless. They have often found themselves homeless due to relationship breakdown with their family and can have health and wellbeing problems that the Alabaré team help them overcome. In addition, the Alabaré team can support young people back into education, training and employment with our specialist tenancy training and employability coaches.

Vanessa Bedford, Alabaré Lead Operations Manager said: Alabaré are excited to have been successful in the tender for support housing for both young people and adults in Wiltshire. This means we can continue to deliver 31 beds for young people 16-21 and 83 beds for adults.

We look forward to working with Wiltshire council for the next five years to help end homelessness.

One Alabaré resident, Josh, who lives at the charity's Unity House in Chippenham said: When I first arrived at Unity House, I had poor mental health and poor people skills. In my year and a half here, the staff have shown me patience, kindness and understanding. Their support has helped me gain confidence and self-worth. They have supported me in every aspect of my journey.  have a deep appreciation for the encouragement I have received from all members of staff. I could not imagine where I would be if it were not for my key worker. Having this 1-2-1 support has been crucial in helping me achieve all of my goals. My time here at Unity House has changed my life for the better and I could not be more grateful.

For more information visit Alabaré (opens new window).

Explore the topic
Topics:

Share this page

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share by email