Homeless man getting life on track thanks to charity's support
Alabaré started supporting Terrence during a Severe Weather Emergency Protocol
Last updated 17th Feb 2026
A homeless man offered support by a Wiltshire charity says the organisation has given him a life-changing opportunity.
Terrence turned to Salisbury-based Alabaré when Wiltshire Council activated it's Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP), which makes extra beds available for rough sleepers.
SWEP is put into action when weather is predicted to be a threat to life, allowing support organisations to do more for people living on the streets.
Support is accessed via Council reports, which uses data from the StreetLink service which plots the location of people who might need help, meaning they can be offered a warm, safe and secure place to stay.
The Council has activated it's latest SWEP from tonight (17/2), for three days.
"I'm going in a new direction"
Terrence found a place to stay at Alabaré's Unity House in Chippenham, while others will have stayed at Alabaré Place in Salisbury.
He says the charity's support has had a massive impact on him.
“I got released from prison around a year and a half ago and moved from pillar to post from there. I’ve lived in lots of places that didn’t work out, and then I was sleeping in a tent, just as the frost hit and the emergency support was brought in.
“ALABARÉ took me in off the streets. I was just expecting a room to be honest, but they’ve given me a great opportunity with a flat, and it’s really taken me in a new direction. It’s been great, and I’m doing really well now.”
Many people rebuilding after finding help
11 people turned to Alabaré for help when SWEP was called in November 2025, with a further eight finding help from the charity when SWEP was active over the New Year and early January.
A fifth of those 19 people have since moved into Alabaré's supported living accommodation, while two have a space in their Homes for Veterans programme.
Six people stayed with the charity until they were offered alternative housing by Wiltshire Council, while a single person has moved to privately rented accommodation.
Help possible down to community support
Much of this work was made possible by Alabaré's Winter Appeal, which raised almost £40,000 to aid the charity in breaking the cycle of homelessness.
The charity has thanked it's supporters, which include the Wiltshire Community Foundation, Chippenham Borough Lands Charity, Salisbury Almshouses, the Co-Op Foundation, and the Girdlers’ Company Charitable Trust.
Naomi Webb, Director of Care and Support at ALABARÉ, said:
“Sleeping rough is incredibly difficult for people at the best of times, but during freezing weather, it could genuinely be a life-or-death situation. Through the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol, we can offer additional support that keeps more people warm and safe and points them towards longer-term help.
“Our drop-in centres provide hot meals, showers, and advice for those facing homelessness, but working with Wiltshire Council during particularly tough weather is that extra facet of help that can really make a difference. We’re grateful to the authorities locally for their proactive approach to keeping people safe.
“We’d encourage everyone in Wiltshire to keep an eye out for those who might need somewhere secure to sleep and report their concerns to StreetLink so we can ensure the right support is given.”
We can report rough sleeping to StreetLink by visiting https://thestreetlink.org.uk/ or calling 0300 500 0914, with the information then passed on to local authority teams for referral to charities like ALABARÉ.